this is bbc news. the headlines. borisjohnson denies claims made by dominic cummings, that the poor handing of the coronavirus pandemic led to the deaths of tens of thousands of people. at every stage, we've been governed by a determination to protect life, to save life, to ensure that our nhs is not overwhelmed. the health secretary also defends claims against him from mr cummings, who said he is a liar and should have been sacked. these unsubstantiated allegations around honesty are not true, and that i've been straight with people in public and in private throughout. the prime minister says that he will be examining the data

on easing of restrictions in england onjune 21st. i don't see anything currently in the data to suggest that we have to deviate from the road map, but we may need to wait. gps in england say they're facing a deluge of patients as the country emerges from lockdown. let's cross live to downing street now, where the health secretary matt hancock is leading a press briefing.

so—called b1617.2 is still spreading and the latest estimates are that more than half and potentially as many as three quarters of all new cases are now of this variant. as we set out the road map, we always expected cases to rise. we must remain vigilant. the aim is to break the link to hospitalisations and deaths so that cases alone no longer require stringent restrictions on people's lives. the critical thing is the link from the number of cases to how many people end up in hospital. the increase in cases remains focused in hotspots and we are doing all we can to tackle this variant wherever it flares up. over the past six months, we have built a huge testing capacity at our

disposal and we are using this to search testing in the eight hotspot areas and in the other cases where cases are lower but rising. we are surging vaccines too for those eligible. in—built and we've done 17,147 eligible. in—built and we've done 17,1117 vaccinations in the last week. all the available evidence shows the best way to protect yourself, your loved ones and your community against this new variant is to get both jabs. of the 49 people in hospital with covid in bolton, only five have had both vaccine doses and earlier today i spoke with the chief executive of bolton hospital and her message is very clear. the hospital is functioning well and is open to all those who need it but people need to

be careful and cautious and follow the rules and take personal responsibility to help slow the spread. she also said that, i quote, i dread to think where we would be without the vaccine. so please ask people to come forward and get the jab. so, when you get the call, get the jab. and make sure you come forward for your second day so you can get the maximum possible protection. —— your second dose. vaccine is severing the link between hospitalisations and deaths from coronavirus. this week's data showed three in four adults have covid—19 antibodies which means the vast majority of those most vulnerable to the virus have protection that antibodies provide. but i want to see those rates climb further,

having three in four adults with antibodies is important but there is more still to and today's data from public health england show why this is important. they have estimated that over the past week the vaccination programme has prevented a further 200 deaths and prevented a further 600 people from going into hospital. bringing these figures together it means in total 13,200 deaths have been prevented and 39,700 hospitalisations by the vaccination programme. so, the case for getting the jab has never been stronger and we are putting jabs into arms as quickly as possible. we've given 4.1 million vaccines in the past week which is the highest figure since march and i'm absolutely delighted to see how this is rolling out in different parts of the country. thanks to the incredible hard work of colleagues incredible hard work of colleagues

in the midlands including the mayor of the west midlands and nhs colleagues and so many others, we have today hit the milestone of 10 million vaccines delivered in the midlands. in the south—west, as far—flung as the isles of scilly, over 5 million doses have been delivered. three quarters of adults in the now had their first dose and over half have had both of them. this is the highest proportion in the country. all in all, this rapid progress in relative vaccines in this race means that yesterday we were able to open up vaccinations to all those aged 30 and above and i would urge everybody to come forward. this next week i will be hosting g7 health ministers at the summit in oxford. oxford has been at the cutting edge of science during

this pandemic. they led the recovery trial that uncovered treatments and saved millions of lives across the world and of course they developed the oxford vaccine, which is britain's gift to the world. that has now been deployed without any profit margin to 450 million doses across the world. half a million people here have signed up to our vaccine research registry. it is about having a group of people prepared to take part in clinical trials and they have signed up to say they are ready and willing to take part. this is important because a world leading position in the discovery of new medicines relies on these clinical trials. i'm incredibly grateful to be half a million people already playing their part. i can announce further that

together with the global vaccination effort we funded the expansion of another important oxford study which is the first in the world to look at whether different vaccines can safely be used as part of a two dose regime. and if they can be mixed and without reducing effectiveness all mixed and lead to an increase in effectiveness, this could have huge impact on speeding up vaccination campaigns across the world and getting more people be protection needed from this deadly virus. it has the potential to transform lives globally and it is brilliant, frankly, to see that once again research taking place on our shores at our universities is leading the way. one of the most promising areas of new research is into antivirals. the thing about antivirals is you can give them to people in an area

of outbreakfor can give them to people in an area of outbreak for instance to reduce the chance of catching covid—19. if they come into contact with somebody with covid—19. for instance, you can help suppress an outbreak. antivirals are not yet approved and the prime minister has set a goal of having two available later this year. antivirals can treat people early preventing mild disease from turning into something more serious and they can be used as a prophylactic, preventing the virus from spreading. i am absolutely determined that our antivirals task. will channel the same positive collaborative spirit that worked so successfully for vaccines and i'm pleased to announce that eddie gray has been appointed as chair. he brings a wealth of experience from his time at gsk and i know he will

make a huge contribution at this time of national need. our response to the pandemic is a big team effort and his leadership will help make that team stronger still. it is this collective endeavour, which you've been a part of, which has got us this far but the pandemic is not yet over. so please, keep doing your bit, rememberthe over. so please, keep doing your bit, remember the basics, over. so please, keep doing your bit, rememberthe basics, hands, face, space and fresher, get your rapid regular tests and when you get the call, get both jabs. i will now hand over to drjenny harries. the call, get both jabs. i will now hand over to drjenny harries. thank ou. could hand over to drjenny harries. thank yom could i — hand over to drjenny harries. thank you. could i have _ hand over to drjenny harries. thank you. could i have the _ hand over to drjenny harries. thank you. could i have the first _ hand over to drjenny harries. thank you. could i have the first slide, - you. could i have the first slide, please — you. could i have the first slide, please. what we can see is the number— please. what we can see is the number of— please. what we can see is the number of people, testing positive for covid—19 in the uk. and of course — for covid—19 in the uk. and of course we _ for covid—19 in the uk. and of course we can see there has been a sustained _ course we can see there has been a sustained and sharp decline in cases

from a _ sustained and sharp decline in cases from a peak— sustained and sharp decline in cases from a peak of over 60,000 in the middle _ from a peak of over 60,000 in the middle of— from a peak of over 60,000 in the middle ofjanuary on towards may. if i middle ofjanuary on towards may. if i could _ middle ofjanuary on towards may. if icould have — middle ofjanuary on towards may. if i could have the next slide, please. if i could have the next slide, please. if we _ i could have the next slide, please. if we look_ i could have the next slide, please. if we look at— i could have the next slide, please. if we look at the end of that tail end of— if we look at the end of that tail end of the — if we look at the end of that tail end of the chart, what you can see is the _ end of the chart, what you can see is the suggestion of an upward rise. these _ is the suggestion of an upward rise. these are _ is the suggestion of an upward rise. these are seven—day rolling averages and the _ these are seven—day rolling averages and the numbers are up to 2773 cases on the _ and the numbers are up to 2773 cases on the rolling average but you can see the _ on the rolling average but you can see the latest data at 3500. the interpretation of this needs careful consideration, because there is surge _ consideration, because there is surge testing going out into those areas _ surge testing going out into those areas which have the highest number of cases— areas which have the highest number of cases and we are actively finding many— of cases and we are actively finding many cases, which is a good thing, but nevertheless we know that in most _ but nevertheless we know that in most cases across the uk the new variam— most cases across the uk the new variant is— most cases across the uk the new variant is taking place of the 117

variant — variant is taking place of the 117 variant. then we can look at how that translates into people turning up that translates into people turning up in _ that translates into people turning up in hospital and being admitted with serious illness and what we can see is— with serious illness and what we can see is the _ with serious illness and what we can see is the hospital bed occupation for patients with covid—19 has drouped — for patients with covid—19 has dropped rapidly, following to a large _ dropped rapidly, following to a large extent the end of the lockdown measures. _ large extent the end of the lockdown measures, significant lockdown measures, significant lockdown measures, but also at the same time the vaccination programme has been pushed _ the vaccination programme has been pushed out _ the vaccination programme has been pushed out strongly. on the 25th of may we _ pushed out strongly. on the 25th of may we can see there were 915 people in hospital— may we can see there were 915 people in hospital with covid—19 but if we io in hospital with covid—19 but if we go back— in hospital with covid—19 but if we go back to — in hospital with covid—19 but if we go back to the middle ofjanuary there _ go back to the middle ofjanuary there were around 4500 admissions every— there were around 4500 admissions every day~ _ there were around 4500 admissions every day. we are going to look at the tail— every day. we are going to look at the tail end — every day. we are going to look at the tail end of that curve and in contrest— the tail end of that curve and in contrast currently to the data we saw on _ contrast currently to the data we saw on actual numbers of cases we

can see _ saw on actual numbers of cases we can see that— saw on actual numbers of cases we can see that patients admitted to hospital— can see that patients admitted to hospital has continued to decline or flatteh_ hospital has continued to decline or flatten lrut— hospital has continued to decline or flatten but we are not seeing a sharp — flatten but we are not seeing a sharp increase in cases in hospital admissions — sharp increase in cases in hospital admissions. if we go on the next slide. _ admissions. if we go on the next slide. sadly— admissions. if we go on the next slide, sadly we can see that curve for the _ slide, sadly we can see that curve for the number of people who have died within— for the number of people who have died within 28 days of a positive covid-19 — died within 28 days of a positive covid—19 test and in january that was sadly— covid—19 test and in january that was sadly over 1000 a day. when you look at _ was sadly over 1000 a day. when you look at the _ was sadly over 1000 a day. when you look at the tail end of the graph you can — look at the tail end of the graph you can see the most recent seven day average isjust eight you can see the most recent seven day average is just eight deaths. all of— day average is just eight deaths. all of them very sad but a significant decrease. these are predominantly in older people who have not— predominantly in older people who have not been vaccinated. if you go onto the _ have not been vaccinated. if you go onto the next slide, we can see that as usual— onto the next slide, we can see that as usual we — onto the next slide, we can see that as usual we have a variation in reporting _ as usual we have a variation in reporting of the deaths. they would often _ reporting of the deaths. they would often be _ reporting of the deaths. they would often be low at the weekend and rise in the _ often be low at the weekend and rise in the week— often be low at the weekend and rise in the week so it's important to

