this is bbc news. the headlines — government advice on travelling to so—called amber list countries is defended by borisjohnson, as labour accuses ministers of "confused and contradictory" messages. if he doesn't want people to travel to amber list countries, if that's his position, he doesn't want them to travel to embellished countries, why has he made it easierfor them to do so? we are trying to move away from endlessly legislating for everything and to rely on guidance and asking people to do the right thing. police searching for a 15—year—old, who's believed to be a victim of the serial killer fred west, have begun drilling at a cafe in gloucester. israel's prime minister

defends his military campaign against palestinian militants in gaza, as hostilities between israel and hamas continue into a tenth day. the family of a 24—year—old woman from london, who was murdered in pakistan, call for her killers to be brought tojustice. new york's prosecutor has launched a criminal inquiry into donald trump's property company. and — boom bang a bang! eurovision fans gather in rotterdam to celebrate the return of the song contest. good afternoon. borisjohnson had defended the government's policy on foreign holidays, after the labour leader, sir keir starmer, said ministers were presiding over a �*hopeless system', which threatened to let

new covid variants into the country. speaking at prime minister's questions, mrjohnson insisted the government's advice was �*very clear�* — that people should not be taking holidays in so—called amber—list countries such as spain and greece. recent comments from ministers have led to confusion about whether people should be booking foreign breaks, and comes as the eu considers whether to open its borders to holiday—makers this summer. here's sean dilley. book a holiday, don't book a holiday — that is the question facing many as tourist destinations and an under pressure travel industry are readying themselves to welcome belated holiday—makers. so we are here offering some protection kits. the government has introduced a travel traffic light system, meaning people can now travel to green list countries without having to isolate when they get home. but they will have

to take a covid test. hand sanitiser. countries including australia, gibraltar and portugal are on the green list. many popular destinations such as france, spain and greece are on the amber list. people returning from these countries must self—isolate on return and take two covid tests. but messaging on who should and shouldn't travel to amber list countries has been confusing. there will be reasons why people feel they need to travel, to visit family or friends. i think it is very important for people to grasp - what an amber list country is. it is not somewhere where you should be going on holiday _ we are really relying on people to use their common sense, look at their own situation, look at their position and be sensible. at prime minister's questions today, pressure mounted for some clarity. so can the prime minister answer a really simple question that goes to the heart of this?

if he doesn't want people to travel to amber list countries, if that is his position, he doesn't want them to travel, why has he made it easier for them to do so? we are trying to move away from endlessly legislating l everything and to rely on guidance, and asking people to do the right. thing, and it is very, i very clear, mr speaker. you should not be going| to an amber list country, extreme circumstances, such as the serious - illness of a family member. you should not be going to an amber list country on holiday. _ lockdown—weary brits have been telling the bbc they will be holidaying in amber list countries, whatever the government advises. october 2020, we weren't allowed to travel to greece, so the travel company moved it. we moved it to the half—term that is just coming up. then the judgment came out, the travel company won't move it again, so we're going, because i can't afford to just

write off a holiday. the last 15 months has been hard for britain's travel industry, with their business grinding to an overnight halt. they have seen losses of billions of pounds. we need to see more clarity and less confusion from the uk government. they are getting nervous and worried about other countries moving faster. the eu is indeed likely to vote to open up its borders much more during june. eu leaders met this morning to give their members the green light to freely welcome fully vaccinated uk tourists. for now, british holiday—makers are free to plan their foreign trips, but the prime minister says people should not be travelling to amber countries, unless absolutely necessary. anyone who does must self—isolate on return, orface a fine of up to £10,000. sean dilley, bbc news. 0ur political correspondent jonathan blake says the prime minister is issuing guidance on international travel, rather than ha rd—and—fast rules.

borisjohnson said people should only go to countries on the amber list in extreme cases or emergencies, reminding people they would need to quarantine for ten days on their return and could be fined if they didn't do that. but that comes after a day or so of mixed messages from ministers, everything from you could consider a holiday essential to your well—being, or not travelling anywhere in the world this year because it simply too dangerous. and the reason for that is because the government is issuing guidance here, not hard and fast rules. although it saysin not hard and fast rules. although it says in black and white on the government because my own website, you should not travel to amber list countries, just because you shouldn't doesn't mean that you can't, and borisjohnson told mps, as you heard, that the government is moving away from endlessly legislating against things that people are allowed to do or not towards guidance, hoping to encourage people to do the right thing. in other words, encourage people to do the right thing. in otherwords, borisjohnson may not want you to go on holiday to

france or spain, but that doesn't mean that he can stop you, or that he is going to stop you. now, there is concern at westminster, yes, about other variants of coronavirus being discovered and finding their way back to the uk. political pressure on the government to tighten up the rules around travel. but what we also heard from the prime minister this lunchtime is that he is increasingly confident that he is increasingly confident that vaccines are effective against known variants of coronavirus, and the government is clearly banking on that remaining to be the case. 0ur europe correspondentjean mackenzie gave us this update from brussels. this is about agreeing one set of travel_ this is about agreeing one set of travel rules for the whole of the eu to try— travel rules for the whole of the eu to try and _ travel rules for the whole of the eu to try and make things a little simpler— to try and make things a little simpler than they have been. so the first thing _ simpler than they have been. so the first thing that has been decided today— first thing that has been decided today is— first thing that has been decided today is to allow tourists who have been _ today is to allow tourists who have been fully — today is to allow tourists who have been fully vaccinated, with an eu approved — been fully vaccinated, with an eu approved vaccine, to come here on holiday _ approved vaccine, to come here on holiday the — approved vaccine, to come here on holiday. the second is to add more

countries _ holiday. the second is to add more countries to — holiday. the second is to add more countries to the eu's safe list. so these _ countries to the eu's safe list. so these are — countries to the eu's safe list. so these are countries that people can come _ these are countries that people can come on _ these are countries that people can come on holiday even if they haven't been vaccinated. now, they haven't decided _ been vaccinated. now, they haven't decided yet which countries to add to this _ decided yet which countries to add to this list — decided yet which countries to add to this list. that's going to happen on friday. — to this list. that's going to happen on friday, but there's two things they witi— on friday, but there's two things they will be looking at, they will be hung — they will be looking at, they will be hung at the rate of infections in the country— be hung at the rate of infections in the country and what the trend is like _ the country and what the trend is like they— the country and what the trend is like. they don't want, for example, to add _ like. they don't want, for example, to add a _ like. they don't want, for example, to add a country only have to take it off _ to add a country only have to take it off one — to add a country only have to take it off one or— to add a country only have to take it off one or two weeks down the line, _ it off one or two weeks down the line. if— it off one or two weeks down the line. if you — it off one or two weeks down the line, if you think of the confusion that would — line, if you think of the confusion that would cause, especially when people _ that would cause, especially when people start booking holidays. but it's on— people start booking holidays. but it's on friday we should find out whether. — it's on friday we should find out whether, for example, the uk is going _ whether, for example, the uk is going to — whether, for example, the uk is going to make it onto that list. now, _ going to make it onto that list. now. this _ going to make it onto that list. now, this is really a signal that things— now, this is really a signal that things in— now, this is really a signal that things in europe are improving, atter— things in europe are improving, after a — things in europe are improving, after a very— things in europe are improving, after a very slow start to the vaccination campaign at the start of the year. _ vaccination campaign at the start of the year, things have picked up. more _ the year, things have picked up. more than— the year, things have picked up. more than a third of eu citizens have _ more than a third of eu citizens have now— more than a third of eu citizens have now had their first dose of the vaccine, _ have now had their first dose of the vaccine, and — have now had their first dose of the vaccine, and the eu feels it is safe to reopen — vaccine, and the eu feels it is safe to reopen its borders, in some way. now, _ to reopen its borders, in some way. now. one _ to reopen its borders, in some way. now. one of— to reopen its borders, in some way. now, one of the sticking points will be what _ now, one of the sticking points will be what the individual countries decide — be what the individual countries decide to — be what the individual countries decide to do themselves, because as we've _ decide to do themselves, because as we've seen. — decide to do themselves, because as we've seen, countries have already started _ we've seen, countries have already started making up their own rules.

for example, greece, portugaland for example, greece, portugal and italy for example, greece, portugal and italy have _ for example, greece, portugaland italy have allowed uk travellers to return, _ italy have allowed uk travellers to return, and it's likely that as the summer— return, and it's likely that as the summer season goes on, we will start to see _ summer season goes on, we will start to see individual countries do their own thing. — to see individual countries do their own thing, and there will be some discrepancies, depending on where you want— discrepancies, depending on where you want to spend your summer. jean mackenzie you want to spend your summer. iiezu mackenzie talking about you want to spend your summer. ii9:—.i mackenzie talking about all you want to spend your summer. i9:i mackenzie talking about all those decisions eu ambassadors and leaders will be making over the coming days, and as part of whether they allow people to visit, how they allow people to visit, how they allow people to visit, whether that is for emergencies or for holidays, there is also talk of course of a vaccine passport to allow people to get into eu countries, in essence to show that you have had both doses of a vaccine. let's discuss all of that, how it might all work. andrea downey is a senior reporter for digital health. hello, andrea, good afternoon. hiya, thanks to having _ hello, andrea, good afternoon. hiya, thanks to having me _ hello, andrea, good afternoon. hiya, thanks to having me on. _ hello, andrea, good afternoon. hiya, thanks to having me on. good - hello, andrea, good afternoon. hiya, thanks to having me on. good to - hello, andrea, good afternoon. hiya, thanks to having me on. good to talk| thanks to having me on. good to talk to ou. thanks to having me on. good to talk to you biplain _ thanks to having me on. good to talk to you. explain what _ thanks to having me on. good to talk to you. explain what we _ thanks to having me on. good to talk to you. explain what we think - thanks to having me on. good to talk to you. explain what we think we - to you. explain what we think we know so far, what we think might be

proposed and how it would all work. of course. well, there is not a huge of course. well, there is not a huge amount of eight known at the moment, other than there is a way to access your covid vaccination status via the nhs app, so that could be used, in theory, to travel through europe and potentially other countries without the need to quarantine. but at the moment there are very few countries actually accepting a covid vaccination passport as proof you have had your vaccine, so you will still need to abide by the rules they will have put in place. so before you go on holiday it is best to check the guidelines of the country, because they may still require you to do a test upon arrival. some of them will also still require you to quarantine. so at the moment it is just a way to prove you have had your vaccine, not necessarily recognised internationally.- necessarily recognised internationally. necessarily recognised internationall . , internationally. right, but as we know with all _ internationally. right, but as we know with all of _ internationally. right, but as we know with all of this, _ internationally. right, but as we know with all of this, things - internationally. right, but as we know with all of this, things can | know with all of this, things can change pretty quickly, and someone who is watching all of this and wants to get away for whatever reason, and thanks, do you know what, if it is certainly a

possibility i want to prove really easily that i have had both doses, how would this all work? are we talking about the basic nhs app and you will have it on your phone? we will talk about people who don't have phones in the moment but in terms of anyone who does have a smartphone, is it really that simple? smartphone, is it really that simle? :, , smartphone, is it really that simle? ., , ., ., simple? yeah, it is. so anyone that does have a — simple? yeah, it is. so anyone that does have a smartphone, _ simple? yeah, it is. so anyone that does have a smartphone, the - does have a smartphone, the government has really been pushing the use of the digital app, so it is the use of the digital app, so it is the nhs app, not the nhs covid app, which is a bit confusing, but if you are registered with a gp in england, and you have a smartphone, you can download the nhs app. you will have to go through a series of steps to login, which will require your nhs number and login, which will require your nhs numberand your name, login, which will require your nhs number and your name, and if you don't have your nhs number that's fine, there are just a few extra steps to pass but once you are in that gives you access to your gp records hospital records and of course you're vaccination records for your whole life, not just course you're vaccination records for your whole life, notjust covid. so that is how the government has created a passport here. they have made it easier for you to access

your covid record. there is a section on the app that is really easy to find that will have your covid vaccination record. that will include how manyjabs you have had, what date you have had them and also the type ofjab that you had. then there is a second session called your status. that requires you just to agree to share a bit of your data with the nhs, your nhs number, name, contact details and date of birth. 0nce contact details and date of birth. once you have shared that, it can find your record in the system and extend your covid vaccination passport —— send your covid vaccination passport your app and thenit vaccination passport your app and then it is just a vaccination passport your app and then it isjust a quick vaccination passport your app and then it is just a quick couple of taps and you are in. then it isjust a quick couple of taps and you are in.— then it isjust a quick couple of taps and you are in. some people don't have _ taps and you are in. some people don't have a _ taps and you are in. some people don't have a mobile _ taps and you are in. some people don't have a mobile phone - taps and you are in. some people don't have a mobile phone of - taps and you are in. some people don't have a mobile phone of any| don't have a mobile phone of any description, and it has to be fair for those people. and how do they get around that, and how do you get around the issue of fraud, if those people are told it is fine, it would just be on it of paper? how do you prove that piece of paper relates to you? prove that piece of paper relates to ou? :, �* , prove that piece of paper relates to ou? ., �* , ., prove that piece of paper relates to ou? ., �*, ., ., , prove that piece of paper relates to ou? ., , , .,

you? that's a really good question and i think you? that's a really good question and i think a _ you? that's a really good question and i think a worry _ you? that's a really good question and i think a worry for _ you? that's a really good question and i think a worry for quite - you? that's a really good question and i think a worry for quite a - you? that's a really good question and i think a worry for quite a few| and i think a worry for quite a few people. there are some options if you don't have access to the app. you can also download a pdf version of your covert passport from the nhs website. that again will ask for your nhs number and if you contact details and names etc so it knows it is you. if you don't have access to the website you can call nhs 1—19, a specific number that has been set up for coronavirus, and you can ask them to send you a copy of the kobe vaccination passport. again, they will ask you on the phone to go through the regular checks to make sure it is actually you asking for this are not somebody doing it fraudulently. the checks in place are fairly solid, but they are still using —— pushing the use of digital first. using -- pushing the use of digital first. : , , , :, , :, first. and they will be people who mi . ht first. and they will be people who might want _ first. and they will be people who might want to _ first. and they will be people who might want to go _ first. and they will be people who might want to go abroad - first. and they will be people who might want to go abroad to - first. and they will be people who | might want to go abroad to simply have not had a vaccination. either they can't for medical reasons or other reasons, and some people who simply still do not want to have one. that is going to become an

interesting, tricky, perhaps controversial area, interesting, tricky, perhaps controversialarea, if interesting, tricky, perhaps controversial area, if eu countries eventually start saying this is the deal, you know, no entry without proof of two doses. then we get into all sorts of difficult, ethical situations.— all sorts of difficult, ethical situations. :, ., , , ., all sorts of difficult, ethical situations. :, , ., ., situations. yeah, absolutely, and to be honest this _ situations. yeah, absolutely, and to be honest this was _ situations. yeah, absolutely, and to be honest this was a _ situations. yeah, absolutely, and to be honest this was a big _ situations. yeah, absolutely, and to be honest this was a big worry - situations. yeah, absolutely, and to be honest this was a big worry for l be honest this was a big worry for me when they first announced it because i haven't had either of my vaccines yet, so i was thinking, am i going to be punished? but there are still ways you can travel without having a vaccine. most countries have protocols in place, so that is normally testing before you leave the country and also upon arrival so that you can prove you are negative, and you can still go on holiday. again, you do have to check the guidelines of the country you are actually visiting. that is available on the government's website, but also the government website, but also the government website of the country you're going holiday in. quite a few eu countries have said when covert vaccination passports are around they might look at that potentially is a way of proving the vaccination status but they have all given separate dates

at this point so it is really important to make sure you are checking the guidance of the country you're going to. filth. checking the guidance of the country you're going to— you're going to. 0h, absolutely. goodness. _ you're going to. 0h, absolutely. goodness, things _ you're going to. 0h, absolutely. goodness, things change - you're going to. 0h, absolutely. goodness, things change over l you're going to. 0h, absolutely. - goodness, things change over time, don't they? thank you very much indeed. for now, andrea from digital health talking about covid vaccination passports and more besides. now, there are so many questions still about all of this. we know there is a lot of confusion, anxiety, worries about refunds, all sorts of issues. we are inundated whatever we raise the issue of covid and travel, so get your questions in again becausejust and travel, so get your questions in again because just after half past three i will have two guests with me to answer any queries, concerns you have about leaving the country. joining me will be the travel editor of the sun, lisa minot and the editor of wanderlust, lyn hughes.

there is "increasing confidence" that covid—i9 vaccines are effective against all variants, including the indian one, borisjohnson has said. at prime minister's questions, he said fresh data had been reviewed earlier on wednesday. he also thanked people in indian variant hotspots bolton and blackburn for getting a jab "in record numbers". the spread of the indian variant has cast doubt on plans to ease remaining restrictions in england next month. (ani latest figures show there were more than 2,300 confirmed cases of the new strain in at least 86 local authorities across the uk. bolton, where the outbreak is most severe, has seen cases double in the last week.

