this is bbc news with the latest headlines. the health secretary, matt hancock, will respond this morning to a series of explosive claims by dominic cummings that he repeatedly lied to colleagues and the public during the covid crisis. i'm... i'm just off to drive forward the vaccine programme, and then i'll be going to the house of commons, and i'll answer questions there. thanks very much. we'll also hearfrom the prime minister, who was described as "unfit for the job" and responsible for tens of thousands of people dying unnecessarily — allegations the government denies. nobody, i think, could doubt for one moment that the prime minister was doing anything other than acting with the best of motives, with the information and the advice

that was available to him. what was your reaction to the accusations made by dominic cummings? let me know — on twitter, it's @annita—mcveigh, or #bbcyourquestions. police say they've rescued more than 570 children and made 1,100 hundred arrests, after a crackdown on county lines drug—dealing gangs. worries about a huge surge of patients — gps in england say they're facing some of the highest numbers recorded, as the country emerges from lockdown. ten years after the winterbourne view scandal, campaigners fear people with learning disabilities and autism are still facing abuse in long—stay hospitals. also coming up this hour: friends reunited — they're back, 17 years after the programme ended its run.

hello, good morning, welcome to bbc news. the health secretary, matt hancock, will — in an hour and a half — respond in detail to a series of explosive claims by the former downing street adviser dominic cummings, including that "tens of thousands of people died, who didn't need to die". mr cummings described the health secretary as "completely incapable of doing the job", that he repeatedly lied to colleagues and the public during the coronavirus pandemic, and should have been sacked on 15 to 20 occasions. and it was alleged mr hancock wrongly assured the prime minister that people in hospital would be tested for covid before being sent back to care homes.

a spokesman for mr hancock said, "we absolutely reject mr cummings�* claims about the health secretary." dominic cummings also made an extraordinary attack on the prime minister, saying that borisjohnson was "unfit for the job." at 10:30 this morning, mr hancock will respond to an urgent question in the house of commons from labour. we will bring you that life. this report from our political correspondent, damian grammaticas. the health secretary — today, he's facing uncomfortable scrutiny and difficult questions, demanding answers. i think that the secretary of state for health should have been fired for at least 15, 20 things, including lying to everybody in multiple occasions in meeting after meeting in the cabinet room, and publicly. one claim from dominic cummings was that matt hancock misled him by saying people would be tested for covid before being moved from hospitals to care homes. the government rhetoric was,

we put a shield around care homes and blah, blah, blah — it was complete nonsense. quite the opposite of putting a shield around them, we sent people with covid back to the care homes. he claimed matt hancock misled again, saying after the first wave that everyone who had needed treatment for covid received it. he knew that that was a lie, because he'd been briefed by the chief scientific adviser and the chief medical officer himself about the first peak. and we were told explicitly people did not get the treatment that they deserved. many people were left to die in horrific circumstances. mr speaker... mr cummings said the prime minister too was, in his opinion, unfit forthejob, claiming the government failed people and tens of thousands died who didn't need to die. to deal with a pandemic on this scale has been appallingly difficult. and we've, at every stage tried to minimise loss of life, to save lives, to protect the nhs, and we have followed the best scientific advice that we can, mr speaker. among mr cummings' other charges

were that when hospitals were running out of protective equipment, the health secretary tried to blame the chancellor and the nhs�* top boss. and he also claimed setting up a covid testing system had been complicated when matt hancock set a target of 100,000 tests a day — something he described as disgraceful behaviour that caused serious harm. matt hancock must come to the house of commons and explain what he did to protect care homes, because so many people did die in care homes. what he did to get the ppe to the front line. what he did on testing and tracing, because it didn't work, still doesn't work to this day. the health secretary's team last night dismissed the claims, saying he'd been working incredibly hard, in unprecedented circumstances, throughout the pandemic. well, i haven't seen the, er, this performance today in full. and instead, i've been dealing with getting the vaccination roll—out going, especially to over—30s, and saving lives.

i'll be giving a statement in the house of commons and i'll have more to say then. but dominic cummings too may have more to say. he shows no sign of letting up his criticisms. damian grammaticas, bbc news. well, matt hancock spoke briefly to reporters as he left home this morning. hello there. i'm just... i'm just off to drive forward the vaccine programme, and then i'll be going to the house of commons, and i'll answer questions there. thanks very much. let's get more from our chief political correspondent, adam fleming. good morning. matt hancock is due to appear before those two, to dominic cummings was talking to yesterday in a couple of weeks, but this urgent question from labour sees him having to offer up an explanation much sooner. , �* , ., ., sooner. yes, he'll be in parliament at the dispatch _ sooner. yes, he'll be in parliament at the dispatch box _ sooner. yes, he'll be in parliament at the dispatch box at _ sooner. yes, he'll be in parliament at the dispatch box at 10:30am - at the dispatch box at 10:30am answering questions from mps and he will do the same again but from the public and members of the media, a

televised press conference, this afternoon. and i suppose he will have to decide does he address all of these claims by dominic cummings head on and rebut them one by one or does he stick to the strategy the whole government has been pursuing so far, which is basically to ignore it and just carry on with the job, which is what the prime minister will be seen doing today when he visits a hospital and talks about the vaccine programme and the recovery from covid? in terms of what happens in the commons this morning, you can bet there will be a strong attack from labour and we got a preview from that from labour's deputy leader angela rayner. h0 deputy leader angela rayner. no minister who lies to the public, especially not with the consequences that we _ especially not with the consequences that we have, should be in their post _ that we have, should be in their post and — that we have, should be in their post and i_ that we have, should be in their post. and i believe that there are serious _ post. and i believe that there are serious allegations and that matt hancock — serious allegations and that matt hancock has to justify why we have ended _ hancock has to justify why we have ended up— hancock has to justify why we have ended up in these circumstances. i am absolutely devastated because my whole _ am absolutely devastated because my whole profession and vocation was care work. — whole profession and vocation was care work, that is why i became an

mp, because i wanted to see our most vulnerable. _ mp, because i wanted to see our most vulnerable, that war generation looked — vulnerable, that war generation looked after the way they looked after us — looked after the way they looked after us. and to know the government not only— after us. and to know the government not only didn't do it everything to protect— not only didn't do it everything to protect them but left them exposed to a deadly virus is unforgivable and he — to a deadly virus is unforgivable and he has _ to a deadly virus is unforgivable and he has to answer those questions loday~ _ and he has to answer those questions toda . . , and he has to answer those questions toda . ., , . , and he has to answer those questions toda. ., , . , today. clearly, dominic cummings was riaht today. clearly, dominic cummings was ri . ht at the today. clearly, dominic cummings was right at the heart _ today. clearly, dominic cummings was right at the heart of— today. clearly, dominic cummings was right at the heart of government, - right at the heart of government, borisjohnson's senior advisor for a time, so what he says simply cannot be dismissed. today, how is the government trying to frame its response? it government trying to frame its resnonse?_ government trying to frame its resonse? , , , , response? it is interesting because they almost — response? it is interesting because they almost don't _ response? it is interesting because they almost don't want _ response? it is interesting because they almost don't want to - response? it is interesting because they almost don't want to dignify . they almost don't want to dignify dominic cummings with the attention so even when government ministers are asked that sort of question, should we trust what he has got to say, does he not their responsibility, too? they don't even address it. so borisjohnson will be visiting hospital today and he will have meetings about dominic cummings and not addressing these individual claims by dominic cummings. what you do get, though, is government ministers rejecting the overall

