here in westminster the government sets out its agenda for the next year in the queen 5 speech in a pared back, covid—secure event there were promises to level up the economy, supportjobs, businesses and economic growth my government's priority is to deliver a national recovery from the pandemic that makes the united kingdom stronger, healthier and more prosperous than before. there were also pledges on training and skills, the reform of planning laws, animal welfare and the environment — but no detailed commitments to address the long—term funding of social care. and the other main stories this lunchtime...

a school shooting in russia: seven pupils and a teacher are dead after an attack by a teenage gunman covid rules in most of scotland will be relaxed from next monday, with pubs reopening to customers indoors and people able to hug again a 21—year—old man appears in court charged with the murder of police community support officerjulia james. # all night i riot with you...# and it's the brits tonight — in front of thousands of music fans as part of an experiment on getting audiences back into venues. and coming up on the bbc news channel: a blow to scotland's euro plans as midfielder kenny mclean is ruled out with a knee injury. he picked up ligament damage on the final day of the season with norwich.

good afternoon and welcome to the bbc news at one. the government has set out its agenda for the year ahead, with 30 bills for the next parliament in the queen's speech. in a covid—secure ceremony in the house of lords, the queen said that the government's priority is to "deliver a national recovery from the pandemic that makes the united kingdom stronger, healthier and more prosperous than before". there were also pledges on infrastructure, training and skills, planning law reform and the environment. the prime minister said the speech outlined a plan for "unleashing our nation's full potential" as the uk recovers from coronavirus. labour has called on the government to deliver "action" rather than "rhetoric". chris mason reports allocation rich in colour and convention, the queen visiting parliament to read out the

government �*s plans. pomp and pageantry but much more low—key than usual, the monarch arriving by car rather than horse—drawn carriage. wearing a dress and i had rather than a robe. long—standing rituals maintained, the door to the house of commons this land. symbolising the independence of the elected chamber from the queen. some familiar faces did headed to the house of lords, one by one, masks on, at a social distance and in the upper chamber, the usualfancy distance and in the upper chamber, the usual fancy dress but far fewer people in there. and so, to the speech itself. my people in there. and so, to the speech itself.— people in there. and so, to the seech itself. g ., , , speech itself. my lords and members ofthe speech itself. my lords and members of the house — speech itself. my lords and members of the house of _ speech itself. my lords and members of the house of commons, _ speech itself. my lords and members of the house of commons, might - of the house of commons, might government �*s priority is to deliver a national recovery from the pandemic that makes the united kingdom stronger, healthier and more

prosperous than before. to achieve this, my government will level up opportunities across all parts of the united kingdom, supporting jobs, businesses and economic growth and addressing the impact of the pandemic. addressing the impact of the pandemic— addressing the impact of the andemic. . ;;:: , , pandemic. there are 30 bills in total, pandemic. there are 30 bills in total. plans — pandemic. there are 30 bills in total, plans for _ pandemic. there are 30 bills in total, plans for new _ pandemic. there are 30 bills in total, plans for new laws, - pandemic. there are 30 bills in total, plans for new laws, at i pandemic. there are 30 bills in| total, plans for new laws, at its heart, the central priority is getting the economy fired up again after the pandemic. there is an environment built on post—brexit rules for protecting nature. and the government says proposals on a new approach to social care in england will be brought forward. i approach to social care in england will be brought forward.— approach to social care in england will be brought forward. i pray that the blessing _ will be brought forward. i pray that the blessing of— will be brought forward. i pray that the blessing of almighty _ will be brought forward. i pray that the blessing of almighty god - will be brought forward. i pray that the blessing of almighty god mayl the blessing of almighty god may rest upon your councils. the ceremony — rest upon your councils. the ceremony concluding, the politics resuming, as ministers make their case for what they want to achieve. opportunity and talent are not equally matched in the country so talent is equally spread all over the country the opportunity to go to