most, though not all, are of the indian variant. as we've been reporting, surge testing is under way there, as well as in other hotspots, including bedford and glasgow. nuneaton is the latest area where extra testing is being deployed. where that leaves the full unlocking of restrictions is still under review, with a decision expected within days. let's discuss these surges. dr agboola is the director of public health in warwickshire, and has been dealing with a number of confirmed cases of the variant in nuneaton — shejoins me now. hello, a very good afternoon to you. good afternoon. 50 hello, a very good afternoon to you. good afternoon.— good afternoon. so what have you been seeing _ good afternoon. so what have you been seeing in _ good afternoon. so what have you been seeing in your— good afternoon. so what have you been seeing in your region? -

good afternoon. so what have you been seeing in your region? just l been seeing in your region? just explain for us the increases that you and your team have been dealing with. , , :, , you and your team have been dealing with. , , :, ., :, with. yes, so 'ust over ten days ago now we with. yes, so 'ust over ten days ago new we were — with. yes, so just over ten days ago now we were informed _ with. yes, so just over ten days ago now we were informed that - with. yes, so just over ten days ago now we were informed that we - with. yes, so just over ten days ago now we were informed that we had | with. yes, so just over ten days ago | now we were informed that we had a number of indian variant cases within nuneaton and bedworth in particular, two wards within nuneaton. we were told at the time we had eight cases, to the best of our knowledge we still have eight cases, and what we have done is swing into action almost immediately, send out the message, anybody who lived in nuneaton and bedworth, there are being encouraged to take a pcr test. we repurposed our existing sites within nuneaton and bedworth immediately. the test can be accessed seven days a week until apm. we have also tried to identify a range of sites across the meeting that will support people who want to pick up test kits, and we set up pick—up sites at the market stall today, and over 1000 test kits

have already been given out. suggested be clear, you are encouraging everyone to have a test, irrespective of whether they think they have any symptoms? so what you are outlining is to try to make it as easy as possible for people to pick up a test? as easy as possible for people to pick up a test?— as easy as possible for people to pick up a test? absolutely. we are workin: pick up a test? absolutely. we are working with _ pick up a test? absolutely. we are working with businesses, - pick up a test? absolutely. we are working with businesses, schools, | pick up a test? absolutely. we are i working with businesses, schools, we have set up two testing sites in nuneaton, we will give out test kits across nuneaton, staff and pupils and theirfamilies to across nuneaton, staff and pupils and their families to get tested. it isjust one and their families to get tested. it is just one test. to identify any additional cases of this variant. that is the testing regime. what is your involvement, in terms of take—up of the vaccine? does this play into all of that, making sure anyone who is eligible for a vaccine is indeed booking in and trying to get one? is indeed booking in and trying to aetone? ~ , �* :, get one? absolutely, we're not leavin: get one? absolutely, we're not leaving any _ get one? absolutely, we're not leaving any stone _ get one? absolutely, we're not leaving any stone unturned, . get one? absolutely, we're not

leaving any stone unturned, so| get one? absolutely, we're not. leaving any stone unturned, so we are working with nhs colleagues, as you know they have laid on the vaccination roll—out, the uptake of the vaccine has been good in nuneaton and bedworth but there are still a small number of people who have perhaps not taken up the offer of vaccination, and what we are doing is to encourage as many people as possible if you have been offered the vaccine please take up the offer and get vaccinated. you the vaccine please take up the offer and get vaccinated.— the vaccine please take up the offer and get vaccinated. you are director of ublic and get vaccinated. you are director of public health, _ and get vaccinated. you are director of public health, and _ and get vaccinated. you are director of public health, and i'm _ and get vaccinated. you are director of public health, and i'm just - of public health, and i'm just interested for your broader perspectives on your involvement during this pandemic because if i think back to the first few months of the pandemic, i couldn't count the number of interviews i did with people in the public health sphere, who said we and our local area understand our population, we need to be more involved, we understand, we know where to direct resources. has a lot changed, in terms of your involvement over the last year? do you feel your expertise is called and utilise now?— and utilise now? absolutely. it

feels very _ and utilise now? absolutely. it feels very different _ and utilise now? absolutely. it feels very different now, - and utilise now? absolutely. it i feels very different now, despite the fact the nhs has led on the roll—out of vaccine, vaccination for example, local authorities and directors of public health and public health teams have been heavily involved in identifying parts of the county for example where people will not engage with the vaccination programme, mapping out hotspots, ensuring that we minimise any health inequalities that might arise as a result of the vaccine roll—out. so our involvement is much more greater and it is having an impact.— having an impact. that is fully interesting — having an impact. that is fully interesting to _ having an impact. that is fully interesting to hear— having an impact. that is fully interesting to hear that - interesting to hear that perspective, really good of you to give us your time when you and your team are very busy. thank you very much. the director of health in warwickshire talking about extra testing on the take—up of the vaccination her region. three people have died in scotland due to coronavirus vaccine adverse—effects, latest official data shows. the figures came in a report by the national records of scotland. it said the deaths were in the context of 2.81 million people

having been given at least one dose of a vaccine by april 30. just to remind you, we will be giving a coronavirus downing street briefing at 5pm. as soon as it gets under way you will be able to watch it live on bbc news. the health secretary matt hancock will be holding a downing street coronavirus briefing at 5pm today. police are investigating a fire that badly damaged the home of the celtic football club chief executive, peter lawwell. 0ur correspondent lorna gordon sent us this update. police scotland have said they were called to reports of vehicles on fire outside a house in an upmarket area on the outskirts of glasgow at around one o'clock this morning. we

know the fire spread to part of the detached two—storey house, and at its height eight appliances were at the scene. pictures taken just a couple of hours ago show the charred remains of what looks to be a converted garage connected to the main house, and some burnt out vehicles in the driveway in front of the house as well. no one was injured but celtic football club have confirmed there was significant damage, following what they said was an explosion and fire, forcing peter lawwell and his family to leave the property full stop they went on to say that peter lawwell and his family are extremely shaken and shocked by what happened overnight and are receiving the full support of the club. the police and fire service remain at the house and are working to establish what caused the fire. nicola sturgeon has unveiled her new cabinet team, with several new faces being appointed to ministerial roles. shirley—anne somerville has been

named as the country's new education secretary, with humza yousaf moving from justice to health. finance secretary kate forbes will take on an expanded role, which will also give her responsibility for the economy brief. angus robertson has been appointed as the constitution, external affairs and culture secretary, which is likely to be a key role as the scottish government pushes for a second independence referendum. john swinney will continue his role as deputy first minister, while also taking responsibility for working with businesses and organisations to rebuild the economy following the coronavirus pandemic. 0ur scotland correspondent alexandra mackenzie is in glasgow. some names that some people will be familiar with, others not. some names that some people will be familiarwith, others not. i some names that some people will be familiar with, others not. i hope they won't mind me saying. what stands out for you in this list and this reshuffle, alexandra? i am stands out for you in this list and this reshuffle, alexandra? i am sure we will aet this reshuffle, alexandra? i am sure we will get to _ this reshuffle, alexandra? i am sure we will get to know _ this reshuffle, alexandra? i am sure we will get to know all _ this reshuffle, alexandra? i am sure we will get to know all those - this reshuffle, alexandra? i am sure we will get to know all those names| we will get to know all those names in time. big changes. this is the first cabinet reshuffle nicola sturgeon has had since 2018. we are seeing a slimmed down cabinet, from 12 to ten. nicola sturgeon has said

that she has drawn, as you say, from some experience names there but also some experience names there but also some new faces. kate forbes you mention. she remains in finance but this is going to be an expanded brie. she will be cabinet secretary for finance and the economy, so a key role as we come through covid and start rebuilding the economy. humza yousaf, he is moving from justice to another key role, especially at the moment, health and social care. a big job in the middle of the pandemic, and also as we come out of a pandemic, rebuilding of the nhs were starting to work on waiting lists and getting the nhs back to normal. another key part of his job will be setting up a new national care service. responsibility of is given to shirley and somerville. that was previously held byjohn swinney, the deputy first minister

but he was yesterday appointed to the new cabinet role of cabinet secretary for covert recovery. nicola sturgeon has said the pandemic and covert recovery is her priority, and then she will turn her attention to another second independence referendum. now, angus robertson has been given the cabinet secretary for the constitution. he is newly elected to the scottish parliament, but is probably quite a familiarface to many parliament, but is probably quite a familiar face to many people. parliament, but is probably quite a familiarface to many people. he parliament, but is probably quite a familiar face to many people. he was an mp for 16 years. he lost his seat in westminster in 2017. and also cop26 is coming to glasgow, coming to scotland this year. michael matheson, he keeps his transport brief, but this will be expanded to include net to zero and energy, so that's going to be articulately

important this year. we are going to see a couple people come back into the cabinet, shona robison and keith brown are going to return with socialjustice brown are going to return with social justice and justice brown are going to return with socialjustice and justice reefs, and rudolf are's, the promotion for thejunior minister, murray and rudolf are's, the promotion for the junior minister, murray goes and rudolf are's, the promotion for thejunior minister, murray goes on, she will come into the cabinet. nicola sturgeon, she is going to be sworn in as first minister officially. she said this term in office is going to be unquestionably the most important that scotland has faced since devolution.— faced since devolution. thank you very much- _ excavation work has begun at a cafe in gloucester, in the search for the body of a missing teenager, who's a suspected victim of the serial killer, fred west. 15—year—old mary bastholm worked at the site of �*the clean plate' cafe before she went missing in 1968. mary's parents died without finding

out what happened to their daughter. now to the economy. the rate of inflation more than doubled last month, to 1.5%, as a rise in energy and clothing costs drove prices higher. but the figure is partly explained by the big fall in prices last year, as the pandemic took hold. let's talk to our economics correspondent, andy verity — well, if you look at this chart — 1.5% is more than double what it was last month — but it's only back where it was in march last year. back in 2017, for example it was twice as high. if you ask what's fuelling inflation, — you've already answered your own question. last year, lockdowns meant far fewer goods and people moving around and oil and gas companies were producing far more fuel than the world needed — so the price plummeted. a year on from that, economies around the world

are re—opening and the oil price has bounced back — along with other commodities like metals. because of that, manufacturers have to pay more for raw materials — also known as input prices — which are up by nearly 10% on a year ago. but the bank of england has been anxious to calm fears that that could lead to an early rise in interest rates to stop inflation getting out of control. you do hear those stories about input _ you do hear those stories about input prices, but we are not yet seeing — input prices, but we are not yet seeing strong evidence. but i can assure _ seeing strong evidence. but i can assure you — seeing strong evidence. but i can assure you we will be watching this extremely— assure you we will be watching this extremely carefully. and we will take action when we think it is appropriate to do so, no question about— appropriate to do so, no question about that — with the government, small businesses and poorer households deep in debt, a rise in interest rates would make it harder to afford their repayments. but many economists think that

won't happen any time soon. markets are expecting an interest rise next— markets are expecting an interest rise next year _ markets are expecting an interest rise next year. the _ markets are expecting an interest rise next year. the bank- markets are expecting an interest rise next year. the bank of - markets are expecting an interest i rise next year. the bank of england cut rates, _ rise next year. the bank of england cut rates, in— rise next year. the bank of england cut rates, in march— rise next year. the bank of england cut rates, in march 2020, - rise next year. the bank of england cut rates, in march 2020, we - rise next year. the bank of england cut rates, in march 2020, we were i rise next year. the bank of england i cut rates, in march 2020, we were in an emergency— cut rates, in march 2020, we were in an emergency situation, _ cut rates, in march 2020, we were in an emergency situation, the - cut rates, in march 2020, we were in an emergency situation, the marketsj an emergency situation, the markets were seizing — an emergency situation, the markets were seizing up. _ an emergency situation, the markets were seizing up. we— an emergency situation, the markets were seizing up, we were _ an emergency situation, the markets were seizing up, we were at - an emergency situation, the markets were seizing up, we were at the - were seizing up, we were at the beginning — were seizing up, we were at the beginning of— were seizing up, we were at the beginning of the _ were seizing up, we were at the beginning of the pandemic, - were seizing up, we were at the . beginning of the pandemic, nobody knew what— beginning of the pandemic, nobody knew what was— beginning of the pandemic, nobody knew what was going _ beginning of the pandemic, nobody knew what was going to _ beginning of the pandemic, nobody knew what was going to happen. i beginning of the pandemic, nobody| knew what was going to happen. do beginning of the pandemic, nobody- knew what was going to happen. do we still need _ knew what was going to happen. do we still need people — knew what was going to happen. do we still need people to _ knew what was going to happen. do we still need people to be _ knew what was going to happen. do we still need people to be at _ knew what was going to happen. do we still need people to be at that - still need people to be at that emergency— still need people to be at that emergency level— still need people to be at that emergency level is— still need people to be at that emergency level is the - still need people to be at that . emergency level is the question still need people to be at that - emergency level is the question the bank of— emergency level is the question the bank of england _ emergency level is the question the bank of england will— emergency level is the question the bank of england will be _ emergency level is the question the bank of england will be asking - bank of england will be asking itself, — bank of england will be asking itself, do _ bank of england will be asking itself, do we _ bank of england will be asking itself, do we actually - bank of england will be asking itself, do we actually need - bank of england will be asking . itself, do we actually need rates bank of england will be asking - itself, do we actually need rates to be a little — itself, do we actually need rates to be a little bit — itself, do we actually need rates to be a little bit higher— itself, do we actually need rates to be a little bit higher contain- be a little bit higher contain inflation? _ even with inflation at this level, 1.5%, it's serious for more than seven million people of working age who receive benefits. because their payments since april have been uprated based on inflation back in september — they're only rising by half a percentage point. so prices are once again rising faster than their payments — making millions of the poorest people in the country worse off. much more are coming up in the next half an hour.

so far there have been fewer showers around and that is going to be the story into the afternoon. some shower cloud but also lengthy spells of sunshine. i want to draw your attention to this cloud out in the south—west, a deep area of low pressure that is going to arrive first thing tomorrow morning. those showers will ease through the evening. we will see some cloud building from the west and heavy rain into northern ireland. temperatures will hold up with cloud around between four and 8 degrees. a bill of wet weather to come. moving into southern scotland, accompanied by gale force winds and we are going to see gusts in excess of 30 to a0 mph, may be as strong as 50 to 60 on exposed south west coasts, unusual for this time of year. temperatures will peak between seven and 15.

hello, this is bbc news. the headlines: government advice on travelling to so—called amber list countries is defended by borisjohnson, as labour accuses ministers of "confused and contradictory" messages. if he doesn't want people to travel to amber list countries, if that is his position, he doesn't want them to travel to amber list countries, why has he made it easier for them to do so? we are trying to move away from endlessly legislating for everything and to rely on guidance and asking people to do the right thing. police searching for a suspected victim of serial killer fred west have begun drilling at a cafe in gloucester. israel's prime minister defends his military campaign against palestinian militants in gaza, as hostilities continue for a tenth day.

the family of a 2a—year—old woman from london who was murdered in pakistan call for her killers to be brought tojustice. new york's prosecutor has launched a criminal inquiry into donald trump's property company. and fans celebrate the return of the eurovision song contest. sport now and for a full round up from the bbc sport centre here's jane. good afternoon. scotland manager steve clarke has given three players their first senior caps, including them in his 26—man scotland squad for this summer's euros. call ups for chelsea's billy gilmor, celtic�*s david turnbull and nathan patterson of rangers. however, there was no place for andrew considene of aberdeen or celtic�*s leigh griffiths. clarke believes, while it was a great achievement to qualify,

scotland aren't there to make up the numbers. it up the numbers. has been a feel—good story and it is it has been a feel—good story and it is great to be involved in the tournament. we want to go and be competitive. when the boys won the match in serbia on penalties everyone got a great left. it was a fantastic feeling. all the boys became heroes overnight. if we can get out the group stages in the tournament in the summer they can become legends, so why not aim for that? chelsea women's manager emma hayes is expected to sign a new deal at the club. it comes after she won her fourth league title with chelsea and took them to the champions league final for the first time. they lost a—0 to barcelona at the weekend, but chelsea could still come away with three trophies this season. as well as the wsl title and the league cup, they're still in the fa cup and play their fifth round tie against everton tomorrow. hayes' three—and—a—half—year contract comes to an end injune.

the football association is targeting a record—breaking women's euros in england next summer — with the hope of almost trebling the previous number of tickets sold for the tournament to 700,000. the previous record came four years ago when 2a0,00 tickets were sold in the netherlands. 0ur balance with the stadia was that we want to be ambitious, and believe me 700,000 tickets uefa think is incredibly ambitious, so we wanted to be ambitious, but equally we want to be realistic. whether we have that balance right, it would be great if we completely sell out every stadium and everybody says you should have had a bigger stadium, i would be delighted. chelsea manager thomas tuchel says securing a top four spot "is not yet done," despite taking a huge step towards champions league qualification with victory over nearest rivals leicester last night. tuchel�*s side won 2—1 at stamford bridge, with antonio rudiger

opening the scoring, celebrating in front of the returning stamford bridge crowd. jorginho then doubled the lead from the penalty spot to secure a win which moves chelsea up to third, while leicester will drop out of the champions league places if liverpool beat burnley tonight. four, five, six weeks ago nobody would imagine we can get that close. that is very positive but being close is not being there and we know that so since i am at liverpool pretty much each season goes to the wire for different reasons. i cannot remember a season when we did not have finals to the end of the season, either a big cup competition or we had to fight in the league until the very last second of the season, so, yeah, here we are again. we have to make sure we have something to fight for. the british and irish lions have confirmed that they will have

a crowd of 16,500 fans at murrayfield for their match against japan next month. it'll be the first time that supporters will have watched live rugby at murrayfield since march last year. the game on the 26th ofjune will be a warm up ahead of the tour to south africa. the decision came after agreement from the scottish government. the all england club say they are confident capacity for this summer's wimbledon will be more than the minimum 25% they set out last month. the tournament is due to get under way on the 29th ofjune, a week after the government's roadmap for the further planned relaxing of covid restrictions. however, organisers say they will continue to leave things as late as possible, with online ticket sales not expected to begin before the middle of next month. that's all the sport for now. as the israel—palestinian conflict continues,

israeli defence sources have told the bbc that "there is still no ceasefire on the table" and "the operation is continuing at full throttle". in the latest violence, two palestinian militants were killed in air raids and palestinian rockets were launched at southern israel. international efforts continue to de—escalate the conflict. 0ur diplomatic correspondent paul adams is injerusalem. he explains what needs to happen for any ceasefire to be brokered. for that to happen, a great deal has the following to place. that's a lot of diplomacy going on. an american envoy has been here since friday. the un are intimately involved because they talk directly to hamas and then further a field agent, which is traditionally played a role in negotiating ceasefires, have a role. the two sides say nothing has been agreed and nothing has been

conceded and frankly this will end when each of them feels they have achieved their core objectives. for israel that means the destruction of as much mass infrastructure in gaza as much mass infrastructure in gaza as possible and ensuring israeli civilians have a long period of peace and quiet ahead of them, ideally years. for a place like it is a little more intangible, being seen as the principal defenders of palestinian rights, especially here injerusalem. that objective probably has been achieved already. paul adams injerusalem. the family of a young woman from london, who was murdered in pakistan, have called forjustice over her killing. 2a—year—old mayra zulfiqar was shot dead in lahore earlier this month. police are investigating allegations she was being threatened by two men whose marriage proposals she had rejected. so far, no arrests have been made. secunder kermani reports.

