this is bbc news. the headlines: the uk's health regulator approves the use of the pfizer—biontech vaccine for children as young as 12 — the uk's vaccines committee will now decide whether children should get the jab. i want to make sure this all done on a clinical base, following the clinical advice, to make sure that we get this country out of the pandemic as safely as we can. covid cases in england rise by around 75% in one week — as new figures suggest the pandemic is growing. havoc for holidaymakers and businesses — portugal and the travel industry react angrily to the government's decision to remove the country from the green travel list. two police forces agree to pay damages to more than 600 people following the hillsborough disaster.

and how a promise made more than 70 years ago — good afternoon. the uk medicines regulator has approved the extention of the szier—biontech vaccine for use in children as young as 12. the mhra said it carried out a "rigorous review" of the vaccine in adolescents between 12 and 15. the uk's vaccine committee will now decide on whether to advise the government that this age group should be vaccinated as part of the uk roll—out. here's our health correspondent,

catherine burns. america has been doing it for a month. just got the shot a few minutes ago. this is the best way to go about things. and now the uk is one step closer to vaccinating older children. the regulator, the mhra, has authorised the pfizer vaccine for 12 to 15—year—olds. it says this is safe and effective. but the roll—out will only be extended to younger teenagers if thejoint committe on vaccination and immunisation advises the government to do this. right now, much of the focus here, though, is on a rise in case numbers. at the peak, injanuary, figures from the office for national statistics suggested that1 in 50 people across the uk would have tested positive. but those numbers fell steadily. by the start of may, it was down to 1 in 1,375. now, though, it has gone up to1 in 660 people.

this has been driven partly by an increase in cases of the variant first identified in india, known as delta. a lot of that has focused on places with high rates, like blackburn and bolton, but now public health england says the delta variant is the most widespread across the uk. the big question, though, is what does this mean for the next step along the roadmap to reopening in england? there isn't anything yet in the data to say that we are definitively off track, but it is too early to make the decision aboutjune 21. he says "yet" because there's still so much uncertainty. we know this variant spreads more quickly, but we're not sure exactly how fast. scientists think it could make people more likely to need a hospital stay, but they're not certain. we know, at the moment, that the delta variant, the indian variant, is doubling across the country about every nine days,

with some variability from place to place, but we haven't fully seen the effect of what happened from may 17, step three, the relaxation of restrictions, coming through into that data, so we expect that to accelerate even more. ministers will update people in ten days�* time. data they get over that period will be key to what the start of the summer will look like. responding to news that the medicines regulator has approved the use of the vaccine in children aged 12 to 15, matt hancock explained what the government's neck steps would be. i welcome the decision by the independent regulator that the vaccine is safe and effective for children from the age of 12 upwards. we will take clinical advice from thejoint committee on vaccination and immunisation on how that should be taken forward, and then we will follow that clinical advice. we have enough supply to be able

to vaccinate children, should that be the clinically advised thing to do. we now have a vaccine that is approved for the use of children aged 12 and over, but i want to make sure this is all done on a clinical base, following the clinical advice, to make sure that we get this country out of this pandemic as safely as we can. adam finn is a professor of paediatrics at bristol medical school and is a member of thejoint committee on vaccination and immunisation. he's been explaining what thejcvi will base their decision on. why they might not be suitable is because _ why they might not be suitable is because they may simply not needed in order_ because they may simply not needed in order to _ because they may simply not needed in order to stay well and be protected. it could be the case that by highly— protected. it could be the case that by highly immunising the adult population, we can indirectly protect— population, we can indirectly protect children and they will not -et protect children and they will not get the _ protect children and they will not get the infection without any of them _ get the infection without any of them needing to be immunised. we have seen— them needing to be immunised. we have seen are already happening in