a good school, get the right skills, get the skills that actually are required by today �*s employers which is also a moving feast, it's something we haven't spent enough time and attention on. the opposition _ time and attention on. the opposition parties - time and attention on. the opposition parties begin their critique _ opposition parties begin their critique. i think after the terrible year— critique. i think after the terrible year we've — critique. i think after the terrible year we've had which the ceremony this morning really reflected, our social_ this morning really reflected, our social care — this morning really reflected, our social care sector, health sector, education. — social care sector, health sector, education, deserve to know they are getting _ education, deserve to know they are getting the _ education, deserve to know they are getting the reward that they truly deserve — getting the reward that they truly deserve. we deserve a government that takes— deserve. we deserve a government that takes seriously the massive climate — that takes seriously the massive climate change crisis, housing crisis — climate change crisis, housing crisis |— climate change crisis, housing crisis. ., ~' climate change crisis, housing crisis. ., ~ ., , crisis. i would like to see some recognition. — crisis. i would like to see some recognition, from _ crisis. i would like to see some recognition, from the - crisis. i would like to see some - recognition, from the conservative government. — recognition, from the conservative government, that _ recognition, from the conservative government, that scotland - recognition, from the conservative government, that scotland has - recognition, from the conservative| government, that scotland has two governments. _ government, that scotland has two governments. a _ government, that scotland has two governments, a government- government, that scotland has two governments, a government in- governments, a government in edinburgh — governments, a government in edinburgh that— governments, a government in edinburgh that has _ governments, a government in edinburgh that has been - governments, a government in- edinburgh that has been re—elected for the _ edinburgh that has been re—elected for the fourth — edinburgh that has been re—elected for the fourth time _ edinburgh that has been re—elected for the fourth time in _ edinburgh that has been re—elected for the fourth time in a _ edinburgh that has been re—elected for the fourth time in a row, - edinburgh that has been re—elected for the fourth time in a row, with. for the fourth time in a row, with an unprecedented _ for the fourth time in a row, with an unprecedented mandate - for the fourth time in a row, with an unprecedented mandate from i for the fourth time in a row, with- an unprecedented mandate from the people _ an unprecedented mandate from the people for— an unprecedented mandate from the --eole. ., ., ., . ., people. for the monarch, a scaled-down _ people. for the monarch, a scaled-down occasion, - people. for the monarch, a scaled-down occasion, still| scaled—down occasion, still affording time for brief pleasantries. as the queen returns to buckingham palace, the debate here will crank up further. the

prime minister and the labour party leader leading the discussion in the house of commons, as the arguments begin about the government �*s priorities. the government has a big majority and has made big promises. it's challenge now, delivering on them. chris masonjoins me now. chris mason joins me now. what chris mason “oins me now. what struck you — chris mason joins me now. what struck you particularly? - chris mason joins me now. what struck you particularly? the - chris masonjoins me now. twist struck you particularly? the big picture is recovery from the pandemic, week by week we see our lives slowly trundle back to something approaching normality at the economic tale, if you like, the consequences of the pandemic are going to be around for a long time, thatis going to be around for a long time, that is inevitable it will shape the government and the opposition agenda in the next couple of years. one of the thing worth mentioning, use of the thing worth mentioning, use of the queen using one of the government �*s favourite slogans, levelling up, the big challenge for ministers is turning that into reality, in reality people feel and can't measure. let's canter through some of the other measures worth

noting. plans for better broadband, better 56 coverage for mobile phones. this lifetime skills guarantee as ministers call it, flexible access to training throughout a career and life and then controversial plans for a lot to ensure people have to show an approved form of photo identification in order to vote, expect quite a lot of backlash i suspect to that. plus, a building safety regulator, all of that after the grenfell tower fire, lots to scrutinise. chris, thank you. a number of economic measures were announced including investing in and improving national infrastructure. there were also plans for a lifetime skills guarantee in england, new planning reforms to speed up housebuilding and ambitions to encourage greater home ownership. our economics correspondent andy verity has more. widening homeownership has been the aim of prime ministers of all stripes in the last a0 years, from mrs thatcher to

