today at 6:00pm — the fishing waters around jersey turn into the latest post—brexit flashpoint. dozens of french fishing boats surrounded the port of st helier this morning. their crews say new rules shut them out. translation: rules shut them out. it translation: rules shut them out. i, t, doesn't translation: if the arrangement doesn't no translation: if the arrangement doesn't go back — translation: if the arrangement doesn't go back to _ translation: if the arrangement doesn't go back to normal, - translation: if the arrangement doesn't go back to normal, we - translation: if the arrangement doesn't go back to normal, we arei doesn't go back to normal, we are not going to be able to survive. after a french minister threatened to cut off electric power to the island two royal navy vessels have been patrolling the area. we need to manage our fish stocks, there is no question about that. we need to manage the resource out there and jersey has done nothing wrong. we'll be asking how a dispute over fishing licences has turned into a serious diplomatic row. also tonight... the latest official forecast shows the economy will bounce back

faster than expected, and hundreds of thousands ofjobs will be saved. the coronavirus is spreading to india's countryside — a looming crisis in its poorly equipped hospitals. britain's top companies say they will let staff split time between home and office even when covid rules are dropped. and harry kane helping his old club to help others. we talk to the england captain. and coming up on sportsday later in the hour on the bbc news channel... a nervy night for arsenal ahead. they have to beat villareal to reach the europa league final.

good evening and welcome to the bbc news at six. the island ofjersey has become the latest flashpoint in post—brexit tensions between the uk and the european union. it's all down to the vexed question of fishing rights. a protest by dozens of french fishing boats around thejersey port of st helier has now ended but not before boris johnson dispatched two royal navy vessels to the area — a move matched by the french government. so what's the row about? under the brexit trade agreement only french crews with a history of fishing in the area qualify to get a licence to continue doing so now. so far, 41 permits have been granted. but the french say these licences include conditions that have not been mutually agreed. our correspondent robert hall is in st helier. they had left their home port before dawn, not to fish but to carry a message to their island neighbours.

many of these vessels have been visiting jersey waters for generations, but brexit brought an end to the old agreements as jersey took control of her fishing grounds and announced access to them would now depend on a new licensing system. the french claim the scheme, that came into effect last weekend, was rushed and over restrictive, putting their livelihoods at risk. this fisherman told me they had no alternative but to rejectjersey�*s move. translation: it alternative but to reject jersey's move. translation:— move. translation: if the arrangement _ move. translation: if the arrangement doesn't - move. translation: if the arrangement doesn't go - move. translation: if the | arrangement doesn't go back move. translation: if the - arrangement doesn't go back to normal, we are not going to be able to survive. 50%, even more, 80% of french boats will disappear. the french boats will disappear. the french have _ french boats will disappear. the french have said they needed to... they made that resolution at the weekend. here they are. there are boats around me from fishing villages and towns all around normandy and further afield as well. they have said they are going to sit out there in the channel leading to

st helier and await discussions. beyond the fleet, shrouded in low cloud... from downing street, one of two royal navy patrol vessels underlining borisjohnson�*s support underlining boris johnson's support forjersey underlining borisjohnson�*s support forjersey bus stand. and hidden from view, a french naval vessel, hastily dispatched to monitor the stand—off. five hours after they arrived, leaders of the french delegation did get the meeting they had asked for. jersey's ministers had asked for. jersey's ministers had been negotiating... now they were able to hear grievances face—to—face. were able to hear grievances face-to-face._ were able to hear grievances face-to-face. . , , ., , face-to-face. the licenses of course sta , but face-to-face. the licenses of course stay. but it — face-to-face. the licenses of course stay, but it became _ face-to-face. the licenses of course stay, but it became evident - face-to-face. the licenses of course stay, but it became evident in - face-to-face. the licenses of course stay, but it became evident in those j stay, but it became evident in those conversations with fishermen, as we suspected, that the information that had been provided somehow had got lost in translation and what they actually did every day was not transmitted into the bureaucratic process and the information provided. we've got to get to the bottom of that and correct those