look— in the week so it's important to look at — in the week so it's important to look at the _ in the week so it's important to look at the recent average rolling rate~ _ look at the recent average rolling rate at _ look at the recent average rolling rate. at seven day average is now eight _ rate. at seven day average is now eight per— rate. at seven day average is now eight per day. on the final slide, what _ eight per day. on the final slide, what we — eight per day. on the final slide, what we can see is the blue line is those _ what we can see is the blue line is those who— what we can see is the blue line is those who have had first place only and then _ those who have had first place only and then catching up rapidly are those _ and then catching up rapidly are those who have had a second dose. this is— those who have had a second dose. this is over— those who have had a second dose. this is over 60 million individuals. the latest — this is over 60 million individuals. the latest evidence suggests that particularly in relation to the variant— particularly in relation to the variant first identified from india that it _ variant first identified from india that it is — variant first identified from india that it is the second dose that is really— that it is the second dose that is really important so we are looking to make _ really important so we are looking to make sure that yellow bark continues— to make sure that yellow bark continues upwards. everybody, go and -et continues upwards. everybody, go and get your— continues upwards. everybody, go and get yourjabs. we continues upwards. everybody, go and get yourjabs— get yourjabs. we are taking questions — get yourjabs. we are taking questions from _ get yourjabs. we are taking questions from the - get yourjabs. we are taking questions from the public i get yourjabs. we are taking i questions from the public and get yourjabs. we are taking - questions from the public and the first one is from janet from liverpool. first one is from janet from liverpool-— first one is from janet from liverool. , ., ., ., liverpool. given the eu are going to relax the rules _ liverpool. given the eu are going to relax the rules for _ liverpool. given the eu are going to relax the rules for fully _ liverpool. given the eu are going to relax the rules for fully vaccinated l

relax the rules for fully vaccinated visitors _ relax the rules for fully vaccinated visitors by — relax the rules for fully vaccinated visitors by allowing _ relax the rules for fully vaccinated visitors by allowing us _ relax the rules for fully vaccinated visitors by allowing us in- relax the rules for fully vaccinated visitors by allowing us in with - relax the rules for fully vaccinated visitors by allowing us in with a i visitors by allowing us in with a vexing — visitors by allowing us in with a vexing passport _ visitors by allowing us in with a vexing passport and _ visitors by allowing us in with a vexing passport and with - visitors by allowing us in with a vexing passport and with no . visitors by allowing us in with a i vexing passport and with no pcr visitors by allowing us in with a - vexing passport and with no pcr or laterai— vexing passport and with no pcr or lateral flow — vexing passport and with no pcr or lateral flow test _ vexing passport and with no pcr or lateral flow test requirements, - vexing passport and with no pcr or. lateral flow test requirements, when can we _ lateral flow test requirements, when can we expect — lateral flow test requirements, when can we expect the _ lateral flow test requirements, when can we expect the uk _ lateral flow test requirements, when can we expect the uk to _ lateral flow test requirements, when can we expect the uk to do - lateral flow test requirements, when can we expect the uk to do the - lateral flow test requirements, when| can we expect the uk to do the same the returning — can we expect the uk to do the same the returning uk _ can we expect the uk to do the same the returning uk citizens? _ can we expect the uk to do the same the returning uk citizens? —— - the returning uk citizens? —— vaccine — the returning uk citizens? —— vaccine passport. _ the returning uk citizens? -- vaccine passport.— the returning uk citizens? -- vaccine passport. we've set out the --rinciles vaccine passport. we've set out the principles of — vaccine passport. we've set out the principles of having _ vaccine passport. we've set out the principles of having international. principles of having international travel conducted in a safe way through the red, amber and green list. right now you can travel to a green list country whether or not you've been vaccinated and there is a testing regime, because we are vigilant at the border and want to make sure that we don't see a big increase in the number of cases coming from any of the green countries but at the moment they are very low, as they are here. obviously, we have more stringent rules for the amber and red list countries where people shouldn't be

travelling for holiday. that is the approach we're i've seen the proposals the eu have put forward in terms of vaccinations. at the moment, not everybody has been vaccinated and not all adults have been offered the job, only those over 30. been offered the job, only those over30. but been offered the job, only those over 30. but we do want to make sure that there is a route to safe international travel in the future. that's what the global travel task. been working on, something i've worked with the transport secretary, the home secretary and the prime minister on. but at the moment it is a red, amberand green minister on. but at the moment it is a red, amber and green approach that guides us and i think that's the right approach because it means that when a country is safe, very low number of cases, no signs of significant new variants then we can have relatively straightforward travel, albeit with those tests, but

the countries which are more at risk we can take a more stringent approach. the next question is from pete from derby. itruiith approach. the next question is from pete from derby.— pete from derby. with each new variant, pete from derby. with each new variant. the _ pete from derby. with each new variant, the effectiveness - pete from derby. with each new variant, the effectiveness of - variant, the effectiveness of existing _ variant, the effectiveness of existing vaccines _ variant, the effectiveness of existing vaccines becomes l variant, the effectiveness of i existing vaccines becomes less variant, the effectiveness of - existing vaccines becomes less and less _ existing vaccines becomes less and less so. _ existing vaccines becomes less and less so. with— existing vaccines becomes less and less. so, with the _ existing vaccines becomes less and less. so, with the indian— existing vaccines becomes less and less. so, with the indian variant. less. so, with the indian variant spreading — less. so, with the indian variant spreading and _ less. so, with the indian variant spreading and now— less. so, with the indian variant spreading and now a _ less. so, with the indian variant spreading and now a new- less. so, with the indian variantl spreading and now a new variant less. so, with the indian variant. spreading and now a new variant of concern _ spreading and now a new variant of concern in — spreading and now a new variant of concern in yorkshire, _ spreading and now a new variant of concern in yorkshire, why - spreading and now a new variant of concern in yorkshire, why is - spreading and now a new variant of concern in yorkshire, why is the . concern in yorkshire, why is the government— concern in yorkshire, why is the government allowing _ concern in yorkshire, why is the government allowing lockdownl government allowing lockdown relaxation _ government allowing lockdown relaxation to _ government allowing lockdown relaxation to continue - government allowing lockdown relaxation to continue when i government allowing lockdown . relaxation to continue when most government allowing lockdown - relaxation to continue when most of those _ relaxation to continue when most of those who _ relaxation to continue when most of those who spread _ relaxation to continue when most of those who spread the _ relaxation to continue when most of those who spread the virus - relaxation to continue when most of those who spread the virus have - relaxation to continue when most ofj those who spread the virus have not yet those who spread the virus have not vet even _ those who spread the virus have not yet even had — those who spread the virus have not vet even had one _ those who spread the virus have not yet even had one vaccination? - those who spread the virus have not yet even had one vaccination? it's. yet even had one vaccination? it's an yet even had one vaccination? an important question and yet even had one vaccination? ii“: an important question and i'm yet even had one vaccination?- an important question and i'm going to ask doctor harris to set out the clinical view from the health security point of view. what i would say is obviously we are working as fast as we can to get people to have faith jabs, it is very important and thankfully the uptake is very high, but the second thing is we monitor these new variants really, really

carefully to check the effectiveness of the vaccines against them. —— both jabs. thankfully, the effectiveness of the vaccines against the variant identified in india, after two jabs it appears to be effectively the same as against the old kent variant. that means we can have confidence in the strategy we have and the strategy that has been working but we have got to be vigilant to these number of cases, and critically how the number of cases translates into people ending up cases translates into people ending up in hospital or sadly dying. so, the approach we take is, just to be transparent about this data, set it all out as doctor harris has just done with the latest data, and answer as many questions about it as

fully as we can. i'm sure doctor harris is going to improve on my answer right now. the harris is going to improve on my answer right now.— answer right now. the vaccine effectiveness _ answer right now. the vaccine effectiveness prior _ answer right now. the vaccine effectiveness prior was - answer right now. the vaccine l effectiveness prior was 80-90% answer right now. the vaccine - effectiveness prior was 80-90% for effectiveness prior was 80—90% for bothiahs _ effectiveness prior was 80—90% for bothjabs and about effectiveness prior was 80—90% for both jabs and about 50% for the first _ both jabs and about 50% for the first the — both jabs and about 50% for the first. the good news from the report which _ first. the good news from the report which public health england published at the weekend was that we are seeing _ published at the weekend was that we are seeing very, very strong vaccine effectiveness after the second dose for bait _ effectiveness after the second dose for bait vaccines. it is around 80-90% _ for bait vaccines. it is around 80—90% for pfizer, it is a bit lower perhaps— 80—90% for pfizer, it is a bit lower perhaps against the kent variant and at the _ perhaps against the kent variant and at the moment the data suggest the astrazeneca one might be a bit lower against _ astrazeneca one might be a bit lower against the _ astrazeneca one might be a bit lower against the kent variant, around 60% but it's— against the kent variant, around 60% but it's really important, there is a quite _ but it's really important, there is a quite early studies with high degrees — a quite early studies with high degrees of uncertainty and as we go forward _ degrees of uncertainty and as we go forward they will become clearer. we