bubbly and outgoing. mayra zulfiqar had a bright future ahead of her. but two weeks ago the law graduate, who grew up in london, was murdered in pakistan. her father and brother have travelled here to help try and ensurejustice is done. i still can't believe that my sister is gone. it seems like it's a nightmare. that i'm going to wake up and just hug her. every day i wake up and ijust don't believe it, i can't believe that my sister has gone. she wanted to do something. she wanted to become something, she wanted to help the poor. she was a caring person. i worked so hard for my daughter to reach this position. she was well educated,

says her father. what have these people done to her? what did she ever do that was so wrong? mayra zulfiqar moved to this upmarket street in lahore a number of months ago. renting a home with friends. her body was found in her room by a maid, who alerted police. mayra's uncle named two suspects in legal documents, saying she was being threatened by them after turning down their marriage proposals. mayra had previously been to the police herself alleging that one of the young men had abducted her at gunpoint. she asked officials for protection. two weeks later, she was killed. if someone had helped... maybe my daughter would be alive today. she talked to me about other things but she never showed anything about any problem. i don't understand why, if she was facing some sort of problem she would have shared something. i don't know what has gone on. maybe she just felt like she was in control still.

whoever has done this planned it and didn't let mayra know that this would happen. saad butt, accused of the abduction and named by mayra's uncle in connection to the murder, denies any wrongdoing and his lawyer says he is cooperating with the police investigation. the other man, a close friend of mayra, zahirjadoon, also denies any role in her death. both have been granted pre—arrest bail. mayra's family say they just wantjustice to be done. secunder kermani, bbc news, lahore. the prime minister has publicly apologised to the families of the ten people killed in ballymurphy in 1971. last week, an inquest found that the victims — shot during an army operation — were "entirely innocent". borisjohnson has written to the families to apologise but they have rejected this and are calling on him to meet them. john teggart, whose father daniel was one of those who died,

has called borisjohnson's apology "totally unacceptable", and said mrjohnson's apology should have focused on "our loved ones who were murdered" and not how the investigation was handled. last week an inquest found daniel taggart, joseph murphy, edward doherty, john laverty, joseph, and john the care, who were killed in valley murphy in august 1971, entirely innocent. 0n valley murphy in august 1971, entirely innocent. on behalf of successive governments and to put on the record, i would like to say sorry to their families for how the investigations were handled and for the pain they have enjoyed since there campaign began almost five decades ago. —— have endured. this

has renewed the government was like determination to ensure other families can find answers with less distress and delay. the attorney generals office in new york state has informed the trump 0rganization that an investigation into its business dealings is now a criminal probe. the inquiry is considering whether the former us president's business empire falsely inflated property values to obtain loans. the state probe will run alongside a tax investigation by the manhattan district attorney. mr trump denies wrongdoing. the family of a private investigator murdered in south london more than 30 years ago has described the decision to delay a long—awaited report into his killing as an outrage. an independent panel has been looking into the killing

of daniel morgan in 1987. our home affairs correspondent, tom symonds, explains why it's been delayed. the government says it wants to review the report before it has been published. it is a case mired in allegations of police corruption. if it sounds like line of duty had got mentioned in line of duty. the government had been planning to publish the report probably monday and abbott has led to next monday but it says it needs to do this review of the report because it has an obligation to make sure the report complies with human rights and national security obligations. the home office says it has nothing to do with the independence of the report and the home office is not seeking to make edits to it but the family of daniel morgan have been building themselves up for this moment and have waited a long time for answers and their lawyer said to me today that for this intervention it is a remarkable and unwarranted

intervention that has been a real blow. he thinks the government has breached an agreement it had with the panel not to intervene in the sort of way and he thinks that there is a potential here for someone, possibly the panel, to take the keys to judicial review. fiur possibly the panel, to take the keys to judicial review.— to judicial review. our home affairs correspondent. _ the headlines on bbc news... government advice on travelling to amber list countries is defended by borisjohnson as labour accuses ministers of "confused and contradictory" messages. police searching for a suspected victim of serial killer fred west have begun drilling at a cafe in gloucester. israel's prime minister defends his military campaign against palestinian militants in gaza, as hostilities continue for a tenth day.

a story we touched on yesterday we can bring you up—to—date on. a uk—australia trade deal would be the "final nail in the coffin" for scottish crofters, the snp's leader in westminster has said. in the commons today, mr blackford urged the prime minister to rule out giving australia tariff or tax—free access for its lamb and beef products. mrjohnson replied that an agreement with australia would be a "massive opportunity" for uk farmers. 0ur reality check correspondent chris morris is with me. we will try to untangle this and see what it means. wife explaining again essentially what this row is about. you have the broad context of the government that pushed brexit through and said their ability to do trade deals around the world is one of the big benefits of that and they

have been trumpeting all sorts of deals over the last year and a bit but those are rollovers of what we have had before as members of the eu. a deal with australia would be the first deal expanding market so it is politically and symbolically important but at what price? specifically the context in a deal with australia, the australians want tariffs or tax free access to our market for their big industrial farms which means they could export to us things like lamb and beef more cheaply, but farmers here are saying they would not be able to survive that kind of competition unless we are protected in some way by tariffs, and supporters point to two things. one, a free trade deal with australia would add a tiny proportion of 1%, something like 0.02% over 15 years, to the size of the british economy, so is it really were threatening british farmers for that? they also say there is a

precedent being set. australia may be a relatively small market but if they get complete tariff free access then what about the americans are brazil or other bigger economies going to want to have in the future? it is about the benefits you can have on the precedent for the future. it have on the precedent for the future. :, .., , have on the precedent for the future. :, :. , ., future. it all came up at prime minister's _ future. it all came up at prime minister's questions _ future. it all came up at prime minister's questions and - future. it all came up at prime minister's questions and quite future. it all came up at prime i minister's questions and quite a conversation about it.— minister's questions and quite a conversation about it. yes, and not 'ust from conversation about it. yes, and not just from the _ conversation about it. yes, and not just from the opposition. _ conversation about it. yes, and not just from the opposition. we - conversation about it. yes, and not just from the opposition. we know| just from the opposition. we know there is genuine debate within government about whether this is a good thing, hardly surprising, different cabinet ministers have different cabinet ministers have different people lobbying them in different people lobbying them in different priorities. it comes down to a fairly fundamental debate about what brexit means and it is a reminderfor what brexit means and it is a reminder for everyone that trade deals mean that some people gain and sometimes some people lose. there is no zero—sum where everybody wins and ian blackford from the snp said the effect on scottish farmers and scottish crofters would be pretty

severe. , :, scottish crofters would be pretty severe. , ., :, , ., severe. this deal would be the final nail in the coffin _ severe. this deal would be the final nail in the coffin for— severe. this deal would be the final nail in the coffin for many _ severe. this deal would be the final nail in the coffin for many scottish i nail in the coffin for many scottish crofters _ nail in the coffin for many scottish crofters and farmers and will end a way of _ crofters and farmers and will end a way of life — crofters and farmers and will end a way of life that has enjoyed for generations, generations, prime minister — generations, generations, prime minister i— generations, generations, prime minister. i know many of the prime minister's _ minister. i know many of the prime minister's tory colleagues privately agree _ minister's tory colleagues privately agree with me and want him to pull back from _ agree with me and want him to pull back from this deal, so will the prime — back from this deal, so will the prime minister finally listen, think again— prime minister finally listen, think again and — prime minister finally listen, think again and ditch a deal that will send _ again and ditch a deal that will send our— again and ditch a deal that will send our farmers down under? you will not send our farmers down under? you will rrot be — send our farmers down under? gm. will not be surprised to hear that the prime minister did not agree to ditch the deal and here is what the government is saying about this. this is a statement from the department of international trade, any deal will include protection # the government says trade liberalisation does not happen in one go. it would be brought in gradually. it is very clear that it

is notjust politicians, it is the nsu and other groups not happy, they worry about the future of british farming and that is why this has become so public.— farming and that is why this has become so public. farming and that is why this has become so ublic. ~ :, :, , , , become so public. what happens next? the international _ become so public. what happens next? the international trade _ become so public. what happens next? the international trade secretary - become so public. what happens next? the international trade secretary is - the international trade secretary is “p the international trade secretary is up before a parliamentary committee this afternoon so i suspect we will hear questions about that. we understand senior cabinet ministers are going to be discussing all this tomorrow morning. it is a difficult choice because in the end neither staying in the eu are leaving the eu is ever going to usher everyone, they are difficult choices to make, so if you're really upset scottish and welsh farmers, because plaid cymru also asked the question at prime minister's questions, what does that do to your levelling up a gender or your devolution or independence debate in scotland? on the other hand if you cannot do a deal with australia or new zealand who can you do actually deal with?

there an argument seeing brexit was a bold decision and now we have to take some more bold decisions to take some more bold decisions to take advantage of the consequences of that but it is a debate that is going to run and run. iterate of that but it is a debate that is going to run and run.— of that but it is a debate that is going to run and run. we will be talkin: going to run and run. we will be talking about — going to run and run. we will be talking about it _ going to run and run. we will be talking about it as _ going to run and run. we will be talking about it as well. - going to run and run. we will be talking about it as well. thanki going to run and run. we will be i talking about it as well. thank you. urgent action needs to be taken to make electric cars more affordable if the government is to hit its 2030 target for banning the sale of all new petrol and diesel cars. that's according to a group of mps. the public accounts committee says ministers have a �*mountain to climb' if they want to achieve the ambitious target. here s our chief environment the ambitious target. sales of electric vehicles are by far the fastest growing segment of the car market but they still only account for 11% of new car registrations. getting to 100% will be tough, mps warn today. the government plans to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030 with hybrids prohibited from 2035.

motorists won't be ready to make that change, say the mps on the public accounts committee, unless the price of electric vehicles is reduced significantly and charging infrastructure is installed much more quickly. as well as cars themselves being expensive, only a handful being under £30,000, there is the cost of charging them. while electric charging is cheaper than petrol and diesel, there is a big difference between charging in public places and charging on your driveway, and lots of people don't have space to charge their vehicles at home so the infrastructure and the cost of that has got to be thought about as well, and we are concerned the government is behind the curve if it is going to hit its target. the public accounts committee says the government needs to do more to develop the skilled workforce and electric power infrastructure needed to support the transition. but the government told the bbc today it was on track to meet its target and says it is investing £2.8 billion to help the car industry and drivers make the switch to electric.

justin rowlatt, bbc news. it's the world's biggest music event, and last night saw the return of the eurovision song contest — albeit it in a slightly scaled—back form. fans needed a ticket and a negative covid test to get in, and performers were put into "delegation bubbles", in the run up to the final on saturday. but one of the most highly anticipated contenders — iceland — are going to miss the final, after one band member tested positive for covid. anna holligan reports from rotterdam. "waterloo" by abba plays over speakers. an iconic eurovision anthem pumps out of the traffic lights, providing fans with a soundtrack for their long—anticipated arrival at the ahoy arena. i heard it and i saw it on television. and i said, "i'm going to rotterdam."

whatever happens, i'm going. yeah, i think this is much safer than sitting on a terrace in the town. i think so. because everyone is tested. baby's first concert, actually. well, we thought we might as welljust go all in. it's a once—in—a—lifetime experience. for her, as well, i guess. 3,500 people are allowed in to watch each of the live shows. there are nine of them in total. a ticket and a negative covid test are essential. the glitter, optional. it's just nice to be in front of a crowd again. the vibe off them is brilliant, having been in lockdown, like everybody, for so long. so it's just such a great buzz. it really is. how did it go? everything went crazy, and, yeah, it was really good. we are extremely happy to be here, yes. so, lithuania there, just coming off stage, and here we have ireland's lesley about to go on. this is what the fans are so excited about.

finally, the chance to see live music again, and everyone who's got a ticket for this year had one for last, too, but that was cancelled because of covid. so the usual eurovision fever is heightened because all of these people have been waiting so long for this moment. the organisers and dutch government are adamant eurovision is being conducted in the safest possible way in the context of a pandemic. you test when you leave, you test when you arrive, then you test when you get in here, and then you pretty much stay at the hotel, within your delegation, and you come here to do your work. over the course of this week, more than 31,000 spectators will have the chance to witness what everyone here hopes will provide a model for the global revival of live events. anna holligan, bbc news, rotterdam.

thank goodness, something to smile about. buckingham palace has announced that princess beatrice is expecting her first child in the autumn. the palace said... "her royal highness princess beatrice and mr edoardo mapelli mozzi are very pleased to announce that they are expecting a baby in autumn of this year." the couple married at a private ceremony in windsor last year. and a reminder, we'll be answering your questions later on international travel rules this afternoon. quite a lot of confusion still. it was a big topic at pmqs. tweet your questions — #bbcyourquestions, or by emailing yourquestions@bbc.co.uk. that's coming up at 3.30.

now it's time for a look at the weather with louise lear. so far, there have been fewer showers around and that is going to be the story into the afternoon. some shower cloud but also lengthy spells of sunshine. i want to draw your attention to this cloud out in the south—west, a deep area of low pressure that is going to arrive first thing tomorrow morning. those showers will ease through the evening. we will see some cloud building from the west and heavy rain into northern ireland. temperatures will hold up with cloud around between four and 8 degrees. a spell of wet weather to come. moving into southern scotland, accompanied by gale force winds and we are going to see gusts in excess of 30 to a0 mph, maybe as strong as 50 to 60 on exposed south west coasts, unusual for this time of year.

temperatures will peak between seven and 15.

this is bbc news. i'm jane hill. the headlines — government advice about travelling to amber list countries is defended by borisjohnson — as labour accuses ministers of "confused and contradictory" messages. if he doesn't want people to travel to amber list countries, if that's his position, he doesn't want them to travel to amber list countries, why has he made it easierfor them to do so? we are trying to move away from endlessly legislating for everything and to rely on guidance and asking people to do the right thing. meanwhile, eu ambassadors back plans to allow fully vaccinated tourists to visit europe this summer. and as surge testing to stop the spread of coronavirus continues, the prime minister says there is �*increasing confidence�*

that vaccines are effective against the indian variant. police searching for a 15—year—old who�*s believed to be a victim of the serial killer fred west have begun drilling at a cafe in gloucester. israel�*s prime minister defends his military campaign against palestinian militants in gaza, as hostilities between israel and hamas continue into a tenth day. new york�*s prosecutor has launched a criminal inquiry into donald trump�*s property company. and — boom bang a bang! eurovision fans gather in rotterdam to celebrate the return of the song contest.

good afternoon. borisjohnson had defended the government�*s policy on foreign holidays, after the labour leader, sir keir starmer, said ministers were presiding over a �*hopeless system�* which threatened to let new covid variants into the country. speaking at prime minister�*s questions, mrjohnson insisted the government�*s advice was �*very clear�* — that people should not be taking holidays in so—called amber—list countries such as spain and greece. the prime minister also told mps that there is �*increasing confidence�* that vaccines are effective against all covid variants. here�*s sean dilley. book a holiday, don�*t book a holiday — that is the question facing many, as tourist destinations and an under pressure travel industry are readying themselves to welcome elated holiday—makers. so we are here offering some protection kits. the government has introduced a travel traffic light system,

meaning people can now travel to green list countries without having to isolate when they get home. but they will have to take a covid test. hand sanitiser. countries including australia, gibraltar and portugal are on the green list. many popular destinations such as france, spain and greece are on the amber list. people returning from these countries must self—isolate on return and take two covid tests. but messaging on who should and shouldn�*t travel to amber list countries has been confusing. there will be reasons why people feel they need to travel, to visit family or friends. i think it is very important for people to grasp - what an amber list country is. it is not somewhere where you should be going on holiday _ we are really relying on people to use their common sense, look at their own situation, look at their position and be sensible. at prime minister�*s questions today,

pressure mounted for some clarity. so can the prime minister answer a really simple question that goes to the heart of this? if he doesn't want people to travel to amber list countries, if that is his position, he doesn't want them to travel, why has he made it easier for them to do so? we are trying to move away from endlessly legislating i everything and to rely on guidance, and asking people to do the right. thing, and it is very, i very clear, mr speaker. you should not be going to an amber list country, except for some - extreme circumstance, such as the serious - illness of a family member. you should not be going to an amber list country on holiday. _ lockdown—weary brits have been telling the bbc they will be holidaying in amber list countries, whatever the government advises.

the last 15 months has been hard for britain�*s travel industry, with their business grinding to an overnight halt. they have seen losses of billions of pounds. we need to see more clarity and less confusion from the uk government. they are getting nervous and worried about other countries moving faster. the eu is indeed likely to vote to open up its borders much more during june. eu leaders met this morning to give their members the green light to freely welcome fully vaccinated uk tourists. for now, british holiday—makers are free to plan their foreign trips, but the prime minister says people should not be travelling to amber countries, unless absolutely necessary. anyone who does must self—isolate on return, orface a fine of up to £10,000. sean dilley, bbc news. 0ur europe correspondent jean mackenzie gave us this update from brussels. this is about agreeing one set of travel rules for the whole of the eu to try and

make things a little simpler than they have been. so the first thing that has been decided today is to allow tourists who have been fully vaccinated, with an eu—approved vaccine, to come here on holiday. the second is to add more countries to the eu's safe list. so these are countries that people can come on holiday even if they haven't been vaccinated. now, they haven't decided yet which countries to add to this list. that's going to happen on friday, but there's two things they will be looking at, they will be looking at the rate of infections in the country and what the trend is like. they don't want, for example, to add a country only have to take it off one or two weeks down the line, if you think of the confusion that would cause, especially when people start booking holidays. but it's on friday we should find out whether, for example, the uk is going to make it onto that list. now, this is really a signal that things in europe are improving, after a very slow start to the vaccination campaign at the start of the year, things have picked up. more than a third of

eu citizens have now had their first dose of the vaccine, and the eu feels it is safe to reopen its borders, in some way. now, one of the sticking points will be what the individual countries decide to do themselves, because as we've seen, countries have already started making up their own rules. for example, greece, portugal and italy have allowed uk travellers to return, and it's likely that as the summer season goes on, we will start to see individual countries do their own thing, and there will be some discrepancies, depending on where you want to spend your summer. later this afternoon, we�*ll be answering your questions on international travel. just after 3:30pm. joining me will be the travel editor of the sun, lisa minot and the editor of wanderlust, lyn hughes. there�*s still time to get involved by tweeting your questions using the hashtag bbc your questions or by emailing yourquestions@bbc. co. uk. that�*s coming up at 3:30pm.

there is "increasing confidence" that covid—19 vaccines are effective against all variants, including the indian one, borisjohnson has said. at prime minister�*s questions, he said fresh data had been reviewed earlier on wednesday. he also thanked people in indian variant hotspots bolton and blackburn for getting a jab "in record numbers". the spread of the indian variant has cast doubt on plans to ease remaining restrictions in england next month. latest figures show there were more than 2,300 confirmed cases of the new strain in at least 86 local authorities across the uk. bolton, where the outbreak is most severe, has seen cases double in the last week. most, though not all, are of the indian variant. as we�*ve been reporting, surge testing is underway there, as well as in other hotspots, including bedford and glasgow. nuneaton is the latest

area where extra testing is being deployed. where that leaves the full unlocking of restrictions is still under review, with a decision expected within days. dr saad—i agboola is the director of public health in warwickshire, and has been dealing with a number of confirmed cases of the variant in nuneaton — she told me earlier how she has been working to control cases in her local area — with vaccines and testing playing key roles in her strategy. yes, sojust over ten days ago now, we were informed that we had a number of indian variant cases within nuneaton and bedworth in particular, two wards within nuneaton. we were told at the time we had eight cases, to the best of our knowledge we still have eight cases, and what we have done is swing into action almost immediately, send out the message, anybody who lived in nuneaton and bedworth, and worked thre, were being

encouraged to take a pcr test. we repurposed our existing sites within nuneaton and bedworth immediately. so pcr tests can be accessed seven days a week until 8pm. we have also tried to identify a range of sites across nuneaton that will support people who want to pick up test kits, and we set up pick—up sites at the market stall today, and over 1,000 test kits have already been given out. we�*re not leaving any stone unturned, so we are working with nhs colleagues, as you know they have laid on the vaccination roll—out, the uptake of the vaccine has been good in nuneaton and bedworth but there are still a small number of people who have perhaps not taken up the offer of vaccination, and what we are doing is to encourage as many people as possible if you have been offered the vaccine, please take up the offer and get vaccinated.