licences appropriately.— bottom of that and correct those licences appropriately. among the fleet waiting _ licences appropriately. among the fleet waiting for _ licences appropriately. among the fleet waiting for news _ licences appropriately. among the fleet waiting for news at _ licences appropriately. among the fleet waiting for news at sea, - licences appropriately. among the fleet waiting for news at sea, and | fleet waiting for news at sea, and above jersey boats. fleet waiting for news at sea, and abovejersey boats. there are those on the island who have long—standing friendships in normandy. the licensing rout meansjersey fishermen can no longer land their catches in france and they too want theissue catches in france and they too want the issue resolved. but others are clear the jersey government should not be intimidated by protest or threats. .,. .,, , not be intimidated by protest or threats. , , , . ., threats. right across the public of jerse , threats. right across the public of jersey. certainly _ threats. right across the public of jersey, certainly the _ threats. right across the public of jersey, certainly the fishing - threats. right across the public of jersey, certainly the fishing fleet l jersey, certainly the fishing fleet and most of the political community, agree thatjersey needs to... we need to manage our fish stocks, there is no question about that. we need to manage our resource out there and jersey has done nothing wrong. there and jersey has done nothing wronu. , ., ., , wrong. this evening, in normandy, the french — wrong. this evening, in normandy, the french fleet _ wrong. this evening, in normandy, the french fleet returned _ wrong. this evening, in normandy, the french fleet returned with - wrong. this evening, in normandy, the french fleet returned with the i the french fleet returned with the tide. they put their point to sympathetic ears, but that may not be enough.

are we any clearer as to whether this can be resolved? i suppose the answer is maybe. the french set out this morning, they wanted to come to put their message. that message was very clear, certainly in the eyes of a lot of them, which is that new regulations injersey a lot of them, which is that new regulations in jersey territorial waters, pose a risk to their livelihoods and to a fishing tradition in normandy that goes back generations. here, as wejust heard from don thomson, the much smaller jersey fleet, just over my shoulder, are seriously concerned about overfishing, fishing grounds being damaged by larger french vessels... stand firm, despite the show the french put on today. thejersey government are clearly keen to talk but now they have to talk to your append to westminster again. it will take time. we will wait and see. many of the french vessels came from fishing communities on the normandy coast. our europe correspondence

jean mackenzie is there. the french crews have made their point, but this is a question, are they likely to get their way? when they arrived back here a couple of hours ago, drenched, exhausted from their 15 hour stand—off in the cold and rain, they were remarkably upbeat and energised. the talks with jersey day say went badly and there was very little progress made, but they know they have been seen and really, this was the point of their protest. they are likely to stick with this as long as it takes because these fishermen are absolutely reliant on being able to access jersey's waters. absolutely reliant on being able to accessjersey�*s waters. some of those we spoke to get more than 50% of their catch from jersey's shores and without it their livelihood would be threatened. under these new licences, some have only been given permission to fish on these waters a handful of days per year. we have seen a lot of drama in the last few days, there has been a lot of talk

of blockades. but the french fishermen now believe they have done their bit and it's up to brussels and their government to take this fight on and get it resolved. jean mackenzie. _ fight on and get it resolved. jean mackenzie, thank _ fight on and get it resolved. jean mackenzie, thank you. the uk is set to record its strongest growth since the second world war. that's the latest forecast from the bank of england, which now sees the pent—up demand after covid restrictions are lifted fuelling a boom in economic activity. the bank has raised its growth forecast to 7.25% this year, up from the 5% predicted in february. and it said the economy is set to return to its pre—pandemic size by the end of the year. and the bank of england has reduced its forecast for unemployment to 5.5%, saving hundreds of thousands ofjobs. with interest rates staying at an all—time low of 0.1%, our economics editor, faisal islam, looks at how long the recovery will last and what it means forjobs.