thesis put forward by the prime minister's vormer advisor, which is tens of thousands of people died not because of the virus but because of the government's policy on the virus —— former. this is how communities secretary robertjenrick put it on the radio this morning. you secretary robert jenrick put it on the radio this morning.— secretary robert jenrick put it on the radio this morning. you have to remember — the radio this morning. you have to remember that _ the radio this morning. you have to remember that we _ the radio this morning. you have to remember that we didn't _ the radio this morning. you have to remember that we didn't have - the radio this morning. you have to remember that we didn't have all. the radio this morning. you have to | remember that we didn't have all of the facts _ remember that we didn't have all of the facts at — remember that we didn't have all of the facts at the time that the decisions were being taken, nobody i think could _ decisions were being taken, nobody i think could doubt for one moment that the _ think could doubt for one moment that the prime minister was doing anything — that the prime minister was doing anything other than acting with the best of— anything other than acting with the best of motives, with the information and the advice that was available _ information and the advice that was available to him. we learnt a lot as we went— available to him. we learnt a lot as we went along the road. at the very beginning _ we went along the road. at the very beginning of the pandemic, we didn't know n1uch— beginning of the pandemic, we didn't know much about this new virus, we didn't— know much about this new virus, we didn't know— know much about this new virus, we didn't know its true transmissibility amongst the asymptomatic.— transmissibility amongst the asymptomatic. about now, the communities _ asymptomatic. about now, the communities secretary - asymptomatic. about now, the communities secretary will. asymptomatic. about now, the communities secretary will be | communities secretary will be getting his vaccine because he has just become eligible for it. that is what the government would rather we were talking about, the success of the vaccine roll—out programme. however, ijust get the vaccine roll—out programme. however, i just get the feeling that

mammoth evidence session yesterday and all the questions raised and claims made have reopened some old but very deep wounds in all of this. adam, thank you very much, adam fleming. tobias ellwood is the conservative mp for bournemouth east, he served as a defence minister in theresa may's government. he also supported matt hancock in the party leadership contest that borisjohnson won. good morning, thank you for your time today. dominic cummings painted a picture yesterday of a government that was not operating with any sense of urgency about the pandemic, at the very beginning of last year. he describes seems like an out—of—control movie, that was a quote from him, when the government realised the scale of the problem —— it seems like. is there anything you recognise there? i it seems like. is there anything you recognise there?— it seems like. is there anything you recognise there? i don't, we need to aste this recognise there? i don't, we need to paste this into _ recognise there? i don't, we need to paste this into context, _ recognise there? i don't, we need to paste this into context, this - paste this into context, this government has had to suffer at the scale of an emergency not seen since

during the prime minister had an experience like churchill. in context, all countries were perhaps overwhelmed by the pace in which the transmission ripped across our country. we assumed that transmission rate would be similar to sars. that started in china, but we had less than a dozen cases here and we didn't require a vaccine. this was on a whole of the scale. what i would take away from what dominic cummings said, separating the score settling and that was clearly what much of yesterday was about, was that we didn't move to a warlike footing perhaps soon enough. you had departments who had already a lot of... suddenly, they had to deal with securing ppe and securing hospitals and providing the care home assistance as well, as well as getting vaccination programmes up and running, an awful lot going on. we had cabinet members very well intentioned but i am afraid mostly poorly equipped and not experienced to deal with the scale of this

pandemic, it took too long to get that strategic oversight in place. clearly, there are questions about the structure is raised yesterday, but he said that when the public needed as most, the government failed. you describe what dominic cummings was doing a score settling, but even if it was and we say there was an element of that, it doesn't absolve the government from answering some really tough questions about whether it actually took this seriously enough soon enough. took this seriously enough soon enou:h. ~ ~ enough. like i said, i think the world enough. like i said, ithink the world health _ enough. like i said, ithink the world health organization - enough. like i said, i think the i world health organization didn't declare this a pandemic until well into the middle of march. and absolutely, we were caught out along with many other countries in europe. very difficult decision to lock down a country, we are not an authoritarian regime. that was made very difficult indeed. also going back to what dominic cummings said, it is a real privilege to work in the heart of government as he did.

he was a very, very powerful individual there and if he was so upset with what was going on, perhaps he should have resigned earlier. you should also allow those people working and trying to make the best decisions to be able to speak freely, perhaps the best decisions to be able to speakfreely, perhaps making the best decisions to be able to speak freely, perhaps making sure they are not going to have everything written down which could be misquoted or quoted at a later date. that diminishes the competence of the number 10 regime and i was rather sad to see things quoted it and pictures taken of whiteboards, thatis and pictures taken of whiteboards, that is not how number 10 should work. there is collective responsibility, you need to be able to argue the issues and once you have made a decision, you stand by it. g, have made a decision, you stand by it. . , , , have made a decision, you stand by it. , , it. a premise to's questions yesterday — it. a premise to's questions yesterday when _ it. a premise to's questions yesterday when keir - it. a premise to's questionsl yesterday when keir starmer it. a premise to's questions - yesterday when keir starmer put claims to borisjohnson, the prime minister did not respond be saying they will be dealt with beyond next year's inquiry and the government was getting on with delivering on people's priorities. do you except for the families of the tens of thousands of people who died and

many others, the priority is having inquiry as soon as possible so that lessons might be learnt from it? == lessons might be learnt from it? -- prime minister's questions. we do need that inquiry, the prime minister has made that clear, and there are lessons to be learnt and many of the questions yesterday will be brought up. matt hancock is making a statement today as well coincidently, i think there will be a press conference as well, so more opportunity to scrutinise what is going on. i think it was very good of my chair colleagues, greg clarke and jeremy hunt, to start the inquisition, if you like, as to what went wrong, absolutely for the families who have been bereaved and effected by this. but ultimately, lessons have been learnt, too much was going on for number 10 to muster at the beginning, but now we see a vaccine taskforce, nadhim zahawi, being separated from their dayjobs and focusing on a particular operational delivery. and that has been excellent to see that rolled out, a fantastic effort. this