are already _ forward they will become clearer. we are already starting to see a signal that astrazeneca effectiveness is rising _ that astrazeneca effectiveness is rising in — that astrazeneca effectiveness is rising in a — that astrazeneca effectiveness is rising in a second days. these are good _ rising in a second days. these are good but — rising in a second days. these are good but as— rising in a second days. these are good but as peter has pointed out, we need _ good but as peter has pointed out, we need to— good but as peter has pointed out, we need to be really vigilant and going _ we need to be really vigilant and going back to the first answer around — going back to the first answer around travel, it's widely testing for travellers coming into the country— for travellers coming into the country is _ for travellers coming into the country is so important because we are not— country is so important because we are not only— country is so important because we are not only assessing the risk to pay residents and searching for new residents— pay residents and searching for new residents but helping the rest of the world understand where they are at the _ the world understand where they are at the moment. next the world understand where they are at the moment.— the world understand where they are at the moment. next question is from laura kuenssberg _ at the moment. next question is from laura kuenssberg at _ at the moment. next question is from laura kuenssberg at the _ at the moment. next question is from laura kuenssberg at the bbc. - at the moment. next question is from laura kuenssberg at the bbc. it - at the moment. next question is from laura kuenssberg at the bbc. it was l laura kuenssberg at the bbc. it was common knowledge _ laura kuenssberg at the bbc. it was common knowledge last _ laura kuenssberg at the bbc. it was common knowledge last year- laura kuenssberg at the bbc. it was common knowledge last year that l common knowledge last year that there _ common knowledge last year that there were — common knowledge last year that there were terrible _ common knowledge last year that there were terrible problems - common knowledge last year that there were terrible problems in. common knowledge last year that . there were terrible problems in care homes _ there were terrible problems in care homes can — there were terrible problems in care homes can you _ there were terrible problems in care homes. can you still— there were terrible problems in care homes. can you still stand - there were terrible problems in care homes. can you still stand there - there were terrible problems in care | homes. can you still stand there and say it's— homes. can you still stand there and say it's true — homes. can you still stand there and say it's true that _ homes. can you still stand there and say it's true that you _ homes. can you still stand there and say it's true that you protected - say it's true that you protected care _ say it's true that you protected care homes— say it's true that you protected care homes from _ say it's true that you protected care homes from the _ say it's true that you protected care homes from the start - say it's true that you protected care homes from the start and | say it's true that you protected i care homes from the start and did you or— care homes from the start and did you or did — care homes from the start and did you or did you _ care homes from the start and did you or did you not _ care homes from the start and did you or did you not tell— care homes from the start and did you or did you not tell downing i you or did you not tell downing street— you or did you not tell downing street that _ you or did you not tell downing street that people _ you or did you not tell downing street that people leaving - you or did you not tell downing street that people leaving care| street that people leaving care homes — street that people leaving care homes would _ street that people leaving care homes would be _ street that people leaving care homes would be tested, -

street that people leaving carej homes would be tested, sorry, street that people leaving care - homes would be tested, sorry, people ieading _ homes would be tested, sorry, people ieading hospitals— homes would be tested, sorry, people leading hospitals would _ homes would be tested, sorry, people leading hospitals would be _ homes would be tested, sorry, people leading hospitals would be tested - leading hospitals would be tested before _ leading hospitals would be tested before they — leading hospitals would be tested before they went _ leading hospitals would be tested before they went back _ leading hospitals would be tested before they went back to - leading hospitals would be tested before they went back to care - leading hospitals would be tested - before they went back to care homes? -- leaving _ before they went back to care homes? —— leaving hospitals. _ before they went back to care homes? —— leaving hospitals. we _ before they went back to care homes? -- leaving hospitals.— -- leaving hospitals. we worked as hard as we — -- leaving hospitals. we worked as hard as we could _ -- leaving hospitals. we worked as hard as we could to _ -- leaving hospitals. we worked as hard as we could to protect - -- leaving hospitals. we worked as hard as we could to protect people| hard as we could to protect people in care homes. those who live in care homes are some of the most vulnerable to this disease because by its nature it attacks and has more of an impact on older people. when it comes to the testing of people as they left hospital and went into care homes, we committed to building the testing capacity to allow that to happen. of course, it then takes time to build testing capacity. in fact, then takes time to build testing capacity. infact, one then takes time to build testing capacity. in fact, one of the critical things we did was set to 100,000 target to make sure we built that testing capacity and it was effective in doing so, and then we were able to introduce the policy of testing everybody before going into care homes. but we could only do that once we had the testing capacity, which i had to build,

because we didn't have it in this country from the start. we started with a capacity of less than 2000 in march last year and got 100,000 tests per day. we set all of this out at the time in public documents, it is all a matter of public record. we worked closely together on it. from a professional perspective, and ithink— from a professional perspective, and i think the _ from a professional perspective, and i think the testing is important and the secretary of state has noted we have built _ the secretary of state has noted we have built a lot of capacity, this is readily— have built a lot of capacity, this is readily available now, we do around — is readily available now, we do around a — is readily available now, we do around a million tests a day but one of the _ around a million tests a day but one of the things that sometimes gets forgotten in the conversations about testing _ forgotten in the conversations about testing is— forgotten in the conversations about testing is the really important thing — testing is the really important thing is — testing is the really important thing is that the intervention is about— thing is that the intervention is about isolation. when an individual leaves _ about isolation. when an individual leaves whether it be a hospital setting, — leaves whether it be a hospital setting, the guidance is there very

much _ setting, the guidance is there very much about ensuring there is appropriate infection prevention and control— appropriate infection prevention and control bait in the care home but also in _ control bait in the care home but also in separating that individual from _ also in separating that individual from others because the test only gives— from others because the test only gives you — from others because the test only gives you the result on the day. the really _ gives you the result on the day. the really important thing is to be sure that the _ really important thing is to be sure that the patient doesn't become symptomatic and be able to transmit infection— symptomatic and be able to transmit infection for the subsequent incubation period. that is critical, testing _ incubation period. that is critical, testing is— incubation period. that is critical, testing is really helpful. the only other— testing is really helpful. the only other thing i would say is, the elderly— other thing i would say is, the elderly and vulnerable in residential settings have been a focus _ residential settings have been a focus of— residential settings have been a focus of a — residential settings have been a focus of a care subgroup in the sage modelling _ focus of a care subgroup in the sage modelling group and i chaired that group _ modelling group and i chaired that group to— modelling group and i chaired that group to try and understand where the risks— group to try and understand where the risks were predominantly in residence — the risks were predominantly in residence going into care homes and because _ residence going into care homes and because of— residence going into care homes and because of the high infection rates. there _ because of the high infection rates. there were — because of the high infection rates. there were two pieces of work commissioned around that and although— commissioned around that and although the data is quite complex to interpret it was very clear at

the end — to interpret it was very clear at the end of— to interpret it was very clear at the end of this work that there are different— the end of this work that there are different ways for the virus to come into care _ different ways for the virus to come into care homes and it can come from a hospital— into care homes and it can come from a hospital discharge, but that is definitely— a hospital discharge, but that is definitely not the majority route of entry _ definitely not the majority route of entry care — definitely not the majority route of entry. care workers getting in and out as— entry. care workers getting in and out as they— entry. care workers getting in and out as they do because we need them to provide _ out as they do because we need them to provide care. it's coming in with community— to provide care. it's coming in with community rates and we see that with schools _ community rates and we see that with schools as _ community rates and we see that with schools as well. secretary of state, explained why he didn't _ secretary of state, explained why he didn't test _ secretary of state, explained why he didn't test everyone _ secretary of state, explained why he didn't test everyone going _ secretary of state, explained why he didn't test everyone going from - didn't test everyone going from hospital— didn't test everyone going from hospital to _ didn't test everyone going from hospital to care _ didn't test everyone going from hospital to care home - didn't test everyone going from hospital to care home but - didn't test everyone going from hospital to care home but the l didn't test everyone going from - hospital to care home but the charge from dominic— hospital to care home but the charge from dominic cummings _ hospital to care home but the charge from dominic cummings is _ hospital to care home but the charge from dominic cummings is quite - from dominic cummings is quite specific — from dominic cummings is quite specific did _ from dominic cummings is quite specific. did you _ from dominic cummings is quite specific. did you tell _ from dominic cummings is quite specific. did you tell the - from dominic cummings is quite specific. did you tell the prime i specific. did you tell the prime minister— specific. did you tell the prime minister that— specific. did you tell the prime minister that everyone - specific. did you tell the prime minister that everyone going . specific. did you tell the prime i minister that everyone going from hospital— minister that everyone going from hospital to — minister that everyone going from hospital to care _ minister that everyone going from hospital to care home _ minister that everyone going from hospital to care home would - minister that everyone going from hospital to care home would be i hospital to care home would be tested — hospital to care home would be tested or— hospital to care home would be tested or if— hospital to care home would be tested or if dominic— hospital to care home would be tested or if dominic cummingsl hospital to care home would be i tested or if dominic cummings not telling _ tested or if dominic cummings not telling the — tested or if dominic cummings not telling the truth? _ tested or if dominic cummings not telling the truth? of—

tested or if dominic cummings not telling the truth?— telling the truth? of course we committed _ telling the truth? of course we committed and _ telling the truth? of course we committed and i _ telling the truth? of course we committed and i committed i telling the truth? of course we committed and i committed to| telling the truth? of course we - committed and i committed to getting the policy in place. but it took time to build the testing. we didn't start with a big testing system in the uk. that's why the 100,000 target was really important because it accelerated the availability of testing. when you don't have much testing. when you don't have much testing we had to prioritise it according to clinical need. so that was the approach we take. in fact, we set all of this out at the time. it is important in terms of looking back on it that what we had to do was build the testing capacity because there simply wasn't at the start of the pandemic that testing capacity in place. we had to put it in place and that's the action i took. the next question is from beth