0ur political correspondent damain grammaticas is here. 0ne one example there of what public health officials are trying to do, but the problem of variance is an issue for politicians more broadly. yes, it is, and it is the key issue that the government faces at the minute as it contemplates, as we move towards the final big step of the unlocking. what borisjohnson said today, when he was under pressure in the house of commons, was that he thought that from the latest data he had seen, he said there was increasing confidence that vaccines were effective against all of variance. now, his spokesman has clarified that what he is talking about there, that data is the daily monitoring data that is carried out, and it gets down to quite specific data at quite specific sort of location level. but what that is thenis location level. but what that is then is not some special data, it is then is not some special data, it is the general monitoring, and the monitoring of things like case

rates, hospitalisations, and particularly in areas like bolton, where they have been concerned. but what it does not include, he said, was any new information about vaccines having an impact on the transmissibility of this indian variant. so there are still reasons for concern, and still reasons why the covenant says it wants to wait and look at the evidence coming forward, but reasons too why the opposition, the labour party, sir keir starmer, the house of commons, he was calling the government�*s border policy, he said it was ridiculous, the time that you have an indian variant spreading, they were relaxing restrictions allowing people to travel to amber list countries, even if they quarantine on return. :, ., countries, even if they quarantine on return-— countries, even if they quarantine on return. :, ., :, on return. you have mentioned the amber list- — on return. you have mentioned the amber list- if— on return. you have mentioned the amber list. if you _ on return. you have mentioned the amber list. if you were _ on return. you have mentioned the amber list. if you were listening . on return. you have mentioned the amber list. if you were listening to | amber list. if you were listening to the five live phone in for example this morning, there is clearly still confusion or anxiety about green versus amber. how much pressure as the government under on all of this,

in terms of is the messenger in clear enough about where and when you go abroad?— you go abroad? some government ministers have _ you go abroad? some government ministers have said _ you go abroad? some government ministers have said you _ you go abroad? some government ministers have said you could - you go abroad? some government ministers have said you could go i you go abroad? some governmentl ministers have said you could go on holiday, other saying to amber list countries in particular, others that you shouldn�*t, the prime minister himself today in the house of commons was asked that question by sir keir starmer and he said no, you should not go on holiday to an amber list country. you should only go for extreme reasons, such as a very serious illness of a relative, and if you came back he would then have to quarantine, you would have to take tests, and if you broke that quarantine, you would face fines of thousands of pounds. but the issue that sir keir starmer was trying to highlight was saying that, well, this is only guidance, that this isn�*t a hard and fast rule, so he was suggesting that this was mixed

messaging. it means that people view this and see, well, 170 countries being put on an amber list which effectively allows you to travel and quarantine on return, and what sir keir starmer was saying is that he believed they needed to be a wholesale change to border policy, he said, in order to protect this country are from further variants that could be imported from abroad. he said we are an island nation and it is time to scrap the policy, which he called a joke, and introduce something stronger, but the prime minister says that the current restrictions are some of the strongest, and with the quarantine policy in place, that he has confidence in that. shall policy in place, that he has confidence in that. : ., ,, confidence in that. all right, thank ou for confidence in that. all right, thank you for now. _ confidence in that. all right, thank you for now, damian _ confidence in that. all right, thank| you for now, damian grammaticas, following at westminster. three people have died in scotland due to coronavirus vaccine adverse—effects, latest official data shows. the figures came in a report by the national records of scotland. it said the deaths were in the context of 2.81 million people having been given at least one dose

of a vaccine by april 30. and the health secretary matt hancock will be leading a downing street coronavirus briefing at 5pm today. deputy chief medical 0fficerfor england, professorjonathan van—tam and head of nhs test and tracejenny harries will also be at the new conference. we�*ll bring that to you live on the bbc news channel. the health authorities in malawi have destroyed more than 19,000 doses of the astrazeneca covid—19 vaccine. they say the vaccines had expired and were being disposed of because there was insufficient data to determine whether they were still safe for use. malawi is the first african country to publicly destroy expired vaccines.

the headlines on bbc news... government advice about travelling to amber list countries is defended by borisjohnson — as labour accuses ministers of "confused and contradictory" messages. meanwhile, eu ambassadors back plans to allow fully vaccinated tourists to visit europe this summer. and as surge testing to stop the spread of coronavirus continues, the prime minister says there is "increasing confidence" that vaccines are effective against the indian variant. police are investigating a fire that badly damaged the home of the celtic football club chief executive, peter lawwell. 0ur correspondent chris mclaughlin reports from the scene. well, police and fire services still in attendance here outside the home

of the celtic chief executive. they were called to his property at around one o�*clock this morning, responding to reports of an explosion and fire. no casualties but there is extensive damage to a number of vehicles and to the property itself. no suggestions from police as yet about what actually happened but fire investigation teams are still working here, and looks like they will be working here for some time. celtic released a statement a short time ago, saying clearly peter�*s family are extremely shaken and shocked by these terrible events, but thankfully all our say. now, peter lawwell is a huge figure in scottish football, he has been celtic chief executive for 17 years. he is standing down at the end of next month. he has seen pretty much everything in scottish football but he and his family will be extremely shaken this afternoon.

as the israel—palestinian conflict continues, israeli defence sources have told the bbc that "there is still no ceasefire on the table" and "the operation is continuing at full throttle". in the latest violence, two palestinian militants were killed in air raids and palestinian rockets were launched at southern israel. international efforts continue to de—escalate the conflict. joel greenberg is bbc monitoring�*s analyst injerusalem. good afternoon to you. first of all, we will talk about the international situation in a moment, but in terms of what is happening on the ground itself, are you able to bring us up on what i think is the tenth day of violence? , , :, violence? yes, there is more conflict across _

violence? yes, there is more conflict across the _ violence? yes, there is more conflict across the gaza - violence? yes, there is more i conflict across the gaza border, obviously rockets into southern israel and israeli is —— israeli air strikes, but four rockets were fired into northern israel from lebanon. there were no casualties among was intercepted, another landed in an open area and two landed in the mediterranean, but this shows the potential for igniting conflict on other borders. clearly a need to bring this under control. president biden has broken again to prime minister netanyahu, the fourth time since the conflict began, and told him he expects a halt to the escalation today on the path to a ceasefire, so a very clear message being delivered to israel to wind up this military conflict.— this military conflict. right, it is interesting _ this military conflict. right, it is interesting you _ this military conflict. right, it is interesting you mentioned - this military conflict. right, it is - interesting you mentioned president biden�*s comments because we have reported for some days on various international calls for calm, appeals for the two sides to agree a ceasefire, thus far it clearly makes

no difference. what is the difference today, why does president biden say what he has said, why could that make any difference? it could that make any difference? it seems the president is ratcheting up the pressure on president netanyahu to rein in the military and bring this to a close was not there are of course mediation efforts through egypt, which is in touch with hamas, the un representative in the middle east, so both sides are being talked to my mediators and the attempt is to my mediators and the attempt is to try to get them to find a way out of this conflict and de—escalate the rocket strikes and air strikes in gaza. so it seems now that the american pressure has moved up a notch. the american president saying he would like to see this de—escalation today so the question is whether we will see a change in the coming hours or tomorrow. certainly the pressure is on right now to end this.— certainly the pressure is on right now to end this. the family of a young woman from london, who was murdered in pakistan, have called forjustice over her killing.

2a—year—old mayra zulfiqar was shot dead in lahore earlier this month. police are investigating allegations she was being threatened by two men whose marriage proposals she had rejected. so far, no arrests have been made. secunder kermani reports. bubbly and outgoing, mayra zulfiqar had a bright future ahead of her. but two weeks ago the law graduate, who grew up in london, was murdered in pakistan. her father and brother have travelled here to help try and ensurejustice is done. i still can�*t believe that my sister is gone. it seems like it�*s a nightmare. that i�*m going to wake up and just hug her. every day i wake up and ijust don�*t believe it, i can�*t believe that my sister has gone. she wanted to do something. she wanted to become something,

she wanted to help the poor. she was a caring person. i worked so hard for my daughter to reach this position. she was well educated, says her father. what have these people done to her? what did she ever do that was so wrong? mayra zulfiqar moved to this upmarket street in lahore a number of months ago. renting a home with friends. her body was found in her room by a maid, who alerted police. mayra�*s uncle named two suspects in legal documents, saying she was being threatened by them after turning down their marriage proposals. mayra had previously been to the police herself alleging that one of the young men had abducted her at gunpoint. she asked officials for protection. two weeks later, she was killed. if someone had helped... maybe my daughter would be alive today.

she talked to me about food, about other things shared anything about any problem. i don�*t understand why, if she was facing some sort of problem, she would have shared something. i don�*t know what has gone on. maybe she just felt like she was in control still. whoever has done this, planned it, and didn�*t let mayra know that this would happen. saad butt, accused of the abduction, and named by mayra�*s uncle in connection to the murder, denies any wrongdoing and his lawyer says he is cooperating with the police investigation. the other man, a close friend of mayra, zahirjadoon, also denies any role in her death. both have been granted pre—arrest bail. mayra�*s family say they just wantjustice to be done. secunder kermani, bbc news, lahore. the former girlfriend of russell bishop, who was eventually convicted of the murders of two nine—year—old girls, has been found guilty of perjury

and perverting the course ofjustice during his first 1987 trial. the girls, nicola fellows and karen hadaway, were murdered in brighton in october 1986. bishop was first acquitted, but in 2018 there was a second trial and he was convicted of murder. the woman who was his girlfriend at the time, jenniferjohnson, said she had no choice but to lie under oath in the first court case. the attorney general�*s office in new york state has informed the trump organisation that an investigation into its business dealings is now a criminal probe. the inquiry is considering whether the former us president�*s business empire falsely inflated property values to obtain loans. the state probe will run alongside a tax investigation by the manhattan district attorney. mr trump denies wrongdoing.

the rate of inflation more than doubled last month, to 1.5%, as a rise in energy and clothing costs drove prices higher. but the figure is partly explained by the big fall in prices last year, as the pandemic took hold. how does one & a half percent compare with what it has been? — here�*s our economics correspondent andy verity. well, if you look at this chart — 1.5% is more than double what it was last month — but it�*s only back where it was in march last year. back in 2017, for example it was twice as high. if you ask what�*s fuelling inflation, — you�*ve already answered your own question. last year, lockdowns meant far fewer goods and people moving around and oil and gas companies were producing far more fuel than the world needed — so the price plummeted. a year on from that, economies around the world are re—opening and the oil price has bounced back — along with other commodities like metals. because of that, manufacturers have

to pay more for raw materials — also known as input prices — which are up by nearly 10% on a year ago. but the bank of england has been anxious to calm fears that that could lead to an early rise in interest rates to stop inflation getting out of control. you do hear those stories about input prices, but we are not yet seeing strong evidence. you do hear those stories about input prices, but we are not yet seeing strong evidence. but i can assure you we will be watching this extremely carefully. and we will take action when we think it is appropriate to do so, no question about that. with the government, small businesses and poorer households deep in debt, a rise in interest rates would make it harder to afford their repayments. but many economists think that won�*t happen any time soon. markets are expecting an interest rise next year. markets are expecting - an interest rise next year. markets are expecting _ an interest rise next year. an interest rise by the end of next year. the bank of england cut

rates, in march 2020, l we were in an emergency situation, the markets were seizing up, - we were at the beginning - of the pandemic, nobody knew what was going to happen. do we still need rates to be at that emergency level- is the question the bank of england will be asking itself, _ and do we actually need rates to be a little bit i higher to contain inflation? even with inflation at this level, 1.5%, it�*s serious for more than seven million people of working age who receive benefits. because their payments since april have been uprated based on inflation back in september — they�*re only rising by half a percentage point. so prices are once again rising faster than their payments — making millions of the poorest people in the country worse off. average uk house prices rose to £256,000 in the year to march — according to the office for national statistics. it says the increase has been linked to the temporary stamp duty holiday, low interest rates and people�*s desire for more space after lockdown.

buckingham palace has announced that princess beatrice is expecting herfirst child in the autumn. the palace said: "her royal highness princess beatrice and mr edoardo mapelli mozzi are very pleased to announce that they are expecting a baby in autumn of this year." the couple married at a private ceremony in windsor last year. now it�*s time for a look at the weather with louise. so far, there have been fewer showers around and that is going to be the story into the afternoon. some shower cloud but also lengthy spells of sunshine. i want to draw your attention to this cloud out in the south—west, a deep area of low pressure that is going to arrive first thing tomorrow morning. those showers will ease through the evening. we will see some cloud building from the west and heavy rain into northern ireland.

temperatures will hold up with cloud around between four and eight degrees. a spell of wet weather to come. moving into southern scotland, accompanied by gale force winds and we are going to see gusts in excess of 30 to a0 mph, maybe as strong as 50 to 60 on exposed south west coasts, unusual for this time of year. temperatures will peak between seven and 15.

hello this is bbc news. the headlines... government advice about travelling to amber list countries is defended by borisjohnson — as labour accuses ministers of "confused and contradictory" messages. if he doesn�*t want people to travel to amber list countries, if that is his position, he doesn�*t want them to travel to ember list countries, then why has he made it easierfor them to do so? iterate then why has he made it easier for them to do so?— then why has he made it easier for them to do so? we are trying to move awa from them to do so? we are trying to move away from endlessly _ them to do so? we are trying to move away from endlessly legislating - them to do so? we are trying to move away from endlessly legislating for - away from endlessly legislating for everything and to rely on guidance and asking — everything and to rely on guidance and asking people to do the right thing _ meanwhile, eu ambassadors back plans to allow fully vaccinated tourists

to visit europe this summer. and as surge testing to stop the spread of coronavirus continues, the prime minister says there is "increasing confidence" that vaccines are effective against the indian variant. police searching for a suspected victim of serial killer fred west have begun drilling at a cafe in gloucester. israel�*s prime minister defends his military campaign against palestinian militants in gaza, as hostilities continue for a tenth day. new york�*s prosecutor has launched a criminal inquiry into donald trump�*s property company. and fans celebrate the return of the eurovision song contest. your questions answered in a

minutes, _ your questions answered in a minutes, right now though, here is jane do _ minutes, right now though, here is jane do go — with all the latest sports news. good afternoon. three uncapped players have been called up to steve clarke�*s scotland squad for this summers euros. chelsea�*s billy gilmor who�*s 19, 22 appearances for his club this season will be joined by, celtic�*s david turnbull and nathan patterson of rangers also for the first time. however, the scotland manager didn�*t include andrew considine of aberdeen or celtic�*s leigh griffiths in his 26 man squad. clarke believes — while it was a great achievement to qualify — scotland aren�*t there to make up the numbers. it has been a feel—good story and it�*s great to be involved in the tournament. we want to be competitive. i think when the boys won the match in serbia on penalties, everybody got a great lift. it was a fantastic feeling. the boys became heroes overnight. i think if we can get out in the group stages in the summer, they can become legends, so we are waiting

for that. you can find the full squad on the bbc sport website. after wininng the league title and taking her side to to their first champions league final, emma hayes is expected to sign a new deal at chelsea. hayes�* three and a half year contract comes to an end next month, but, despite losing in the champions league final to barcelona, the club are still in contention to win three trophies this season. as well as the wsl title and the league cup, they�*re still in the fa cup and play their fifth round tie against everton tomorrow. the football association is aiming to sell a record 700, 000 tickets for next years women�*s euros — hosted in england. it�*s been described as an ambitious target, because the current record is 2a0, 000 spectators at the 2017 euros in the netherlands. director of women�*s football, baroness sue campbell says it�*s better to aim high than low. 0ur balance with the stadium was, yes, we want to be ambitious, and

believe me, 700,000 tickets ua for think is incredibly ambitious. yes, we wanted to be ambitious, but equally, we want to be realistic, whether we�*ve got that balance rights, you know, it would be great, wouldn�*t it? if we complete the sell out every stadium endeavour but he says you should of had a bigger stadium. i will be delighted. in a few hours time, roy hodgson will take charge of crystal palace for his final match at selhurst park — with supporters in attendance. hodgson announced yesterday that he�*ll step down as palace manager at the end of the season, which comes on sunday against his former club liverpool. tonight, arsenal are the visitors. the fans and supporters are very very important to the club, and everyone — very important to the club, and everyone knows that. they've been very good _ everyone knows that. they've been very good at supporting me and we -ot very good at supporting me and we got the _ very good at supporting me and we got the result we needed in the league. — got the result we needed in the league, so when he come back tonight, — league, so when he come back tonight, albeit somewhat in smaller numbers— tonight, albeit somewhat in smaller numbers is— tonight, albeit somewhat in smaller numbers is a big moment, big night

for us, _ numbers is a big moment, big night for us, and — numbers is a big moment, big night for us, and i'm looking forward to seeing _ for us, and i'm looking forward to seeing them, of course, there will be no _ seeing them, of course, there will be no doubt that it will be a sweet occasion, — be no doubt that it will be a sweet occasion, because goodbyes are never easy to _ occasion, because goodbyes are never easy to do. _ occasion, because goodbyes are never easy to do. if— occasion, because goodbyes are never easy to do, if you like them answered _ easy to do, if you like them answered me for me, i'm much more of answered me for me, i'm much more of a hello— answered me for me, i'm much more of a hello than— answered me for me, i'm much more of a hello than a _ answered me for me, i'm much more of a hello than a goodbye person. a crowd of 16,500 fans will watch the british and irish lions play japan at murrayfield next month. confirmation came after an agreement from the scottish government. fans haven�*t watched live rugby at the stadium since march last year. the game on the 26th ofjune will be a warm up ahead of the lions tour to south africa. the all england club say they are "confident" capacity for this summer�*s wimbledon will be more than the minimum 25% they set out last month. the tournament is due to get under way on the 29th ofjune, a week after the government�*s roadmap for the further planned relaxing of covid restrictions. however, organisers say they will continue to leave things as late as possible, with online ticket sales not expected to begin before the middle of next month.