been excellent to see that rolled out, a fantastic effort.— out, a fantastic effort. as we mentioned — out, a fantastic effort. as we mentioned in _ out, a fantastic effort. as we mentioned in the _ out, a fantastic effort. as we | mentioned in the introduction out, a fantastic effort. as we - mentioned in the introduction you supported matt hancock in the leadership contest that dominic cummings —— borisjohnson won, dominic cummings saying that hancock was completely incapable of doing the job and should have was completely incapable of doing thejob and should have been was completely incapable of doing the job and should have been fired on multiple occasions. again, this comes back to you, asking you, do you recognise any of the descriptions you are hearing yesterday about this particular individual, matt hancock? i yesterday about this particular individual, matt hancock? i don't auree individual, matt hancock? i don't agree with _ individual, matt hancock? i don't agree with that, _ individual, matt hancock? i don't agree with that, matt _ individual, matt hancock? i don't agree with that, matt hancock i individual, matt hancock? i don't agree with that, matt hancock is| individual, matt hancock? i don't - agree with that, matt hancock is one of the hardest working cabinet members we have had, a huge responsibility he had, very difficult decision making. this would have tested any government. have you ever known him to lie? trio. have you ever known him to lie? no, i haven't, have you ever known him to lie? no, i haven't. not— have you ever known him to lie? no, i haven't. not at _ have you ever known him to lie? no, i haven't, not at all— have you ever known him to lie? iifr, i haven't, not at all ever and that is why i don't really want to get involved in this score settling, comments were made. it is a distraction away from the very wide element that absolutely we do need to learn from. still far from out of this pandemic yet, the engine variant reminds us that there is still a long way to go. {lilia

variant reminds us that there is still a long way to go. 0k, tobias ellwood mp, _ still a long way to go. 0k, tobias ellwood mp, thank _ still a long way to go. 0k, tobias ellwood mp, thank you _ still a long way to go. 0k, tobias ellwood mp, thank you for - still a long way to go. 0k, tobias ellwood mp, thank you for your l still a long way to go. 0k, tobias . ellwood mp, thank you for your time today. some of your thoughts on what dominic cummings had to say yesterday. this is, there has to be more than a grain of truth in cummings revelations, no one could keep the light going so consistently for seven hours. this is another one, dominic cummings is clearly telling the truth, isn't that what johnson and others told us after barnard castle after all? do send me your thoughts on what you heard yesterday and what do you think of all of that. you can do that on twitter using the hashtag. everyone in northern ireland over the age of 18 is now able to book a covid—19 vaccination. it's the first part of the uk to offer a vaccine to all its adult population. the department of health said vaccine supplies were limited and, initially, there would be about 20,000 slots available weekly. the limit is to help manage the availability of the pfizer vaccine, after regulators said under—40s should be given an alternative

to the astrazeneca vaccine. we will talk to our ireland correspondent emma vardy about that later this hour. the headlines on bbc news... the health secretary, matt hancock, is preparing to face mps to address criticisms of his work during the pandemic. we'll also hearfrom the prime minister — who was described as "unfit for the job" and responsible for tens of thousands of people dying unnecessarily. police say they've rescued more than 570 children and made eleven hundred arrests — after a crackdown on county lines drug—dealing gangs. let's pick up with that story. police say they rescued more than 570 children during a week of operations against county lines drugs gangs across england, wales and scotland. they also made more than 100 arrests. county line gangs are urban

drug dealers who sell to customers in more rural areas via dedicated phone lines. angus crawford reports. holly, the sniffer dog, is busy looking for drugs... how much have you got there? is that a couple of grams? ..and the young people used to move them around the uk. police forces across the country, even here on the railways, are targeting county lines. they're looking for drugs, weapons, money. but what they really want to find are the children being exploited by these criminal gangs. how old are you? in a week of action across england, wales and scotland, police say they safeguarded more than 570 children involved in the trade. we know that young people are involved in this. but we haven't criminalised many of those. we don't seek to criminalise young people. what we do is, we criminalise young people as a last resort, because we see them as victims. so, i was about ten, 11 in youth court.

like rhys, selling drugs when he should have been in primary school. i then started getting into trouble. now a youth worker, helping children take a different path. so, when they've got you in there, you know, it can be simple things, threats of violence, you know, threatening your family members, your siblings. you're trapped in that stage, and there's no way — once you're in it, you're in it, really, and that's why we try to get to these young people before they're in it. how old are you, boys? two teenagers stopped in northampton with drugs and a knife. you're not missing, are you? later, one is found to be bruised and scarred. boys, you're both going to be detained for stop—search. he had ligature marks around his neck, hand marks around his throat, and he also had welts on his back from whatever other gang member he was aligned to up in birmingham. so, they'd been punishing him? clearly, yeah. forcing him to work? i believe so. there are fears, too,

the pandemic has made things worse. more children missing school, making them even more vulnerable. and so, the work goes on... police! ..searching for the dealers and the children they prey on. angus crawford, bbc news. gps in england have told the bbc they're facing a tsunami of patients , as the country emerges from lockdown. nhs figures show more than 28 million appointments were made in march ? one of the highest on record. the royal college of gps is warning that without urgent resources, they will no longer be able to meet patient demand. here's our health correspondent, dominic hughes. every day, i wake up thinking, is this the day that i'm not going to be able to do it any more? the start of another busy day... write, phone lines are open now. right, phone lines are open now.

we need to get cracking with the day's work. ..and dr dean eggitt is already feeling the pressure. it's 8:30, bang on the dot, which is great. which means that i can start consulting now. i've got one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine patients waiting. hello. good morning. it's dean, dr eggitt speaking. are you still seeing the guys at the hospital? the easing of lockdown has released a huge amount of pent—up demand from patients needing help, many of them with multiple complex health problems. i've never experienced anything with the workload pressures that i've got at the moment, the number of patients i've got. the complexity of the patients i've got. and the mental intensity of the workload. people are incredibly sick. is this how you saw your career? did you know that this would be the kind of pressure you worked under? people can't see what we're doing. so they think we're sat here twiddling our thumbs when, actually, we're sat here holding our head in her hands, thinking, how are we going to cope through the day? there's this hidden demand and a hidden workload

nobody ever gets to see. are you 0k to take a call back this morning? in reception, phones are ringing constantly as patients try to get an appointment. busier than ever. i can still hear the phone ringing when i go to bed. but dr eggitt worries about those who can't get through. in medicine, we are taught not to worry about the people who shout, but the people who can't shout. but in the nhs, they don't even get a voice. they don't get on the phone, they don't get through to us. they are just unheard. some people simply can't be assessed over the phone. do you want us to just keep an eye on you and keep you fit, rather than do anything... ? that is right. 0k. a 97—year—old patient with worrying symptoms needs a house call. this is one of those circumstances where you really need to see the patient face—to—face? yeah, absolutely. there are several reasons why we need to see the patient face—to—face. first of all, we need to lay hands on the patient to help make the diagnosis. but secondly, because we are talking about something so serious, you need the human touch. i'm just making sure it's not damaged. back at the surgery,

the appointments are put on hold. mitchell has walked in with a nasty cut above his eye. i'm going to stitch you back up. this minor surgery keeps mitchell out of a&e, but adds to the time pressures the doctor already faces. the nhs has always been pretty constant. instead of that massive winter peak and summer lull, you still have the winter peak, but you don't have the summer lull. you have that constant work. so the ability to catch up is gone. that was before covid. then covid hit. then it is just peak, peak, peak all the time. the department of health and social care in england says extra funding is available to help gps, and there is a commitment to expanding the workforce and delivering more appointments. i adore myjob. i think i'm 0k at it. and i'm glad i make a difference with my patients. what i need is the system to help me be better than i am. that was our health correspondent, dominic hughes, reporting there.