rigby at sky. just took. the next question is from beth rigby at sky-— rigby at sky. just a follow up on that and specifically _ rigby at sky. just a follow up on that and specifically dominic- that and specifically dominic cummings— that and specifically dominic cummings said _ that and specifically dominic cummings said yesterday i that and specifically dominic. cummings said yesterday that that and specifically dominic- cummings said yesterday that he categorically— cummings said yesterday that he categorically said _ cummings said yesterday that he categorically said in _ cummings said yesterday that he categorically said in the - cummings said yesterday that he categorically said in the cabinet i categorically said in the cabinet room _ categorically said in the cabinet room in — categorically said in the cabinet room in march _ categorically said in the cabinet room in march that _ categorically said in the cabinet room in march that people - categorically said in the cabinet| room in march that people were categorically said in the cabinet - room in march that people were going to be tested _ room in march that people were going to be tested before _ room in march that people were going to be tested before getting _ room in march that people were going to be tested before getting back- to be tested before getting back into care — to be tested before getting back into care homes. _ to be tested before getting back into care homes. mr— to be tested before getting back into care homes. mr cummingsl to be tested before getting back- into care homes. mr cummings went on to say— into care homes. mr cummings went on to say that _ into care homes. mr cummings went on to say that he _ into care homes. mr cummings went on to say that he and — into care homes. mr cummings went on to say that he and the _ into care homes. mr cummings went on to say that he and the prime _ to say that he and the prime minister— to say that he and the prime minister subsequently- to say that he and the prime minister subsequently found j to say that he and the prime - minister subsequently found out that hadn't _ minister subsequently found out that hadn't happened _ minister subsequently found out that hadn't happened. he _ minister subsequently found out that hadn't happened. he said, _ minister subsequently found out that hadn't happened. he said, far- minister subsequently found out that hadn't happened. he said, far from i hadn't happened. he said, far from putting _ hadn't happened. he said, far from putting a _ hadn't happened. he said, far from putting a shield _ hadn't happened. he said, far from putting a shield around _ hadn't happened. he said, far from putting a shield around people - hadn't happened. he said, far from| putting a shield around people they were sent _ putting a shield around people they were sent back— putting a shield around people they were sent back to _ putting a shield around people they were sent back to care _ putting a shield around people they were sent back to care homes- were sent back to care homes untested _ were sent back to care homes untested. just _ were sent back to care homes untested. just to _ were sent back to care homes untested. just to be - were sent back to care homes untested. just to be clear, - were sent back to care homesj untested. just to be clear, did were sent back to care homes- untested. just to be clear, did you make _ untested. just to be clear, did you make the — untested. just to be clear, did you make the statement _ untested. just to be clear, did you make the statement in— untested. just to be clear, did you make the statement in march- untested. just to be clear, did you make the statement in march that they would — make the statement in march that they would be _ make the statement in march that they would be tested _ make the statement in march that they would be tested before - make the statement in march that they would be tested before going back to _ they would be tested before going back to care — they would be tested before going back to care homes _ they would be tested before going back to care homes and _ they would be tested before going back to care homes and that - they would be tested before going| back to care homes and that didn't turn out _ back to care homes and that didn't turn out to— back to care homes and that didn't turn out to be _ back to care homes and that didn't turn out to be true _ back to care homes and that didn't turn out to be true because - back to care homes and that didn't turn out to be true because you i turn out to be true because you didn't— turn out to be true because you didn't have _ turn out to be true because you didn't have the _ turn out to be true because you didn't have the testing - turn out to be true because you didn't have the testing systeml turn out to be true because you. didn't have the testing system in place? _ didn't have the testing system in place? is— didn't have the testing system in place? is that _ didn't have the testing system in place? is that what _ didn't have the testing system in place? is that what really - didn't have the testing system in- place? is that what really happened? there _ place? is that what really happened? there will— place? is that what really happened? there will be — place? is that what really happened? there will be a — place? is that what really happened? there will be a time _ place? is that what really happened? there will be a time when— place? is that what really happened? there will be a time when we - place? is that what really happened? there will be a time when we go- place? is that what really happened? j there will be a time when we go over this in great detail but my recollection of events is that i committed to delivering that testing and people going from hospital into care homes when we could do it. i

then went away and built the testing capacity, for all sorts of reasons and all sorts of uses including this one, and then delivered on the commitment i made. that is, that is a normal way of how you get things donein a normal way of how you get things done in government. the work out what needs to happen, you commit to making it happen, you go away and deliver on that commitment and then you can put the policy in place. there will be a time when we can go through all of this in greater detail. the most important thing right now is we still have a pandemic to handle and to manage hence the work we're doing to to make sure we keep this epidemic under control.— make sure we keep this epidemic under control. sending people back to care homes _ under control. sending people back to care homes untested _ under control. sending people back to care homes untested did - under control. sending people back to care homes untested did happen during _ to care homes untested did happen during april — to care homes untested did happen during april and _ to care homes untested did happen during april and is _ to care homes untested did happen during april and is that _ to care homes untested did happen during april and is that your - during april and is that your biggest _

during april and is that your biggest regret— during april and is that your biggest regret during - during april and is that your biggest regret during this. during april and is that your - biggest regret during this pandemic? i've biggest regret during this pandemic? i've answered — biggest regret during this pandemic? i've answered this _ biggest regret during this pandemic? i've answered this question _ biggest regret during this pandemic? i've answered this question many, i i've answered this question many, many times. because we didn't have the testing capacity at the start of the testing capacity at the start of the pandemic, it wasn't possible, and what i'm proud of it we built that testing capacity but it took time. it hit me setting this target which people didn't think i would meet and because of the team effort we did meet that target and then we have the testing available to put the policy in place. i think that's how you get things done and how we are still getting things done. for instance, now the big drive is on making sure we get the vaccine roll—out done and they're other goal is to make sure it's offered to all adults byjuly. pepper.

is to make sure it's offered to all adults by july. pepper.— is to make sure it's offered to all adults by july. pepper. we've spoken to families today _ adults by july. pepper. we've spoken to families today who _ adults by july. pepper. we've spoken to families today who lost _ adults by july. pepper. we've spoken to families today who lost their - to families today who lost their loved _ to families today who lost their loved ones _ to families today who lost their loved ones to _ to families today who lost their loved ones to covid—19 - to families today who lost their loved ones to covid—19 last - to families today who lost their. loved ones to covid—19 last spring after— loved ones to covid—19 last spring after patients _ loved ones to covid—19 last spring after patients were _ loved ones to covid—19 last spring after patients were discharged - loved ones to covid—19 last spring i after patients were discharged back into care _ after patients were discharged back into care homes _ after patients were discharged back into care homes without _ after patients were discharged back into care homes without being - into care homes without being tested — into care homes without being tested 0ne _ into care homes without being tested. one said _ into care homes without being tested. one said she - into care homes without being tested. one said she cried - into care homes without being i tested. one said she cried when into care homes without being - tested. one said she cried when she had dominic— tested. one said she cried when she had dominic cummings _ tested. one said she cried when she had dominic cummings testimony . tested. one said she cried when she i had dominic cummings testimony and she said _ had dominic cummings testimony and she said she _ had dominic cummings testimony and she said she won't— had dominic cummings testimony and she said she won't be _ had dominic cummings testimony and she said she won't be the _ had dominic cummings testimony and she said she won't be the only- had dominic cummings testimony and she said she won't be the only one - she said she won't be the only one crying. _ she said she won't be the only one crying, particularly— she said she won't be the only one crying, particularly when _ she said she won't be the only one crying, particularly when he - she said she won't be the only one crying, particularly when he was i crying, particularly when he was talking — crying, particularly when he was talking about _ crying, particularly when he was talking about not _ crying, particularly when he was talking about not having - crying, particularly when he was talking about not having a - crying, particularly when he was talking about not having a plan. crying, particularly when he was . talking about not having a plan for care homes — talking about not having a plan for care homes. another— talking about not having a plan for care homes. another said, - talking about not having a plan for| care homes. another said, nothing surprised _ care homes. another said, nothing surprised me. _ care homes. another said, nothing surprised me. it— care homes. another said, nothing surprised me, it show— care homes. another said, nothing surprised me, it show to _ care homes. another said, nothing surprised me, it show to shape - care homes. another said, nothingj surprised me, it show to shape the general— surprised me, it show to shape the general chaos _ surprised me, it show to shape the general chaos and _ surprised me, it show to shape the general chaos and i— surprised me, it show to shape the general chaos and i feel— surprised me, it show to shape the general chaos and i feel like - surprised me, it show to shape the general chaos and i feel like my. surprised me, it show to shape the . general chaos and i feel like my mum is one _ general chaos and i feel like my mum is one of— general chaos and i feel like my mum is one of the — general chaos and i feel like my mum is one of the tens _ general chaos and i feel like my mum is one of the tens of— general chaos and i feel like my mum is one of the tens of thousands - general chaos and i feel like my mum is one of the tens of thousands who l is one of the tens of thousands who didn't— is one of the tens of thousands who didn't need — is one of the tens of thousands who didn't need to — is one of the tens of thousands who didn't need to die. _ is one of the tens of thousands who didn't need to die. another- is one of the tens of thousands who didn't need to die. another said, i is one of the tens of thousands who didn't need to die. another said, iti didn't need to die. another said, it was absolute — didn't need to die. another said, it was absolute chaos, _ didn't need to die. another said, it was absolute chaos, they- didn't need to die. another said, it was absolute chaos, they didn't . didn't need to die. another said, it. was absolute chaos, they didn't know what they— was absolute chaos, they didn't know what they were — was absolute chaos, they didn't know what they were doing. _ was absolute chaos, they didn't know what they were doing. the _ was absolute chaos, they didn't know what they were doing. the buck - was absolute chaos, they didn't know| what they were doing. the buck stops with the _ what they were doing. the buck stops with the prime — what they were doing. the buck stops with the prime minister— what they were doing. the buck stops with the prime minister but— what they were doing. the buck stops with the prime minister but he - what they were doing. the buck stops with the prime minister but he said i with the prime minister but he said he holds _ with the prime minister but he said he holds matt— with the prime minister but he said he holds matt hancock— with the prime minister but he said he holds matt hancock responsible | with the prime minister but he said i he holds matt hancock responsible as well. he holds matt hancock responsible as welt there _ he holds matt hancock responsible as well. there have _ he holds matt hancock responsible as well. there have been— he holds matt hancock responsible as well. there have been 36,275- he holds matt hancock responsible as well. there have been 36,275 deathsl well. there have been 36,275 deaths involving _ well. there have been 36,275 deaths involving covid—19 _ well. there have been 36,275 deaths involving covid—19 in _ well. there have been 36,275 deaths involving covid—19 in uk _ well. there have been 36,275 deaths involving covid—19 in uk care - well. there have been 36,275 deathsj involving covid—19 in uk care homes. he promised — involving covid—19 in uk care homes. he promised to — involving covid—19 in uk care homes. he promised to protect— involving covid—19 in uk care homes. he promised to protect them - involving covid—19 in uk care homes. he promised to protect them but- involving covid—19 in uk care homes. he promised to protect them but hel he promised to protect them but he didn't— he promised to protect them but he didn't and _ he promised to protect them but he didn't and today _ he promised to protect them but he didn't and today you _ he promised to protect them but he didn't and today you dodge - he promised to protect them but he. didn't and today you dodge questions from mps _