israel. _ have seen are already happening in israel. so _ have seen are already happening in israel, so there is evidence that is at least _ israel, so there is evidence that is at least possible, at least in israel. — at least possible, at least in israel, with the virus variants that they had — israel, with the virus variants that they had earlier this year. the reason — they had earlier this year. the reason to— they had earlier this year. the reason to do it, primarily, it would be to— reason to do it, primarily, it would be to avoid — reason to do it, primarily, it would be to avoid further disruption to chitdreh's— be to avoid further disruption to children's education through shutdowns of skills or outbreaks causing — shutdowns of skills or outbreaks causing children to be excluded because — causing children to be excluded because contacts of cases. the greatest — because contacts of cases. the greatest harm we have seen two children — greatest harm we have seen two children in— greatest harm we have seen two children in at the pandemic so far has been — children in at the pandemic so far has been at — children in at the pandemic so far has been at the disruption to their lives _ has been at the disruption to their lives and — has been at the disruption to their lives and their education. the health secretary also responded to data released yesterday from public health england which appears to show the delta variant leads to higher rates of hospitalisation and any possible impact that could have on the next stage of reopening currently planned forjune 21. the data that has been published is very early, we have not yet seen data that means with any confidence that there

is an impact on the likelihood of being in hospital as a result of catching covid but obviously we are both vigilant about this all the time and also we publish the data we have as soon we have it what this really reinforces is that the need to make sure that we are cautious and careful as we come out of this pandemic. it is too early to make a decision about the step that will happen not before the 21st ofjune. we look at the data every day and we will make a decision and publish it later this month. the government has published its latest coronavirus figures. the uk has recorded a further 6,238 confirmed cases of the virus — an increase of over 1000 on yesterday and the highest single—day figure in over two months. 11 more people have died within 28 days of testing positive for covid—19. 0n the vaccine front, over 26.7 million people have now received both doses of a coronavirus vaccine — which means 50.9% of the uk adult population

are now fully vaccinated. well, catherine is here with me now. we are still talking about a rise in cases, but no firm date yet in terms of if that transistor hospitalisations? of if that transistor hositalisations? . hospitalisations? that is a reason that nearly _ hospitalisations? that is a reason that nearly five _ hospitalisations? that is a reason that nearly five weeks _ hospitalisations? that is a reason that nearly five weeks between i that nearly five weeks between opening stages of lockdown. the first forays are to gather data, and at the fifth week is to give people time to act on that. whenever the comet is asked about what the next step of what that is, the basic basically say the comedy one version of the same thing— saying that there is nothing in the data suggesting we should slow things down. we have not seen the impact yet of the relaxation of may 17. what is interesting right now is that this rise in cases was that it is at the highest level since 88 days, much

eighth. let's remember, we're starting from a very low base. looking back to january, about one in 50 people would have tested positive for coronavirus, now it's one in 660. that's a lot worse than six weeks ago, but it's nothing like that peak. the key think they are going to look out over the next ten daysis going to look out over the next ten days is what happens to the number of people in hospital and what to deaths. right now, those numbers are pretty flat. that might be because we haven't actually seen them yet, they often say a lagging indicator, meaning if you get coronavirus now, then you will not be in hospital for another week or two. so that data always lags a little bit. the other explanation is that we may not see an increase, may be the vaccine will let is doing a good job and cut that link. we do not have the answers yet. the hope is over the next ten days that they will have a much clearer picture of.

let's speak now to linda bauld, professor of pubic health at the university of edinburgh. it is not a subject without its controversy. unaware that some medical doctors and researchers have warnings about a variety of potential dangers to children from a vaccine to stop that had been open letters to the mhra, calling irresponsible, unethical and unnecessary. some strong words from medical doctors and researchers. what is your view? it is medical doctors and researchers. what is your view?— what is your view? it is a very difficult. _ what is your view? it is a very difficult, controversial - what is your view? it is a very difficult, controversial issue. | what is your view? it is a very i difficult, controversial issue. we are so— difficult, controversial issue. we are so used to vaccinating children in the _ are so used to vaccinating children in the uk — are so used to vaccinating children in the uk. we have very good vaccine uptake _ in the uk. we have very good vaccine uptake for— in the uk. we have very good vaccine uptake for measles, mumps, whooping cough. _ uptake for measles, mumps, whooping cough. eto _ uptake for measles, mumps, whooping cough, etc. this is a bit different, because _ cough, etc. this is a bit different, because we — cough, etc. this is a bit different, because we know that the risk of covid-19 — because we know that the risk of covid—19 rises exponentially with age. _ covid—19 rises exponentially with age. the — covid—19 rises exponentially with age, the risk to children are small but it— age, the risk to children are small but it is— age, the risk to children are small but it is hot— age, the risk to children are small but it is not zero. the other thing