lets speak to now to professor martin marshall, who is chair of the royal college of gps and works as an east london gp. also, helen cowley, who has struggled to get gp appointments and worries the situation could get worse. thank you both very much for your time today. professor marshall, firstly, really interesting hearing the doctor in that report saying it is peak after peak and he wants the system to help him better. how does the system do that? i system to help him better. how does the system do that?— the system do that? i think the doctor's description _ the system do that? i think the doctor's description of - the system do that? i think the doctor's description of what - the system do that? i think the doctor's description of what it | the system do that? i think the | doctor's description of what it is like to be a gp at the moment is spot—on and many of the 40,000 gps around the country are having very similar experiences. notjust with the increased numbers of consultations we are having to deal with in general practice, but also the increased complexity, our contribution to looking after patients on waiting lists in hospitals and of course our contribution to the vaccination programme as well. so there are a

number of things we need to do about this. some of them are relatively small things, reducing bureaucracy to give us more time to look after patients, investment in things like better telephone systems help. but fundamentally, wejust better telephone systems help. but fundamentally, we just don't have enough gps to look after the need and the demand we are experiencing in general practice and that is a crisis. ~ . ., in general practice and that is a crisis. ~ .., . ,, ., in general practice and that is a crisis. ~ . ,, ., ., crisis. we will come back to that oint in crisis. we will come back to that point in a _ crisis. we will come back to that point in a minute, _ crisis. we will come back to that point in a minute, but _ crisis. we will come back to that point in a minute, but let- crisis. we will come back to that point in a minute, but let me . crisis. we will come back to that i point in a minute, but let me bring in helen. thanks for talking to us today. tell us about your experience trying to get an appointment recently with your gp. it is trying to get an appointment recently with your gp.- recently with your gp. it is a nightmare- _ recently with your gp. it is a nightmare. it _ recently with your gp. it is a nightmare. it was _ recently with your gp. it is a nightmare. it was bad - recently with your gp. it is a | nightmare. it was bad before recently with your gp. it is a - nightmare. it was bad before covid, but now— nightmare. it was bad before covid, but now since covid, it has got a lot worse — but now since covid, it has got a lot worse. you ring up at eight o'clock— lot worse. you ring up at eight o'clock as _ lot worse. you ring up at eight o'clock as you are told that is when you can _ o'clock as you are told that is when you can get — o'clock as you are told that is when you can get the appointments and there _ you can get the appointments and there is— you can get the appointments and there is an — you can get the appointments and there is an engaged tone so it takes about— there is an engaged tone so it takes about 40 _ there is an engaged tone so it takes about 40 minutes, with luck, to get through _ about 40 minutes, with luck, to get through. and when you do get through. — through. and when you do get through, you are told there are no appointments left. with my experience, i had a problem that went— experience, i had a problem that went on— experience, i had a problem that went on for— experience, i had a problem that went on for a month and i literally feel that _

went on for a month and i literally feel that if— went on for a month and i literally feel that if i had got seen, it would — feel that if i had got seen, it would have been solved quicker. my problem _ would have been solved quicker. my problem wasn't severe, but ijust feel horrendous for those people out there that _ feel horrendous for those people out there that have got some really bad problems— there that have got some really bad problems and they are not getting it solved _ problems and they are not getting it solved and _ problems and they are not getting it solved and seen. it isjust weird because — solved and seen. it isjust weird because we went to see a dentist so why can't— because we went to see a dentist so why can't we see the gp? | because we went to see a dentist so why can't we see the gp?— why can't we see the gp? i think on one occasion. _ why can't we see the gp? i think on one occasion, you _ why can't we see the gp? i think on one occasion, you tried _ why can't we see the gp? i think on one occasion, you tried calling - why can't we see the gp? i think on one occasion, you tried calling 200| one occasion, you tried calling 200 times, is that correct? it one occasion, you tried calling 200 times, is that correct?— times, is that correct? it was an enuuaed times, is that correct? it was an engaged tone — times, is that correct? it was an engaged tone yes, _ times, is that correct? it was an engaged tone yes, 200 - times, is that correct? it was an engaged tone yes, 200 times i times, is that correct? it was an i engaged tone yes, 200 times with times, is that correct? it was an - engaged tone yes, 200 times with the engaged _ engaged tone yes, 200 times with the engaged tone yes, 200 times with the engaged tone alone and then 40 nrinutes— engaged tone alone and then 40 minutes before i actually got through— minutes before i actually got through to speak to the receptionist.— through to speak to the receptionist. through to speak to the recetionist. ., ., receptionist. you obviously are frustrated _ receptionist. you obviously are frustrated by _ receptionist. you obviously are frustrated by that. _ receptionist. you obviously are frustrated by that. but - receptionist. you obviously are frustrated by that. but do - receptionist. you obviously are frustrated by that. but do you | receptionist. you obviously are i frustrated by that. but do you feel the frustration, the person you need to direct that at is your gp, or do you understand gps are under enormous pressure now? yes, i do understand — enormous pressure now? yes, i do understand that, _ enormous pressure now? yes, i do understand that, we _ enormous pressure now? yes, i do understand that, we all _ enormous pressure now? yes, i doj understand that, we all understand that, _ understand that, we all understand that, but— understand that, we all understand that, but this happens to me when

the easing — that, but this happens to me when the easing of lockdown was happening, not during the lockdown. during _ happening, not during the lockdown. during the _ happening, not during the lockdown. during the lockdown, i didn't really rin- during the lockdown, i didn't really ring up— during the lockdown, i didn't really ring up because i thought, oh, well, iwill— ring up because i thought, oh, well, i will sort _ ring up because i thought, oh, well, i will sort it — ring up because i thought, oh, well, i will sort it myself. i think that is what — i will sort it myself. i think that is what a — i will sort it myself. i think that is what a lot of people have done. professor — is what a lot of people have done. professor marshall, picking up what helen is saying, that is obvious in what is causing out this predicted tsunami of patients, people who did not want to make an appointment during lockdown. but the picture that helen is painting, are a lot of gps saying to you, we recognise we have a lot of frustrated patients trying to get through to make appointments and they simply can't? yes, absolutely and it is deeply frustrating for gps and i am sorry to hear about helen's experience, she is not alone and many patients are experiencing similar problems however hard gps are driving to manage the problem. like doctor eggert, you train to do a good job, you know what you want to do to provide a good service for your patience, but you are unable to do