didn't and today you dodge questions from mps about— didn't and today you dodge questions from mps about the _ didn't and today you dodge questions from mps about the specifics - didn't and today you dodge questions from mps about the specifics and - didn't and today you dodge questions| from mps about the specifics and now you're _ from mps about the specifics and now you're doing _ from mps about the specifics and now you're doing it— from mps about the specifics and now you're doing it from _ from mps about the specifics and now you're doing it from the _ from mps about the specifics and now you're doing it from the media. - from mps about the specifics and now you're doing it from the media. why, | you're doing it from the media. why, when _ you're doing it from the media. why, when there _ you're doing it from the media. why, when there clearly— you're doing it from the media. why, when there clearly wasn't _ you're doing it from the media. why, when there clearly wasn't sufficient l when there clearly wasn't sufficient testing _ when there clearly wasn't sufficient testing capacity _ when there clearly wasn't sufficient testing capacity to _ when there clearly wasn't sufficient testing capacity to do _ when there clearly wasn't sufficient testing capacity to do it _ when there clearly wasn't sufficient testing capacity to do it safely - when there clearly wasn't sufficient testing capacity to do it safely did i testing capacity to do it safely did you sign— testing capacity to do it safely did you sign off— testing capacity to do it safely did you sign off the _ testing capacity to do it safely did you sign off the discharge - testing capacity to do it safely did you sign off the discharge plan? i testing capacity to do it safely did i you sign off the discharge plan? can you sign off the discharge plan? can you give _ you sign off the discharge plan? can you give families _ you sign off the discharge plan? can you give families the _ you sign off the discharge plan? can you give families the answers - you sign off the discharge plan? can you give families the answers and l you give families the answers and finally— you give families the answers and finally depend _ you give families the answers and finally depend the _ you give families the answers and finally depend the peace - you give families the answers andl finally depend the peace deserve? thank— finally depend the peace deserve? thank you. — finally depend the peace deserve? thank you. i— finally depend the peace deserve? thank you, i have _ finally depend the peace deserve? thank you, i have been _ finally depend the peace deserve? thank you, i have been answering| thank you, i have been answering questions all morning and all afternoon and it's very important. that has been our whole approach during this pandemic, to answer questions from the public and from the media and of course from mps. and many, many people have lost loved ones, as you know. that includes my family. and the truth in this situation is that because we didn't have the testing capacity, it wasn't possible until we had built that capacity to put the testing in place. and we were dealing with an unprecedented situation as you know.

and that is one of the things that i will always look back on which is that we worked incredibly hard to put in place what is needed to fight a pandemic and thankfully, now, over the last few months, we have really got these things in place, over1 million tests every day on a regular basis and of course, the vaccine which we have been working on since the start. so of course my heart goes out to all those who have lost loved ones, but all i can say is that we worked to do everything we possibly could in what were difficult circumstances. on the details of the policy and why it was in place, and crucially, what we have learned including for instance, on the asymptomatic transmission of the virus, the fact it passes on to people who don't have any symptoms,

we have developed and improved our policy towards care homes as the testing capacity has grown and may be on the clinical side, drjenny harries will be able to address those parts of the question. thank ou, those parts of the question. thank you. secretary _ those parts of the question. thank you. secretary of _ those parts of the question. thank you, secretary of state. _ those parts of the question. thank you, secretary of state. i - those parts of the question. thank you, secretary of state. i mean . you, secretary of state. i mean obviously. _ you, secretary of state. i mean obviously, my family as well has lost somebody at the start of the pandemic— lost somebody at the start of the pandemic so i think we do feel for those _ pandemic so i think we do feel for those families but if ijust go back to the _ those families but if ijust go back to the evidence and this is going to sound _ to the evidence and this is going to sound quite clinical and scientific but that's— sound quite clinical and scientific but that's what i've been asked to do stuff— but that's what i've been asked to do stuff actually come of the reasons _ do stuff actually come of the reasons that the subgroup, the sage subgroup— reasons that the subgroup, the sage subgroup was set up was to really try and _ subgroup was set up was to really try and look at what were the reasons — try and look at what were the reasons for these very significant rates _ reasons for these very significant rates of— reasons for these very significant rates of infection and death in residential care settings and it was set up _ residential care settings and it was set up in _ residential care settings and it was set up in a — residential care settings and it was set up in a way to be able to feedback— set up in a way to be able to feedback directly to the adult social— feedback directly to the adult social care policy plan in order to be able _ social care policy plan in order to be able to— social care policy plan in order to be able to implement findings as quickly— be able to implement findings as quickly as—

be able to implement findings as quickly as possible and if you look at the _ quickly as possible and if you look at the death rates and bear in mind the evidence we found from the fact the evidence we found from the fact the discharge from hospitals was actually — the discharge from hospitals was actually a — the discharge from hospitals was actually a very, very tiny proportional because of cases, what has had _ proportional because of cases, what has had a _ proportional because of cases, what has had a huge impact is the testing. _ has had a huge impact is the testing, regulartesting has had a huge impact is the testing, regular testing of staff and residents. actually, for staff who do— and residents. actually, for staff who do this on a regular basis, it is quite _ who do this on a regular basis, it is quite time—consuming for them so a huge _ is quite time—consuming for them so a huge thank you to them because every— a huge thank you to them because every week— a huge thank you to them because every week they do a pcr test and two lateral— every week they do a pcr test and two lateral flow tests and if you look at — two lateral flow tests and if you look at the second wave you see that allows _ look at the second wave you see that allows regular testing, it means if you know— allows regular testing, it means if you know someone comes in and they have a _ you know someone comes in and they have a positive test before they start _ have a positive test before they start work— have a positive test before they start work they do not come into the setting _ start work they do not come into the setting so— start work they do not come into the setting so they are at no risk of passing — setting so they are at no risk of passing on _ setting so they are at no risk of passing on that infection to others and equally, we have had vaccination programmes stop the lateral flow testing _ programmes stop the lateral flow testing has been a really important part of— testing has been a really important part ofjust keeping an eye on that, the pcr_ part ofjust keeping an eye on that, the pcr testing allows us to run at the pcr testing allows us to run at the same — the pcr testing allows us to run at the same time, it's more sensitive so we _ the same time, it's more sensitive

so we are — the same time, it's more sensitive so we are doing it doubly and checking _ so we are doing it doubly and checking to see about variant access and we _ checking to see about variant access and we can — checking to see about variant access and we can get on top of these things— and we can get on top of these things more quickly.— and we can get on top of these things more quickly. thank you, the next question _ things more quickly. thank you, the next question from _ things more quickly. thank you, the next question from the _ things more quickly. thank you, the next question from the times - next question from the times newspaper. steve.— next question from the times newspaper. steve. next question from the times news--aer. steve. ~ .,, �* . ., newspaper. steve. white wasn't clear sufficient testing _ newspaper. steve. white wasn't clear sufficient testing capacity _ newspaper. steve. white wasn't clear sufficient testing capacity and - newspaper. steve. white wasn't clear sufficient testing capacity and why . sufficient testing capacity and why did you _ sufficient testing capacity and why did you sign — sufficient testing capacity and why did you sign of— sufficient testing capacity and why did you sign of the _ sufficient testing capacity and why did you sign of the discharge - sufficient testing capacity and whyl did you sign of the discharge plan? i'm did you sign of the discharge plan? i'm terribly— did you sign of the discharge plan? i'm terribly sorry, _ did you sign of the discharge plan? i'm terribly sorry, i'm _ did you sign of the discharge plan? i'm terribly sorry, i'm not- did you sign of the discharge plan? i'm terribly sorry, i'm not sure - did you sign of the discharge plan? i'm terribly sorry, i'm not sure i. i'm terribly sorry, i'm not sure i got the full question but i think you are saying since the challenge, the testing capacity, white did you have the plan? well, firstly, we took clinical advice on what the appropriate thing to do was, that was the best way to proceed in these circumstances. but critically, you've got to build the testing capacity and that's what we did. and we published all these plans at the time and discussed it, in fact we discussed it at press conferences at the time. what is the best way to approach it? and that's something on