that�*s all the sport. now on the bbc news channel, it�*s your questions answered. you�*ve been sending in your questions about the international travel rules. here to try and answerjust some of them is lisa minot can you go a? what are the reasons? here to try and answerjust some of them is lisa minot the travel editor of the sun and lyn hughes, the editor of wanderlust. a very warm welcome to both. let�*s kick off in no particular order. lisa, we will start with the question, i have flights booked to elect on day on the 30th of may to go to my own property. do you think spain will let me in?— spain will let me in? well, unfortunately, _

spain will let me in? well, unfortunately, the - spain will let me in? well, - unfortunately, the momentum of spain will let me in? well, _ unfortunately, the momentum of the answer to that is no. unfortunately, they are not letting people in if they are not letting people in if they are not letting people in if they are british residents, and unless you are actually married to an eu citizen, or if there is a case where you know you have a exceptional case, but that is not to say that, you know, it won�*t be that long before they are going to open up long before they are going to open up the borders. they�*ve indicated that would be around mid june that they are looking to open up the borders to produce people. so her flieht is borders to produce people. so her fli . ht is at borders to produce people. so her flight is at the _ borders to produce people. so her flight is at the end _ borders to produce people. so her flight is at the end of— borders to produce people. so her flight is at the end of may. - borders to produce people. so her flight is at the end of may. so - borders to produce people. so herj flight is at the end of may. so that thing ofjuggling your flights, flight is at the end of may. so that thing ofjuggling yourflights, move them, get refunds, all of those issues that we have talked about so much in recent months. a really personal question from laura in durham who asks particularly about the us. we haven�*t really talked a huge amount of the us and all of this. she says my understanding is that the us government still has a total ban on all european citizens going there will stop any clarification would be really helpful because my daughter is in the us and i am desperate to go and see her.

0h, see her. oh, it is so tough, isn�*t it? to be 0h, it is so tough, isn't it? to be kept— oh, it is so tough, isn't it? to be keptapart— oh, it is so tough, isn't it? to be kept apart from family. i think, although. — kept apart from family. i think, although, as you set them of the us hasn't _ although, as you set them of the us hasn't been — although, as you set them of the us hasn't been talked about much, there is huge _ hasn't been talked about much, there is huge pent—up demand, and there has been _ is huge pent—up demand, and there has been a — is huge pent—up demand, and there has been a lot of pressure to open up has been a lot of pressure to open up again. — has been a lot of pressure to open up again. at— has been a lot of pressure to open up again, at least some sort of corridor— up again, at least some sort of corridor between the us and uk. so there _ corridor between the us and uk. so there are _ corridor between the us and uk. so there are very, very strong rumours that this _ there are very, very strong rumours that this will — there are very, very strong rumours that this will happen soon. in fact, of course. — that this will happen soon. in fact, of course, let's not forget, the g7 summit— of course, let's not forget, the g7 summit is— of course, let's not forget, the g7 summit is being held in cornwall in midjune. — summit is being held in cornwall in midjune, and summit is being held in cornwall in mid june, and president summit is being held in cornwall in midjune, and president biden summit is being held in cornwall in mid june, and president biden is coming _ mid june, and president biden is coming over for that. so, mid june, and president biden is coming overforthat. so, it mid june, and president biden is coming over for that. so, it is strongly— coming over for that. so, it is strongly rumoured that an unlocked -- an— strongly rumoured that an unlocked —— an announcement will be made before _ —— an announcement will be made before he — —— an announcement will be made before he comes over which will make it easier— before he comes over which will make it easier for— before he comes over which will make it easier for him and his entourage, but even _ it easier for him and his entourage, but even if— it easier for him and his entourage, but even if it — it easier for him and his entourage, but even if it isn't opened up by then. _ but even if it isn't opened up by then. he — but even if it isn't opened up by then, he will at least make an announcement either before he comes or while _ announcement either before he comes or while he _ announcement either before he comes or while he is here. announcement either before he comes orwhile he is here. so announcement either before he comes or while he is here. so the smart money— or while he is here. so the smart money is — or while he is here. so the smart money is on _ or while he is here. so the smart money is on late june, maybe july, but laura. — money is on late june, maybe july, but laura, you will be able to go and see — but laura, you will be able to go and see her— but laura, you will be able to go and see her daughter.— but laura, you will be able to go and see her daughter. again, it's all a watch _ and see her daughter. again, it's all a watch and _

and see her daughter. again, it's all a watch and wait, _ and see her daughter. again, it's all a watch and wait, isn't - and see her daughter. again, it's all a watch and wait, isn't it, - and see her daughter. again, it's all a watch and wait, isn't it, and| all a watch and wait, isn�*t it, and so many instances? but you make up a good point aboutjoe biden coming here. lisa, the next question from jeff in leicestershire concerns greece. he says why are the smaller greek islands which appear to be well vaccinated not listed on the amber list, for example, crate and corfu and so on.— corfu and so on. that's really good cuestion. corfu and so on. that's really good question- this _ corfu and so on. that's really good question. this is _ corfu and so on. that's really good question. this is one _ corfu and so on. that's really good question. this is one that - corfu and so on. that's really good question. this is one that we - corfu and so on. that's really good question. this is one that we are i question. this is one that we are all struggling with at the moment, these countries are on the amber list, but interestingly enough, they drop their advice all but essential travel, as well as the canary islands just a couple of weeks ago, so they are saying they are safe countries, they have got low rates of coronavirus, good vaccination and then you have got this amber list which is coming from the department for transport, and they are saying don�*t go there, don�*t go there on holidays. so it�*s a bit of worry as to you know, you can understand why consumers would be very confused when you have got these two different departments offering different departments offering different types of advice. i think basically the idea is that the

government doesn�*t really want any of us leaving the country before july at the very earliest, and this is just july at the very earliest, and this isjust one of july at the very earliest, and this is just one of the ways they are trying to encourage us not to travel by making it as difficult as possible. by making it as difficult as possible-— by making it as difficult as ossible. . , , . possible. yes, there is difficult and then there _ possible. yes, there is difficult and then there is _ possible. yes, there is difficult and then there is confusing. i possible. yes, there is difficult. and then there is confusing. the criticism from some quarters is that the amber list doesn�*t give clarity, although, i think, the amber list doesn�*t give clarity, although, ithink, really, today at pm cues, we saw the prime minister trying to say amber means for exceptional circumstances on the commit doesn�*t need to go and have a lovely holiday. was that absolutely your reading of that, lisa? that is exactly right. i think the problem with that is that this was only at the point when the traffic light system was finally announced and we got those countries that that was then added in at the very last minute. the fact that leisure purposes would not be an acceptable reason to travel to anambra country. up reason to travel to anambra country. up until then, you know, tour operators, travel providers and consumers had been considering the fact that, 0k, consumers had been considering the fact that, ok, it�*s on the amber list, i might have to quarantine on my return from i might have to take

some tests, but i�*m going to be allowed to go, that should all be fine, you know, as a sort of double whammy, we were then told him actually, this is the green list, and you really don�*t want you travelling to any other country. yes, chris king raises an issue which the thought of which fills me with horror and many of us, i�*m sure, chris says what happens if you go on holiday to a country and it gets added to the red list while you are out there? 0, the thought of it. the thought of it, the simple answer is that— the thought of it, the simple answer is that nobody knows. it will depend on so _ is that nobody knows. it will depend on so many— is that nobody knows. it will depend on so many factors you know, which country _ on so many factors you know, which country it _ on so many factors you know, which country it is. — on so many factors you know, which country it is, and whether the fcd advice _ country it is, and whether the fcd advice also — country it is, and whether the fcd advice also says that you shouldn't be there — advice also says that you shouldn't be there. so what you do need to do is check— be there. so what you do need to do is check your— be there. so what you do need to do is check your insurance before you no, is check your insurance before you go. you _ is check your insurance before you go, you know, because this is going to be _ go, you know, because this is going to be happening, this will happen to people _ to be happening, this will happen to people this year, so check your travel— people this year, so check your travel insurance. if necessary, ring them _ travel insurance. if necessary, ring them up _ travel insurance. if necessary, ring them up and — travel insurance. if necessary, ring them up and asked him the question, and also. _ them up and asked him the question, and also, check with the tour company_ and also, check with the tour company or the travel agent that you

have booked through. i think this is a year— have booked through. i think this is a year to— have booked through. i think this is a year to not— have booked through. i think this is a year to not go it alone, you know, unless— a year to not go it alone, you know, unless you — a year to not go it alone, you know, unless you really have to. i mean, do use _ unless you really have to. i mean, do use a _ unless you really have to. i mean, do use a proper reputable or —— reputable — do use a proper reputable or —— reputable travel agent to hazard interest — reputable travel agent to hazard interest at heart and who has a duty of care _ interest at heart and who has a duty of care towards you. they will help you in _ of care towards you. they will help you in that — of care towards you. they will help you in that situation. but there are certainly— you in that situation. but there are certainly insurance companies who are still— certainly insurance companies who are still saying, yes, we will help you in— are still saying, yes, we will help you in those circumstances, so, just check— you in those circumstances, so, just check out _ you in those circumstances, so, just check out all — you in those circumstances, so, just check out all the small print before you go _ check out all the small print before ou no. :, check out all the small print before ou to. ., :. check out all the small print before ou no. :, :, ., check out all the small print before ou no. :, :, :, , check out all the small print before ou no. :, :, ., , , you go. now more than ever, this is about really — you go. now more than ever, this is about really making _ you go. now more than ever, this is about really making sure _ you go. now more than ever, this is about really making sure not - you go. now more than ever, this is about really making sure not only i about really making sure not only that you have the right kind of insurances, but that they would pay out, i mean, some presumably don�*t. some don�*t. this is where, you know, some don't. this is where, you know, if you _ some don't. this is where, you know, if you have _ some don't. this is where, you know, if you have got — some don't. this is where, you know, if you have got a policy that has been _ if you have got a policy that has been thrown in, for instance, with your— been thrown in, for instance, with your bank— been thrown in, for instance, with your bank card or you know from your bank— your bank card or you know from your bank account— your bank card or you know from your bank account or whatever, you might well find _ bank account or whatever, you might well find that it is very, very weak — well find that it is very, very weak you _ well find that it is very, very weak. you know, if this holiday is really— weak. you know, if this holiday is really important to you, this is when — really important to you, this is when you _ really important to you, this is when you need to make sure you have

-ot when you need to make sure you have got the _ when you need to make sure you have got the best— when you need to make sure you have got the best possible policy to help you. got the best possible policy to help ou. . . .. . got the best possible policy to help ou. , ::, , got the best possible policy to help ou. , , :, you. yes, i can see lisa nodding throu~h you. yes, i can see lisa nodding through all— you. yes, i can see lisa nodding through all of— you. yes, i can see lisa nodding through all of that. _ you. yes, i can see lisa nodding through all of that. i _ you. yes, i can see lisa nodding through all of that. i mean, - you. yes, i can see lisa nodding through all of that. i mean, it i through all of that. i mean, it really is an issue that unites both of you, unites a lot of people. lisa, another question from someone with a house abroad again. if there are a few people in this position. richard and suffixes he has a house in italy. am i 0k to go there? because i wanted to care and maintenance. and want to air the house and check the water pumps and so on. he�*ll obviously feels that�*s a legitimate reason for going, but what is the situation that he is in there? ~ .. ., , what is the situation that he is in there? ~ ., , �*, there? well, actually, it's different— there? well, actually, it's different from _ there? well, actually, it's different from spain - there? well, actually, it's i different from spain because there? well, actually, it's - different from spain because italy opened up its borders on may the 16th, and so technically, there is noissue 16th, and so technically, there is no issue of getting into italy at the moment. you have to have a pcr test before you get in 72 hours before, and some airports in italy are actually offering free testing on arrival. the issue again is what we have got this idea of an amber list country, and is what you are requiring, what you�*re going to do, is it required, is it necessary?

it's is it required, is it necessary? it�*s not a leisure trip, you are not going there to have a holiday, even though you are going to your holiday home. if you are going there to take out essential maintenance, surely that would be something that would be covered, and what we have seen before ourselves can happen we? and boris johnson�*s before ourselves can happen we? and borisjohnson�*s on before ourselves can happen we? and boris johnson�*s on father travelling to italy to do exactly that. yes. boris johnson's on father travelling to italy to do exactly that.- to italy to do exactly that. yes, we have from — to italy to do exactly that. yes, we have from having _ to italy to do exactly that. yes, we have from having because - to italy to do exactly that. yes, we have from having because my - to italy to do exactly that. yes, we i have from having because my people might remember that. alan has a question about some of the real specifics around this, because remember, even if people are travelling, there has got to be a lot of tests going on but you have to pay for. alan wants to know the specifics. do you have to book and pay for your day two and date eight covert tests before you leave the uk on your outbound journey? perhaps good to know the specifics there. how does it actually work? strictly s-eeakin , how does it actually work? strictly speaking. you _ how does it actually work? strictly speaking, you don't _ how does it actually work? strictly speaking, you don't need - how does it actually work? strictly speaking, you don't need to - how does it actually work? strictly i speaking, you don't need to pre-book speaking, you don't need to pre—book before _ speaking, you don't need to pre—book before you _ speaking, you don't need to pre—book before you leave the country, but you need — before you leave the country, but you need to have pre—booked them before _ you need to have pre—booked them before you — you need to have pre—booked them before you come back into the country — before you come back into the country. so when you come back into the uk. _ country. so when you come back into the uk. you — country. so when you come back into the uk, you need to have proof that

your tests _ the uk, you need to have proof that your tests are booked, pre—booked, now. _ your tests are booked, pre—booked, now, anecdotally, iwould your tests are booked, pre—booked, now, anecdotally, i would also say that you _ now, anecdotally, i would also say that you should try and do it before you go. _ that you should try and do it before you go, have those pre—bookings before _ you go, have those pre—bookings before you — you go, have those pre—bookings before you go so that there is no problem — before you go so that there is no problem at — before you go so that there is no problem at all. whether you need to have actually paid for them, that will depend on who you have booked them _ will depend on who you have booked them with. _ will depend on who you have booked them with, but, yeah, iwould strongly— them with, but, yeah, iwould strongly advise pre—booked them before _ strongly advise pre—booked them before you go, and you definitely need _ before you go, and you definitely need to— before you go, and you definitely need to have pre—booked before you come _ need to have pre—booked before you come back— need to have pre—booked before you come back and. gk, need to have pre-booked before you come back and.— need to have pre-booked before you come back and. 0k, everyone needs to be aware of _ come back and. 0k, everyone needs to be aware of the — come back and. 0k, everyone needs to be aware of the specifics _ come back and. 0k, everyone needs to be aware of the specifics around - come back and. 0k, everyone needs to be aware of the specifics around all- be aware of the specifics around all about, don�*t they come if they are leaving the uk? now, here is a question from marlene. this princess to the point of people trying to travel through multiple countries, because we think ofjust going to one country, going there for whatever reason. my goodness, maureen is attempting quite a journey. lisa, she says they are meant to be going through euro tunnel on the 1st of august because they are going to bulgaria. she says we have had our vaccinations, but here is the list of countries they are travelling through, because they are travelling through, because they are driving, france, belgium, germany, austria, hungary, romania and then bulgaria. what restrictions

are we likely to face of the borders? how long have we got? honestly, this is such a loaded question, because we simply don�*t have any idea right now, and in terms of that you countries involved in that journey, terms of that you countries involved in thatjourney, they have indicated that fully vaccinated brits will be allowed into the you once they have their own digital health system working and that there will be a date coming quite soon that we will be able to enter, but there is a caveat to that because if you read that you information carefully, it says individual countries have a right to say if the uk government won�*t let our citizens and without quarantine, which will be the case for all of the ember countries on the list at the moment, then they are within their rights to put their own quarantine in place in response, basically trying to say that�*s, really, this has to be unilateral, this has to be a unilateral agreement between eu, all of those countries and britain. so it really is a very testing time at the

moment. i couldn�*t say with any great certainty that you would be able to you know, travel with real eased all of those countries at the but watch this space in the coming weeks and months, we may get a clearer picture of what is going to be happening. it clearer picture of what is going to be happening-— clearer picture of what is going to be happening. clearer picture of what is going to be hauenine. , ,:, . , be happening. it depends on much is booked and paid _ be happening. it depends on much is booked and paid for. _ be happening. it depends on much is booked and paid for. i— be happening. it depends on much is booked and paid for. i am _ be happening. it depends on much is booked and paid for. i am not- be happening. it depends on much is booked and paid for. i am not tryingl booked and paid for. i am not trying to passjudgment on booked and paid for. i am not trying to pass judgment on marine�*s booked and paid for. i am not trying to passjudgment on marine�*s plans, and this might be something really exciting for her that has been in the diary for a very, very long time, but i�*m interested whether you would risk right now trying to get through as many countries is that in the current climate? i through as many countries is that in the current climate?— the current climate? i would say it's a real _ the current climate? i would say it's a real challenge _ the current climate? i would say it's a real challenge right - the current climate? i would say it's a real challenge right now. i | it�*s a real challenge right now. i just came back from a one night trip to portugal, i was on that first flight out to lisbon on monday. the number of tests that were required, the number of forms that needed to be filled in, it is really important to understand that the passenger locator farm you have to fill in to get back into the uk, you have to put your reference number, your booking reference numberfor those booking reference number for those tests. booking reference numberfor those tests. so you have to have that number on there. they can come down