so simply because demand is outstripping supply. it is deeply frustrating and many gps say, how long can i carry on like this? a growing number of gps are working part and a growing number of gps are retiring early because that is the only way they can retain their own health and that causes a spiral and increases the depth of the crisis we are facing. find increases the depth of the crisis we are facina. . , ., ., , , are facing. and frustrating for gps to battle against _ are facing. and frustrating for gps to battle against the _ are facing. and frustrating for gps to battle against the message - are facing. and frustrating for gps| to battle against the message that they are somehow not open because they are somehow not open because they have been open throughout, but if people have been worried about making appointments, well, i guess thatis making appointments, well, i guess that is not much they can do about that is not much they can do about that except to try to reassure patients that they were there and to offer phone appointments, online appointments. in terms of building up appointments. in terms of building up the workforce, and we head again in the report the government is saying it has a commitment to excreting and expanding the workforce, clearly, that takes time to train up new doctors. how much of a shortfall do you see imminently in

the gp workforce?— the gp workforce? there is a significant — the gp workforce? there is a significant shortfall - the gp workforce? there is a significant shortfall and - the gp workforce? there is a - significant shortfall and government is right that they have understood that there is a crisis here and they are trying to respond to it. in the election manifesto in 2019, they committed to recruiting 6,000 full—time equivalent general practitioners into the workforce, we are now two years into the five year plan and only about 400 extra gps have been recruited. so government has got the message, we need more clinicians in general practice. but they simply are not doing enough in order to address the problem at pace and that is a major problem.- and that is a ma'or problem. helen, i am sure and that is a ma'or problem. helen, i am you — and that is a major problem. helen, i am sure you would _ and that is a major problem. helen, i am sure you would welcome - and that is a major problem. helen, i am sure you would welcome more | and that is a major problem. helen, - i am sure you would welcome more gps out there able to offer the sort of appointments you under the patients might need. where you offered anything like a bone appointment or anything like a bone appointment or an online appointment to help you? yes, i did get a phone appointment and i_ yes, i did get a phone appointment and i did _ yes, i did get a phone appointment and i did speak to the gp in the

end _ and i did speak to the gp in the end but— and i did speak to the gp in the end. but sometimes, i think some things. _ end. but sometimes, i think some things. the — end. but sometimes, i think some things, the gp cannot diagnose without— things, the gp cannot diagnose without actually seeing the patient. and if— without actually seeing the patient. and if people are not vocal, maybe they can't — and if people are not vocal, maybe they can't get their point across to their— they can't get their point across to their symptoms, things are going on undiagnosed. sol their symptoms, things are going on undiagnosed. so i think the doctors do need _ undiagnosed. so i think the doctors do need to— undiagnosed. so i think the doctors do need to start seeing the patients again~ _ do need to start seeing the patients again i_ do need to start seeing the patients again. i understand that they are really— again. i understand that they are really busy and there is probably a backlog, _ really busy and there is probably a backlog, but for patients, it is 'ust backlog, but for patients, it is just really— backlog, but for patients, it is just really frustrating.- just really frustrating. helen cowle , just really frustrating. helen cowley, thank _ just really frustrating. helen cowley, thank you _ just really frustrating. helen cowley, thank you very - just really frustrating. helen | cowley, thank you very much just really frustrating. helen - cowley, thank you very much for talking to us and professor martin marshall, chair of the royal college of gps, thank you for your time as well. before the weather one story to bring you. eric carle — the author of one of the best—loved children's books — the very hungry caterpillar — has died aged 91. first published in 1969, the book was one of the all—time best—selling publications for young children and has sold more than 50—million copies, becoming the writer's most famous piece of work.

now it's time for a look at the weather with sarah keith lucas. hello. we've got a bank holiday weekend just around the corner now and the weather is looking quite optimistic. some warmer and some drier weather on the cards over the next couple of days. today, dry for most of us. certainly feeling warmer than it has been. we have got some rain out towards the west. that will be more a player through the day tomorrow. but for today, plenty of sunshine around. a little bit more cloud just pushing in for parts of cornwall, northern ireland as well. but in the warmest spots, up to about 20 degrees or so, just a little bit cooler round some of these north sea coasts. into this evening and tonight, then, the cloud and rain works in from the west, so some patchy outbreaks of rain around these irish sea coasts. clear and dry out towards the east, but it won't be as cold as last night, with temperatures between 6—11 . now, through the day tomorrow, then, best of the sunshine in the far north—east of scotland, parts of eastern england too. a little bit cloudier and damper further west as well. temperatures around about 13 to 19 degrees, but expecting to turn brighter,

sunnier and warmer as we head through the weekend. bye for now. hello this is bbc news. the headlines: the health secretary, matt hancock, is preparing to face mps to address criticisms of his work during the pandemic. we'll also hearfrom the prime minister — who was described as "unfit for the job" and responsible for tens of thousands of people dying unnecessarily. police say they've rescued more than 570 children and made 1,100 arrests — after a crackdown on county lines drug dealing gangs. doctors in england are warning rising numbers of patients and a shortage of gps is threatening to overwhelm the system — as the country emerges from lockdown. ten years after the winterbourne view scandal, campaigners say they fear people with learning disabilities and autism are still facing abuse in long—stay hospitals.

sport and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, here's mike bushell. i love a penalty shoot out, i don't always football, and 21 penalties at manchester united villareal, a game. good morning...|t was supposed to be night of european glory for manchester united, but it ended in heartbreak — brought down to earth by the spanish side, villareal, who got their first taste of european glory. it was decided by a marathon penalty shoot out, which was decided by the goalkeepers. 0lly foster reports from gdansk. and villareal. everything pointed towards manchester united rethink

their trophy duck, but that the end of a extraordinary game they were left dejected. villareal, veterans of the second—tier european competition finally conquering eight. competition finally conquering eiaht. ., �* , competition finally conquering eiaht. ., �*, ., .. ,, eight. now, it's not as successful. that is the — eight. now, it's not as successful. that is the fine _ eight. now, it's not as successful. that is the fine margin _ eight. now, it's not as successful. that is the fine margin in - eight. now, it's not as successful. that is the fine margin in football. sometimes one kick can define a season as a good one or as a successful one and one click service at not. :: :: :: successful one and one click service at not. $1 $1 $1 ., , successful one and one click service at not. :: :: :: ., , ., successful one and one click service at not. i: i: i: ., , ., ., ., at not. 2000 fans had navigated covid-19 obstacles _ at not. 2000 fans had navigated covid-19 obstacles to _ at not. 2000 fans had navigated covid-19 obstacles to get - at not. 2000 fans had navigated covid-19 obstacles to get to - at not. 2000 fans had navigated covid-19 obstacles to get to the | covid—19 obstacles to get to the match but could only watch their defence fail to deal with a free kick. a better half saw the equaliser. the comeback should have been completed by marcus rashford. he knew straightaway how costly that could be. as extra time came and went, there was only one way to decide it. that was no ordinary shoot—out. 20 perfect penalties. the goalkeepers took central stage. he