tony blair to boris johnson. but there is a fundamental problem. in the last 25 years, house prices have risen by more than 150% in real terms, after taking inflation into account. but wages have only risen by 22%. even with some of the cheapest mortgages ever offered, home ownership, especially among young people, has been dropping for years. among under 35s, fewer than half own a home. the government says there is too little supply of housing. its answer is wholesale reform of planning laws, which it says are the reason it takes 15 years or more between developers buying land and selling a home. a new zoning system will allow fast—track planning applications, potentially halving the time it takes to build a new home. but it is not uncontroversial. we have major concerns about the government's proposed planning bill, because we think that it will weaken local democracy and influence in the planning system,

and also that it will lead to less generally affordable homes being built. the economy faces huge challenges emerging from lockdown, with some jobs disappearing and shortages of skilled workers like chefs, but the number reskilling through further education has dropped sharply since 2010. the government's plan is a new flexible loan scheme to allow adults to fund a change in career. but will it do the job? businesses will have been delighted to hear skills featured so much in the queen's speech today. it is going to be the big challenge getting people to where those newjobs are as they are created. we will be looking for a commitment from the government to employers' voices being heard in the system, including tackling the problematic apprenticeship levy. after the worst year for the economy in three centuries, the challenge of delivering a recovery plan that adapts the economy to the post—covid world and leads to greater home ownership is huge. the measures announced in the queen's speech may be radical, and they may not be enough

on their own to meet the scale of that challenge. andy verity, bbc news. a key element of the speech was the pledge to level up opportunities across all parts of the united kingdom. fiona trott is at a housing development in middlesbrough. is there evidence of investment going on there?— is there evidence of investment auoin on there? ~ ., ,, ., going on there? when you talk about levellin: going on there? when you talk about levelling up. — going on there? when you talk about levelling up. the _ going on there? when you talk about levelling up, the government - going on there? when you talk about levelling up, the government would i levelling up, the government would say this is a good example, affordable new homes, apparently, here at middlesbrough with specially designed workspaces so people can't base themselves from home, they don't have to commute and they want more new homes built like this, more quickly, in his zones that are designated protected, new or growth zones, streamlining that whole process and of course over there we have one of the eight new free ports announced, imports coming in will be exempt from some tariffs to boost manufacturing in areas like this on deeside, which as you know, has suffered in recent years with the

loss of the local steelworks. but what a local think tank says is you need to invest across the whole of the north, notjust areas like this which are electorally important and as you know, the mayor here, the conservative mayor, he won three quarters of the vote last week. but when you speak to people here in middlesbrough, about levelling up, what it means for them, they will say it is a good thing because it will make where they live better, they believe, but they don't actually feel it yet, and don't forget this is an area which has the highest rate of employment outside london, it has been disproportionately affected by the pandemic and austerity before that and politicians here in the north—east of england would say levelling up will take decades. fiona, thank you. the environment bill was a key part of the speech. it aims to address a whole raft of issues including improving air and water quality, tackling plastic pollution, restoring wildlife and

protecting the climate. here's our chief environment correspondent, justin rowlatt. under eu rules, the uk face heavy fines forfailing to under eu rules, the uk face heavy fines for failing to meet air quality standards. brexit means those rules no longer apply. the new environment bill is designed to fill that gap with new guidelines for air and water quality and recycling, as well as binding targets for improving the uk �*s natural environment. that will include plans for tree planting and restoration of peat bogs. the new environment bill will bring in an office for environmental protection, the idea is to hold the government to account on environmental policy but campaigners are concerned it needs to have sharp enough teeth and they say that should include the ability to fine the government if it breaches environmental standards. her majesty announced other green measures as well. the her majesty announced other green measures as well.— her majesty announced other green measures as well. the united kingdom

is committed — measures as well. the united kingdom is committed to — measures as well. the united kingdom is committed to achieving _ measures as well. the united kingdom is committed to achieving net - measures as well. the united kingdom is committed to achieving net zero - is committed to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. and will continue to lead the way internationally by hosting the cop26 summit in glasgow. legislation will set binding environmental targets. legislation will also be brought forward to ensure the united kingdom has and promotes the highest standards of animal welfare. the government _ standards of animal welfare. the government plans legislation that will enshrine in law the right of animals to be recognised as indian beings, it also says it will ban live animal exports, make electronic tagging of domestic cats compulsory and effort to crack down on public smuggling and dog napping. and we may be seeing more of these. the introduction of beavers and other extinct or endangered species including wild cards and links will be considered by a new task force.