one yearon, one year on, some pandemic clouds are lifting and after an historic economic fall, and equally historic rebound is now happening. and it's much stronger than expected. all of which can be seen in the oxford outskirts, in the shops and salons. we are growing, so we have got that opportunity of further employment. i have spoken to some clients who have unfortunately been made redundant or lost theirjobs, but again, they are optimistic that they will find something and they are looking for something. that something and they are looking for somethina. ., , . something and they are looking for somethin.. ., , . , something. that picture seen in the bank of england's _ something. that picture seen in the bank of england's latest _ something. that picture seen in the bank of england's latest forecast, l something. that picture seen in the bank of england's latest forecast, a j bank of england's latest forecast, a vaccine driven much sharper recovery this year with over 700,000 furloughed workers now predicted to return straight to theirjobs rather than lose them. right now the economy is rebounding sharply and that's the obvious and natural consequence of the vaccine, principally the one invented in this

city rolling out and enabling businesses merely to reopen. but it has another consequence too, which is to instill confidence in consumers to go out and enjoy social activities that have been shut and that could turn the rebound into a very real recovery. the bank thinks more lockdown savings will now be spent, but the impacts do differ. it is tougher in the centre of oxford, a place dependent on millions of still absent tourists. jake runs a rooftop bar and nightclub. the furlou:h rooftop bar and nightclub. tue: furlough scheme rooftop bar and nightclub. tte: furlough scheme is rooftop bar and nightclub. "tt2 furlough scheme is really rooftop bar and nightclub. tt2 furlough scheme is really helpful, i must say. we are able to keep on some really key staff, especially managers, which are critical for our business. but what's going to play out afterjune is negotiations with landlords. it's great we have kept things afloat, if you like, but there will be a reckoning, and that

money will have to be repaid one way or another. the money will have to be repaid one way or another. ., ., ., , or another. the governor remains cautious. or another. the governor remains cautious- is _ or another. the governor remains cautious. is it _ or another. the governor remains cautious. is it more _ or another. the governor remains cautious. is it more of _ or another. the governor remains cautious. is it more of a - or another. the governor remains cautious. is it more of a bounce i cautious. is it more of a bounce back? tt cautious. is it more of a bounce back? , ., ., ., . back? it is more of a bounce back but it is good _ back? it is more of a bounce back but it is good news, _ back? it is more of a bounce back but it is good news, though. - back? it is more of a bounce backj but it is good news, though. let's put that— but it is good news, though. let's put that into perspective. on the basis _ put that into perspective. on the basis of— put that into perspective. on the basis of our forecast that we have issued _ basis of our forecast that we have issued today, by the end of this year. _ issued today, by the end of this year. it's— issued today, by the end of this year, it's predicted the economy will he _ year, it's predicted the economy will be back to where it was at the end of— will be back to where it was at the end of 2019. the will be back to where it was at the end of 20153-— will be back to where it was at the end of 2019. the recovery here and around the — end of 2019. the recovery here and around the nation _ end of 2019. the recovery here and around the nation continues - end of 2019. the recovery here and around the nation continues on - end of 2019. the recovery here and around the nation continues on the| around the nation continues on the continued effectiveness of the vaccination programme, greatly helped by this city's scientists. faisal islam, bbc news, in oxford. working from home has been one of the biggest changes to our lives during the pandemic — and it's likely to last in some form or other long after the health crisis is over. the bbc has spoken to 50 of the biggest companies in the uk and 43 of them have said that they're moving towards a hybrid form of working —

employees splitting their time between the office and home. here's our business editor, simonjack. signs of economic life are returning to norwich city centre, but here and across the uk, it won't be life as we've known it. sophie is one of 25 employees at this marketing agency who will welcome the return to office life. i live on my own, so it can feel quite isolating sometimes. when you are in the office, having that friday feeling is something that i miss. sort of shutting down, going and having a drink, catching up with people and then home is home. we will never be a nine to five office again. sophie's boss plans to have staff in the office 50% of the time. relationships are so important in our industry, with each other and with clients. we work much better that way and the office gives us that. if we didn't have that we wouldn't be able to learn from each other, we wouldn't be able to improve our work, we wouldn't be able to work together as a team as much as we do. aviva, once known as norwich union, is the city's