hard on you if you haven�*t got that number on that farm. so there is so much that you have to consider to then think about doing all of the multiple different countries and their different requirements, that is meant to be quite a challenge. yes, well, goodness, maureen, good luck. lyn from a question for you from debbie talking about going to france. she says we have holiday booked to paris in september. it�*s already been pushed back once. we were meant to be going last september. are we likely to be able to go? crystal ball time. it is impossible to say, isn�*t it? it is impossible to say, isn't it? it's it is impossible to say, isn't it? it's a _ it is impossible to say, isn't it? it's a bit — it is impossible to say, isn't it? it's a bit like saying can i have a week— it's a bit like saying can i have a week in— it's a bit like saying can i have a week in london in september? i mean, i week in london in september? i mean, i would _ week in london in september? i mean, i would say— week in london in september? i mean, i would say there is a very strong chance. — i would say there is a very strong chance, very, very strong chance, but we _ chance, very, very strong chance, but we haven't got crystal balls, and it _ but we haven't got crystal balls, and it really cannot go to london chris— and it really cannot go to london chris mckenna go to edinburgh, can i io chris mckenna go to edinburgh, can i go to— chris mckenna go to edinburgh, can i go to cardiff for a weekend in september? sol go to cardiff for a weekend in september? so i would say it's at least _ september? so i would say it's at least 90%— september? so i would say it's at least 90% likely, debbie, fingers crossed. — least 90% likely, debbie, fingers

crossed, and i think we will see an awful— crossed, and i think we will see an awful lot _ crossed, and i think we will see an awful lot of— crossed, and i think we will see an awful lot of europe open up over the summer. _ awful lot of europe open up over the summer, more and more people can vaccinated _ summer, more and more people can vaccinated and so on, so, yeah, hopefully — vaccinated and so on, so, yeah, hopefully-— hopefully. again, check your insurances, _ hopefully. again, check your insurances, check _ hopefully. again, check your insurances, check your - hopefully. again, check your i insurances, check your policies hopefully. again, check your - insurances, check your policies come all the things that we were talking about previously. let�*s have another quick word about testing can actually commit because we talked about bcr testings and what you have to book when. lisa, susanna gupta would like to know about families travelling with children. this is a good point. will children under the age of 11 have to be tested? and if you have got children in your group who are over the age of 11 and therefore are getting tested regularly at school, will they still require a pcr test? so what are the rules around children? tiara require a pcr test? so what are the rules around children? two different versions that — rules around children? two different versions that you _ rules around children? two different versions that you have _ rules around children? two different versions that you have to _ rules around children? two different versions that you have to think - versions that you have to think about. actually entering our country and what you are required to do on your return. now come at the moment come if you take portugal as an example, every child over the age of two has to have a negative covert

test to get into the country. that�*s you know, there is naturalflow test they are taking and they want to be considered acceptable for that. it has to be a proper gold standard pcr test. when you come back into the country, so, at the moment, coming in from a greenest country coming up to take a test on day two. uk government says the children under the age of four are no longer required, they don�*t have to take that test. anybody over the age of four will have to. now, you would hope that the children having sony tests being done at school that there would be some access to a bit of leeway, but at the moment, that is not the case. you really are going to have to double check every destination were going to come over the testing requirements are on the way in and on the way back. the likes of cyprus on our amber list at the moment, but they are actually saying that children under the age of 12 don�*t have to take a pcr test to come in from a children over the age of 12 will. every different countries individually making its own mind up about this, and you do have to check before you go. ==. own mind up about this, and you do have to check before you go. --, we will really have _

have to check before you go. --, we will really have to _ have to check before you go. --, we will really have to be _ have to check before you go. --, we will really have to be on _ have to check before you go. --, we will really have to be on the - have to check before you go. --, we will really have to be on the ball, i will really have to be on the ball, don�*t be? a final once you, a question in relation to france. he says i�*m aiming to fly to france, again, someone else with a holiday home because i need to visit my holiday home from the current advices against all but essential travel. does that mean i can fly to france? 50 travel. does that mean i can fly to france? ., , , travel. does that mean i can fly to france? :, , , :, , travel. does that mean i can fly to j france?— l france? so many second homes! i know, to france? so many second homes! i know. to be _ france? so many second homes! i know, to be fair, _ france? so many second homes! i know, to be fair, more _ france? so many second homes! i know, to be fair, more than i i know, to be fair, more than i anticipated, but anyway. know, to be fair, more than i anticipated, butanyway. i know, to be fair, more than i anticipated, but anyway. i guess if you have got a second home it�*s obvious he particularly worrying because he will be worried about maintenance and so on. so, yes, you can go to france, it is on the amber list, and they certainly are inviting people in. it is not illegal, but the foreign office advice is to not go unless it is essential travel, what it will mean is that any insurance will be invalidated if anything happens. now, i know quite a lot of second—home owners rightly or wrongly don�*t have insurance, but it is something to think about when you are booking your flights,

is something to think about when you are booking yourflights, what is something to think about when you are booking your flights, what will happen if, you know, you are stuck or whatever. so yes, you can go, it is certainly not a legal. and i guess that is coming through from these questions that if you do happen to have one from you probably haven�*t been there for a very long time and you would be worried leaving a property empty for that long, i guess, so that might explain why we have had quite a few like that. fantastic. as ever, thank you so much for all your thoughts. and the moral of the story, keep checking, keep checking and get good insurance. we will be talking to you again for sure. inc. insurance. we will be talking to you againforsure. inc. you insurance. we will be talking to you again for sure. inc. you very much indeed. many thanks, thank you. eight minutes not to apm sinai. a full statutory inquiry will now be held into the conviction of former postmasters wrongly prosecuted for theft in one of britain�*s biggest miscarriages ofjustice. the appeal court quashed

the convictions of 39 of them — some of whom were jailed — after flaws in the computer system that the post office had claimed was "robust and reliable". the business minister paul scully told the commons that the investigation would "get to the bottom" of what he said had been "an appalling affair". the horizon saga has wrecked lives and livelihoods. we cannot undo the damage that has been done, but we can establish what went wrong at the post office and ensure something like this is never allowed to happen again. the events surrounding the dispute have long been shrouded in darkness. this government is determined to bring them into the light. the landmark court of appeal judgment changed the context for the inquiry, following it, the government did not hesitate to act to give the inquiry more teeth into equipped them with more powers. two effective purse masters and their families, madams w speaker, my message is this, we are mistaken and

we will get to the bottom of this appalling affair. the latest there in the commons about the post office scandal. finally, let�*s end this hour with a smile, shall we? it�*s the world�*s biggest music event, and last night saw the return of the eurovision song contest — albeit it in a slightly scaled back form. fans needed a ticket and a negative covid test to get in, and performers were put into "delegation bubbles". one of the most highly anticipated contenders — iceland — have decided to miss the live final, after one band member tested positive for covid. anna holligan reports. waterloo by abba plays over speakers. an iconic eurovision anthem pumps out of the traffic lights, providing fans with a soundtrack for their long—anticipated arrival at the ahoy arena. i heard it and i saw it on television. and i said, "i�*m going to rotterdam." whatever happens, i�*m going.

yeah, i think this is much safer than sitting on a terrace in the town. i think so. because everyone is tested. baby�*s first concert, actually. well, we thought we might as welljust go all in. it�*s a once—in—a—lifetime experience. for her, as well, i guess. 3,500 people are allowed in to watch each of the live shows. there are nine of them in total. a ticket and a negative covid test are essential. the glitter, optional. it�*s just nice to be in front of a crowd again. the vibe off them is brilliant, having been in lockdown like everybody for so long. so it�*s just such a great buzz. it really is. how did it go? everything went crazy, and, yeah, it was really good. we are extremely happy to be here, yes. so, lithuania there, just coming off stage, and here we have ireland�*s lesley about to go on. this is what the fans

are so excited about. finally, the chance to see live music again, and everyone who�*s got a ticket for this year had one for last, too, but that was cancelled because of covid. so the usual eurovision fever is heightened because all of these people have been waiting so long for this moment. while people are excited, there are concerns, too. two delegations have recorded positive tests since reaching rotterdam. i haven�*t been outside, actually, in a week! laughter. um, but, yeah, right? we�*re still dealing, and it�*s a very real threat to everyone�*s health still. # i�*m breaking the rules! the organisers and dutch government are adamant eurovision is being conducted in the safest possible way in the context of a pandemic. you test when you leave, you test when you arrive, then you test when you get in here, and then you pretty much stay at the hotel, within your delegation, and you come here to do your work. over the course of this week, more than 31,000 spectators will have the chance to witness what everyone here hopes will provide a model for the global revival of live events. anna holligan, bbc news, rotterdam.

hpm, bbc one saturday community that�*s, rach? yeah, you knew that. —— eight p:m.. now it�*s time for a look at the weather with louise lear. once again another day of sunny spells and scattered showers but they should be fewer showers than the last few days and it has been a glorious start for many. just take a look at argyll and bute today. early morning rain left puddles on the rooftop in central london, but the sunshine did come out and some of the rain was quite heavy for the early morning rush hour, which has been slipping away quite nicely. you can see the clear skies following behind with a few isolated showers developing across central scotland into north—west england and north—west wales, but as we go into the afternoon showers should push east and western areas will quiet down with a little more sunshine coming through as a ridge of high pressure briefly builds. temperatures should sit between ten and 18 degrees which is where we pretty much should be for this time of year. the showers will fade away and we will keep the clear skies,

albeit briefly, before cloud and rain pushes in from the south—west. a significant area of low pressure to come into thursday. those temperatures will hold up and we will see them around four to 8 degrees first thing on thursday morning but the low pressure could cause issues, not necessarily to do with the intensity and longevity of the rain but to do with the strength of the win, vertically on the southern flank of that low. there will be some heavy rain in northern ireland pushing into southern scotland and northern england as we go through the day. not too heavy through thursday across central and southern england and wales, but look at this, gust of wind widely in excess of a0 miles an hour, maybe 50 or 60 miles an hour on exposed south—west coast. with the cloud, wind and rain, those temperatures are down a good three or a degrees in many places, ten up to 15 degrees. the low pressure continues to drift eastward through thursday night into friday, anchoring itself to the north of england so the strongest winds will be to the south of that and will be channelling in the rain across wales, central and southern england and the gusty list

of the winds here, quite widely a0 or 50 miles an hour and may be stronger, so for those temporary gazebos in your garden worth bearing in mind that they are anchored down firmly. in terms of the feel of the weather through friday afternoon we are looking at around eight to 1a degrees as the hive. at the start of the weekend, quieter, a brief lull in the story before more wet and windy weather arrives on sunday.

this is bbc news. i�*m jane hill. the headlines at apm — government advice about travelling to amber list countries is defended by borisjohnson — as labour accuses ministers of "confused and contradictory" messages. if he doesn�*t want people to travel to amber list countries, if that�*s his position, he doesn�*t want them to travel to amber list countries, why has he made it easierfor them to do so? we are trying to move away from endlessly legislating for everything, and to rely on guidance and asking people to do the right thing. meanwhile, eu ambassadors back plans to allow fully vaccinated tourists to visit europe this summer. and as surge testing to stop the spread of coronavirus continues, the prime minister says there is �*increasing confidence�* that vaccines are effective

against the indian variant. police searching for a 15—year—old, who�*s believed to be a victim of the serial killer fred west, have begun drilling at a cafe in gloucester. israel�*s prime minister defends his military campaign against palestinian militants in gaza, as hostilities between israel and hamas continue into a tenth day. the family of a 2a—year—old woman from london, who was murdered in pakistan, call for her killers to be brought tojustice. and — boom bang a bang! eurovision fans gather in rotterdam to celebrate the return of the song contest.

good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. borisjohnson has defended the government�*s policy on foreign holidays, after the labour leader, sir keir starmer, said ministers were presiding over a �*hopeless system�* which threatened to let new covid variants into the country. speaking at prime minister�*s questions, mrjohnson insisted the government�*s advice was �*very clear�* — that people should not be taking holidays in amber—list countries such as spain and greece. the prime minister also told mps that there is �*increasing confidence�* that vaccines are effective against all covid variants. here�*s sean dilley. book a holiday, don�*t book a holiday — that is the question facing many, as tourist destinations and an under pressure travel industry are readying themselves to welcome elated holiday—makers. so we are here offering some protection kits. the government has introduced a travel traffic light system, meaning people can now travel to green list countries without having to isolate

when they get home. but they will have to take a covid test. two masks, hand sanitiser. thank you. you are welcome. have a nice da . countries including australia, gibraltar and portugal are on the green list. many popular destinations such as france, spain and greece are on the amber list. people returning from these countries must self—isolate and take two covid tests. the uk government�*s messaging on who should and shouldn�*t travel to amber list countries has been confusing. there will be reasons why people feel they need to travel, to visit family or friends. i think it is very important for people to grasp - what an amber list country is. it is not somewhere where you should be going on holiday _ we are really relying on people to use their common sense, look at their own situation, look at their position and be sensible. at prime minister�*s questions today, pressure mounted for some clarity. so can the prime minister answer a really simple question that goes

to the heart of this? if he doesn't want people to travel to amber list countries, if that is his position, he doesn't want them to travel, why has he made it easier for them to do so? we are trying to move away from endlessly legislating i everything, and to rely on guidance, and asking people to do the right. thing, and it is very, i very clear, mr speaker. you should not be going to an amber list country, except for some - extreme circumstance, such as the serious i illness of a family member. you should not be going to an amber list country on holiday. _ lockdown—weary brits have been telling the bbc they will be holidaying in amber list countries, whatever the government advises. initially we thought it was ok, to do all the necessary checks, now they�*re saying we shouldn�*t do it, but we put this already, so we�*re going ahead.

the last 15 months has been hard for britain�*s travel industry, with their business grinding to an overnight halt. they have seen losses of billions of pounds. we need to see more clarity and less confusion from the uk government. i think what is happening is they are getting nervous and worried about— are getting nervous and worried about other countries moving faster. the eu is indeed likely to vote to open up its borders much more during june. eu leaders met this morning to give their members the green light to freely welcome fully vaccinated uk tourists. for now, british holiday—makers are free to plan their foreign trips, but the prime minister says people should not be travelling to amber countries, unless absolutely necessary. anyone who does must self—isolate on return, orface a fine of up to £10,000. sean dilley, bbc news. 0ur europe correspondent jean mackenzie gave us this update from brussels.

this is about agreeing one set of travel rules for the whole of the eu to try and make things a little simpler than they have been. so the first thing that has been decided today is to allow tourists who have been fully vaccinated, with an eu—approved vaccine, to come here on holiday. the second is to add more countries to the eu�*s safe list. so these are countries where people could come on holiday, even if they haven�*t been vaccinated. now, they haven�*t decided yet which countries to add to this list. that�*s going to happen on friday, but there�*s two things they will be looking at, they will be looking at the rate of infections in the country and what the trend is like. they don�*t want, for example, to add a country only have to take it off one or two weeks down the line, if you think of the confusion that would cause, especially when people start booking holidays. but it�*s on friday we should find out whether, for example, the uk is going to make it onto that list. now, this is really a signal that things in europe are improving. after a very slow start to the vaccination campaign at the start of the year, things have picked up. more than a third of eu citizens have now

had their first dose of the vaccine, and the eu feels it is safe to reopen its borders, in some way. now, one of the sticking points will be what the individual countries decide to do themselves, because as we�*ve seen, countries have already started making up their own rules. for example, greece, portugal and italy have allowed uk travellers to return, and it�*s likely that as the summer season goes on, we will start to see individual countries do their own thing, and there will be some discrepancies, depending on where you want to spend your summer. let�*s talk about the impact, let�*s talk about one country that is very popular with british tourists, croatia. that is on the government�*s amber list in its traffic light system, you will have heard boris johnson talking, saying people shouldn�*t go on holiday to an amber list country, that it is only really

for emergencies, realfamily list country, that it is only really for emergencies, real family need, you shouldn�*t go on holiday to an amber list country, he said. croatia usually welcomes nearly 20 million international visitors every year, many of them from the uk. let�*s speak now to darija reic, director of croatian national tourist board. good afternoon, darija. good good afternoon, dari'a. good good afternoon, darija. good afternoon. goodness. - good afternoon, darija. good afternoon. goodness. what i good afternoon, darija. good i afternoon. goodness. what are you thinkin: afternoon. goodness. what are you thinking and _ afternoon. goodness. what are you thinking and feeling, _ afternoon. goodness. what are you thinking and feeling, what - afternoon. goodness. what are you thinking and feeling, what are - afternoon. goodness. what are you thinking and feeling, what are your| thinking and feeling, what are your members feeling about the fact that at the moment our government says essentially don't go to croatia, in the sense that they are saying don't go on holiday to an amber list country? go on holiday to an amber list count ? ~ go on holiday to an amber list count ?~ ., _ go on holiday to an amber list count 7 ., ,_, , country? well, we obviously are very ho eful country? well, we obviously are very hepeful and — country? well, we obviously are very hopeful and optimistic _ country? well, we obviously are very hopeful and optimistic that _ country? well, we obviously are very hopeful and optimistic that in - country? well, we obviously are very hopeful and optimistic that in the - hopeful and optimistic that in the next uk traffic light system review, we will be in a good position to land on the green list. hopefully there will be some clarification on whether or not travel should be

allowed to the amber list countries, but we are more than ready to welcome the uk travellers back. find welcome the uk travellers back. and how many brits a year actually is it? it is a big proportion, isn't it? it is a big proportion, isn't it? it it? it is a big proportion, isn't it? , , ., it? it is. the uk is quite an important _ it? it is. the uk is quite an important strategic - it? it is. the uk is quite an important strategic market it? it is. the uk is quite an . important strategic market for it? it is. the uk is quite an - important strategic market for us. around 900,000 arrivals we had in 2019, and over 4.6 million overnight stays, and we were very optimistic of hitting thati million number last year. hopefully in the next year potentially we will be seeing better numbers. but year potentially we will be seeing better numbers.— year potentially we will be seeing better numbers. but i mean, that is still an awful _ better numbers. but i mean, that is still an awful lot _ better numbers. but i mean, that is still an awful lot of— better numbers. but i mean, that is still an awful lot of people, - better numbers. but i mean, that is still an awful lot of people, and - still an awful lot of people, and therefore that is a hugely important part of your economy. i mean, how are businesses, hoteliers, restaurants, how have they been

