this is bbc news. the headlines. the electoral commission launches a full investigation into the funding of the refurbishment of boris johnson's downing street flat. i worried about the investigation prime minister? who coughed up with a flat, sarah?— a flat, sarah? watched ox that is no reasonable — a flat, sarah? watched ox that is no reasonable grounds _ a flat, sarah? watched ox that is no reasonable grounds of _ a flat, sarah? watched ox that is no reasonable grounds of offence - a flat, sarah? watched ox that is no reasonable grounds of offence or. reasonable grounds of offence or offences may have occurred. the prime prime minister questions labour was on the attack.- prime prime minister questions labour was on the attack. don't the eo - le labour was on the attack. don't the peeple deserve _ labour was on the attack. don't the peeple deserve a — labour was on the attack. don't the people deserve a prime _ labour was on the attack. don't the people deserve a prime minister. labour was on the attack. don't the l people deserve a prime minister that they can _ people deserve a prime minister that they can trust that a government who is mired _ they can trust that a government who is mired in— they can trust that a government who is mired in cronyism greed and scandal? — is mired in cronyism greed and scandal? he is mired in cronyism greed and scandal? , ., ~ ., ., scandal? he should knowl paid for downin: scandal? he should knowl paid for downing street _ scandal? he should knowl paid for downing street personally - scandal? he should knowl paid for downing street personally and - scandal? he should knowl paid for downing street personally and i i scandal? he should know i paid for| downing street personally and i can contrasted any further declaration

that i have to make, if any i will be advised upon.— be advised upon. arlene foster announces _ be advised upon. arlene foster announces she _ be advised upon. arlene foster announces she is _ be advised upon. arlene foster announces she is stepping - be advised upon. arlene foster| announces she is stepping down be advised upon. arlene foster - announces she is stepping down as northern ireland first minister and the leader of the democratic unionist party. following calls from the party for a leadership contest. it has been the privilege of my life to serve _ it has been the privilege of my life to serve the people of northern ireiand — to serve the people of northern ireland as their first minister. and of course — ireland as their first minister. and of course to— ireland as their first minister. and of course to represent my home constituency. a of course to represent my home constituency-— of course to represent my home constituency. a country in chaos, and official— constituency. a country in chaos, and official covid _ constituency. a country in chaos, and official covid death _ constituency. a country in chaos, and official covid death toll- constituency. a country in chaos, l and official covid death toll passes 200,000 foot up the real number almost certainly much higher. as people die waiting for beds and oxygen supplies remain critically low. the much criticised government considers lockdown of the worst hit areas. the government secure a 60 million more doses of the pfizer vaccine to help support a booster programme later in the air. it comes as covid cases in the uk reach close to bottom levels. michael collins,

one of the three crew members of the first manned mission to the moon apollo 11 has died at the age of 90. if there is any part of the flight and apollo 11 that sticks in my memory it is the memory of that little, tiny thing that you could obscure with your thumbnail. good evening and welcome to bbc news. the independent watchdog that regulates political finance in the uk has launched a formal investigation into the funding of renovations to borisjohnson's downing street flat. the electoral commission said there were "reasonable grounds to suspect an offence or offences may have occurred". the row over who first paid for the renovations dominated prime minister's questions today. 0ur political editor,

laura kuenssberg reports. it's laura kuenssberg reports. not against the rules to receive it's not against the rules to receive donations politicians must declare them so the public and see where the money has come from. there is no place like home. are you worried about the investigation, prime minister? and no fix like this for borisjohnson before. his flat had an expensive makeover and he will not say who first payed, a mystery now subject to a serious investigation. the electoral commission today said... with claims tory donors might have picked up the tab there are suspicions rules might have been broken. who initially paid for the redecoration of his downing street flat?

paid for refurbishment personally. any further declaration that i have to make, if any, i would be advised upon by the lord. used to work for the queen but he will now watch over ministers' behaviour, but the question isn't who stumped up in the end but who paid borisjohnson's bills at the start. what do we get from this prime minister and government? dodgy contracts, jobs for their mates and cash for access, and who is at the heart of it? the prime minister, major sleaze, sitting there. don't the british people deserve a prime minister they can trust and a government which isn't mired in sleaze, cronyism and scandal? week after week the people of the country can see the difference between a labour party that twists and turns with the wind and thinks nothing except playing political games, whereas this party gets on with delivering on the people's priorities. this isn't about spending cash on cushions or curtains but where the money came from to do

so at the start. all politicians have to declare any money or loans they receive so that we can all be absolutely sure precisely what is going on. the prime minister appears to be feeling the heat now on severalfronts, angry denials down there were the order of the day. did the prime minister rage he would rather see bodies pile up and locked down again? as several sources familiar with the exchanges have told the bbc and other news organisations? can the prime minister tell the house categorically, yes or no, did he make those remarks or remarks to that effect? no, mr speaker, and i think that, if he is going to repeat allegations like that, he should come to this house and substantiate those allegations. the prime minister has repeatedly . lied to the public over the last .

week, but can i ask, _ are you a liar, prime minister? i believe a lockdown is a miserable thing and i did everything i did everything could to try and protect the british public throughout the pandemic, to protect them from lockdowns but also from disease. yet the prime minister's opponents are trying to peck awake at borisjohnson butler integrity and, at the least, unanswered questions are a big distraction. if a serving government minister is found to have broken the rules on party funding or even the law, should they resign? given this is a coronavirus press conference, you will not be surprised that i'm not going to add to the answers prime minister given to extensive questioning. but avoiding questions doesn't make them disappearfor top there are multiple inquiries now into exactly what happened. political reputations must be tended to with care.

arlene foster has resigned as the leader of the dup and as first minister of northern ireland. it comes after more than 20 dup assembly members and four mps signed a letter saying they have no confidence in her leadership. emma vardy reports on the implications for northern ireland — and the future of the uk. her report contains some flash photography. applause. in its 50—year history, arlene foster is only the third leader of the dup. a party known for its hard—line brand of unionism and staunch british identity now at a rare crossroads. a short time ago, i called my party chairman to inform him that i intend to step down as leader of the democratic unionist party. it has been the privilege of my life to serve the people of northern ireland as their first minister.