it may even allow these to be released, the dalmatian pelican has a wingspan of up to three and a half metres and died out in medieval times in the uk, it's all part since the government of efforts to restore the government of efforts to restore the country �*s natural environment. justin rowlatt, bbc news. as part of the queen's speech, the monarch promised that the government will introduce a legal ban on so—called gay conversion therapy. our lgbt correspondent jessica parkerjoins me now. jessica, please explain. a promise to ban so—called conversion therapy stretches over two prime ministers in three years, some campaigners have become restless or changeable but the government said today as they will bring forward a legislative ban to stamp out the practice, some more extreme forms of so—called conversion therapy are already illegal and it will cover attempts to change someone �*s sexuality or their gender identity but there will be a consultation first and that will look at protecting medical professionals,

the government says, who might be helping people explore their gender identity and it's going to look at freedom of speech as well and upholding religious freedoms. some will absolutely welcome a more cautious approach, the government said before this is a complicated legal area but others will worry that this is a sign of potential loopholes being created and further delay. jessica, thank you. that's all from here in westminster — back to you in the studio, ben. thank you very much indeed. as part of the queen's speech, the government said it would bring forward proposals on reforming social care in england but campaigners say they're disappointed there weren't any details. ahead of the queen's speech, the health secretary said this. some people — about one in ten — have these very, very high costs, and it is very hard to know in advance who that is. it could be you, it could be me, it could be anybody watching.

and so making sure that together as a society we can help people with those costs is important. the other thing that is very important is that, at the moment, we put more money into the system each year, we put an extra £1 billion in last year, but really, i think, as a society, we should really look after people in their older age, and it is at the moment something that we need to put more resources into. our social affairs correspondent alison holt is here. alison, when borisjohnson came into downing street, he said he had a clear plan to deal with social care. have we heard any detail of that in the queen's speech? fin have we heard any detail of that in the queen's speech?— have we heard any detail of that in the queen's speech? on the steps of downin: the queen's speech? on the steps of downing street _ the queen's speech? on the steps of downing street when _ the queen's speech? on the steps of downing street when he _ the queen's speech? on the steps of downing street when he arrived - the queen's speech? on the steps of downing street when he arrived as i downing street when he arrived as prime minister he said he had a plan to fix social care once and for all. in the queen's speech we had nine words on social care, proposals on social care reform will be brought

forward. we knew it would be a brief mention but i do not think anybody expected quite that brief. there was no indication on the timing. previously ministers have suggested we will see detailed plans by the end of this year, no indication in the queen's speech itself. this is a huge frustration both amongst the people providing care and those who need it, so older people and people who are disabled who are younger, who are disabled who are younger, who need extra support at home or in care homes. one of the largest organisations representing independent care providers, care england, after the speech, said, how much longer can the care sector be expected to limp on? the sector was put through the mill during the pandemic after years of underfunding and increasing demand. my understanding is the government is absolutely set on reform but money is always the sticking point. why does it come from, how much will it

cost? as one expert said, the question to be answered is whether the funding reform, is it about the money, the catastrophic costs that the health and social care secretary mentioned, or is it funding for reform, therefore a vision for the future, one about older people and younger people. we are not the wiser after nine words today.— after nine words today. thank you, alison holt- _ our top story this lunchtime. the government sets out its agenda for the next year in the queen's speech. there were promises to level up the economy, supportjobs, businesses and economic growth, as well as recovery from coronavirus. my government's priority is to deliver a national recovery from the pandemic that makes the united kingdom stronger, healthier and more prosperous than before. coming up on the bbc news channel: can manchester united delay city's title celebrations once again? victory against champions league—chasing leicester later will keep the champagne on ice

for a little longer. seven children and a teacher have been killed in a shooting at a school in the russian city of kazan. two of those who died are reported to have jumped from windows to escape the gunman. the suspected attacker — a teenager and former pupil — has been detained by police. president putin has ordered a review of russia's gun laws. sarah rainsford reports. the teen gunman seems to stroll towards his target. but on this footage, his weapon is clear to see. and moments later there were scenes of panic at school number 175. parents rushing towards the building after reports of an armed attack. the assault is still under way at this point and, inside, the gunman had explosives too.