biggest employer by far. i'm in youroffice! natalie lee was initially wary of home working, but it has grown on her. the flexibility that it's given me, and the value that it does actually give to the family rather than what it takes away is much greater than i could ever realise. this next step is going to feel... it's going to feel like starting a newjob, ithink! 95% of aviva staff say they want flexible working. the company says it's ready to embrace that but thinks it needs to be handled thoughtfully. just saying to people, you know, do what you want, and making sweeping statements about that, doesn't really help the employees understand what it is that's needed of them. you can potentially have a situation where those with caring responsibilities who tend to be female, tend to work from home more often, and we suddenly, you know, two years from now we look back and go, "hang on a sec, how has the gender pay gap in an organisation widened, or why are female promotions slowing down a little?" aviva alone have 5000

workers based in norwich, and if office employers both big and small are going to move permanently to a part—home, part—office working pattern, it will have profound implications for city centre economies, for the transport networks that bring people in, and for the businesses that feed off them when they get here. businesses like carl's, who has missed the office workers and has had to literally get on his bike to find new customers. it's going to make a massive effect, but that's why business has to diversify and we have to do different things, to bring the customers in. we are now delivering to building sites as well, which we've never done before. this is happening all over the world. for millions of people, working life may never be the same again. simonjack, bbc news, norwich. india has recorded yet another record rise in coronavirus infections — officially more than 400,000 new cases, though the actual figure is likely to be much more. over the last week or so we have reported on the terrible experience of patients in cities

like the capital delhi but now the impact of the virus is spreading to the countryside. with rural hospitals even less well equipped, there are fears of an even bigger crisis to come. our correspondent yogita lamaye has travelled to uttar pradesh in the north of the country and sent this report from varanasi. it contains some images which you may find upsetting. is than an hour, we saw 13 funerals than an hour, we saw 13 seven in the whole day. the government says there were just seven in the whole day. and narendra modi's own constituency. the human cost is being suppressed. this is the reality all prime minister narendra modi's own constituency. the human costis modi's own constituency. the human cost is being suppressed. this is the reality all over india. amidst

lockdowns in big cities, masses are returning to their homes, in small towns and villages. the virus is spreading. rundown hospitals trying to cope with a crisis they have never been equipped for, conditions the government doesn't want people to see — so we filmed secretly. covid patients being treated amidst people with other illnesses, the sick are being cared for by their own families for a lack of doctors. this is the intensive care unit — we saw toilets overflowing on its floor. just outside, we met this man. if she had got the right medicines and treatment, she might have survived, but she didn't. his

wife was 35. this is the rural health centre she was first taken to, the only one for villages around. here they didn't discover she had covid until she became severely ill. there were no resources to treat her. i asked each person standing in the ski what they are suffering from, most of them have told me it is fever or a cough, and they are waiting in line at a primary health centre, the first place that someone from the village would come to. they are waiting for the doctor inside to tell them what is wrong with them. most of these people weren't tested for covid and haven't had the vaccine. we drove miles to this village. even getting to basic health care is out of reach for most here. he says the whole family had covid symptoms. she was

the mother of two children. people here are angry. the prime minister makes announcements on televisions, but nothing reaches us, a neighbour says. there is little we can do, she says, those who are lucky to survive, whoever has to die will die. yogita limaye, bbc news, uttar pradesh. the latest official figures on coronavirus show there were 2,613 new infections in the latest 24—hour period — meaning an average of 2,044 new cases per day in the last week. 13 deaths were reported in the latest 24—hour period. that's people who died within 28 days of a positive test. on average in the past week, 12 deaths were announced every day. the total number of uk deaths is now 127,583. as for vaccinations, almost 35 million people have had their first dose of the covid vaccine and now well over 16 million peope are fully vaccinated.