took his place in goal to save. this is the reaction from fans watching in manchester. it is the reaction from fans watching in manchester.— is the reaction from fans watching in manchester. .., ., ., ., in manchester. it came down to that. rel in: on in manchester. it came down to that. relying on the _ in manchester. it came down to that. relying on the keeper _ in manchester. it came down to that. relying on the keeper taking - in manchester. it came down to that. relying on the keeper taking a - relying on the keeper taking a penalty, last kick of the season, we need to be winning trophies. brute penalty, last kick of the season, we need to be winning trophies. we did not offer need to be winning trophies. we did rrot offer as — need to be winning trophies. we did not offer as much _ need to be winning trophies. we did not offer as much as _ need to be winning trophies. we did not offer as much as we _ need to be winning trophies. we did not offer as much as we should - need to be winning trophies. we did | not offer as much as we should have coming _ not offer as much as we should have coming forward. the forwards didn't show— coming forward. the forwards didn't show uo _ coming forward. the forwards didn't show up. these players that we look for. show up. these players that we look for they _ show up. these players that we look for they are — show up. these players that we look for. they are not showing up in the finals _ for. they are not showing up in the finals and — for. they are not showing up in the finals and that's what we need. we do need _ finals and that's what we need. we do need that. finals and that's what we need. we do need that-— do need that. united have left poland. their _ do need that. united have left poland. their season - do need that. united have left poland. their season is - do need that. united have left poland. their season is over. | do need that. united have left i poland. their season is over. for the fans returning home they have a period of quarantine to look forward to, time to reflect on what is the longest spell for the club without a trophy in over 30 years. sadly, one of the big talking points this morning, is the on—line racial abuse targeted at marcus rashford after united's defeat. he posted this on twitter "at least 70 racial slurs on my social accounts counted so far.

for those working, to make me feel any worse than i already do, good luck trying" . and manchester united followed up with "following the europa league final, our players were subjected to disgraceful racist abuse. if you see any form of abuse, or discrimination, act and report it. the great britain women's squad for the tokyo 0lympics has been named and 11 manchester city players are included. among them, england captain steph houghton, who was part of the side at london 2012. wales skipper sophie ingle is also in the line—up, one of only three non—english players in a squad of 18. britain's simon yates has given himself an outside chance of winning the giro d'italia with four stages to go. he's now third overall, after gaining nearly a minute on the leader, eegan bernal, but he's still got, more than three minutes, to make up. ireland's dan martin won stage 16 — that gives him stage wins at all three grand tours.

tennis star, naomi 0saka, says she won't be taking questions from the media, at the upcoming french open, because of the impact on the mental health of players. the four—time grand slam champion, says expecting them to talk after a defeat, amounted to "kicking a person while they're down" and added "we're asked questions, that bring doubt into our minds and i'm just not going to subject myself, to people that doubt me." she said she expected to receive a considerable fine, which she hopes will go to a mental health charity. that's all the sport for now. doing a press conference after a match is part of the guidelines the sign up to. that's all the sport for now. time for comments about dominic cummings. this message says that the

cummings. this message says that the cummings man is a disc disgruntled employee and he was annoyed at their professional civil service and their role to deliver an effective public service. this message says everybody makes mistakes, someone has to take responsibility and not pass it on and that is how we learn about trust. another message said how do we ever get to the position to decide which person from the government is more trustworthy? another message said brits and east asia have seen closed borders to keep the virus out and there was no excuse for britain to do the same and they are making the same mistakes again. this message says 100% leave that dominic cummings. another message says that a system that ends up giving the water a choice between borisjohnson and jeremy corbyn, bang on. there is one

more. the uk deserves a public independent enquiry without dearly into the pandemic. thank you for those thoughts. keep them coming to me on twitter and we shall try to read out some more of your reactions. campaigners say they fear that people with learning disabilities and autism are still facing abuse in long stay hospitals which the government promised would close years ago. ten years after the bbc s panorama programme exposed the mistreatment of patients at winterbourne view private hospital, targets to shut all similar hospitals down have been missed and the latest nhs digital figures show there are 2,040 people still living in such institutions. here s our social affairs correspondent, alison holt. the images were deeply upsetting. undercover bbc panorama filming showed people with learning disabilities and autism being bullied and abused. that was ten years ago.

government promises followed that all places like winterbourne view hospital would close in england with better support provided for patients in the community. winterbourne view has shut, but today, more than 2000 people still live in similar institutions, among them, elliott. he was taken to a specialist hospital when he had a crisis. three years later, he is still there to the distress of his sister. he says, this is not my home, this is not my hospital. when am i coming home? and you are kind of fobbing him off, you cannot give him a direct answer to say you are coming home in august. because giving him that guarantee and that not happening is difficult. the charity mencap has calculated that since 2015, an average of four people have been admitted to these hospitals each day. and since 2018, when data was first collected on restrictive practices,

patients have been restrained, drugged or held in isolation more than 100,000 times. anna's son simon faced some of the most distressing abuse at winterbourne view. she feels let down that government promises did not mean change. they failed their own targets and i find that astonishing because we were talking at the highest possible level of government. and those changes did not happen. people did not come out of units and people continue to go in them. the government and nhs england have said the number of people with learning disabilities and autism in specialist hospitals has reduced significantly. and that providing more support in the community is a priority. alison holt, bbc news. more now on everyone in northern ireland over the age i will be talking later to the chief executive of mencap and also to a

mother whose daughter spent four years at that hospital. more now on everyone in northern ireland over the age of 18 being able to now book a covid—19 vaccination. it's the first part of the uk to offer a vaccine to all its adult population. let's speak to our correspondent emma vardy. good morning. 0bviously, good morning. obviously, the roll out of the vaccine programme has been going really well for northern ireland to reach this point first. update has been high in northern ireland. 1 million people now have their first dose, 70% of the adult population, as you say, now over 18 is from eight o'clock this morning can't call and book their appointments. however, it looks like an younger age groups, only 50% of people over 30 have had the vaccination. they are not sure why it has slowed down, attitudes towards the vaccines in younger age groups may be different. the health

minister has urged people to get booked end. it is a milestone for northern ireland. urging people, the more people we get vaccinated, the quicker life and it will be interesting to see what they demand as from the 18—year—olds and over if their two—year—olds and over have been more reticent the vaccination programme. there is a supply and demand issue here as well in terms of the visor vaccine. exactly. most people had the astrazeneca vaccine but they said recently under 40s will be given the visor vaccine because of that link with very rare blood clots. they also have the option to have the astrazeneca if they want to. there has been the focus on these vaccines throughout the pandemic and it is a huge issue and people have different opinions. it is not clear how quickly the update will be in the

younger age groups. it is a bit of an attitude that people are not as worried about covid—19 an younger age groups. an older age groups, almost 100% of over 70—year—olds in northern ireland have been vaccinated. we have bought seven big vaccine centres, a big concert venue in belfast, when you go past, you can see the tears.— in belfast, when you go past, you can see the tears. how is northern ireland can see the tears. how is northern lreland doing _ can see the tears. how is northern ireland doing in _ can see the tears. how is northern ireland doing in terms _ can see the tears. how is northern ireland doing in terms of _ ireland doing in terms of transmission at the moment and hospitalisation?— transmission at the moment and hositalisation? , , ., . hospitalisation? numbers are so much lower than the — hospitalisation? numbers are so much lower than the massive _ hospitalisation? numbers are so much lower than the massive peak _ hospitalisation? numbers are so much lower than the massive peak over i lower than the massive peak over christmas and overwinter. there has been a statistic that people were celebrating, seven consecutive days with no covered 19 deaths. another milestone for northern ireland and people pointed to that as a success. you very much.