this image shows the brutality of his rampage. doors and windows blown out in the school where he was once a student. rescuers eventually managed to get ladders to the top floors and terrified children scrambled to safety. others had jumped for their lives from here as shots rang out. as hundreds were evacuated, there were reports of a second gunman. police now say ilnaz galieyev acted alone. he'd posted this image first on social media. in a mask that says "god," he vows to kill a huge number of people and then himself. but he was detained on the school steps in the midst of his attack. the local leader in kazan called it a terrible tragedy, but he confirmed the gunman's weapon was legal and no other accomplices have been identified.

as the investigation begins, president putin has called for an urgent review of russia's gun laws, because such attacks are rare here, but they are not unknown, and the consequences are devastating. sarah rainsford, bbc news, moscow. nicola sturgeon has confirmed coronavirus restrictions in most of scotland will be relaxed next monday. the first minister said people will be allowed to meet in each other�*s homes in limited numbers and hug loved ones again, with pubs reopening indoors as the majority of scotland moves to level two. the exception is moray, where infection rates are much higher than elsewhere. lorna gordon is in glasgow. a welcome easing of restrictions for most people in scotland? yes. a welcome easing of restrictions for most people in scotland?— most people in scotland? yes, the first minister _ most people in scotland? yes, the first minister said _ most people in scotland? yes, the first minister said these _ most people in scotland? yes, the first minister said these changes l first minister said these changes are the most important yet and have been hard earned, for most of

scotland, even longer in glasgow and lanarkshire, it has been almost eight months since people have been able to meet each other�*s home, but that will change from monday, six adults from three households will be able to meet in private homes and stay overnight, slightly greater numbers than anticipated, and while people are urged to exercise their judgment there will be much welcome change to the rule on physical distance in too. from monday, if you are meeting friends and family within the permitted limits, of course — either indoors in a private dwelling, a house, or in your garden our guidance will say that it is no longer necessary to maintain physical distance. which means, and i actually feel a wee bit emotional saying this, but from monday, as long as you stay within permitted limits, you can hug your loved ones again. soa so a lot of changes announced, a couple of key ones are that hospitality restrictions are being used, alcohol will be allowed to be

served inside again up to 10:30pm and a change to foreign travel rules, a move away from blanket restrictions to a traffic light system with a four nations approach with a limited number of countries on the green list. one exception to the easing of restrictions in scotland is likely to be the area of moray in the north, where there is unsustainable community transmission at the moment causing concern. that is still to be confirmed but it looks like moray will not be included in the easing of restrictions.— included in the easing of restrictions. ., ,, ., ., a man has been remanded in custody, after being charged with the murder of the police community support officer, julia james. 21—year—old callum wheeler from aylesham appeared in person at medway magistrates court. julia james, who was 53, was found dead in woodland near her home two weeks ago today. jon donnison is at the court. jon? it was a brief hearing today, callum

wheeler appeared in court here in chatham for only about five minutes, speaking just briefly to confirm his name, his age and address. he was dressed in a grey tracksuit and he left court and appeared to gesture briefly to reporters before being lured into a prison van. he will be remanded in custody and is due to appear at maidstone crown court on thursday. it is exactly two weeks since the body ofjulia james was discovered in woodland in kent. police say she suffered serious head injuries. detectives say they have received more than 1000 pieces of information from the public regarding her murder, but they are appealing for anybody in the area on all around april the 27th to come forward if they might have information. this is very much an

ongoing investigation and the case is not expected to go to court until early next year. is not expected to go to court until early next year-— early next year. thank you, jon donnison- _ israeli forces and palestinian militants have exchanged heavy fire in an escalation of violence. palestinian rockets were fired towardsjerusalem and in response, the israeli military launched air strikes against militant targets in the gaza strip. palestinian health officials there say 2a people have died. our middle east correspondent yolande knell reports. explosions. this was israel's forceful answer to gaza after rockets had been fired atjerusalem. this morning, after dozens of air strikes, people once again left to pick up the pieces of their lives. israel's army says it is targeting militants. the building's damaged from the back, says ibrahim, a mother and her son were killed. meanwhile, the barrages of rockets continue in southern israel. hamas promising to make life hell for people here.