which we took clinical advice. thank you. the times, steve.— you. the times, steve. have you soken you. the times, steve. have you spoken to _ you. the times, steve. have you spoken to the — you. the times, steve. have you spoken to the prime _ you. the times, steve. have you spoken to the prime minister - you. the times, steve. have you i spoken to the prime minister about the evidence — spoken to the prime minister about the evidence given _ spoken to the prime minister about the evidence given by— spoken to the prime minister about the evidence given by dominic- the evidence given by dominic cummings— the evidence given by dominic cummings yesterday- the evidence given by dominic cummings yesterday in - the evidence given by dominic cummings yesterday in whichl the evidence given by dominic. cummings yesterday in which he accused — cummings yesterday in which he accused you _ cummings yesterday in which he accused you of— cummings yesterday in which he accused you of being _ cummings yesterday in which he accused you of being a - cummings yesterday in which he accused you of being a serial- cummings yesterday in which hej accused you of being a serial liar and has — accused you of being a serial liar and has boris _ accused you of being a serial liar and has borisjohnson _ accused you of being a serial liar| and has borisjohnson personally giving _ and has borisjohnson personally giving you — and has borisjohnson personally giving you his _ and has borisjohnson personally giving you his reassurance - and has borisjohnson personally giving you his reassurance that l and has borisjohnson personallyl giving you his reassurance that he has confidence _ giving you his reassurance that he has confidence in _ giving you his reassurance that he has confidence in you _ giving you his reassurance that he has confidence in you as - giving you his reassurance that he has confidence in you as the - giving you his reassurance that he. has confidence in you as the health secretary— has confidence in you as the health secretary and — has confidence in you as the health secretary and dr— has confidence in you as the health secretary and drjenny— has confidence in you as the health secretary and drjenny harries, - has confidence in you as the health secretary and drjenny harries, onl secretary and drjenny harries, on the road _ secretary and drjenny harries, on the road map. _ secretary and drjenny harries, on the road map, professor— secretary and drjenny harries, on the road map, professor neil- the road map, professor neil ferguson _ the road map, professor neil ferguson said _ the road map, professor neil ferguson said this _ the road map, professor neil ferguson said this morning . the road map, professor neill ferguson said this morning the easing — ferguson said this morning the easing of— ferguson said this morning the easing of lockdown _ ferguson said this morning the easing of lockdown restrictionsj ferguson said this morning the i easing of lockdown restrictions on the 21st _ easing of lockdown restrictions on the 21st of— easing of lockdown restrictions on the 21st ofjune — easing of lockdown restrictions on the 21st ofjune is— easing of lockdown restrictions on the 21st ofjune is very _ easing of lockdown restrictions on the 21st ofjune is very much - easing of lockdown restrictions on the 21st ofjune is very much in i easing of lockdown restrictions onl the 21st ofjune is very much in the balance _ the 21st ofjune is very much in the balance given _ the 21st ofjune is very much in the balance given the _ the 21st ofjune is very much in the balance given the rate _ the 21st ofjune is very much in the balance given the rate at _ the 21st ofjune is very much in the balance given the rate at which - the 21st ofjune is very much in the balance given the rate at which the indian _ balance given the rate at which the indian variant— balance given the rate at which the indian variant is _ balance given the rate at which the indian variant is spreading, - balance given the rate at which the indian variant is spreading, do - balance given the rate at which the indian variant is spreading, do you| indian variant is spreading, do you agree _ indian variant is spreading, do you agree with — indian variant is spreading, do you agree with him? _ indian variant is spreading, do you agree with him? the _ indian variant is spreading, do you agree with him?— indian variant is spreading, do you agree with him? the prime minister and i talk agree with him? the prime minister and i talk of — agree with him? the prime minister and i talk of the _ agree with him? the prime minister and i talk of the time _ agree with him? the prime minister and i talk of the time and _ agree with him? the prime minister and i talk of the time and we - agree with him? the prime minister and i talk of the time and we are . and i talk of the time and we are working incredibly hard on getting this vaccine roll—out as broad as possible, making sure people get their second doses, and obviously, very vigilant in particular to areas of the country for cases are starting to rise, as i have set out so that is what we have focused on because that is what really matters, to getting this country out of this pandemic. i mean, you know, this

isn't over yet. and anyway, the rising case rates in the last couple of days demonstrate that, we have all got to be vigilant and we still, all got to be vigilant and we still, all of us, have to take personal responsibility for what we can do to help keep this under control as we get the vaccine roll—out. it is a race between the two and that is what we are focused on.- race between the two and that is what we are focused on. jenny? on the road map. _ what we are focused on. jenny? on the road map. i— what we are focused on. jenny? on the road map, i absolutely- what we are focused on. jenny? on the road map, i absolutely agree i the road map, i absolutely agree with professor neil ferguson, the road map— with professor neil ferguson, the road map works on broad principles to go— road map works on broad principles to go forward, on the cases, hospitalisations, the effectiveness of the _ hospitalisations, the effectiveness of the vaccine programme and the new variants _ of the vaccine programme and the new variants and _ of the vaccine programme and the new variants and in many ways we are looking _ variants and in many ways we are looking at — variants and in many ways we are looking at the first part and the last part — looking at the first part and the last part. if you look at the pure data _ last part. if you look at the pure data which — last part. if you look at the pure data which is out today, it looks quite _ data which is out today, it looks quite worrying, we had 3535 cases of the 6172— quite worrying, we had 3535 cases of the 6:7.2 last week and we have just about— the 6:7.2 last week and we have just about double that, 6959 now however,

what is _ about double that, 6959 now however, what is important, when i mentioned when _ what is important, when i mentioned when i _ what is important, when i mentioned when i was _ what is important, when i mentioned when i was doing the slides, we are actively— when i was doing the slides, we are actively going out and finding cases. — actively going out and finding cases, we do expect cases to rise but we _ cases, we do expect cases to rise but we also — cases, we do expect cases to rise but we also expected some cases to rise as _ but we also expected some cases to rise as we _ but we also expected some cases to rise as we gradually start to socialise _ rise as we gradually start to socialise. and i think what's important is when you look at where these _ important is when you look at where these patterns of cases are, for example — these patterns of cases are, for example you look at london data recently. — example you look at london data recently, there's been a huge effort in all— recently, there's been a huge effort in all of— recently, there's been a huge effort in all of these areas, actually, in search— in all of these areas, actually, in search testing and the fastest speed we can— search testing and the fastest speed we can detect new variants using different — we can detect new variants using different techniques and genomic testing. _ different techniques and genomic testing, in some areas they have closed _ testing, in some areas they have closed down so we haven't seen, we've _ closed down so we haven't seen, we've seen— closed down so we haven't seen, we've seen some community transmission and it's closed down again _ transmission and it's closed down again the — transmission and it's closed down again. the biggest area probably is the north—west, we know and i know the north—west, we know and i know the bolton _ the north—west, we know and i know the bolton team are working really hard and _ the bolton team are working really hard and also in the greater manchester area to try and maintain these _ manchester area to try and maintain these numbers quite low. sol manchester area to try and maintain these numbers quite low. so i think it is really— these numbers quite low. so i think it is reallyjust on the cusp at the moment. — it is reallyjust on the cusp at the moment. if— it is reallyjust on the cusp at the moment, if we see cases rising we are not—

moment, if we see cases rising we are not clear— moment, if we see cases rising we are not clear yet quite whether that is a rise _ are not clear yet quite whether that is a rise in— are not clear yet quite whether that is a rise in the variant cases or it's taking _ is a rise in the variant cases or it's taking off, or whether it's a rise because we are actively, quite rightly. _ rise because we are actively, quite rightly, detecting them and challenging the chains of transmission so on the good news, we are not— transmission so on the good news, we are not seen— transmission so on the good news, we are not seen that, generally, translating into increased cases of hospitalisation and definitely not into deaths and so obviously, the key message is, even if we can hold it while _ key message is, even if we can hold it while the — key message is, even if we can hold it while the vaccination programme rolls out. _ it while the vaccination programme rolls out, we stand a much better chance _ rolls out, we stand a much better chance of— rolls out, we stand a much better chance of getting through this session — chance of getting through this session. my simple message which is where _ session. my simple message which is where i_ session. my simple message which is where i started, please go and get yourjab— where i started, please go and get yourjab and particularly if you have _ yourjab and particularly if you have a — yourjab and particularly if you have a second one too.- yourjab and particularly if you have a second one too. thank you. that last point _ have a second one too. thank you. that last point is _ have a second one too. thank you. that last point is absolutely - that last point is absolutely critical, we are in a race between the virus in the vaccine, the vaccine is effective, we have to get the vaccine out as quickly as possible. that is the thing that really matters. the final question, jane williams from the manchester evening news.

jane williams from the manchester evening news-— jane williams from the manchester evening news. jane williams from the manchester evenin: news. . ~' , ., ., evening news. thank you, question to the health secretary. _ evening news. thank you, question to the health secretary. manchester- the health secretary. manchester health _ the health secretary. manchester health and — the health secretary. manchester health and social— the health secretary. manchester health and social care _ the health secretary. manchester health and social care secretary. health and social care secretary system — health and social care secretary system started _ health and social care secretary system started testing - health and social care secretaryj system started testing residents before _ system started testing residents before discharge _ system started testing residents before discharge in— system started testing residents before discharge in the - system started testing residents before discharge in the middle l system started testing residentsl before discharge in the middle of march _ before discharge in the middle of march 20 — before discharge in the middle of march 20 because _ before discharge in the middle of march 20 because they _ before discharge in the middle of march 20 because they knew- before discharge in the middle of. march 20 because they knew there before discharge in the middle of- march 20 because they knew there was a risk and _ march 20 because they knew there was a risk and they— march 20 because they knew there was a risk and they started _ march 20 because they knew there was a risk and they started a _ march 20 because they knew there was a risk and they started a way _ march 20 because they knew there was a risk and they started a way to - march 20 because they knew there was a risk and they started a way to do - a risk and they started a way to do it so— a risk and they started a way to do it so i_ a risk and they started a way to do it so i did — a risk and they started a way to do it so i did not— a risk and they started a way to do it so i did not become _ a risk and they started a way to do it so i did not become national- it so i did not become national policy— it so i did not become national policy for— it so i did not become national policy for another— it so i did not become national policy for another month - it so i did not become national policy for another month and l it so i did not become nationall policy for another month and do it so i did not become national- policy for another month and do you wish you _ policy for another month and do you wish you had — policy for another month and do you wish you had taken _ policy for another month and do you wish you had taken more _ policy for another month and do you wish you had taken more advice - policy for another month and do you | wish you had taken more advice from local public— wish you had taken more advice from local public health _ wish you had taken more advice from local public health leaders _ wish you had taken more advice from local public health leaders at - wish you had taken more advice from local public health leaders at the - local public health leaders at the start of— local public health leaders at the start of the — local public health leaders at the start of the pandemic? - local public health leaders at the start of the pandemic? and - local public health leaders at the start of the pandemic? and for. local public health leaders at the | start of the pandemic? and for dr jenny— start of the pandemic? and for dr jenny harries. _ start of the pandemic? and for dr jenny harries, there's _ start of the pandemic? and for dr jenny harries, there's obviously l start of the pandemic? and for dr jenny harries, there's obviously a j jenny harries, there's obviously a lot of— jenny harries, there's obviously a lot of attention _ jenny harries, there's obviously a lot of attention on _ jenny harries, there's obviously a lot of attention on bolton - jenny harries, there's obviously a lot of attention on bolton in - jenny harries, there's obviously a lot of attention on bolton in the l lot of attention on bolton in the last few— lot of attention on bolton in the last few weeks _ lot of attention on bolton in the last few weeks and _ lot of attention on bolton in the last few weeks and there - lot of attention on bolton in the last few weeks and there are i lot of attention on bolton in the i last few weeks and there are signs of infection — last few weeks and there are signs of infection rates _ last few weeks and there are signs of infection rates are _ last few weeks and there are signs of infection rates are slowing - of infection rates are slowing thanks— of infection rates are slowing thanks to _ of infection rates are slowing thanks to the _ of infection rates are slowing thanks to the measures - of infection rates are slowing i thanks to the measures taken of infection rates are slowing - thanks to the measures taken but those _ thanks to the measures taken but those in _ thanks to the measures taken but those in most _ thanks to the measures taken but those in most other— thanks to the measures taken but those in most other greater- those in most other greater manchester _ those in most other greater manchester brothers - those in most other greaterj manchester brothers arising those in most other greater- manchester brothers arising fast, should _ manchester brothers arising fast, should these _ manchester brothers arising fast, should these places _ manchester brothers arising fast, should these places get - manchester brothers arising fast, should these places get similar. should these places get similar surge _ should these places get similar surge vaccination _ should these places get similar surge vaccination support? - should these places get similar surge vaccination support? thank ou. surge vaccination support? thank you- thanks- _ surge vaccination support? thank you- thanks- i— surge vaccination support? thank you. thanks. i come _ surge vaccination support? thank you. thanks. i come back- surge vaccination support? thank you. thanks. i come back to - surge vaccination support? thank you. thanks. i come back to the l you. thanks. i come back to the earlier point, unfortunately we did not have the testing capacity to put that policy in place across the whole country. it would have been wonderful if we had started this pandemic with a very large testing capacity but we did not we had to build one. once we had built one we