is that— but it is not zero. the other thing is that these vaccines are new. despite — is that these vaccines are new. despite a — is that these vaccines are new. despite a robust trial that pfizer carried — despite a robust trial that pfizer carried out that was published in a medicat— carried out that was published in a medicaljourney this week, there are still legitimate question. it has that risk— still legitimate question. it has that risk balance ratio, which is very— that risk balance ratio, which is very difficult. there are arguments for vaccinating children, which a number— for vaccinating children, which a number of— for vaccinating children, which a number of countries are now doing, and arguments against.— number of countries are now doing, and arguments against. coming back to those raised _ and arguments against. coming back to those raised arguments _ and arguments against. coming back to those raised arguments against i to those raised arguments against this up as you mentioned, the covid—19 vaccines involved new technology. novel vaccines fast track to market have enemy has caused harm. for example, the swine flu vaccine, which was given to children in 2509 and 2010 before being withdrawn. so it is not a decision that is going to be made lightly? it decision that is going to be made liuhtl ? , ., , lightly? it is not, but i will emphasise _ lightly? it is not, but i will emphasise at _ lightly? it is not, but i will emphasise at the - lightly? it is not, but i will emphasise at the mhra i lightly? it is not, but i will. emphasise at the mhra has lightly? it is not, but i will- emphasise at the mhra has looked carefully— emphasise at the mhra has looked carefully at the data from pfizer. there _ carefully at the data from pfizer. there are — carefully at the data from pfizer. there are 2012 to 15—year—olds from this triat~ _

there are 2012 to 15—year—olds from this trial. from the data, it looks safe, _ this trial. from the data, it looks safe, at— this trial. from the data, it looks safe, at least as far as we can determine _ safe, at least as far as we can determine in the period in which assessment occurred, and it was also highly— assessment occurred, and it was also highly effective, similar to 16—25 —year—olds. i think it is about recognising, at the moment, when we still have _ recognising, at the moment, when we still have high level of infection in the _ still have high level of infection in the communities, there are two reasons— in the communities, there are two reasons for— in the communities, there are two reasons for potentially vaccinating teenagers to stop the first is to provide — teenagers to stop the first is to provide them protection for the smatt— provide them protection for the small numbers at risk. there are children— small numbers at risk. there are children irr— small numbers at risk. there are children in hospital with covid—19, eveh _ children in hospital with covid—19, even though they are tiny numbers to stop the _ even though they are tiny numbers to stop the second thing is this a population in immunity. we know that children— population in immunity. we know that children can _ population in immunity. we know that children can pass on this virus, pa rticuta rty _ children can pass on this virus, particularly teenagers. potentially, by vaccinating them, as we at any period _ by vaccinating them, as we at any period by— by vaccinating them, as we at any period by some people have not had both doses — period by some people have not had both doses of the vaccine, but also in the _ both doses of the vaccine, but also in the longer term, protection may wahe _ in the longer term, protection may wahe for— in the longer term, protection may wane for longer groups, then children— wane for longer groups, then children may be less likely to pass it oh _ children may be less likely to pass it op the — children may be less likely to pass it on. the international expense is interesting — it on. the international expense is interesting. the us has already

given— interesting. the us has already given over2,000,012 to interesting. the us has already given over 2,000,012 to 15—year—olds this vaccihe — given over 2,000,012 to 15—year—olds this vaccine. canada has started, israet. _ this vaccine. canada has started, israel, algeria was the first. in europe, — israel, algeria was the first. in europe, countries will be starting sooh~ _ europe, countries will be starting sooh~ we — europe, countries will be starting soon. we need to wait to hear from the var, _ soon. we need to wait to hear from thejcvi. but— soon. we need to wait to hear from the jcvi, but these are some of these _ the jcvi, but these are some of these issues. as the jcvi, but these are some of these issues.— these issues. as you say, the reporting _ these issues. as you say, the reporting system _ these issues. as you say, the reporting system in _ these issues. as you say, the reporting system in the - these issues. as you say, the reporting system in the us i these issues. as you say, the l reporting system in the us has actually reported there had been some serious side effects and areas of concern. as you pointed out, that is no long—term safety data, none of us have that because it hasn't been a process for long enough. when we talk about that risk versus benefit, we can understand protect out the elderly and vulnerable, but there is that concern for children, that if we don't have the long—term safety data, then why the rush? in terms of immunity, one might wonder what logic, one that is that emerging evidence to suggest the immunity acquired few exposure, is actually robust and durable for children, even to cope with variants? brute