coping during this pandemic, given that tourism is so important? filth. that tourism is so important? 0h, absolutely. _ that tourism is so important? 0h, absolutely, and _ that tourism is so important? 0h, absolutely, and as _ that tourism is so important? 0h, absolutely, and as i _ that tourism is so important? on, absolutely, and as i mentioned the uk is a very important market for croatia overall, but some areas such as dubrovnik city and the whole dubrovnik region for example are heavily reliant on tourism in the uk. uk travellers make the number one market for dubrovnik and the region, so it is very important for us to get the british travellers back to the region. clearly, the travel restrictions and measures against the spread of covid—19 in foreign countries and domestically have affected the number of tourists arriving overall in 2020, but in 2021 we have set out to ensure croatia stays safe for tourists and locals alike, and we do remain optimistic for the season 2021, even though it is still a bit unpredictable. but the tourism businesses are preparing, they are ensuring they have all the safety protocols in place to be in a better

position to receive guests in greater numbers once it is possible again. 50 greater numbers once it is possible aaain. greater numbers once it is possible aiain. ,., greater numbers once it is possible aaain. , ., again. so if you get your wish and many british _ again. so if you get your wish and many british people's _ again. so if you get your wish and many british people's wish - again. so if you get your wish and many british people's wish that i many british people's wish that croatia goes on to the green list, how would tourists have to behave once they arrive? what are the rules around facemasks in public places, those sorts of issues?— those sorts of issues? well, yes, the facemasks _ those sorts of issues? well, yes, the facemasks are _ those sorts of issues? well, yes, the facemasks are mandatory - those sorts of issues? well, yes, the facemasks are mandatory in l the facemasks are mandatory in enclosed spaces, in the indoors, and outdoors, if it is not possible to maintain physical distance, which it usually is. but what is also important to note is that croatia has recently launched a new stay safe in croatia project, a joint project by the ministry of tourism and sports, and the creation into student of public health that has described industry specific measures for all the different segments of the tourism industry. so procedures and protocols have been developed for every step of travellers

journeys, so special protocols for marinas, boats, attractions, restaurants, accommodation, facilities, so croatian tourism facilities, so croatian tourism facilities can apply for a stay safe in croatia label, which gives assurances they are following all these recommended guidelines, and what is reassuring for the traveller is that they can go on the website, called safe stay in croatia website, and by using a simple search bar, they can immediately check if the hotel where they will be staying, or if a bar or restaurant they will be visiting, if they have already been certified with this safe stay in croatia label. this serves as an additional layer of assurance that businesses are covid free, covid—safe, and that we are doing everything we can to help keep our guests safe. we have gone another step further and we are also prioritising the vaccination of all

tourism workers, so we expect by the end ofjune to have the majority of tourism workers vaccinated as well. darija, good to talk to you, i'm sure lots of people watching our programme this afternoon are crossing fingers like you that croatia will be back on the green list. thank you so much, all the best, thank you. croatia last year saw 900,000 uk visitors. the latest uk coronavirus figures have just been released. a further 2,696 people have tested positive for covid i9 in the past 24 hours. and three further deaths have been recorded — that's of people who tested positive for coronavirus in the past 28 days. it's emerged that almost 3,000 cases of the indian variant of coronavirus have now been identified in the uk —

a rise of nearly 30% since monday. the health secretary, matt hancock, told mps that surge testing was now being rolled out to several more areas of england — including bedford, leicester and north tyneside — to try to limit the spread of the variant. dr saad—i agboola is the director of public health in warwickshire, and has been dealing with a number of confirmed cases of the variant in nuneaton — she told me earlier how she has been working to control cases in her local area — with vaccines and testing playing key roles in her strategy. yes, so just over ten days ago now, we were informed that we had a number of indian variant cases within nuneaton and bedworth, in particular, two wards within nuneaton. we were told at the time we had eight cases, to the best of our knowledge we still have eight cases, and what we have done is swing into action almost immediately, send out the message, anybody who lived in nuneaton and bedworth, and worked thre, were being encouraged to take a pcr test. we repurposed our existing sites within nuneaton and bedworth immediately.

so pcr tests can be accessed seven days a week until 8pm. we have also tried to identify a range of sites across nuneaton that will support people who want to pick up test kits, and we set up pick—up sites at the market stall today, and over 1,000 test kits have already been given out. we're not leaving any stone unturned, so we are working with nhs colleagues, as you know they have lead on the vaccination roll—out, the uptake of the vaccine has been good in nuneaton and bedworth but there are still a small number of people who have perhaps not taken up the offer of vaccination, and what we are doing is to encourage as many people as possible if you have been offered the vaccine, please take up the offer and get vaccinated. 0ur political correspondent damian grammaticas is at westminster. he told me that how

to deal with variants — is the key policy issue facing ministers at the moment. what borisjohnson said today, when he was under pressure in the house of commons, was that he thought that from the latest data he had seen, he said there was increasing confidence that vaccines were effective against all variants. now, his spokesman has clarified that what he is talking about there, that data is the daily monitoring data that is carried out, and it gets down to quite specific data at quite specific sort of location level. but what that is then is not some special data, it is the general monitoring, and the monitoring of things like case rates, hospitalisations, and particularly in areas like bolton, where they have been concerned. but what it does not include, he said, was any new information about

vaccines having an impact on the transmissibility of this indian variant. so there are still reasons for concern, and still reasons why the covenant says it wants to wait and look at the evidence coming forward, but reasons too why the opposition, the labour party, sir keir starmer, the house of commons, he was calling the government's border policy, he said it was ridiculous, the time that you have an indian variant spreading, they were relaxing restrictions allowing people to travel to amber list countries, even if they quarantine on return. you have mentioned the amber list. if you were listening to the five live phone in for example this morning, there is clearly still confusion or anxiety about green versus amber. how much pressure is the government under on all of this, in terms of is the messaging clear enough about where and when you go abroad?

i think the messaging hasn't been clear_ i think the messaging hasn't been clear in— i think the messaging hasn't been clear in the — i think the messaging hasn't been clear in the last 36 to 48 hours. some government ministers have said you could go on holiday, other saying to amber list countries in particular, others that you shouldn't, the prime minister himself today in the house of commons was asked that question by sir keir starmer, and he said, no, you should not go on holiday to an amber list country. you should only go for extreme reasons, such as a very serious illness of a relative, and if you came back he would then have to quarantine, you would have to take tests, and if you broke that quarantine, you would face fines of thousands of pounds. but the issue that sir keir starmer was trying to highlight was saying that, well, this is only guidance, that this isn't a hard and fast rule, so he was suggesting that this was mixed messaging.

it means that people view this and see, well, 170 countries being put on an amber list which effectively allows you to travel and quarantine on return, and what sir keir starmer was saying is that he believed they needed to be a wholesale change to border policy, he said, in order to protect this country are from further variants that could be imported from abroad. he said we are an island nation and it is time to scrap the policy, which he called a joke, and introduce something stronger, but the prime minister says that the current restrictions are some of the strongest, and with the quarantine policy in place, that he has confidence in that. damian grammaticas. three people have died in scotland due to coronavirus vaccine adverse—effects, latest official data shows. the figures came in a report by the national records of scotland. it said the deaths were in the context of 2.81 million people having been given at least one dose of a vaccine by april 30th. and the health secretary matt

hancock will be holding a downing street coronavirus briefing at 5pm today. we'll bring that to you live on the bbc news channel. that is coming up in about 40 minutes. the health authorities in malawi have destroyed more than 19,000 doses of the astrazeneca covid—i9 vaccine. they say the vaccines had expired and were being disposed of because there was insufficient data to determine whether they were still safe for use. malawi is the first african country to publicly destroy expired vaccines. police in lanarkshire, investigating a fire that badly damaged the home of the celtic football club chief executive, peter lawwell, are treating it as deliberate. cctv enquiries showed a man pouring an accelerant on the vehicles.

the male suspect is described as around 5ft10 ins and of slim build. he was wearing blackjoggers, a black hooded jumper with the hood up, black trainers and a face mask. police are appealing for anyone with information to come forward. the prime minister has made a public apology to the relatives of ten people killed during an army operation at ballymurphy in 1971. an inquest found last week that the ten victims were "entirely innocent". but borisjohnson's apology has been rejected by some of the relatives — who say it is "unacceptable". we can speak now tojohn teggart, who lost his father, daniel at ballymurphy.

very good afternoon to you. thank you for giving us your time this afternoon. did you watch that statement by borisjohnson in the comments? did you know it's going to be happening?— be happening? that's the thing. it's ha--ened be happening? that's the thing. it's happened again- — be happening? that's the thing. it's happened again. boris _ be happening? that's the thing. it's happened again. boris johnson - be happening? that's the thing. it's happened again. boris johnson or . be happening? that's the thing. it's i happened again. boris johnson or the happened again. borisjohnson or the british government haven't contacted the families of what their intentions were, we didn't ask for an apology. he has re—traumatised the families. we found out last week that all our loved ones were entirely innocent. so there was a crime there. someone committed a crime, on our loved ones, that is how they their lives. boris johnson had just apologised, and it is also

unacceptable, but he has actually apologised for the way the investigation was handled into the death of our loved ones. so you have 11 people in total who were murdered in august 1970 one, ten who had an inquest, so he apologised. there was no investigation. but what we can get out of his statement is if he is apologising for the way it was handled because it was never investigated, why doesn't he focus on contacting the chief of police, the psma and asking the question, why was there all these murders carried out by the british paratroopers in bela murphy in 1971? why has your police force not investigated them? that is something he needs to focus on. he can't come with half—hearted apologies of how they were investigated. it is not an

apology to the families. he says it was personal. it isn't because he was personal. it isn't because he was head of government. it wasn't that he was head of the army. it wasn't from the government or the army. it was just him personally answering a question by a labour government np, so that is unacceptable. you can't keep going full hard foolhardy, and without contacting families, it is unacceptable. families, after all this time, all the trauma of last week, finding out their loved ones were declared innocent, boris johnson does it again. we are all on outbreak at the moment. he botched it up again. outbreak at the moment. he botched it u- aaain. 1, , outbreak at the moment. he botched it u- aaain. 1, _., outbreak at the moment. he botched itu aaain. ,_, it up again. boris johnson opened prime minister's _ it up again. boris johnson opened prime minister's questions - it up again. boris johnson opened prime minister's questions by - prime minister's questions by reading the names of everybody who

was killed 50 years ago, and very sadly that includes your father. he said, "no apology can lessen the lasting pain that you and the other families of course still suffer to this day". he wrote to all the families concerned, that is what we are told, so has there been nothing in either what was said in the commons at lunchtime or in the letter? there is nothing that gives you any solace at all?— you any solace at all? there is nothina you any solace at all? there is nothing boris _ you any solace at all? there is nothing boris johnson - you any solace at all? there is nothing boris johnson can - you any solace at all? there is nothing boris johnson can do i you any solace at all? there is. nothing boris johnson can do or you any solace at all? there is - nothing boris johnson can do or say nothing borisjohnson can do or say to make us feel any better. it is better than if he —— it is better if he says nothing. we don't want anything from him. he is not sincere. he hasn't taken responsibility of his government, to say that our loved ones were murdered. they were murdered by the british paratroopers. they were murdered by the soldiers, and as

head of state, i apologise. and no time did he mention exactly what had happened, who was responsible, why it was not investigated. is he going to initiate an investigation? that is what he should do. any positives we can take out of that statement todayis we can take out of that statement today is that he will be in contact with the ps the chief police psma, and asking a question and maybe ordering the start of an investigation of murders that happened in bella murphy in august 1971. i happened in bella murphy in august 1971. ., happened in bella murphy in august 1971. . , happened in bella murphy in august 1971. . y ., , 1971. i am so sorry to interrupt, john, but — 1971. i am so sorry to interrupt, john, but i'm — 1971. i am so sorry to interrupt, john, but i'm keen _ 1971. i am so sorry to interrupt, john, but i'm keen to _ 1971. i am so sorry to interrupt, john, but i'm keen to get - 1971. i am so sorry to interrupt, john, but i'm keen to get to - 1971. i am so sorry to interrupt, | john, but i'm keen to get to the heart of, is that the only thing that will satisfy you? you can never be satisfied, you have lost someone very dear to you, but is that the practical thing that you want to hear from the prime practical thing that you want to hearfrom the prime minister? practical thing that you want to hear from the prime minister? that's the only thing. _

hear from the prime minister? that's the only thing. if— hear from the prime minister? that's the only thing, if he _ hear from the prime minister? that's the only thing, if he is _ hear from the prime minister? that's the only thing, if he is sincere, - the only thing, if he is sincere, that's the only thing i want to hear from him. we don't want letters, we don't want apologies, we want him to be proactive. he is in the position of helping ourselves, he is in the position of helping ourselves from both sides of the community and victims who were murdered, whether it be police or army. he is in the position of helping all them. there are mechanisms he agreed to put in place. he is still dragging his feet. his government are still dragging theirfeet of feet. his government are still dragging their feet of putting these institutions in place. that is what he should be doing. why should this be dragging on? why should my grandkids be listening to this on the news and the good friday agreement of 1998? why has that happened? because of successive british governments not implementing what was agreed, and these need to be implemented right away. so i can

enjoy my time out. my grandkids will now be looking on the news and seeing about somebody like myself wanting truth and justice 40 or 50 years later. i want an end to it, but what the families need is for him to start an investigation, order the police to start an investigation of what happened to their loved ones and also put in place the institution that was agreed under the good friday agreement and the stormont house agreement. thank you for talkin: stormont house agreement. thank you for talking us — stormont house agreement. thank you for talking us this _ stormont house agreement. thank you for talking us this afternoon, _ stormont house agreement. thank you for talking us this afternoon, john - for talking us this afternoon, john taggart, who lost his father, daniel, at bally murphy in 1971 —— john teggart. president biden has told benjamin netanyahu he expects a significant de—escalation today, in hostilities between israel and palestinians in gaza. the conflict has entered its tenth day. the israeli military has begun shelling targets in lebanon, after it said rockets were launched from across the lebanese border. as the conflict continues, israeli defence sources have told

the bbc that �*there is still no ceasefire on the table' and �*the operation is continuing at full throttle'. international efforts continue to de—escalate the conflict. earlier, i got the latest from joel greenberg who is the bbc monitoring's analyst injerusalem. there is more conflict across the gaza border, obviously rockets into southern israel and israeli air strikes, but a new front, four rockets were fired into northern israel from lebanon. unclear who fired those. there were no casualties, one was intercepted, another landed in an open area and two landed in the mediterranean, but this shows the potential for igniting conflict on other borders. clearly they need to bring this under control. president biden has spoken again to prime minister netanyahu, the fourth time since the conflict began, and told him he expects a halt to the escalation today on the path to a

ceasefire, so a very clear message being delivered to israel to wind up this military conflict. right, it is interesting you mentioned president biden's comments, because we have reported for some days on various international calls for calm, appeals for the two sides to agree a ceasefire. thus far, it clearly makes no difference. what is the difference today, why does president biden say what he has said, why could that make any difference? it seems the president is ratcheting up the pressure on president netanyahu to rein in the military and bring this to a close. there are of course mediation efforts through egypt, which is in touch with hamas, the un representative in the middle east, so both sides are being talked to by mediators and the attempt is to try to get them to find a way out of this conflict and de—escalate the rocket strikes and air strikes in gaza. so it seems now that the american pressure has moved up a

notch. the american president saying he would like to see this de—escalation today so the question is whether we will see a change in the coming hours or tomorrow. certainly the pressure is on right now to end this. we are edging up to the downing street news briefing at the top of the hour. right now we will pause and take a look at the weather with louise lear. so far, there have been fewer showers around and that is going to be the story into the afternoon. some shower cloud but also lengthy spells of sunshine. i want to draw your attention to this cloud out in the south—west, a deep area of low pressure that is going to arrive first thing tomorrow morning. those showers will ease through the evening. we will see some cloud building from the west and heavy rain into northern ireland. temperatures will hold up with cloud around between four and eight degrees. a spell of wet weather to come.

moving into southern scotland, accompanied by gale force winds and we are going to see gusts in excess of 30 to 40 mph, maybe as strong as 50 to 60 on exposed south west coasts, unusual for this time of year. temperatures will peak between seven and 15. hello this is bbc news. the headlines... government advice about travelling to amber list countries is defended by borisjohnson — as labour accuses ministers of "confused and contradictory" messages. if he doesn't want people to travel to amber list countries, if that is his position, he doesn't want them to travel to ember list countries, then why has he made it easier for them to do so? we are trying to move away from endlessly legislating for everything and to rely

on guidance and asking people to do the right thing. meanwhile, eu ambassadors back plans to allow fully vaccinated tourists to visit europe this summer. as surge testing to stop the spread of coronavirus is stepped up, the prime minister says there is increasing confidence that vaccines are effective against the indian variant. you're watching bbc news — and we'll be bringing you the latest government coronavirus briefing live from downing street at 5pm. it'll be led by the health secretary, matt hancock today. between now and then — we'll be building up to the briefing with all the latest coronavirus developments. borisjohnson has defended the government's policy on foreign holidays, after the labour leader, sir keir starmer, said ministers

were presiding over a "hopeless system", which threatened to let new covid variants into the country. speaking at prime minister's questions, mrjohnson insisted the government's advice was "very clear" — that people should not be taking holidays in amber—list countries such as spain and greece. the prime minister also told mps that there is "increasing confidence" that vaccines are effective against all covid variants. here's sean dilley. book a holiday, don't book a holiday. that's the question facing many, as tourist destinations and an under pressure travel industry are readying themselves to welcome belated holiday—makers. so we are here offering some protection kits. the government has introduced a travel traffic light system, meaning people can now travel to green list countries

without isolateing on their return. but they will have to take a covid test. here is the hand sanitiser. 0k, thank you. have a nice day. countries including australia, gibraltar and portugal are on the green list. many popular destinations such as france, spain and greece are on the amber list. they must self—isolate on return and take two covid tests. but the uk's messaging on who should and shouldn't travel to amber list countries has been, well, confusing. there will be reasons why people feel they need to travel either to visit family or friends. i think it is very important for people to grasp what are amber list countries. it is not somewhere where you should be going on holiday. we are really relying on people to use their common sense, i look at their own situation, look at their position - and be sensible. kier starmer. at prime minister's questions today, pressure mounted for some clarity. so can the prime minister answer a really simple question that goes to the heart of this? if he doesn't want people to travel

to amber list countries, if that is his position, he doesn't want them to travel to amber list countries, why has he made it easier for them to do so? we are trying to move away from endlessly legislating for everything and to rely on guidance and asking people to do the right thing, and it is very, very clear, mr speaker. you should not be going to an amber list country except for some extreme circumstances, such as the serious illness of a family member. you should not be going to an amber list country on holiday. lockdown weary brits have been telling the bbc they will be holidaying in amber list countries whatever the government advises. initially we thought it was ok, we had to— initially we thought it was ok, we had to do— initially we thought it was ok, we had to do all the necessary checks, but we _ had to do all the necessary checks, but we have — had to do all the necessary checks, but we have booked this already. the last 15 months has been hard for britain's travel industry, with their business grinding to overnight halt, they have lost billions of pounds.