the time is 6:18. our top story this evening: the fishing waters around jersey turning to the latest post—brexit flashpoint with dozens of french fishing boats surrounding the port of st helier. from farming, mining and waste, a new un report on why cutting methane gas will help reduce climate change. coming up on sportsday in the next 15 minutes on the bbc news channel... who's in and out of the lions squad? alun wynjones leads the 37—man touring party to face the world champions south africa. up to 48 million people in great britain have been able to vote today, the biggest combination of local and national elections in years. in scotland, voters will elect the 129 members of the scottish parliament,

and in wales it will be the 60 senedd seats. in england, ballots will be cast for 13 new city mayors, about 25% of the country's councillors, and the 25 members of the london assembly. in addition, there are 39 police and crime commissioners up for election in england and wales. and finally, there's a by—election in hartlepool. the only place in the uk without any elections is northern ireland. our political correspondent ben wright reports on what some have dubbed super thursday. it felt like spring in brighton as polling stations opened this morning, while winter reappeared near the scottish town of aviemore. across britain, halls, leisure centres, churches, even a car are being used for people to cast their ballots. about 48 million people in england, wales and scotland are eligible to vote, and polls will stay open until ten o'clock this evening. parliamentary elections are taking place in scotland and wales.

in england, there are votes for several regional and city mayors, including london's. and more than 4500 councillors will be elected. there is also a parliamentary by—election in hartlepool, which will get a new mp. polling stations have been scrubbed and readied for socially distanced voting. this is a particularly big crop of elections, because last year's contests were postponed due to the pandemic. as well as plastic screens and hand sanitisers at polling stations, voters are also being asked to bring along their own pen or pencil if they can. covid has changed the way that this year's elections are being run, and the wait for results will take longer than usual too. some contests will declare overnight, including the hartlepool by—election, and the outcome of the welsh elections should be known by the end of friday. on saturday afternoon, the west midlands mayor results should be known, and the outcome of the scottish parliament elections is expected by the evening.

sunday at the latest will bring us the london and west yorkshire mayoral results, and more english councils will declare. the final results for police and crime commissioners should be known by monday. covid has not affected one recent election day tradition, and canine companions have been widely snapped as voters headed to the polls. ben wright, bbc news, westminster. will have full coverage of all those election results over the next few days as they come in on bbc news, starting with the hartlepool by—election result, expected in the early hours of tomorrow. and an in—depth analysis on a special programme with huw edwards and kirsty wark from nine o'clock tomorrow morning. last year saw the highest number of deaths from alcohol in england and wales since records began two decades ago. there were almost 7,500 registered deaths directly linked

to the misuse of alcohol, a 20% increase on 2019. our home editor, mark easton, is here. shocking figures. is this a consequence of the lockdown, do we think? i , something has been going on. if we look at a graph of the registered deaths directly from alcohol in england and wales over the last few years, a rhythm, a peak in the first quarter, the monthsjust after christmas, then it starts to fall away again in the spring and summer. but last year, that didn't happen. instead of the usual fall in spring and summer, the deaths remained at that elevated level, right the way through the air, coinciding with the onset of the pandemic.— onset of the pandemic. looking at that graph. _ onset of the pandemic. looking at that graph. it _ onset of the pandemic. looking at that graph, it rather— onset of the pandemic. looking at that graph, it rather suggests - that graph, it rather suggests people continued hazardous levels of drinking throughout lockdown. public health england had calculated that

22% of people were drinking above recommended levels, at the beginning of lockdown, it rose to 25%, then back to 22% when the pub is reopened. back to 22% when the pub is reopened-— back to 22% when the pub is reopened. back to 22% when the pub is reo ened. ., ,., ., ., ,, , reopened. the other point to make is that alcohol — reopened. the other point to make is that alcohol deaths _ reopened. the other point to make is that alcohol deaths tend _ reopened. the other point to make is that alcohol deaths tend to _ reopened. the other point to make is that alcohol deaths tend to be - reopened. the other point to make is that alcohol deaths tend to be the . that alcohol deaths tend to be the consequence of long—term alcohol misuse, and the vast majority of those had a pre—existing alcohol health issue. what they may not have had during the pandemic is the social and professional support they were used to. that may help explain what has been going on, but more research needs to be done. the high court has ruled that the relatives of a woman caught up in the windrush scandal can apply for permission to live in britain without paying thousands of pounds in fees. the court decided that charging the family of deomatie mahabir more than £20,000 would amount to what it called a colossal interference in her human rights. the ruling could affect thousands of other people.