mrs fosterformed her political ideals growing up during the years of violence in northern ireland. the ira tried to kill her father when she was a child, and a bomb exploded under her school bus in fermanagh in 1988. and i closed my eyes cos ijust didn't know what was going on. as a law student, arlene foster joined the youth wing of the more moderate ulster unionists before defecting to the dup. i believe that the democratic unionist party is now the mainstream unionist party in northern ireland. she rose quickly through its ranks, becoming one of the party's most popular and unwavering politicians. when you think about bullying me, think again. ..before replacing peter robinson to become first minister in 2016. chanting. it meant working alongside sinn fein's martin mcguinness,

the former ira commander who became northern ireland's deputy first minister. but their power—sharing partnership lasted just a year. he resigned over the dup's handling of a green energy scheme which wasted hundreds of millions of pounds of taxpayers' money. where the scheme has brought us to this place is a matter of deep regret for me. but brexit became the party's biggest nemesis. arlene foster's profile rose as the dup propped up theresa may's government through the confidence and supply agreement. when borisjohnson promised to protect the union, she championed him. he is a fabulous friend to the union and a promoter of the union. but when he agreed a brexit deal which left northern ireland under a different set of rules from the rest of the uk, it was damaging to the party and arlene foster's leadership. now the anger among loyalist communities over brexit

has raised the stakes. there is a sense that unionism in northern ireland is weakened and losing ground to nationalists. and now arlene foster is paying the price. let s get more on this from dr clare rice, a researcher in northern irish politics at newcastle university. thanks very much for being with us on bbc news. she's accepted the inevitable, really. she is gone, and a sense we can park her leadership very comprehensively there. the question is, what happens next? what sort of leader do you think the democratic unionist party be looking for? what sort of sense does unionism need in this new political environment?— unionism need in this new political environment? ., , , ., ., environment? that is the question at the moment- — environment? that is the question at the moment. really, _ environment? that is the question at the moment. really, it _ environment? that is the question at the moment. really, it is _ environment? that is the question at the moment. really, it is anyone's. the moment. really, it is anyone's guess who will come forward now. there is also some talk around the position that arlene foster is now getting it being split into two roles. so that rather than i% be a

leader of the party but also the first minister of northern island, those two individuals will hold positions. that's as a whole different dynamic to the conversation. the dup themselves have been very quiet and keeping their cards close to the chest. it's really difficult to say at this stage. but there are of course some in circular within ireland around who might come forward with that for some as of that nothing is been confirmed. the sort of leader that the dup needs and unionism more generally and northern ireland, unionism is an ideology that is seriously struggling at the moment. it's been under attack for some time from so many different angles. as is been exemplified with the protocol. i think certainly what we will see from anyone who comes forward in the dup now, the leadership will take a turn insofar as it will probably harden its stance towards protocol issues within the northern ireland families such as abortion, for example. and the irish language and

certainly the dynamic of politics will start to change as a result. i will start to change as a result. i was really struck talking to my gas in this our last night as the story was developing of this result against arlene foster. to be told that actually a big challenge now that actually a big challenge now that people feel they are facing is, who was the leader best equipped to defend northern ireland and the continuance of the union in the likelihood of a border poll? that people are already factoring that in. who would be the best person that can make the case for unionism and for a separate northern ireland within the united kingdom rather than northern ireland being absorbed into the republic? in the sense that even the democratic union should be thinking on those lines that they have to prepare for that, suggest we have to prepare for that, suggest we have jumped have to prepare for that, suggest we havejumped quite far as have to prepare for that, suggest we have jumped quite far as a result of all the political controversies over the last couple years. i all the political controversies over the last couple years.— the last couple years. i think that's very — the last couple years. i think that's very fair _ the last couple years. i think that's very fair to _ the last couple years. i think that's very fair to say. - the last couple years. i think i that's very fair to say. certainly the brexit process and the protocols have come into force on the ist of january has really shaken up the

dynamics here in northern ireland was up i think as well the country, ill—fated as it was in confident supply arrangement that happened between the dup and the conservative party. brexit as a bigger context or backdrop and what's been happening in northern island has in many ways generated and renewed momentum or an increased momentum to the conversation of irish reunification. in the republic of ireland that set “p in the republic of ireland that set up it's called a shared island unit which is exploring how a new ireland or a reunified ireland could luck. what kind of shape that might take in the future. i think with all of these dynamics going on it is particular concern for unionism more generally. but for the dup at the largest party in northern island those sorts of considerations have a particularly pertinent residence. for our party in particular it's going to have to take stock of what it is they actually want to achieve going forward. and seriously consider within those conversation what northern ireland base will be in the future. both within the united kingdom and in terms of its

base on the island of ireland as well. . ~ base on the island of ireland as well. ., ,, , ., ., base on the island of ireland as well. ., ,, ., ., ,, well. thank you for talking with e es. well. thank you for talking with eyes i'm _ well. thank you for talking with eyes i'm sure _ well. thank you for talking with eyes. i'm sure it _ well. thank you for talking with eyes. i'm sure it will _ well. thank you for talking with eyes. i'm sure it will talk - to you again in the weeks ahead. it's been announced tonight that the government has ordered an extra sixty million doses of the pfizer covid vaccine. the new order is thought to be part of a plan to offer booster vaccinations in the autumn. it follows some encouraging evidence about the current vaccination roll out. a new study has found that even in cases where people get infected after receiving a single dose of the jab, their chances of passing it on to someone in the same household is cut by up to a half. here's our medical editor, fergus walsh. every day, with every vaccine, our defences against coronavirus get stronger. just one dose of either pfizer biontech or 0xford astrazeneca not only gives substantial protection against severe covid, but for those who do still get infected, it cuts their chances of passing

on the virus by up to half. what this means is the evidence is stacking up that the vaccine protects you, it protects your loved ones, and it is the way out of this pandemic. the route out of lockdown looks increasingly clear, as cases, hospitalisations and deaths all remain low. the number of covid patients in hospital in the uk has fallen by 96% since the peak injanuary, and is continuing to decline. at the same time nearly seven in ten adults in england, slightly lower elsewhere in the uk, now have antibodies and therefore some immunity to coronavirus, either from past infection or vaccination. it's highest among those aged 70—74, where 87% have antibodies. most of them are fully immunised. but nearly 20 million adults still haven't had

a dose of covid vaccine. but ministers and leading scientists are still urging a cautious approach to lifting restrictions. if we all go completely wild and just ignore everything that we've learnt over the last year in terms of social restrictions, there will be another wave and that wave will be much larger. the government is buying a further 60 million doses of the pfizer vaccine, which should be available from this autumn, as third booster shots. as for this summer, the nhs app may be used to show evidence of vaccination or a recent negative virus test, for those wanting a foreign holiday. spain will shortly begin testing digital vaccine certificates, but the rules here banning foreign travel will remain in place until at least the 17th of may.