robust and durable for children, even to cope with variants? we don't have a long-term — even to cope with variants? we don't have a long-term safety _ even to cope with variants? we don't have a long-term safety data - even to cope with variants? we don't have a long-term safety data for- have a long—term safety data for anybody — have a long—term safety data for anybody receiving these vaccines, not just _ anybody receiving these vaccines, not just for— anybody receiving these vaccines, notjust for children. we have women who are _ notjust for children. we have women who are breast—feeding, etc, pregnant— who are breast—feeding, etc, pregnant women, just because these are a new— pregnant women, just because these are a new vaccine. we need to recognise _ are a new vaccine. we need to recognise that even though the processes are robust and we have used _ processes are robust and we have used the — processes are robust and we have used the standard procedures for all the trials _ used the standard procedures for all the trials and basic science to the phase _ the trials and basic science to the phase three trials, now we are in phase _ phase three trials, now we are in phase four, — phase three trials, now we are in phase four, real world, we just do not have _ phase four, real world, we just do not have long—term data. in terms of protection, _ not have long—term data. in terms of protection, duration of protection. we know— protection, duration of protection. we know the vaccines are effective from the _ we know the vaccines are effective from the data we have, even for the vulnerable. — from the data we have, even for the vulnerable, against the new variants _ vulnerable, against the new variants. but we do not know in terms _ variants. but we do not know in terms of — variants. but we do not know in terms of well that projection love six months, a year? as we move into tater— six months, a year? as we move into tater in— six months, a year? as we move into tater in the _ six months, a year? as we move into later in the year, maybe even before a booster— later in the year, maybe even before a booster campaign, there may be an argument— a booster campaign, there may be an argument that children are less tikety— argument that children are less likely to — argument that children are less likely to pass it on, teenagers, i

emphasise, if they have been vaccinated, then that may make, to offer _ vaccinated, then that may make, to offer some — vaccinated, then that may make, to offer some protection. the jcvi will be poring _ offer some protection. the jcvi will be poring over all this, as have the regulators— be poring over all this, as have the regulators and relevant bodies in different— regulators and relevant bodies in different countries trying to weigh up different countries trying to weigh up the _ different countries trying to weigh up the risk and benefits. there is 'ust up the risk and benefits. there is just the _ up the risk and benefits. there is just the argument that we still have health— just the argument that we still have health care workers and low and middle — health care workers and low and middle income countries that have not received vaccines, so there will be argument is also about where we prioritise _ be argument is also about where we prioritise supply. portugal and members of the travel industry have reacted angrily to the government's decision to remove the country from the green travel list. ministers say they know holidaymakers may be disappointed, but they're concerned about a new covid variant linked to nepal. holiday—makers in portugal now face a race against time to book covid tests and flights home to beat the mandatory quarantine period that will come into force next tuesday. airlines are putting on extra flights to get tourists back to england.