a united nations report is calling for swift action to cut emissions of methane — a greenhouse gas that's second only to carbon dioxide in driving global warming. the report says curbing methane emissions could deliver immediate and long—lasting benefits for the climate, because the gas only lingers in the atmosphere for a relatively short time. our chief environment correspondent justin rowlatt reports. you are about to meet methane — the gas that fires your stove, seeps from rotting organic material, and bubbles from our stomachs and those of cows and sheep. butjust look what happens when you add a little bit of pure oxygen. methane is a much more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. each molecule has 120 times the effect, and the real difference between methane and carbon dioxide is that methane breaks down after about a decade. carbon dioxide will be with us

for thousands of years. methane concentrations in the atmosphere have been steadily increasing, but because it breaks down so quickly in the air, the un says if we can cut emissions, we can rapidly get rid of this powerful warming gas. that means urgently tackling the methane produced by the oil and gas industry, by agriculture, and in our waste. methane is second only to carbon dioxide when it comes to driving climate change, and the assessment shows that to put the world on a path that is consistent with the paris agreement target of 1.5 degrees, methane emissions must be reduced by 45% by 2030. the report says the fossil fuel industry has the greatest potential to cut methane emissions cheaply by plugging leaks at oil and gas wells and at coal mines. but we can all do our bit to help. we can cutback on red meat and dairy, and if you get a compost collection,

do always put your organic waste in it, because it's much easier for emissions to be controlled that way. and technology can help — a new network of high—resolution satellites can identify methane emissions from space. like the methane plume from this rubbish dump in the indonesian capital, jakarta. it's spewing methane equivalent to the c02 from 750,000 cars. and methane is also linked to air pollution that causes tens of thousands of deaths a year worldwide — yet another reason, says the un, to start reducing emissions right now. justin rowlatt, bbc news. england captain and tottenham striker harry kane has joined forces with his former club leyton orient to renew a deal to sponsor charities. out of his own pocket, kane is paying for the advertising space on the club's shirt and donating it to a charity to advertise their logo. laura scott has the story.

he's become a talisman for club and country, but long before harry kane pulled on the captain's armband for england, his first taste of professional football came in the lower reaches of the football league, pulling on a leyton orient shirt. a decade on, he's still repaying them for those opportunities, sponsoring their shirts while raising awareness for good causes. he told me why supporting the football pyramid is important to him. being here, playing here was great for my development and was a big reason that i'm playing where i am now and doing the things i'm doing now, so any chance i can get to give back and help out clubs that have helped me and who are suffering through covid and different circumstances. this summer could be unforgettable — in just over five weeks, kane will lead england out for a euros that will largely be played on home soil, and he's aiming high. with the players we've got, and the manager, and the group of staff,

you know, it's a great opportunity for us, so excited for the challenge, we know it'll be difficult, but for sure we've got enough ability to, yeah, try and take it all the way. kane's future with tottenham is a subject of much scrutiny, particularly given his boyhood club are out of the champions league places and trophyless. how important is silverware to you? yeah, i spoke openly about that, obviously that's the reason i play the game, why i've become a footballer, is to win and have them experiences with my team—mates, lifting trophies, winning the biggest games. it hasn't happened so far, but like i said, i feel i've got plenty of time in my locker, and i'm just looking forward, i'm sure they will come. at a time when english football has been shaken by clubs trying to branch out, one of its biggest stars are showing how much he values his his roots. laura scott, bbc news, leyton orient. time for a look at the weather, here's chris fawkes.

first of all, i look back to knot the winter just first of all, i look back to knot the winterjust gone but earlier this morning, white, it is not every may we see snowfall, but this was scotland, and since then something more straightforward. the heaviest of the showers across more eastern areas, i'm sure some will have had a real soaking from this big thundercloud across east anglia. and right now the showers continue to be really widespread, i reckon a few more hours of rain to come across the greater manchester area, for example. but eventually, probably soon after midnight, most of the showers will fade away, still if view across north—western coast, clearer skies inland, and a cold night. —— still a few. it will be a cold start tomorrow, but plenty of early morning sunshine, a little cloud through the morning, showers breaking out for northern and

eastern scotland, eastern england, hail and thunder mixed in, but