fergus walsh, bbc news. liz saville roberts is the plaid cymru leader at westminster — shejoins me now. thanks for being with us on bbc news. there goes my bit of technology but i can still hear you, thankfully. first of all, the impact of all these things, the vaccination programs. the efforts indeed that of been carried out around the united kingdom. the difference in wales the people up and engage in for that what sort of stays you feel we've now reached in this? it's been a huge challenge never mind the medical challenges also been a challenge of leadership around the uk. , ., , �* uk. yes, indeed it has. i'm delighted _ uk. yes, indeed it has. i'm delighted to _ uk. yes, indeed it has. i'm delighted to say _ uk. yes, indeed it has. i'm delighted to say how- uk. yes, indeed it has. i'm delighted to say how the i uk. yes, indeed it has. i'm - delighted to say how the vaccination programme has been rolled out in wales without i've seen my local gps here in the whole community come together. we've got a really heart rate and we are rolling down with

pfizer in rural areas we are rolling down through the age groups and to the 40s in the 30s as well. which is really good to see. 0ne the 40s in the 30s as well. which is really good to see. one thing that i was really interested in hearing about firstly, the vaccine for the autumn i think this next stage of vaccination is going to be, obviously really important but it can be quite challenging for the health services across the united kingdom who had to engage with covid so far. and now also trying to keep up so far. and now also trying to keep up with regular services. i was really interested to hear about the access to not going into peoples homes. i think that's we are really looking at in the future. 0bviously looking at in the future. obviously we have to be careful with us as well for the one think i would like to say in relation to india, and in relation to the travel abroad, we really need to be aware about how the variations, the variance of covid are travelling around the world. if we can't ensure that there are enough vaccinations and the population of india, and the populations of other countries

across the world, even here, we know we can't be safe into the future. we have to make sure that there is access internationally to covid vaccinations. and the patient�*s roundness as well. and vaccinations. and the patient's roundness as well. and booster “ab doses it might fl roundness as well. and booster “ab doses it might be i roundness as well. and booster “ab doses it might be the d roundness as well. and booster “ab doses it might be the sense i roundness as well. and boosterjabj doses it might be the sense almost putting the cart before the horse? i know that some of the big covid vaccination producers have yet to licence in india. we really do need to be making sure that as well as the uk looking at its own home nation interest but also looking at really, if we can't be safe across the world. it's interesting that the kent variant seems to be playing its part in india as well. if nobody is safe, nobody is safe until everybody is safe. at the end of the day it's the one thing that's going to make us all safe, populations across the world for the vaccination isn't available to everybody we are waiting in line for a very to come back to us. i

waiting in line for a very to come back to us— back to us. i see that you were resent back to us. i see that you were present whether _ back to us. i see that you were present whether remotely - back to us. i see that you were present whether remotely or i back to us. i see that you were | present whether remotely or in back to us. i see that you were - present whether remotely or in the chamber for a present whether remotely or in the chamberfor a prime minister's chamber for a prime minister's questions chamberfor a prime minister's questions today. what did you make of the prime ministers defence and of the prime ministers defence and of course the fact that the electoral commission which obviously, wouldn't be investigating the prime minister about would be investigating whether there is a link between the refurbishment and his political party, the conservatives.- his political party, the conservatives. , , �* ., conservatives. they must've meant the cost of — conservatives. they must've meant the cost of wallpaper _ conservatives. they must've meant the cost of wallpaper at _ conservatives. they must've meant the cost of wallpaper at £840 - conservatives. they must've meant the cost of wallpaper at £840 a - conservatives. they must've meant| the cost of wallpaper at £840 a role has stuck in my mind. there are way more serious issues here. it's interesting of course for the electoral commission has commissioned an inquiry. it's also interesting that the prime minister has appointed christopher ge. what's interesting about lord guide is that he cannot initiate his own inquiries. we still have the issue, this is what i took the opportunity to raise on the chamber floor today, at the end of the day it is the prime minister who decides whether

an inquiry against him can go ahead. actually whether ministers conduct a rezoning conduct has reached proper standard that we expect in public life. that surely, in the events we've seen in recent days, surely thatis we've seen in recent days, surely that is unsustainable. we do know that is unsustainable. we do know that the prime minister needs to have something else to advise and advise them properly and actually holding to account. this system set “p holding to account. this system set up at a time which the ministerial conduct system when it did not have a large majority. the present prime minister has a large majority for the peak and continue to behave like this if that is how he feels it is suitable for them and we have no way of holding him to account. that, back here in wales and playing out in the election just over seven days now, next thursday the 6th of may, people are seeing west minister and the prime minister the head of west minister are behaving in such a self interested, bombastic denying passion. working on the assumption

that he can deny sent delete eight something and it goes away. and that is not a decent and honourable system of government. i think this is going to affect the conservatives was that whatever they like to hear themselves saying, this is going to affect them in the elections next week. thank you very much. joining me now is sir ed davey, leader of the liberal democrats. what is your assessment of where we are in terms of covid and the way that the government has brought together not only itself but the other governments around the uk and the scientific advisers to kind of maximise our ability for example, deliver the vaccination programme? are we in a comfortable place now, do you think?— do you think? well, i think the vaccination _ do you think? well, i think the vaccination roll-out _ do you think? well, i think the vaccination roll-out has - do you think? well, i think the vaccination roll-out has been i do you think? well, i think the| vaccination roll-out has been a do you think? well, i think the - vaccination roll-out has been a huge vaccination roll—out has been a huge success for the nhs. particularly for local gps, the local public health, local pharmacies and the

many community volunteers. i think it's been a sort of national success. across all parts of the united kingdom. ithink success. across all parts of the united kingdom. i think we can look to successes. it's been a bit slow in places like scotland but overall it's been a success. i think however, we still need to learn a lot of lessons for dealing with those people who get the disease. the track trace and isolate system that operates to help people there just isn't good enough. i can speak with a little bit of experience now. i'm actually self isolating at the moment at home. and i'm afraid i don't think that the test, trace and isolate system is really as good as it needs to be. i'm fortunate, i'm still drawing my salary but there are people who if they can't go to work and if they self—isolate, they have no money. and i think the government have not helped those

people at all. as we've heard from scientist today, there is still a danger of a third wave in the summer. it's great that people are getting vaccinated but we mustn't be complacent. ijust think getting vaccinated but we mustn't be complacent. i just think the government have failed to get the test, trace and isolate system in the right place and particularly the isolate part of the system to help people isolate if they need to. is people isolate if they need to. is it right for the government to be buying doses for a booster programme which it hopes to have in the autumn when there are still places desperate around the world for vaccination doses even to begin vaccination? just because of this point that the longer you leave those places with the disease active, the more likelihood there is of new variants developing which will be much harderfor the vaccination. clearly the vaccines we've had to fight.— vaccination. clearly the vaccines we've had to fight. we've got to try to do both- — we've had to fight. we've got to try to do both- of— we've had to fight. we've got to try to do both. of course _ we've had to fight. we've got to try to do both. of course we've - we've had to fight. we've got to try to do both. of course we've got - we've had to fight. we've got to try to do both. of course we've got to| to do both. of course we've got to protect our own population but we need to realise that this pandemic

isn't beaten until it's beaten everywhere in the world. and whether it is supporting india and the people of india who are suffering so much at the moment. 0ur people of india who are suffering so much at the moment. our hearts go out to them. whether it's in brazil or wherever it is in the world, britain needs to be part of an international community effort to vaccinate the world. to defeat this pandemic fully. and that's why as international as we believe in working with other countries fundamentally. to our view of life in the best way to protect the world whether it's on the pandemic of climate change. i think the government needs to do more. and the thing that i've been most disappointed is the cuts to the aid budget. i think they've been a real huge mistake giving there is so much poverty. and given that the budget can be part of the solution as we try to tackle this global pandemic. let me ask you finally, if i may about what happened at prime minister's questions today and the developments we've seen for the