our business correspondent, katy austin, reports. today, the news that portugal is heading off the green list was sinking in. it meant a sudden change of plan for some travellers. we didn't want to cancel our holiday. last year two of our holidays got cancelled so we were really looking forward to this one, as soon it got put on the green list, booked it, and then yesterday we found out it was amber. got the kids in the car, just waiting for a test... simon and his family are in the algarve visiting their villa. he is desperately searching for a covid test appointment so that they can fly home early tomorrow. we've got to get back before tuesday so that i don't quarantine for ten days. i run my own business so i need to get back and i've got meetings, etc. for many businesses in portugal, yesterday's news was a huge disappointment. this decision will cost me a lot of money, because we have took the decision because of this travel possibilities to portugal in june for the uk customers,

we reopened hotels, we have already some cancellations during yesterday and today in the morning, but i believe more will come. no new countries were added to the green list yesterday. portugal left that category and became amber with a requirement to self—isolate at home for ten days upon return. it's not illegal to travel to these places, but the government's told people not to go to them on holiday. seven more countries were added to the highest—risk red list, which means returning uk residents must pay to quarantine in an approved hotel. the government said portugal's change of status was necessary. we saw a very significant rise in positivity in recent weeks, in fact it has doubled in portugal in three weeks since the last review point, to take it to a much higher level than we see here in the uk. we've also seen a further mutation emerge, become prevalent, within portugal. but there has been outcry

from the travel industry, already reeling from more than a year of restrictions, ryanair condemned the decision and questioned its scientific basis. the feedback is that most of them are still going to travel, most of them have already been vaccinated, and if they have to comply with the quarantine on the way back, i think they will, but a lot of the customer feedback we had last night is that they are going for two or three weeks to portugal and they believe that portugal will be back on the green list by the time they return. british airways and easyjet have put on extra seats to help brits get home ahead of a change that has taken both businesses and passengers by surprise. katy austin, bbc news. let's speak to our lisbon correspondent, alison roberts. alison, what has been the response there? the government here has said that it does not make any sense at all. it has put out a statement saying that there was no logic to the decision,

andindeed there was no logic to the decision, and indeed the opposition has called the minister into parliament to answer questions about the lack of proactivity on the part of government to stop as far as british tories are concerned, is already concerning them. prices on flights have gone up quite considerably, to as much as £500 or more for a single fight in some cases. many people are also scrambling, not only to rebook flights, but to rebook their tests, which we have to have ready in order to have the results 2a hours before they fly. it is causing a lot of upset here. the hotel is in the algarve and across the country are also suffering. in at the algarve, they are seeing cancellations of something like 50% in some cases. it is causing great problems here in portugal. sirjohn major has urged borisjohnson to "let compassion prevail" and honour his commitment to spend 0.7% of national income on foreign aid. the former conservative prime minister says, "he strongly supports

britain maintaining the statutory promise to commit 0.7% of our gdp to overseas aid." the former conservative premier said he does not believe it is "morally defensible" for the uk to ease its own financial pressures at the expense of some of the world's poorest and most vulnerable people. he urged prime minister boris johnson to "let compassion prevail" and honour his commitment. and the former pm added, "only then can we re—establish ourselves as a nation that keeps its word, and begin to repair our reputation as a global force for good." earlier our political correspondent, helen catt, gave some background to the government's plans. they obviously have these comments come in from a former prime minister john major. this move was announced last november by the chancellor, he set out the government was going to cut the aid that it sends a from 0.7% of national income to 0.5%, and that would take effect from this

financial year. that would take effect from this financialyear. in that would take effect from this financial year. in money terms, it is a cut of around £4 billion, and it gets spent on things like girls education, clean water, reproductive health, those sorts of projects around the world. at the time it was announced, there is quite a backlash. the un secretary general is described as a death sentence. there was a backlash at the time. it did not have to go to parliament, because even though it was a target set out in law, that 0.7%, boris johnson believes there is an exemption within that four extraordinary circumstances. the government has always been clear that they believe this is a temporary custody of the extraordinary circumstances of the pandemic. there is some unhappiness in parliament. 0n pandemic. there is some unhappiness in parliament. on monday, a group of mps is going to try and put forward an amendment to try and reinstate the aid to 0.7%. that is being backed by more than 30 conservative mps, including anotherformer prime

minister, theresa may. there is no certainty that this amendment will get picked, but if it does looks like it is going to have some really strong backing. mrs frau went into sharp relief and sharp focus by the fact that as the g7 happening next week. the government is saying that the uk is still one of the largest owners of eight around the world, and it will still be sending tens of billions of pounds of aid abroad this year. pupils in england fell behind again in the second lockdown, losing the progress in maths and reading made in the autumn term, according to government research just published. it also reveals large regional differences across england — with yorkshire and the humber, the north east and east midlands among the worst affected. the research comes just days after the resignation of government advisor sir kevan collins, who described the government funding for education recovery as "half hearted" and being "delivered too slowly."