france has become the latest european country to introduce restrictions on uk travellers, because of the spread of the indian variant of coronavirus. from sunday, all passengers arriving in france must quarantine for seven days. last week, germany imposed a two—week quarantine on uk arrivals, while austria has banned direct uk flights from the first ofjune. more than five million people in australia's second—biggest city — melbourne — will enter a week—long lockdown on thursday to contain a new coronavirus outbreak. at least 26 people have tested positive after several months of almost no community transmission in the country. officials are blaming a sluggish vaccine rollout and a leak from a quarantine hotel. the lockdown was announced by the acting leader of victoria state james merlino: we are dealing with the highly infectious strain of the virus, a variant running faster than we have

ever recorded. as of first thing this morning, we have intensified... from first thing this morning, we have identified an excess of 10,000 primary and secondary contacts who will to either quarantine or taste in and isolate and that number will continue to grow and change. chinese officials have warned that efforts to discover the exact origin of the coronavirus must not be politicised. it comes after president biden ordered a fresh investigation by the us intelligence agencies into the emergence of covid—19. in recent weeks, the theory that the virus could have emerged from a laboratory in china has been gaining momentum. that idea has always been strongly disputed by beijing. the chinese foreign ministry rebuts the claims some people in the us are spreading conspiracy theories and disinformation such as laboratory leaks. this is a dexterous respectful approach to the spirit

and the findings of the who expert team. and undermines the global struggle to conquer the virus. the headlines on bbc news... the health secretary, matt hancock, is preparing to face mps to address criticisms of his work during the pandemic. we'll also hearfrom the prime minister — who was described as "unfit for the job" and responsible for tens of thousands of people dying unnecessarily. police say they've rescued more than 570 children and made eleven hundred arrests — after a crackdown on county lines drug dealing gangs. uber has agreed to recognise a trade union for the first time in a landmark deal that should benefit gig economy workers. the gmb union will have the power to represent uk drivers in discussions over earnings, pensions, benefits and their health and wellbeing. our business presenter, victoria fritz, joins me now. tell us more about this.

very big news for uber drivers and an important precedent. it is a good and important days for uber drivers. a landmark situation. the union has said it is the first step... we are talking about 70,000 drivers in the uk who could be represented by the gmb. there will be collective action on some things but there will not be, and this is crucial, no collective bargaining on earnings and that is important because it is the bream court ruled that uber drivers should be paid at least the minimum when they are on the app, evenin minimum when they are on the app, even in betweenjobs and minimum when they are on the app, even in between jobs and they do minimum when they are on the app, even in betweenjobs and they do not have a customer in the car. uber currently do not do that, they get the statutory minimum wage to drivers but only when they are actively on the job. there are still some disputes there. these workers

have been at the forefront of the pandemic. they have been everywhere. the demand for drivers for... they have very little traditionally rights and protections and in some ways, people have been saying that the situation for workers has gone backwards. in the past the gmb has called it dickensian the attitude that big companies have to worse the people who work for them. uber has said traditionally the old school ways where structures do not fit their are incompatible with flexible working and we are fluctuating consumer demand, however, this is new way of the world, this has become normal, the idea of flexible working and flexible consumer demand. it is interesting to see that this is stepping up. there has been a lot of pressure across europe. we have seen the

strengthening of workers' rights in italy and germany but the us, where a lot of the silicon valley companies have come from is way behind. it is a world first but there seems to be quite a long way to go. there seems to be quite a long way to no. �* ., there seems to be quite a long way toao. . ., ., there seems to be quite a long way toao. ., ., there seems to be quite a long way touo.�* ., ., , ., to go. another important story today is about pledges _ to go. another important story today is about pledges from _ to go. another important story today is about pledges from companies i to go. another important story today is about pledges from companies to | is about pledges from companies to do more to tackle racism. that is about pledges from companies to do more to tackle racism.— do more to tackle racism. that is riuht. do more to tackle racism. that is right. obviously, _ do more to tackle racism. that is right. obviously, we _ do more to tackle racism. that is right. obviously, we are - do more to tackle racism. that is right. obviously, we are at i do more to tackle racism. that is right. obviously, we are at the i right. obviously, we are at the one—year anniversary of george floyd's murder and there was a letter in the sunday times, at the time, 28 signatories, big companies, sky, itv, and they all signed saying they would commit to supporting sustainable and long—term action towards black inclusivity. we went back to these 28 companies, we got replies from 23 and one of the

people who actually brought this letter out in the sunday times, the founder of involved people, champions diversity and inclusion, involved in this research, i hope you are joining involved in this research, i hope you arejoining us now on bbc news. 12 months on, what is your assessment? have the companies done enough? assessment? have the companies done enou~h? ., , ., assessment? have the companies done enou~h? ., ., ., enough? companies can always do more, but enough? companies can always do more. but we _ enough? companies can always do more, but we now— enough? companies can always do more, but we now have _ enough? companies can always do more, but we now have over- enough? companies can always do more, but we now have over 80 i more, but we now have over 80 signatures, _ more, but we now have over 80 signatures, and the important thing about— signatures, and the important thing about the _ signatures, and the important thing about the letter for us was it had to be _ about the letter for us was it had to be the — about the letter for us was it had to be the ceo of the company who signed _ to be the ceo of the company who signed it— to be the ceo of the company who signed it because they have to be held accountable for driving the race and — held accountable for driving the race and black inclusion we need to see. specific actions from signatories, companies, a construction business, have not done much _ construction business, have not done much on _ construction business, have not done much on race — construction business, have not done much on race before because the priority— much on race before because the priority had been gender, so they used _ priority had been gender, so they used signing the letter on the