electoral commission to investigate this question of payments for the refurbishment of the flat in downing street. clearly the prime minister and his family need to end of a right to live somewhere while he carries out that job. right to live somewhere while he carries out thatjob. what is it that you still want to know or feel that you still want to know or feel that the british public needs to know? i that the british public needs to know? ., ~ , know? i thought the prime minister looked very — know? i thought the prime minister looked very rattled _ know? i thought the prime minister looked very rattled prime _ looked very rattled prime questions with him he clearly clearly lost his temper. and i haven't seen that before. i think it speaks volumes, actually. because he failed to answer the questions. very straight questions about the funding. i've written to the cabinet secretary to ensure that the investigation ask questions like, whoever lent the money or donate the money did they get anything in return? and quid pro quo. we need transparency for something that is the big issue here, a lack of transparency. it undermines people trust. the frankly the prime minister hasn't got a good record on telling the truth. i have

to say, i think of the last few days more and more people are saying that. people have been sitting at home sacrificed so much during this pandemic, they must be beginning to wonder what on earth is going on behind the door at number ten? i have to say, the reports 0k they are allegations but there are a lot of people saying, the number of people said it, the prime minister made probably the most callous comments ever when he talked about bodies piled high. and that would be acceptable to avoid another laptop will lockdown. that was just awful. it will hurt the community of bereaved families across the uk who are like morning their loved ones. i'm afraid the prime minister, i don't think it's been convincing on this. frankly, if he did say that, he should come clean, apologise and frankly i said today that if he did say those words he should resign. mp

for the liberal democratically either in southwest london. self isolating at home. how much longer have you got? until midnight on saturday. 0k, have you got? until midnight on saturday. ok, you still have, they'll still get you out leafleting. you have a great excuse though. leafleting. you have a great excuse thou~h. ~ ., , leafleting. you have a great excuse thou~h. ~ . , ~ leafleting. you have a great excuse thou~h. ~ ., , ,, ., ~ though. well, actually like talking to --eole. though. well, actually like talking to people- it's _ though. well, actually like talking to people. it's very _ though. well, actually like talking to people. it's very interesting - to people. it's very interesting working on the doorsteps about ideas... i am able to phone people. so if your phone is ringing tonight it might be me. thank you very much. just on coronavirus let's take a look at the latest figures. 2i66 the latest figures. 2166 of his latest hours. there are 1630 for people currently in hospital with coronavirus was up and number of those continued to fall. 29 deaths were recorded in the 24 hours of

wednesday. that's people are tested positive for covid—19 within the 28 days before their death. the average number of deaths per day in the past week is 22. total number of uk dust recording in the pandemic so far is 127,000 for hundred and 80. 0nto the vaccination figures total of nearly 35 million people have had their firstjab. the overall number of people have had their first firstjab. the overall number of people have had theirfirstjob is now over 13.5 million. the estimate is both a quarter of the population have now got to that stage of having their jabs. have now got to that stage of having theirjabs. it's a significant number obviously and continues to rise and we will continue to give you the figures here on bbc news. spain has said it hopes to open up for oversee travellers from june as plans for a digital certificate go before the european parliament for the pilot will take place so that spain will be ready to receive travellers in june. spain will be ready to receive travellers injune. here is the transport secretary apparently has said he is in discussion with other

countries about using the nhs app to allow people in england to go on foreign holiday this summer. england the only state the resumption of may the only state the resumption of may the 17th will be a crucial day for international cruise industries. trips from england expected to restart. how likely are foreign holidays and summer indeed they say what form will they take? lisa, not only being travel editor, she's been a little bit of travelling herself. those of you can see the indicator. she's joining those of you can see the indicator. she'sjoining us those of you can see the indicator. she's joining us from those of you can see the indicator. she'sjoining us from canc n mexico. i have to say, there may not be a huge amount of sympathy for you that you are in canc n mexico. in short you're ready to take that on the chin. but there's a reason you're there and it's not a holiday, is it because my it's a working visit. it is. i have been here at the _ a working visit. it is. i have been here at the tribal— a working visit. it is. i have been here at the tribal council- a working visit. it is. i have beenj here at the tribal council summit and leaders of many of the countries around the world, tourism leaders have been here discussing how we are going to rebuild travel every start trouble. and because of that, we

have been chatting to the term of the ministers of spain, greece, portugal over the last couple of days, all of them really desperate to welcome bricks back. —— transport ministers. pare to welcome bricks back. -- transport ministers. �* , ., , _ ministers. are they happy with the arrangements _ ministers. are they happy with the arrangements for _ ministers. are they happy with the arrangements for certifying - ministers. are they happy with the arrangements for certifying the - ministers. are they happy with the l arrangements for certifying the jabs that brits have? we know we had a good roll—out here, we no significant proportions of anna population certainly byjune will have received their full vaccine, what are they saying about the information they need to feel confident about accepting british visitors to spain? it is confident about accepting british visitors to spain?— visitors to spain? it is very clear it is notjust _ visitors to spain? it is very clear it is notjust going _ visitors to spain? it is very clear it is notjust going to _ visitors to spain? it is very clear it is notjust going to be - visitors to spain? it is very clear it is notjust going to be about l it is notjust going to be about vaccinations. they found it is also the place where you can actually have a digital format, the place where you can actually have a digitalformat, your vaccination record but also a negative test result or the fact you had to run a virus in the previous 180 days and therefore have the antibodies themselves. it is really just making sure that we keep our

system as close to the likes of europe and that those are mutually agreed that we can actually have the same and there it frees country. i same and there it frees country. i hate to remind you that you have to come home again. i hope it is lovely in canc n. what will happen for travellers and your experience who have been brought to a country which i guess in mexico cases not the red list, you would have gone there at all or be allowed back. presumably is not on the green list. it has enough of a problem or south america. would it be in amber country from the british government point of view? i country from the british government point of view?— point of view? i very much would exected point of view? i very much would exoeeted to _ point of view? i very much would expected to be. _ point of view? i very much would expected to be. there _ point of view? i very much would expected to be. there will - point of view? i very much would expected to be. there will be - point of view? i very much would l expected to be. there will be very similar to the client a process i will have to through when i get back. we to have tests, negative test, feeling a passenger locator form and confirm where we are going to be spending our time in quarantine. i will have to take test on day two and date of my ten day quarantine to prove that i still

don't have the coronavirus. it is a challenge, a of forms to fill in, a lot of complicated forms that have to be done so it is going to be a summer where your phone willjust be as important as your passport if you want to leave the country.— as important as your passport if you want to leave the country. check the roamin: want to leave the country. check the roaming charges _ want to leave the country. check the roaming charges before _ want to leave the country. check the roaming charges before you - want to leave the country. check the roaming charges before you head . want to leave the country. check the i roaming charges before you head out. quick last thought, how much is all of that cost you if you don't mind me asking? just to give people an idea of how much money they will might have to spend in addition to the holiday cost.— the holiday cost. actually the “ab here was about i the holiday cost. actually the “ab here was about £45, i the holiday cost. actually the “ab here was about £45, excuse h the holiday cost. actually the jabj here was about £45, excuse me, the holiday cost. actually the jab - here was about £45, excuse me, the test here. it met the requirements that the government had set out. then about £180 for the two and a day pass from a testing company. they will be posted to me and i will have to post those back those test results having done it myself. but being guided through it so somebody telling me how to perform the test