were able to put that policy in place nationwide. when it comes to bolton, there are some early signs that the increase in rates may be starting to cap out, we did see this programme of search testing plus surge vaccination work in south london but i'm really, really watching the bolton rates very closely. watching the bolton rates very closel ., g watching the bolton rates very closel ., ., ,, watching the bolton rates very closel ., . ~' closely. jenny? thank you, i might 'ust do a closely. jenny? thank you, i might just do a call— closely. jenny? thank you, i might just do a call out _ closely. jenny? thank you, i might just do a call out for— closely. jenny? thank you, i might just do a call out for the _ closely. jenny? thank you, i might just do a call out for the director. just do a call out for the director of public— just do a call out for the director of public health and bolton who has been absolutely brilliant in supporting this and we work closely with her _ supporting this and we work closely with her. as the secretary of state said. _ with her. as the secretary of state said. the _ with her. as the secretary of state said, the cases look as though they are starting — said, the cases look as though they are starting to plateau but the spill over— are starting to plateau but the spill over into community transmission in local areas is important. what we are finding in a lot of— important. what we are finding in a lot of places, it's not what we would — lot of places, it's not what we would call _ lot of places, it's not what we would call generalised transmission, you could _ would call generalised transmission, you could still see focal points of

outbreaks, whether it's a community centre. _ outbreaks, whether it's a community centre. a _ outbreaks, whether it's a community centre, a school, a faith building. and so— centre, a school, a faith building. and so it's — centre, a school, a faith building. and so it's really important that iocai— and so it's really important that local understanding is brought into the picture so that we can surge the testing _ the picture so that we can surge the testing and — the picture so that we can surge the testing and put in support in supporting those areas. i think the way test _ supporting those areas. i think the way test and trace are working, swiveiling — way test and trace are working, swivelling around services and building — swivelling around services and building from the local system is important — building from the local system is important and we are doing that right— important and we are doing that right across areas, looking out for other— right across areas, looking out for other parts — right across areas, looking out for other parts of greater manchester to see how _ other parts of greater manchester to see how we can support them. but the data at— see how we can support them. but the data at the _ see how we can support them. but the data at the moment and those support enablers. _ data at the moment and those support enablers, for local people, are very much _ enablers, for local people, are very much focused on areas where we can see the _ much focused on areas where we can see the rate — much focused on areas where we can see the rate of change and growth in transmission but we will continue to watch _ transmission but we will continue to watch that. — transmission but we will continue to watch that, obviously.— watch that, obviously. thank you. can i 'ust watch that, obviously. thank you. can i just add _ watch that, obviously. thank you. can ijust add one _ watch that, obviously. thank you. can ijust add one other _ watch that, obviously. thank you. can ijust add one other thing, . can ijust add one other thing, which is people in bolton have really stepped up and i'm very grateful and you can see it in the queues of people getting vaccinated,

the big increase in numbers of vaccinations, the big increase in testing, people coming forward to get tested, i think the council had done a brilliantjob and their leader david greenall is doing a greatjob as well as the director of public health. we will keep supporting bolton and we are also watching very carefully other areas because if this package of support works effectively against this variant in bolton, then it's a model for how we can tackle it without having to resort to a local lockdown which obviously nobody wants to see so so far so good but stick at it, bolton, we will get there. and that ends this downing street press conference. thank you very much. that was the health secretary matt hancock alongside doctorjenny harries of nhs test and trace laying out the latest situation as far as coronavirus infections are concerned, we are getting more

analysis from electrical who is here. let's begin with the first thing on infections. they are going up, more testing taking place, some would suggest it expected things would suggest it expected things would go up but it's not really the direction that everyone wants? it’s direction that everyone wants? it's not but direction that everyone wants? it�*s not but we were told to expect it at this stage of the easing of restrictions. the step three in the road map that allowed indoor mixing from mid—may was always the move that would put us on upward pressure and government scientists told us cases would start going up and we can perhaps see on a chart, they showed at the press briefing, how the numbers of infections, just over the numbers of infections, just over the past few days have started to tip up a little bit, over 3000 500 cases reported today. just over 3000 yesterday. and that comes after six orseven yesterday. and that comes after six or seven weeks of sub—3000 cases being reported. each day. what's

important is whether that translates and to what extent that translates to hospital cases and deaths. ministers talk about the vaccine breaking the link between infections and hospitalisations. if anything, it's more weakening bad and that's why what happens to cases is very important. if we see a sharp rise in cases, that could translate, still come into some significant numbers of people being admitted to hospital so these figures are going to be watched very closely, day in and out now because of course, the prime minister today was talking about step four of the road map, the end of social distancing on during the zist. a of social distancing on during the 21st. a decision will be taken just a week before that, whether that step can take place and clearly, what is happening with the daily figures will be a crucial part of that decision making. by, figures will be a crucial part of that decision making.- figures will be a crucial part of that decision making. a big part of the problem _ that decision making. a big part of the problem seems _ that decision making. a big part of the problem seems to _ that decision making. a big part of the problem seems to be - that decision making. a big part of the problem seems to be this - that decision making. a big part of. the problem seems to be this indian variant, the health secretary saying

more than half and potentially as many as three quarters of all new cases of coronavirus infections are the result of this particular variant which he says is still spreading and more brilliant than the kent variant?— the kent variant? yes, certainly this new variant, _ the kent variant? yes, certainly this new variant, the _ the kent variant? yes, certainly this new variant, the indian - this new variant, the indian variant, is a real complication. what the health secretary was pointing to their is the numbers of cases that are sent off for genomic sequencing, we are getting 70—75% of cases, a picture from a week ago, once you get a positive test that are sent to a laboratory to see which variant is causing that infection. we only test around half a positive cases so that figure is skewed towards the areas where the indian variant is spreading so the true picture is probably a little

bit under that 50—75%. but clearly, it's becoming a dominant virus in the uk. we are told we should expect that. but the key is how much more infectious this variant is and the scientists still don't know. if it's much more infectious, 40% more infectious than the old kent variant, that could cause significant numbers of hospital admissions at a variant that is just 10-20% admissions at a variant that is just 10—20% more transmissible has a significantly, 7—8 times less impact on hospital cases so scientists are still working hard to understand exactly whether that variant and how much more infectious it is.— much more infectious it is. which is wh the much more infectious it is. which is why the government _ much more infectious it is. which is why the government is _ much more infectious it is. which is why the government is saying - much more infectious it is. which is why the government is saying it's . why the government is saying it's going to be at least a couple of weeks before it can categorically make it clear that restrictions will be lifted onjune the 21st. thank you for that. let's speak to our political correspondent leila nathoo,

who's at westminster. questions to the health secretary about dominic cummings testimony before that committee yesterday. and the health secretary making it clear he was committed to delivering testing for people leaving hospital and going into care homes. dominic cummings charge was that he claimed this testing was up and ready and running but actually it was not and as a result he should have been fired because he was lying. yes. fired because he was lying. yes, every single _ fired because he was lying. yes, every single question _ fired because he was lying. yes, every single question from - every single question from journalists to matt hancock was about the central allegation around the policy towards care homes, as you say dominic cummings saying they were under the impression from matt hancock people being discharged from hospitals into care homes were getting tested. they went away, found out it was not happening, accused matt hancock as you say of lying, very serious allegation. his response to every single question about this policy was essentially his recollection was that he committed to delivering the policy

but then had to go away and set up the testing capacity, he was at pains to stress testing capacity was started essentially from zero and he had to go away and build that, the idea being everyone leaving hospital for a care home we get tested but theyjust for a care home we get tested but they just didn't for a care home we get tested but theyjust didn't have the capacity to do that so he had to go away and work on that policy to actually build it. i don't think that was a direct, head—on denial or acceptance of dominic cummings charge, a slightly different answer, if you like. he talked about committing to the policy, almost in principle and then turning that policy into a reality rather than saying we actually said it was happening and in fact it was not. but you can see this was one of the most sensitive issues, look at the figures, tens of thousands of people died from covid in care homes, one of the most sensitive issues from very early on in the pandemic and one of the most serious charges from dominic cummings buti

serious charges from dominic cummings but i think matt hancock was also at pains to stress that there would be a time to go into this in greater detail, that time, clearly, for him and the prime minister, is not now, they want to ship that back to the public inquiry next spring. ship that back to the public inquiry next spring-— i'm here with dr philippa whitford from the snp many questions following the testimony from dominic cummings yesterday concerning the movement of people from hospitals to care homes in england. we note that while there seems to be a broad consensus amongst scottish voters that nicola sturgeon, the first minister, has handled the pandemic pretty well, there is consensus that the handling of the situation with care homes was a disaster in scotland, and indeed, one of the highest deaths per capita anywhere in europe. what mistakes would you say the snp made in relation to this? i