framework of the six actions as an opportunity— framework of the six actions as an opportunity to drive the business. they— opportunity to drive the business. they have — opportunity to drive the business. they have done a huge diagnostic to .et they have done a huge diagnostic to get the _ they have done a huge diagnostic to get the sense of what the challenges their employees are facing to tailor their employees are facing to tailor the intervention to the business. at itv, the intervention to the business. at itv. she _ the intervention to the business. at itv. she has — the intervention to the business. at itv, she has this appointed a chief diversity— itv, she has this appointed a chief diversity officer who reports directly _ diversity officer who reports directly to her. the message that to the business says that inclusion is really— the business says that inclusion is really important and demand that has to drive _ really important and demand that has to drive change is really important. a of companies conducting digital training, — a of companies conducting digital training, are including race and black— training, are including race and black inclusion to engage their employees to take steps for inclusion in their business. i am never— inclusion in their business. i am never happy and i want companies to do more _ never happy and i want companies to do more so _ never happy and i want companies to do more so i — never happy and i want companies to do more so i would love more action from _ do more so i would love more action from the _ do more so i would love more action from the businesses, particularly ethnicity— from the businesses, particularly ethnicity pay gap reporting. that is not a le . al ethnicity pay gap reporting. that is not a legal requirement, _ ethnicity pay gap reporting. that is not a legal requirement, sa? i ethnicity pay gap reporting. that is| not a legal requirement, sa? that's m oint. not a legal requirement, sa? that's my point- that _ not a legal requirement, sa? that's my point. that does _ not a legal requirement, sa? that's

my point. that does not _ not a legal requirement, sa? that's my point. that does not mean i not a legal requirement, sa? that's my point. that does not mean you | my point. that does not mean you still cannot — my point. that does not mean you still cannot do it. delight have been — still cannot do it. delight have been voluntarily reporting ethnicity pay gap _ been voluntarily reporting ethnicity pay gap reporting for the last four years _ pay gap reporting for the last four years. they think it is the right thing _ years. they think it is the right thing to— years. they think it is the right thing to do. it holds a mirror up to the organisation to look at the challenge of race in their businesses. if we look at what it has done — businesses. if we look at what it has done for women in business, they have implemented interventions to help women and grow and progress in their businesses. ethnicity pay gap reporting _ their businesses. ethnicity pay gap reporting should have the same effect — reporting should have the same effect if— reporting should have the same effect. if it is not legally mandated, it does not mean that you don't _ mandated, it does not mean that you don't have _ mandated, it does not mean that you don't have to do it. we mandated, it does not mean that you don't have to do it.— don't have to do it. we have to leave it there. _ don't have to do it. we have to leave it there. you _ don't have to do it. we have to leave it there. you heard i don't have to do it. we have to leave it there. you heard there there are 80 signatories to the letter representing over1 million employees in the uk, but the big question is always whether or not action will be taken here, ethnicity, gender, action will be taken rather than companies being proud about the words.

the cast of friends has reunited 17 years after the popular sitcom came to an end — and the special programme is now available to watch here in the uk. the reunion was originally due to be on our screens last year, but filming was postponed because of coronavirus. 0ur entertainment correspondent colin paterson reports. it is the day friends fans have been waiting 17 years for. the six cast members back together in front of a camera. my eyes! it is not a new episode. rather, this reunion show features almost an hour and three quarters of them visiting the old sets... wow. does courtney still have her lines written on the table? ..getting a bit weepy... it was an incredible time. we became best friends. i'm going to cry now. and paying homage to some of the series' most famous scenes, including the trivia game. each team answers ten questions.

rachel wrote ross a letter and demanded he read it before they got back together. how many pages was that letter? 18 pages! front and back! that's correct. speaking ahead of today's broadcast, they gave hints as to what to expect. crying. a lot of emotions that cannot be stopped. a lot of laughs. a lot of, you know, heartfelt moments and it's been incredible. what a fun time we've had. and a lot of how do. you remember that? you'll see love, you'll see loss. you'll see guest stars, you'll see surprises. it's not just the six of us watching | clips of the show and commenting about it. it's a much more, i think, - interesting and also nostalgic kind of special. it's kind of like a peek behind the curtains for what it was like for us to make the show. we've literallyjust slipped right back. we digress.

famous fans talk about their love of the show including lady gaga and david beckham who thinks he is most like monica, as he is a clean freak. 0h. i see you moved the green ottoman. at the end of the reunion, courteney cox makes it clear there will not be any more friends, no more tv episodes and no film. however, they do agree to meet for dinner a lot more often. now it's time for a look at the weather with sarah keith lucas. hello there. as we head through the final few days of may, at last we have got something a little bit more summery in the weather as we look towards the start of summer. some blue sky and some sunshine on offer. this is the picture in north yorkshire. we had some mistiness around earlier that is fading away now and for the rest of today it is remaining dry for most of us, some sunshine and warmer than it has

been recently too. there is more cloud working into the far west so clouding over for cornwall, devon, pembrokeshire, northern ireland too and a few showers of drizzly rain later in the day. but elsewhere, it is dry. temperatures up to 20 degrees in the warmest parts. a little bit cooler towards the north—east of scotland, particularly near the coast, the sea still quite chilly at the moment. through this evening and tonight, there will be more cloud and outbreaks of rain from western parts of the uk, particularly around the irish sea coast, whereas further east it should stay dry for tonight, not as cold as last night, temperatures, six to 11 degrees first thing tomorrow. friday's weather, then, dominated by high pressure. but we have got a weather front. it is quite a weak affair. as it advances into that high pressure, it will tend to fizzle out later in the day. but there will be patchy outbreaks of rain for western parts of england, wales, northern ireland into the south of scotland too. further east, it is looking largely dry. perhaps one or two isolated showers. some sunny spells. temperatures probably a degree down on today, 13 to 19 degrees on friday. but then heading through the course of the weekend, things looking increasingly sunny and those temperatures are going to be on the rise as well. so, for saturday, we may

well start the day with quite a bit of perhaps the odd shower lingering, easing our way through the day. more sunshine developing later on, so fine and dry with light winds around as well and temperatures between around about 15 to 20 degrees fairly widely on saturday. into the second half of the weekend, sunday, probably that little bit warmer than saturday, so, again, light winds, a bit more sunshine from the word go for many of us on sunday. just a bit more thicker cloud working into the far north—west. temperatures could get up to 22, possibly 23 degrees, notjust down towards southern england but also parts of northern and eastern scotland as well. so a warm day to come. looking ahead to bank holiday monday, then, high—pressure spell in charge. we have got this weak weather front making its way into the far north—west of the uk on bank holiday monday. so for most of us again, staying dry, warm and sunny, perhaps a little bit of rain by the time we get to bank holiday monday across parts of northern ireland. bye— bye.

hello. this is bbc news ? these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. are the latest headlines in the uk the uk health secretary, matt hancock, will respond this morning to a series of explosive claims by dominic cummings that he repeatedly lied to colleagues and the public during the covid crisis. i'm just... i'm just off to drive forward the vaccine programme, and then i'll be going to the house of commons, and i'll answer questions there. thanks very much. we'll also hearfrom the prime minister, who was described as "unfit for the job" and responsible for tens of thousands of people dying unnecessarily — allegations the government denies. should we have confidence in the way that the prime minister has handled the pandemic?

absolutely.