air raid sirens. in the city of ashkelon, locals were sent scrambling for cover. several were hurt when this apartment building was directly hit. it was too old to have bomb shelters. translation: around five in the morning we woke up to the sound of the siren and hid in the wardrobe. because we have no safe zone in the house. there was a very loud explosion, i've never heard anything like it in my life. gunfire. the latest exchange of fire began after days of violent clashes between palestinians and israeli police here at al aqsa mosque — the old city ofjerusalem's most contested site, holy to muslims and jews. there have been international calls for calm and restraint but for now, there is no sign of that with more israeli homes and an empty school hit by rockets. and this funeral for an 11—year—old boy, killed in gaza overnight.

the different sides here are preparing for a longer battle. yolande knell, bbc news. a former uk diplomat has been jailed for eight months over blogs he wrote about the trial of alex salmond. craig murray — a former ambassador to uzbekistan — posted a series of articles online about the former first minister's high court trial in 2020. thejudge, lady dorrian, said his reporting risked identifying the complainers and could put women off coming forward in future cases. mr salmond was acquitted of 13 sexual assault charges involving nine women. it's the brit awards tonight — taking place in front of a 4,000—strong live audience without social distancing or facemasks at london's o2 arena. the show is part of a pilot scheme for reopening live events. more than half of the ticket—holders will be key workers from greater london and their guests. colin paterson reports.

the winner of new artist... it is the brit awards! lewis capaldi. brit winner, how does that sound? the brit awards are back. tonight's ceremony means the return of live music to london's o2 arena after 1a months of empty seats and silence. hip—hop duo young t & bugsey have the equal most nominations. oh, man. it's crazy, man. it's crazy, it's crazy. we've got the most nominations. coming from the rap scene as well, you know what i mean? we're from nottingham, as well. we're from nottingham, from the midlands. it's a lot, it's a lot, it's a lot. this is going to be the biggest indoor live music event in the uk for more than a year. 4,000 fans, when they get to their seats, they can take off their masks, they can have a drink. they are even allowed to sing along. a crowd is allowed as the brits is one of the government's designated pilot test events. everyone going in tonight has to pass a covid test and a team

of scientists will be monitoring everything that happens. some of the things we are going to look at is how closely people are standing towards each other. how people are engaging, greeting each other. if people remove their masks when they go back inside, or if they keep their masks on during the show. but also how people engage in the singing, clapping, and just what happens on site. the results will be used to try and bring about the return of live music all around the uk. i think the goal really is get back to full capacity, no social distancing, and as close as possible to the gig—going experience that we all remember. the music industry, we are entrepreneurial, we are creative. we will figure out a way to make it happen. # all night, i'll riot with you... as for the awards, its expected to be a big night for dua lipa and, for the first time in brits history, four women are nominated for album of the year. # i was getting kind of used to being someone you loved...#

but the biggest win of all tonight would be if the brits helped bring about the return of live music for good. colin paterson, bbc news, london's o2 arena. time for a look at the weather. here's chris fawkes. you have a lovely blue sky, i hope that means you will promises some gorgeous weather? trio that means you will promises some gorgeous weather?— gorgeous weather? no chance! it is another unsettled _ gorgeous weather? no chance! it is another unsettled one _ gorgeous weather? no chance! it is another unsettled one today, - another unsettled one today, sunshine and showers, broadly speaking, but differences from place to place. this was scarborough early this morning but the skies will not look like this later this afternoon, they will look more like this, with thunder clouds forming over the midlands and driving northwards. for cloud across the north of scotland and south—west england. both of these areas will see more general outbreaks of rain, whereas across wales, the midlands and east anglia