and a video interview.— telling me how to perform the test and a video interview. good. really helful. i and a video interview. good. really helpful- i hope _ and a video interview. good. really helpful. i hope the _ and a video interview. good. really helpful. i hope the rest _ and a video interview. good. really helpful. i hope the rest of - and a video interview. good. really helpful. i hope the rest of the - helpful. i hope the rest of the conference goes well and you have a chance to enjoy a little bit of the sunshine and bring us back some sunshine. it is raining here in the uk. thank you so much. just take a look at the weather. hello there. i suspect gardeners and farmers will find the rainfall through today across southern areas at least, pretty useful, as it's been ever so dry this month. tonight we will see the rain clearing away but there will continue to be a few showers. this area of low pressure retreating towards the near continent. allowing skies to clear for many but there will be for some showers affecting parts of northern island particularly across parts of scotland and northeast england. they will have a wintry flavour mixed in because the air will be cold coming down from the north. but it will be a colder night generally, i think. because we will have a greater chance of clear skies. that is away from the southeast where we will see some cloud. so temperature is no lower than four, 5 c.

that early rain and cloud will clear away from the southeast from thursday morning. and a bright, chilli start for many with some sunshine but then showers will develop pretty widespread across the country. some could turn out to be heavy. maybe some hail and thunder into the afternoon. temperature wise, on the cool side for the time of year, ranging from eight to 12 or 13 across the south. hello again. you are watching bbc news with the sean lee. the headline. the electoral commission much of a formal investigation into the funding of the refurbishment of borisjohnson downing street the funding of the refurbishment of boris johnson downing street flat. —— sean leigh. borisjohnson downing street flat. —— sean leigh. eileen boris johnson downing street flat. —— sean leigh. eileen foster is stepping down as the first minister of northern ireland and leader of the dup party. it follows calls for the dup party. it follows calls for the leadership challenge. a country in chaos, india cove vidd 19 crisis increases. people die waiting for beds and oxygen supplies remain critically low, the muskrats are

government considers lockdowns and the worst hit areas. the government secure 60 million more doses of the pfizer vaccine and starting a booster programme. let's turn to india now, a country of nearly 1.4—billion people caught in a deadly surge of the coronavirus. more than two hundred thousand people are now confirmed dead, but the real total is thought to be much higher. on average in the past week more than 340 thousand cases of coronavirus have been reported each day — that's an infection rate more than 20 times higher than two months ago. yogita limaye reports from delhi. years of training, but nothing could have prepared them for this. this woman, a nurse and the mother

of three young children. every few minutes, there's a new patient. 0xygen mask! i need an oxygen cylinder! she's constantly scanning how others are holding up. treating as many as they can. translation: people say, "sister, please saved our loved one." - they call us god. that makes us so emotional because we can only do so much. with resources so short, they're having to choose who they might save. decisions they should never have had to make.

translation: at times, we break down. - some nights i wake up crying, but i also feel a sense of satisfaction that i'm doing something to help. this is a hospital in a big city, better off than most others. weeks of toil lie ahead in a city that's overrun. everything needed to fight covid is in short supply. every morning in india, we're waking up to news that someone we know has died. through the day, there are frantic pleas for oxygen, hospital beds, medicines on the phone, online, even on the streets. and amidst all of that, we are also seeing people who wake up every morning, put on their protective gear and get down to business trying to help

as many people as they can. this man is a volunteer trying to provide oxygen to critical patients. they should be in intensive care. desperation has brought them here. he offers a temporary reprieve, keeping people alive till they get hospital care. "when people's lives hang in the balance, we thought this is one thing we could do to try to save someone," he says. with each cylinder, they're trying to help as many as they can. 0nce stabilised, the hunt begins again. "hundreds of people are coming here each day. if we had help from the government, we could do so much more," he says. ten days since delhi locked down, people wait by the side of a road for oxygen. this is india's capital city.

yogita limaye, bbc news, delhi. the health secretary, matt hancock, says the government has ordered another 60 million doses of the pfizer coronavirus vaccine, for a booster programme in the autumn. he's also said the evidence is stacking up that the vaccination programme is the way out of the pandemic. also at this afternoon's coronavirus briefing in downing street, england's deputy chief medical officer suggested "we are at or close to the bottom" of levels of coronavirus cases in the uk. let's speak to professor linda bauld — a professor of public health at the university of edinburgh and professor adam finn, professor in paediatrics at university of bristol, and a member of the government s joint committee on vaccination and immunisation. he is speaking in a personal capacity today. hello again to you. thank you both are being with us. linda, first, one

of the interesting questions that the jab that has been raised about the jab that has been raised about the vaccination programme, to what extent are people will now start to at a younger age group will be able to willing to come forward and also the ways in which people behave there each behaviour have to behaviour after the confidence they acquire from having been vaccinated. can we say anything useful about that? ~ ., can we say anything useful about that? . ., , can we say anything useful about that? . ., y that? we can. two very good question- _ that? we can. two very good question- we _ that? we can. two very good question. we have _ that? we can. two very good question. we have data - that? we can. two very good question. we have data on i that? we can. two very good - question. we have data on young people willingness to take up the covid—19 vaccine from multiple sources including a study of my colleagues did at the university of glasgow and ten to 20% less likely than older adults are safe they will be willing to do so and i think issues around younger people advice in relation to the astrazeneca vaccine might have raised some concerns recently but what we have seenin concerns recently but what we have seen in the same survey is that the confidence in the vaccine including a much younger adults has increased as the programme has been rolled out. what we are seeing now is

campaigns targeting those sending to clear messages. you can be vulnerable yourself and you are not immune from harm from this virus and we need you to be vaccinated to protect others. i think we will see young people come forward and no speaking to young adults myself that they are very keen to do so. in terms of changing behaviour, we are not seeing much evidence in the data from older adults that those who are vaccinated are changing their behaviour and i would expect that we would see that necessarily in the young either. they are keen to raise all of us new opportunities that we have to move around but if you look again at things like the covid—19 social study, the vast majority of people including the younger still trying to follow the current guidance. trying to follow the current guidance-— trying to follow the current uuidance. �* ., ., a trying to follow the current uuidance. �* ., ., ,~' i. guidance. adam, let me ask you, if --eole guidance. adam, let me ask you, if people have _ guidance. adam, let me ask you, if people have confidence _ guidance. adam, let me ask you, if people have confidence in - guidance. adam, let me ask you, if people have confidence in the - people have confidence in the vaccine in if they have the second jab they think they are completely protected and they can relax, do all the things i was nervous about, up