we need to see more clarity and less confusion from the uk government. i think what's happeningn is they are getting nervous and worried about other countries moving faster. the eu is indeed likely to vote to open up its borders much more during june. eu leaders met this morning to give their members the green light to freely welcome fully vaccinated uk tourists. for now, british holiday—makers are free to plan their foreign trips, but the prime minister says people should not be travelling to amber countries unless absolutely necessary. anyone who does must self—isolate on return or face a fine of up to £10,000. sean dilley, bbc news. it's emerged that almost 3—thousand cases of the indian variant of coronavirus have now been identified in the uk — our health correspondent jim reed is here. they have given us more staff, talk is what he is saying.

today he gave an updated for garrett, 967, that is up by 28% by my maps. important to point out, jane, that this is looking back a long way. it took a while to sequence these figures in the laboratory. so these ones we are talking about here probably the reality a good week or two ago. i know you are talking to professor hunter in a few minutes, he has done some analysis of this which shows, actually, the real number in the uk is actually meant to be much higher than that. mr hancock also talking about rolling out surge testing and more areas, so they have added burnley, hounslow and london, west yorkshire, leicester, north tyneside, areas where they are now worried about the indian variants, and will be placing extra surge testing in place.— testing in place. that is the practicalities _ testing in place. that is the practicalities of _ testing in place. that is the practicalities of what - testing in place. that is the | practicalities of what they're testing in place. that is the - practicalities of what they're doing and ties into the sort of political

message that if we do see an upsurge any part of the uk, right now come about is how the government wants to deal with it. it wants to tackle things locally.— things locally. the planet the moment is — things locally. the planet the moment is to _ things locally. the planet the moment is to shy _ things locally. the planet the moment is to shy away - things locally. the planet the moment is to shy away from | things locally. the planet the i moment is to shy away from the so—called extra local restrictions. you will remember the tier system of last october, moving away from batman towards putting in place this surge testing and also this extra vaccination strategy, so you have seenin vaccination strategy, so you have seen in bolton, places like blackburn as well where they have sentin blackburn as well where they have sent in vaccination process. you see queues of people waiting to be vaccinated. the idea is to reach people who may be eligible for a job but have not come forward yet to get that because of the moment much of the outbreak of this indian variance is in younger people, so the idea is if you can cut that off by vaccinating those groups, bearing in mind it will take a few weeks without vaccination to become effective, but if you can go in and vaccinate those groups come you might be able to stop it moving up to the older more honourable members of society. to the older more honourable members of socie . , �* , of society. interesting. all rights, for now, thank _ of society. interesting. all rights, for now, thank you _ of society. interesting. all rights, for now, thank you very _ of society. interesting. all rights, for now, thank you very much - of society. interesting. all rights, | for now, thank you very much from our correspondentjim reed.

paul hunter is a professor of medicine at the university of east anglia. a very good afternoon to you. jim saying his mouth suggest it's a 28% rise in the indian variance. what are your thoughts on these latest figures from matt hancock? iliiui’eii. figures from matt hancock? well, eah, as figures from matt hancock? well, yeah, as expected, _ figures from matt hancock? well, yeah, as expected, really, - figures from matt hancock? well, yeah, as expected, really, as - figures from matt hancock? well, yeah, as expected, really, as wasj yeah, as expected, really, as was already being pointed out, at most, we only examine about half of all samples to detect what lineage they are, and in the last previous week or two, we only examine, welcome at the moment, for the beacon on the 15th of may, we've only examined about 15% of all positives. so there is quite a big backlog, but the backlog essentially getting shorter as we get better and more rapid at testing these things. so the figures are looking very clear that the case numbers of the indian variance is going up. at the moment, the

canterbury end is going down very quickly as well. so those two are actually balancing each other out at the moment so that it doesn't look like the numbers, total numbers are going up that much, but that may well change as ultimately the indian variant overtakes the kent variance, probably this week, maybe next. rates, and the decrease in the kent variant is that largely a result of the vaccination programme? almost certainly come _ the vaccination programme? almost certainly come yes. _ the vaccination programme? almost certainly come yes. absolutely. - the vaccination programme? almost. certainly come yes. absolutely. when you look at the case numbers across the country by age, people over 60 particularly, there are very few cases now occurring compared to just a few months ago where as the drop in case numbers in people who haven't been vaccinated in the age groups that haven't been widely vaccinated is still relatively high, particularly in relationship to the case numbers we are seeing in the older people now.—

older people now. professor paul hunter, older people now. professor paul hunter. l'm _ older people now. professor paul hunter. i'm so — older people now. professor paul hunter, i'm so sorry— older people now. professor paul hunter, i'm so sorry we - older people now. professor paul hunter, i'm so sorry we can't - older people now. professor paul. hunter, i'm so sorry we can't speak for longer, really grateful for your time. i know we will talk again. inc. you very much indeed. professor paul hunter, always fascinating to listen to his analysis. doubtless that we will hear more from him. so much focus today as well in terms of coronavirus on travel. some anxiety about the ember list, what does it all mean in terms of overseas travel and the impact that covert is having on all of that? we have had a lot of questions from you, so let's hear your questions answered. and we have been sent a lot of questions today about the international travel rules. there is confusion, uncertainty, can you go away? what are the reasons you can go away? let's try and get there lots of your questions with lisa who is the tribal editor of the sun, hello again lisa and lyn, the editor of wanderlust. a very warm welcome

to both. let's kick off in no particular order. lisa, we will start with this question, "i have flights booked to elect on day on the 30th of may to go to my own property. do you think spain will let me in?" well, unfortunately, the moment, the answer to that is no. unfortunately, they are not letting people in if they are british residents, and unless you are actually married to an eu citizen, or if there is a case where, you know, you have a exceptional case, but that is not to say that, you know, it won't be that long before they are going to open up the borders. they've indicated that it would be around mid june, that they are looking to open up the borders to produce people. right, so herflight is at the end of may. so that is the thing ofjuggling your flights, move them, get refunds, all of those issues that we have talked about so much in recent months. lyn, a really personal question from laura in durham who asks

particularly about the us. we haven't really talked a huge amount of the us in all of this. she says, "it is my understanding is that the us government still has a total ban on all european citizens going there will stop any clarification would be really helpful because my daughter is in the us and i am desperate to go and see her." oh, it is so tough, isn't it? to be kept apart from family. i think, although, as you said, the us hasn't been talked about much, there is huge pent—up demand, and there has been a lot of pressure to open up again, at least some sort of corridor between the us and uk. and so there are very, very strong rumours that this will happen soon. in fact, of course, let's not forget, the g7 summit is being held in cornwall in mid june, and president biden is coming over for that. so, it is strongly rumoured that an announcement will be made before

before he comes over, which, a, will make it easier for him and his entourage, and b, even if it isn't opened up by then, he will at least make an announcement either before he comes or while he is here. so the smart money is on late june, maybe july, but laura, you will be able to go and see her daughter. again, gosh, it's all a watch and wait, isn't it, in so many instances? but you make a good point aboutjoe biden coming here. lisa, the next question from jeff in leicestershire concerns greece. he says why are the smaller greek islands, which appear to be well vaccinated, not listed on the amber list, for example, crete, corfu and so on. that's really good question. this is one that we are all struggling with at the moment, these countries are on the amber list, but interestingly enough, the office dropped their advice on all but essential travel, as well as the canary islands just a couple of weeks ago, so they are saying they are safe

countries, they have got low rates of coronavirus, good vaccination and then you have got this amber list which is coming from the department for transport, and they are saying, "don't go there, don't go there on holidays." so it's a bit of worrying, you know, you can understand why consumers would be very confused when you have got these two different departments offering different types of advice. i think basically the idea is that the government doesn't really want any of us leaving the country beforejuly at the very earliest, and this is just one of the ways they are trying to encourage us not to travel by making it as difficult as possible. yes, there is difficult and then there is confusing, isn't there? the criticism from some quarters is that the amber list doesn't give clarity, although, ithink, really, although, i think, really, today at pmqs, we saw the prime minister trying to say amber means for exceptional circumstances only, it doesn't need to go and have a lovely holiday. was that absolutely your reading of that, lisa? that is exactly right. i think the problem with that is that this was only at the point when the traffic light system was finally announced

and we got those countries that that was then added in at the very last minute. the fact that leisure purposes would not be an acceptable reason to travel to an amber country. up until then, you know, tour operators, travel providers and consumers had been considering the fact that, ok, it's on the amber list, i might have to quarantine i might have to quarantine on my return, i might have to take some tests, but i'm going to be allowed to go, that should all be fine, you know, as a sort of double whammy, we were then told, "actually, this is the green list, and you really don't want you travelling to any other country." yes, lyn, chris king raises an issue which the thought of which fills me with horror and many of us, i'm sure, chris says what happens if you go on holiday to a country and it gets added to the red list while you are out there? oh, the thought of it. i know, the thought of it! and the simple answer is that nobody knows. it will depend on so many factors you know, which country it is, and whether the fcdo advice also

says that you shouldn't be there. so what you do need to do is check your insurance before you go, you know, because this is going to be happening, this will happen to people this year, so check your travel insurance. if necessary, ring them up and ask them the question, and also, check with the tour company or the travel agent that you have booked through. i think this is a year to not go it alone, you know, unless you really have to. i mean, do use a proper reputable tour operator or travel agent who has your interest at heart and who has a duty of care towards you. they will help you in that situation. but there are certainly insurance companies who are still saying, "yes, we will help you in those circumstances, so, just check out all the small print before you go. now more than ever, this is about really making sure not only that you have the right kind of insurances, but that they would pay out, i mean, some presumably don't. some don't.

this is where, you know, if you have got a policy that has been thrown in, for instance, you know, with your bank card or you know from your bank account or whatever, you might well find that it is very, very weak. you know, if this holiday is really important to you, this is when you need to make sure you have got the best possible policy to help you. yes, i can see lisa nodding through all of that. i mean, it really is an issue that unites both of you, unites a lot of people. lisa, another question from someone with a house abroad again. i guess there quite a few people this situation. richard in suffolk has a house in italy. "am i ok to go there? "because i wanted to do some

care and maintenance." and want to air the house and check the water pumps and so on. he'll obviously feels that's a legitimate reason for going, but what is the situation that he is in there? well, actually, it's different from spain because italy opened up its borders on may the 16th, and so technically, there is no issue of getting into italy at the moment. you have to have a pcr test before you get in 72 hours before, and some airports in italy are actually offering free testing on arrival. the issue again is what we have got this idea of an amber list country, and is what you are requiring, what you're going to do, is it required, is it necessary? it's not a leisure trip, you are not going there to have a holiday, even though you are going to your holiday home. if you are going there to take out essential maintenance, surely that would be something that would be covered, and what we have seen before ourselves is boris johnson's on father travelling to italy to do exactly that. yes, we have, haven't we? many people might remember that. alan has a question about some of the real specifics around this, because remember, even if people are travelling, there has got to be a lot of tests going on but you have to pay for. alan wants to know the specifics. "do you have to book and pay

for your day two and day eight covid tests before you leave the uk on your outbound journey?" perhaps good to know the specifics there. how does it actually work? strictly speaking, you don't need to pre—book before you leave the country, but you need to have pre—booked them before you come back into the country. so when you come back into the uk, you need to have proof that your tests are booked, pre—booked. now, anecdotally, i would also say that you should try and do it before you go, have those pre—bookings before you go so that there is no problem at all. whether you need to have actually paid for them, that will depend on who you have booked them with, but, yeah, i would strongly advise pre—book them before you go, and you definitely need to have pre—booked before you come back and. ok, everyone needs to be aware of the specifics around all about, don't they, if they are leaving the uk? now, here is a question from marlene. from maureen. this brings up the point of people trying to travel through multiple countries, because we think ofjust going to one country,

going there for whatever reason. my goodness, maureen is attempting quite a journey. lisa, she says they are meant to be going through euro tunnel on the 1st of august because they are going to bulgaria. she says, "we have had our vaccinations," but here is the list of countries they are travelling through, because they are driving, france, belgium, germany, austria, hungary, romania and then bulgaria. "what restrictions are we likely to face of the borders? "how long have we got?" how long have we got? honestly, this is such a loaded question, because we simply don't have any idea right now, and in terms of that you countries and in terms of the eu countries involved in thatjourney, they have indicated that fully vaccinated brits will be allowed into the eu once they have their own digital health system working and that there will be a date coming quite soon that we will be able to enter, but there is a caveat to that, because if you read that information carefully, it says individual countries have a right to say if the uk government won't let our citizens in without quarantine,

which will be the case for all of the amber countries on the list at the moment, then they are within their rights to put their own quarantine in place in response, basically trying to say that, really, this has to be unilateral, this has to be a unilateral agreement between eu, all of those countries and britain. so, it really is a very testing time at the moment. i couldn't say with any great certainty that you would be able to, you know, travel with real eased through all of those countries at the but watch this space in the coming weeks and months, we may get a clearer picture of what is going to be happening. it depends on much is booked and paid for. i am not trying to pass judgment on marine's plans, and this might be something really exciting for her that has been in the diary for a very, very long time, but i'm interested lisa, whether you would risk right now trying to get through as many countries as that in the current climate? in the current climate, i would say it's a real challenge. ijust came back from a one

night trip to portugal, i was on that first flight out to lisbon on monday. the number of tests that were required, the number of forms that needed to be filled in, it is really important to understand that the passenger locator form you have to fill in to get back into the uk, you have to put your reference number, your booking reference number for those tests. so you have to have that number on there. the uk government can come down hard on you if you haven't got that number on that farm. so there is so much that you have to consider to then think about doing all of the multiple different countries and their different requirements, that is meant to be quite a challenge. yes, well, goodness, maureen, good luck. lyn, a question for you from debbie talking about going to france. she says, "we have holiday booked to paris in september. it's already been pushed back once. we were meant to be going last september. "are we likely to be able to go?" crystal ball time. it is impossible to say, isn't it? it's a bit like saying can i have a weekend

in london in september? i mean, i would say there is a very strong chance, very, very strong chance, but we haven't got crystal balls, and it really is like saying, "can i go to london? "can i go to edinburgh, can i go to cardiff for a weekend in september?" so, i would say it's at least 90% likely, debbie, fingers crossed, and i think we will see an awful lot of europe open up over the summer, more and more people can vaccinated and so on, so, yeah, hopefully. again, check your insurances, check your policies, all the things that we were talking about previously. let's have another quick word about testing, actually, because we talked about pcr testings and what you have to book when. lisa, susanna gupta would like to know about families travelling with children. this is a good point. "will children under the age of 11 have to be tested? "and if you have got children in your group who are over the age of 11 and therefore are getting tested regularly at school, will they still require a pcr test?" so what are the rules

around children? again, you've got two different versions that you have to think about. actually entering a country and what you are required to do on your return. now, at the moment, if you take portugal as an example, every child over the age of two has to have a negative covert test to get into the country. that, you know, there is lateral flow test they are taking and they won't be considered acceptable for that. it has to be a proper gold standard pcr test. when you come back into the country, so, at the moment, coming in from a green list country coming up to take a test on day two. uk government says the children under the age of four are no longer required, they don't have to take that test. anybody over the age of four will have to. now, you would hope that with the children having so many tests being done at school that there would be some access to a bit of leeway, but at the moment, that is not the case. you really are going to have

to really double check every destination you're going to over the testing requirements are on the way in and on the way back. the likes of cyprus and other amber list countires at the moment, but they are actually saying that children under the age of 12 don't have to take a pcr test to come in from a children over the age of 12 will. every different countries individually making its own mind up about this, and you do have to check before you go. we will really have to be on the ball, don't be? a final one for you, a question in relation to france. he says, "i'm aiming to fly to france," again, someone else with a holiday home, "because i need to visit my holiday home from the current advices against all but essential travel. does that mean i can fly to france?" so many second homes! i know, to be fair, more than i anticipated, but anyway. i guess if you have got a second home it's obviously particularly worrying because he will be worried about maintenance and so on. so, yes, you can go to france, it is on the amber list, and they certainly are

inviting people in. it is not illegal, but beacuse the foreign office advice is to not go unless it is essential travel, what it will mean is that any insurance will be invalidated if anything happens. now, i know quite a lot of second—home owners rightly or wrongly don't have insurance, but it is something to think about when you are booking your flights, what will happen if, you know, you are stuck or whatever. so, yes, you can go, it is certainly not a legal. ——so, yes, you can go, it is certainly not illlegal. and i guess that is coming through from these questions that if you do happen to have one, you probably haven't been there for a very long time and you would be worried leaving a property empty for that long, i guess, so that might explain why we have had quite a few like that. fantastic, both of you. as ever, thank you so much for all your thoughts. and the moral of the story, keep checking, keep checking and get good insurance. we will be talking to you again for sure.

thank you very much indeed. many thanks, thank you.

good afternoon, welcome to bbc news. i'm victoria derbyshire. here are the headlines. the prime minister defends his advice not travel to amber list countries on holiday, as labour accuses ministers of "confused and contradictory" messages. if he doesn't want people to travel to amber list countries, uif that's his position, he doesn't want them to travel to amber list countries, why has he made it easierfor them to do so? we're trying to move away from endlessly legislating for everything and to rely on guidance and asking people to do the right thing. meanwhile, eu ambassadors back plans to allow tourists who've had both their covid jabs to visit europe this summer. and as surge testing to stop the spread of coronavirus continues, the prime minister claims there is "increasing confidence" that vaccines are effective against the indian variant.