would you say the snp made in relation to this?— would you say the snp made in relation to this? i would 'ust have to start with h relation to this? i would 'ust have to start with your - relation to this? i would 'ust have to start with your care - relation to this? i would just have to start with your care home - relation to this? i would just have i to start with your care home deaths per capita. in actual fact, to start with your care home deaths per capita. in actualfact, the england and wales data from the office of national statistics and the data from scotland is almost exactly the same. because you have to use excess deaths in the first wave, simply because people weren't being tested. there is a report this week from the nuffield trust, it was also refuted by the london school of economics last may. there was about 11,000 deaths in care homes in england which were not put down to covid but clearly were so when you look at the excess deaths, it's about 45 per 100,000 in england, wales and scotland so in actual fact, we did not do better but we didn't do worse. this narrative that somehow scotland did particularly badly, they did not. iam not somehow scotland did particularly badly, they did not. i am not here to defend matt hancock. but it is the case that the testing was not there and then people were discharged in scotland, the advice was that they needed to be isolated

for two weeks, i think of where the failure was was not looking at the ability of care homes to do that, whether through training or access to ppe or the layout of the care home or even people with severe dementia, where it's actually very difficult to get them to stay in one place. because its isolation that prevents spread, as drjenny harries said, not a test and those tests weren't available. and if you remember what we were seeing from italy, at that time, the idea of keeping vulnerable people in hospital, which we expected to become a covid battlefield, would also not have been a safe place for them. , also not have been a safe place for them. . ., also not have been a safe place for them. , ., i. also not have been a safe place for them. , ., ,~. .,, them. does it feel to you as if the tene the them. does it feel to you as if the gene the 21st _ them. does it feel to you as if the gene the 21st unlocking _ them. does it feel to you as if the gene the 21st unlocking date - them. does it feel to you as if the gene the 21st unlocking date is . them. does it feel to you as if the gene the 21st unlocking date is a l gene the 21st unlocking date is a sensible one now, given the increased virulence of this new indian variant?— increased virulence of this new indian variant? well we don't yet know whether _ indian variant? well we don't yet know whether it's _ indian variant? well we don't yet know whether it's more - indian variant? well we don't yet know whether it's more virulent l indian variant? well we don't yet. know whether it's more virulent or makes people more sick but sage and

others are fairly convinced that it is significantly more infectious and their proposal is that it's probably about 50% more infectious than the kent variant and of course it was already 50—70% more infectious than the original so you're talking about quite a significant increase and therefore measures that we had all adapted to in the first lockdown may not be strict enough. we heard a lot from the prime minister about the data rather than dates and with cases rising in lots of areas across the uk, itjust seems to me foolhardy to literally tie yourself to the mast of the 21st ofjune when the government �*s failure to control borders let it in and we are in danger ofjust borders let it in and we are in danger of just letting borders let it in and we are in danger ofjust letting a whole third wave occurred. is danger ofjust letting a whole third wave occurred.— wave occurred. is that the real fear, wave occurred. is that the real fear. you _ wave occurred. is that the real fear, you believe, _ wave occurred. is that the real fear, you believe, a _ wave occurred. is that the real fear, you believe, a third - wave occurred. is that the realj fear, you believe, a third wave wave occurred. is that the real. fear, you believe, a third wave is the result of an unlocking potential here next month? itrefoil the result of an unlocking potential here next month?—

the result of an unlocking potential here next month? well that is what sage and some _ here next month? well that is what sage and some of— here next month? well that is what sage and some of the _ here next month? well that is what sage and some of the others - here next month? well that is what sage and some of the others are i sage and some of the others are suggesting. is that there will actually be an increase just from the unlocking that is already happening and if social distancing was ended completely, you would actually have a significant rise. as we heard, just one shot of the vaccine only gives 33% protection and with the astrazeneca which is a very common vaccine that we have used, even both doses is about 66% so it's not 100% protection, it's absolutely crucial but it's not 100%. and the more you would allow this tojust happen 100%. and the more you would allow this to just happen and say i hope people are not ending up in hospital so it does not matter, we could end “p so it does not matter, we could end up exactly as we were in the autumn when the failure to lockdown led to the kent variant. so allowing this to just run has a the kent variant. so allowing this tojust run has a danger in itself of generating further variants, one of generating further variants, one of which could be even more vaccine resistant. i

of which could be even more vaccine resistant. ., ., , , resistant. i mean, there does seem to be an insistence _ resistant. i mean, there does seem to be an insistence that _ resistant. i mean, there does seem to be an insistence that the - resistant. i mean, there does seem to be an insistence that the success of the vaccine roll—out at the moment seems to be the principal way of dealing with this variant?— of dealing with this variant? except it takes 2-3 — of dealing with this variant? except it takes 2-3 weeks _ of dealing with this variant? except it takes 2-3 weeks for _ of dealing with this variant? except it takes 2-3 weeks for your - of dealing with this variant? except it takes 2-3 weeks for your vaccine | it takes 2—3 weeks for your vaccine to take effect, depending which one you have had. so you are getting no real protection until a fortnight later. and then you are not getting your second dose either for eight weeks if you are over 50 or three months if you are under 50. so, you know, you've got people who have no protection initially or they only have 33% protection. for a couple of months. so the vaccine is absolutely central, i mean, itotally agree with that but it isn't enough on its own and i think if we just allow this to run and are so tied to the zist this to run and are so tied to the 21st ofjune, i think there is a danger of seeing a really significant rise and what we have seen is that this variant is impacting on younger and younger

children who we had no particular plan to vaccinate at the moment. and younger and younger adults. and what we don't want to see is either an increase in long covid seeing young and up to 40—year—old adults ending up and up to 40—year—old adults ending up in intensive care units. that and up to 40-year-old adults ending up in intensive care units.— up in intensive care units. at the moment. _ up in intensive care units. at the moment. you — up in intensive care units. at the moment, you are _ up in intensive care units. at the moment, you are saying - up in intensive care units. at the moment, you are saying that. up in intensive care units. at the i moment, you are saying that there actually isn't a date that can be put on the full unlocking as a result of this pandemic? certainly not until enough data has been assessed, looking at this indian variant? h assessed, looking at this indian variant? ., ., ., ' variant? i would have thought 15 months into _ variant? i would have thought 15 months into this _ variant? i would have thought 15 months into this pandemic- variant? i would have thought 15 months into this pandemic we i variant? i would have thought 15 - months into this pandemic we would have learned by now that you cannot just plug a date out of the air, pin it up on a board and somehow stick to it. i mean, it will be over in 12 weeks, we had that, we will be hugging by november, we will have a normal christmas, you cannot do that. and even in the government �*s four key measures, one of them is whether a variant derails things, it

was a complete failure not to have been the on the red list when bangladesh and pakistan were added, it allowed it in and now it is doing allows what infectious variants do, it spreads in communities. there are lots of measures to try and shut that down, we are having to do that in scotland with surge testing, speeding up vaccination but to suddenly end all social distancing, in the middle of rising cases, to me seems foolhardy. ok. in the middle of rising cases, to me seems foolhardy.— in the middle of rising cases, to me seems foolhardy. ok, we must leave it there. thank _ seems foolhardy. ok, we must leave it there. thank you _ seems foolhardy. ok, we must leave it there. thank you so _ seems foolhardy. ok, we must leave it there. thank you so much - seems foolhardy. ok, we must leave it there. thank you so much for - it there. thank you so much for joining us. time for a look at the weather. hello, there. today's sunshine is a bit of a taste of what is to come for the bank holiday weekend. we will see increasing amounts of sunshine and it's going to feel much warmer than it's been of late. for today as well, many places staying dry with plenty of sunshine overhead like this weather watcher picture shows. we could see the cloud building up a little bit across eastern parts of england and eastern scotland and that could just squeeze out

the odd shower but they will be very isolated and most places will be dry. this new weather front pushing into the far west will bring thicker cloud into northern ireland and the very far south—west later but those temperatures responding with all the sunshine. 20 or 21 degrees across the south, a little bit warmer further north too. as we head into this evening and overnight that weather front starts to push eastwards, quite damp across northern ireland, western parts of britain and around the irish sea coast during the course of the night. further east it should tend to stay dry but we will see cloud building up. with more cloud around it is going to be a milder night for many of us. so for friday we have this fly in the ointment, this weatherfront pushing into high pressure so it will continue to fizzle out as we go through the day, however it will bring a much cloudier day than we have today, with patchy rain for western scotland and northern ireland, bits of western england and wales, tending to ease through the day. the best of the drier and brighter weather across northern and eastern areas but where we get sunshine, it is likely to spark the odd heavier shower. temperatures a degree or so down because of more cloud than we had this afternoon.

for the bank holiday weekend, high pressure really dominates, we will see quite a bit of sunshine and it will feel much warmer. saturday will see variable amounts of cloud, some sunny spells, maybe the odd shower but many places will be dry and the wind light as well as high pressure continues to build. the temperatures a little bit higher than friday, again, 20, 21 degrees in the south, high teens celsius for the north. into sunday, it's even better, less cloud around, we should see more sunshine, light winds, it will feel warmer, and we start to see the cloud building up across the north west of scotland, into parts of northern ireland later on in the day but look at those temperatures, 20 celsius across scotland, 21, 22, maybe 23 degrees across parts of england and wales. could see more cloud, the odd shower on bank holiday monday across scotland and northern ireland, further south it stays warm and sunny and indeed for the first week ofjune.

at 6pm — the prime minister rejects claims by his former adviser dominic cummings that government mistakes led to thousands of extra covid deaths. but the health secretary matt hancock is under pressure, over accusations that he falsely claimed that hospital patients were being tested for covid, before being discharged back into care homes. there will be a time when we go back over all this in great detail, but my recollection of events is that i committed to delivering that testing for people going from hospital into care homes when we could do it. matt hancock also revealed tonight that up to three quarters of a new covid cases in the uk are now the indian variant. new infections are on the rise but the prime minister

says