to a point now maybe but what would be the note of caution you would inject as a scientist into that kind of self confidence that we might be starting to feel? i of self confidence that we might be starting to feel?— starting to feel? i think what everybody — starting to feel? i think what everybody needs _ starting to feel? i think what everybody needs to - starting to feel? i think what i everybody needs to understand starting to feel? i think what - everybody needs to understand is that this — everybody needs to understand is that this is everybody in it together story. it is not really about — together story. it is not really about you _ together story. it is not really about you as an individual being vaccinated. it is about what proportion of the population has been _ proportion of the population has been vaccinated and the impact that will have _ been vaccinated and the impact that will have on file transmission in the medium—term. sol will have on file transmission in the medium—term. so i think we all need _ the medium—term. so i think we all need to— the medium—term. so i think we all need to move togetherjust as linda was describing, people need to adhere — was describing, people need to adhere to— was describing, people need to adhere to the recommendations and behaviour— adhere to the recommendations and behaviour regardless of whether they are being _ behaviour regardless of whether they are being vaccinated or not. and when _ are being vaccinated or not. and when the — are being vaccinated or not. and when the right time comes, we can heat things— when the right time comes, we can heat things up and move forward hopefully— heat things up and move forward hopefully without saying too much of an upswing in infections. linda hopefully without saying too much of an upswing in infections.— an upswing in infections. linda come on this question _ an upswing in infections. linda come on this question relating _ an upswing in infections. linda come on this question relating up - an upswing in infections. linda come on this question relating up about i on this question relating up about we are only safe and everybody is

safe, what about the fact that we are going ahead and thinking of a booster programme in this country at a time when countries like india are desperate for vaccines, and hundreds of countries would like to get into a proper vaccination programme because i've heard from other sides if it is fine to think we are ok but if it is fine to think we are ok but if we allow the virus to continue to be develop, we open up the risk of mutations that vaccine is not might not be able to tackle. that mutations that vaccine is not might not be able to tackle.— not be able to tackle. that is very true. not be able to tackle. that is very true- two — not be able to tackle. that is very true. two other _ not be able to tackle. that is very true. two other global _ not be able to tackle. that is very true. two other global platformsl not be able to tackle. that is very i true. two other global platforms to try and support for vaccine equity access are hugely important in the uk is supporting and investing in those. i think there is more we can do. i think is the health secretary was saying tonight, the patient's issueis was saying tonight, the patient's issue is not an issue for astrazeneca, the ip, that is been done with but it is for some of the other vaccines. the uk has to be a leader on this and i think your click earlier saying that cuts to

the overseas development assistance funding i think are causing all researchers and scientists huge concern notjust researchers and scientists huge concern not just for researchers and scientists huge concern notjust for aid but for future research in those country so there are issues but in terms of the uk briefly, securing the extra doses, i think it is likely because we don't low how long the immunity will last that we will need them. and also if we look at the uptick we've had so far from a behavioural perspective, it will be about encouraging those who need them based on the clinical need to come forward again so we have to do two things in parallel, try and absolutely play our part globally, and i was speaking to colleagues in delhi this morning, the situation there is awful. while also just recognising that the section of doses that the uk has secured it may be needed in the future but we have to wait and see what will happen there. �* ., .., ., to wait and see what will happen there. �* ., ., ., , ., to wait and see what will happen there. ., ., ., , ., ., there. adam come on that question of a booster programme, _ there. adam come on that question of a booster programme, what _ there. adam come on that question of a booster programme, what is - there. adam come on that question of a booster programme, what is the - a booster programme, what is the lesson that the immunisation programme for other conditions about the value of booster programmes in a

sense in filling in the gaps of immunisation? if sense in filling in the gaps of immunisation?— immunisation? if varies a lot between different _ immunisation? if varies a lot - between different immunisations. the ones closest to this is influenza. the reason _ ones closest to this is influenza. the reason we have to give so frequent — the reason we have to give so frequent influenza vaccines is not so much — frequent influenza vaccines is not so much to— frequent influenza vaccines is not so much to do with waning of immunity— so much to do with waning of immunity or the fact that that virus is a very— immunity or the fact that that virus is a very agile virus and it just itself— is a very agile virus and it just itself and _ is a very agile virus and it just itself and escaped immunity that we have, _ itself and escaped immunity that we have, this _ itself and escaped immunity that we have, this coronavirus is likely to be able _ have, this coronavirus is likely to be able to— have, this coronavirus is likely to be able to do that as well although probably— be able to do that as well although probably not quite as quickly as the flu. i probably not quite as quickly as the flu ithink— probably not quite as quickly as the flu. i think at this point it is reaily— flu. i think at this point it is realiy very— flu. i think at this point it is really very unclear when we would need _ really very unclear when we would need boosters or even if we will need _ need boosters or even if we will need boosters or even if we will need boosters in the coming winter. but we _ need boosters in the coming winter. but we certainly need to be in a position— but we certainly need to be in a position to _ but we certainly need to be in a position to do that if it proves to be necessary and that is how we are positioning — be necessary and that is how we are positioning ourselves at the moment in terms _ positioning ourselves at the moment in terms of— positioning ourselves at the moment in terms of getting the vaccine supply— in terms of getting the vaccine supply but also doing the relevant studies _ supply but also doing the relevant studies to— supply but also doing the relevant studies to understand when that can be done _ studies to understand when that can be done safely and effectively.

thank — be done safely and effectively. thank you both as ever for talking to us here on bbc news. it's been really valuable to have your expert view and to get you to help stem back in the immediate headline. that stanback murder squad detectives are investigating the "suspicious" death of a serving police community support officer whose body was found in kent yesterday. officers are trying to establish the circumstances of the death of 53—year—old julia james. no arrests have yet been made. let's talk to our correspondent, matt graveling. what can you tell us the latest on this case? is been developing during the day. it this case? is been developing during the da . . , this case? is been developing during the da . ., , ., ., the day. it has. you will imagine that this is _ the day. it has. you will imagine that this is been _ the day. it has. you will imagine that this is been a _ the day. it has. you will imagine that this is been a very - the day. it has. you will imagine i that this is been a very emotionally charged and challenging day for the officers. they are looking for evidence in signs or what happened to one of their own. 0ne evidence in signs or what happened to one of their own. one of their own it wasjulia to one of their own. one of their own it was julia james, to one of their own. one of their own it wasjulia james, she was 53 years old, she was a serving police

community support officer, and her body was found in a remote woodlands in the village of snowden and kant. police were called to this woodland about four o'clock yesterday afternoon. then they told us that the debt the swing treated as suspicious and i spoke to the force a little bit earlier this afternoon and they told me now they are treating it as a murder investigation. now right now and no arrests have been made but police are very keen to find out whenever they can now, if anybody who may know the area commit is called a cult with it if you don't maybe you're travelling there for the day, an area between canterbury and dover, police would love to hear from you if you're in this area on monday or tuesday. if you have any information that you think may be helpful or better, some of that —— comforters which you can drop by to police. fin comforters which you can drop by to olice. , ., ., ., police. on the question of what the reaction there _ police. on the question of what the reaction there has _ police. on the question of what the reaction there has been. _ police. on the question of what the reaction there has been. obviously| reaction there has been. 0bviously from local people in the area must be alarming to hear about not only that her death, a familiar face and

in the community but also now it's become a murder investigation. but also others in the police as well. somebody they would've worked with the day—to—day. somebody they would've worked with the day-to-day-_ the day-to-day. there's been a lot of tributes — the day-to-day. there's been a lot of tributes paid _ the day-to-day. there's been a lot of tributes paid to _ the day-to-day. there's been a lot of tributes paid to julia. _ the day-to-day. there's been a lot of tributes paid to julia. can't - of tributes paid tojulia. can't police have been searching all day today you will imagine that will continue. —— can't people. they have told the locals there will be seeing an increased presence in the area. a little bit earlier the home secretary priti patel tweeted her sincerest condolences to julia friends and colleagues and family in earlier i spoke to the chairman of the police federation and he described the situation as utterly heartbreaking. you mention local people. throughout the day we've been hearing from them, one person who knewjulia bear well described who knew julia bear well described her as who knewjulia bear well described her as a nice lady and always looking out for others and in local resident said she left herjob and was always very happy. finally brits —— kent police have asked for everybody to be vigilant and to the

motive is established.— motive is established. thank you very much- _ michael collins has died at the age of fomer american astronaut michael collins, one of the three crew members of the first manned mission to the moon on the apollo 11 in 1969, has died aged 90. in a statement, the collins family said he died after a �*valiant battle with cancer�*. michael collins flew the apollo 11 command module around the moon injuly 1969 while his crewmates, neil armstrong and buzz aldrin, became the first humans to land on its surface. here he is speaking to the bbc in 2019. if there was any part of the flight of apollo 11 that sticks in my memory, it is the memory of the little tiny thing that you could obscure with your thumbnail, blue—and—white, white of the clouds of the ocean,

just a trace of land. gorges very shiny, background, totally black. i will remember that all my life. and it leads on to consider well, is it so pretty, is it so quiet, is it so pristine? for some reason, the word fragile came up out of the mark. somehow, i know not how. but i thought "god, it's a fragile little thing is in it?" important a week tomorrow there are important elections for the parliaments in edinburgh and cardiff. people across england will also get the chance to elect their local councillors, who are responsible for running services such as schools and bin collections. 0n the same day there will be a by—election to elect a new mp in the uk constituency of hartlepool. victoria derbyshire has spent

the day there for us. high. we have been talking to voters and some of the key candidates who are standing in this by election. all day today. it's been a freezing, people have been a really welcoming us all from the front that we have two voters here, raquib one component of a hotel, good afternoon, and sasha. she he runs the nx community centre. raquib, you will be voting labour. sasha, you are thinking of other conservative which will be the first time your life? having always voted labour. we will talk about that. how would you sum up what it is like living in hartlepool?— sum up what it is like living in hartlepool? sum up what it is like living in hartleool? ., ., ., hartlepool? hartlepool is a bit of a town but i think _ hartlepool? hartlepool is a bit of a town but i think over _ hartlepool? hartlepool is a bit of a town but i think over the _ hartlepool? hartlepool is a bit of a town but i think over the years - hartlepool? hartlepool is a bit of a town but i think over the years it i town but i think over the years it is become neglected from the government. it's been brushed aside under the carpet. there's a lot more that could be done for the town. what other have benefited from also to things that we just getting at the moment and being neglected. i’tre

the moment and being neglected. i've heard that word neglected a few times a day. how would you describe hartlepool? it is times a day. how would you describe hartle ool? , ., ., ., hartlepool? it is a town full of fantastic people. _ hartlepool? it is a town full of fantastic people. really - hartlepool? it is a town full of fantastic people. really kind, | fantastic people. really kind, talent — fantastic people. really kind, talent is _ fantastic people. really kind, talent is in crisis, we always try to galvanise together. i think you see that — to galvanise together. i think you see that in — to galvanise together. i think you see that in the spirit of a place. it see that in the spirit of a place. it is _ see that in the spirit of a place. it is such— see that in the spirit of a place. it is such a _ see that in the spirit of a place. it is such a close knit place. really— it is such a close knit place. really close knit community. but a lot of— really close knit community. but a lot of postindustrial towns on the coast, _ lot of postindustrial towns on the coast, a — lot of postindustrial towns on the coast, a whole load of issues which are reatiy— coast, a whole load of issues which are really difficult to get over. tell us — are really difficult to get over. tell us why you are considering voting — tell us why you are considering voting conservative for the first time _ voting conservative for the first time in — voting conservative for the first time in your life. a number of reasons _ time in your life. a number of reasons. for me, the primary one is that you _ reasons. for me, the primary one is that you have — reasons. for me, the primary one is that you have to look at what is the in the _ that you have to look at what is the in the best— that you have to look at what is the in the best interest of your town today _ in the best interest of your town today and — in the best interest of your town today. and i think we can see what is happening in the with conservative mps in and around the tees valley— conservative mps in and around the tees valley and other areas with the tees valley and other areas with the tees valley— tees valley and other areas with the tees valley mayor who has bright investment. he is a conservative. and i_ investment. he is a conservative. and i think— investment. he is a conservative. and i think the sense of if we don't do something now, what we will have

is another— do something now, what we will have is another however many years of realiy _ is another however many years of reaiiyiust — is another however many years of reallyjust being irrelevant to a place _ reallyjust being irrelevant to a place and _ reallyjust being irrelevant to a place and it doesn't come easy. you think having — place and it doesn't come easy. you think having a _ place and it doesn't come easy. gm. think having a conservative mp would inevitably attract westminster attention in the conservative government attention it would bring money in? i government attention it would bring mone in? ~ , government attention it would bring mone in? ~' , ., government attention it would bring mone in? ~' ., . money in? i think there is a chance of bringing — money in? i think there is a chance of bringing money _ money in? i think there is a chance of bringing money in. _ money in? i think there is a chance of bringing money in. hartlepool. of bringing money in. hartlepool missed out _ of bringing money in. hartlepool missed out on _ of bringing money in. hartlepool missed out on money _ of bringing money in. hartlepool missed out on money from - of bringing money in. hartlepool missed out on money from the l of bringing money in. hartlepool- missed out on money from the towns fund. , �* missed out on money from the towns fund. , ~ ., missed out on money from the towns fund. , ~ . , , , fund. yes. and that us with the best efforts of people _ fund. yes. and that us with the best efforts of people putting _ fund. yes. and that us with the best efforts of people putting a _ efforts of people putting a reasonable plan together to try and regenerate the place. did reasonable plan together to try and regenerate the place.— reasonable plan together to try and regenerate the place. did you have a conservative — regenerate the place. did you have a conservative mp, _ regenerate the place. did you have a conservative mp, do _ regenerate the place. did you have a conservative mp, do you _ regenerate the place. did you have a conservative mp, do you think- regenerate the place. did you have a conservative mp, do you think you i conservative mp, do you think you would he got that money? probably. let's talk would he got that money? probably. let's talk to — would he got that money? probably. let's talk to raqeeb _ would he got that money? probably. let's talk to raqeeb i _ would he got that money? probably. let's talk to raqeeb i miss _ would he got that money? probably. let's talk to raqeeb i miss that - let's talk to raqeeb i miss that fair? what do you think of that reason? , , , ., , , fair? what do you think of that reason? , , , .,, , ., reason? the biggest problem is on employment _ reason? the biggest problem is on employment in _ reason? the biggest problem is on employment in the _ reason? the biggest problem is on employment in the town. - reason? the biggest problem is on employment in the town. we - reason? the biggest problem is on employment in the town. we are l employment in the town. we are struggling with that for years but it comes down to mentality of people wanting to work or not. it is made so hard for people to work on low incomes that a lot of people are feeling like they are better off

just not working and staying on benefits but they mentality at a young age to come a lot of young people not working, they are around my age. if you're not working, that mentality changing the 34 and 45, is looking bad. it is having a knock on effect. a lot more news to be done on the education side of things in the system itself on low income people to help you improve rather than thinking i'm better offjust taking the benefits of doing what i'm doing. taking the benefits of doing what i'm doinu. , . i'm doing. universals credit was meant to help _ i'm doing. universals credit was meant to help people _ i'm doing. universals credit was meant to help people in - i'm doing. universals credit was meant to help people in that. meant to help people in that respect. meant to help people in that resect. �* , , . meant to help people in that resect. �*, , ., ., respect. it's been a disaster more or less i think. _ respect. it's been a disaster more or less i think. hartlepool - respect. it's been a disaster more or less i think. hartlepool was - respect. it's been a disaster more | or less i think. hartlepool was one ofthe or less i think. hartlepool was one of the first— or less i think. hartlepool was one of the first places _ or less i think. hartlepool was one of the first places it _ or less i think. hartlepool was one of the first places it was _ or less i think. hartlepool was one of the first places it was rolled - of the first places it was rolled out. why are you voting labour was yellow with labour, i've always look for them but everything to the pandemic. for them but everything to the pandemic-— for them but everything to the andemic. j .g , , pandemic. they've offered us every hel the pandemic. they've offered us every help they can _ pandemic. they've offered us every help they can have _ pandemic. they've offered us every help they can have been _ pandemic. they've offered us every help they can have been involved i help they can have been involved with the place. essential, been in and out, how we are doing, keeping up—to—date with people so that personal connection we had with labour, they have done a lot for us. same as the government. the government did a lot for us in the

pandemic. there is more we have asked for but is a situation that has gone on. i think we can all get past it with our great community spirit in due time.— past it with our great community spirit in due time. here one message to politicians — spirit in due time. here one message to politicians whether _ spirit in due time. here one message to politicians whether it _ spirit in due time. here one message to politicians whether it is _ spirit in due time. here one message to politicians whether it is local- to politicians whether it is local or westminster, what would you say? i would say it is about scale. the scale _ i would say it is about scale. the scale of — i would say it is about scale. the scale of the _ i would say it is about scale. the scale of the challenges absolutely should _ scale of the challenges absolutely should huge and i can give you long list of— should huge and i can give you long list of statistics. i�*ve should huge and i can give you long list of statistics.— list of statistics. i've been readin: list of statistics. i've been reading those. _ list of statistics. i've been reading those. so - list of statistics. i've been reading those. so much i list of statistics. i've been - reading those. so much today. actually, millions of pounds are going _ actually, millions of pounds are going to — actually, millions of pounds are going to be sufficient and it is about— going to be sufficient and it is about who will give us the hope that they get— about who will give us the hope that they get the size of the challenge ahead _ they get the size of the challenge ahead -- — they get the size of the challenge ahead. —— are not going to be. i want— ahead. —— are not going to be. i want somebody who comes in every single _ want somebody who comes in every single repeating. how are you going to do— single repeating. how are you going to do that — single repeating. how are you going to do that. when i think i change we've _ to do that. when i think i change we've always promise that this. that is the _ we've always promise that this. that is the thing — we've always promise that this. that is the thing for me this. the scale of the _ is the thing for me this. the scale of the challenge of the opportunity with the _ of the challenge of the opportunity with the people around here. you can see it _ with the people around here. you can see it but _ with the people around here. you can see it but it— with the people around here. you can see it but it is— with the people around here. you can see it but it is like show me how. because — see it but it is like show me how. because actually the reality is a

lot of— because actually the reality is a lot of people have promised a lot of things— lot of people have promised a lot of things and _ lot of people have promised a lot of things and that one yet has delivered on all of it. gk. delivered on all of it. ok. interesting. _ delivered on all of it. ok. interesting. raqeeb? - delivered on all of it. ok. interesting. raqeeb? finally, what is your message? local level, candidate standing, everywhere? the candidate standing, everywhere? tia: biggest candidate standing, everywhere? tts: biggest improvement candidate standing, everywhere? the biggest improvement we need candidate standing, everywhere? t“ts: biggest improvement we need at the town is education. from the benefits come up until the point of people who are going to come educating them against drugs, the biggest problem in the talent are is unemployment and drug abuse. it is something inside getting rid of over the years and starting to go west. they gotta get on a personal level and help these people get out of this mentality. before, if you doubt the education you do so but i don't think anybody well. that starts from the candidate is helping us local people and improvement taking the town for the. it is a beautiful town full of good people. so my spirit and the town is second to none. it is having that extra push and help. i don't think we've had at the last

15 years that we should have had. you can find the full list of candidates standing in the hartlepool by—election on our website bbc.co.uk. your local radio stations and bbc television service and online locally will give you list and information on the english council elections in the merrill elections and the police and crime commission or elections which all take place next thursday. now it's time for a look at the weather with stav danaos. hello there. i suspect gardeners and farmers will find the rainfall through today across southern areas at least, pretty useful, as it's been ever so dry this month. tonight we will see the rain clearing away but there will continue to be a few showers.

this area of low pressure retreating towards the near continent. allowing skies to clear for many but there will be for some showers affecting parts of northern island particularly across parts of scotland and northeast england. they will have a wintry flavour mixed in because the air will be cold coming down from the north. but it will be a colder night generally, i think. because we will have a greater chance of clear skies. that is away from the southeast where we will see some cloud. so temperature is no lower than four, 5 c. that early rain and cloud will clear away from the southeast from thursday morning. and a bright, chilli start for many with some sunshine but then showers will develop pretty widespread across the country. some could turn out to be heavy. maybe some hail and thunder into the afternoon. temperature wise, on the cool side for the time of year, ranging from eight to 12 or 13 across the south.

this is bbc news — biden goes big. the president will address a joint session of congress tonight, laying out an ambitious plan forfamilies which could reshape america's economy. the ideas are bold — and very expensive, more childcare, more free education — republicans say it's government overreach. president biden will call for universal pre school education and paid family leave, which the wealthiest americans will pay for in higher taxes... the republican response comes right after. federal investigators have raided the home of former trump lawyer rudy giuliani. they're looking into his dealings in ukraine. also in the programme... counting the cost of coronavirus, more than 200 thousand people have

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