the government says it s committed more than £3 billion so far to helping children in england make up for any lost learning. what does it tell us? shows us that like march year, primary age children in at two key areas, reading and maths, had fallen behind. a, ., ., , behind. more than three months in maths, behind. more than three months in maths. more _ behind. more than three months in maths, more than _ behind. more than three months in maths, more than two _ behind. more than three months in maths, more than two months - behind. more than three months in maths, more than two months in l maths, more than two months in reading. they had made progress in the autumn term, having had a very destructive yet last year, out of school in march, then the long summer holidays. they would be hind at the beginning of the school year and in schools how to make progress. it seems as though that was wiped out by that second national lockdown, leaving schools with a mountain to climb. when we look at the picture across england, we can see in some regions, the effect at

the beginning of the school year was much worse. looking at yorkshire and the humber, it is almost a six month lag in terms of where primary pupils wear in terms of maths. that is an awful lot for them to catch up on. in the south—west, it was three times less than that. you can see the effect that covid has had on different parts of the country. edi different parts of the country. of course, now the government says it's committed to helping resolve this, but it's been 80 mulches a week for the government. where do things stand currently?— the government. where do things stand currently? there has been a hue row stand currently? there has been a huge row this _ stand currently? there has been a huge row this week, _ stand currently? there has been a huge row this week, with - stand currently? there has been a huge row this week, with the - huge row this week, with the resignation of the man appointed to advise borisjohnson on what to do to help schools catch up. he left after... the government is currently spending just over £3 billion. it says it has a long—term and ambitious plan. it says it will look again and the autumn, but that has fallen far short of what many people

in education were hoping for. two police forces are to pay damages to more than 600 people following the hillsborough disaster. the south yorkshire and west midlands forces agreed the settlement earlier this year, following a civil claim. nobody has ever been convicted over police actions following the disaster, in which 96 liverpool fans died at a 1989 fa cup semifinal. dan johnson reports. the double injustice of the lives lost at hillsborough and the attempt to deflect the blame from the police has now resulted in an agreement to pay damages to more than 600 people over what the victims' families have always considered to be a cover—up. the forces have agreed to pay compensation to those who are the victims of the cover—up which was perpetrated after the hillsborough disaster way back in 1989. it is a measure of people accepting that there is some element ofjustice in the system, but it still lacks complete accountability as far as many of those who suffered are concerned. south yorkshire police was in charge that april day in 1989 when 96 liverpool fans were crushed to death.

in 2012, the force said sorry. i want to apologise unreservedly to the families and those affected. more than 100 officers' statements were changed during the investigation overseen by west midlands police. now it and the south yorkshire force both reached a settlement for alleged misfeasance in a public office. last week, two former senior south yorkshire officers and the force solicitor were cleared of perverting the course ofjustice last week, two former senior south yorkshire officers and the force solicitor were cleared of perverting the course ofjustice last week, two former senior south yorkshire officers and the force solicitor were cleared of perverting the course ofjustice because their work was deemed to be outside the judicial process. there were calls for a change in the law. this takes us back to the hillsborough bill that we need to turn into a hillsborough law because that would place a duty of candour on public officials when they are dealing with those inquiries.

it would require full transparency. the level of compensation hasn't been detailed, but one of the legal firms said this now marks the end of an unparalleled fight for justice. dan johnson, bbc news. and, as dan explains, south yorkshire police have issued an apology this lunchtime. the forces in the statement, "we acknowledge that serious errors and mistakes were made by south yorkshire police, both on april 15, 1989, and during the subsequent investigations." it says, "those actions on the day of the disaster tragically led to lives being lost and many being injured. the force's subsequent failings eelings also caused huge distress, suffering and pain, both to the victims and their families. this is something south yorkshire police profoundly regret." i think the candour in that statement, along with the compensation in this agreement, is something that will be welcomed by the hillsborough families, but on both counts for so many of the victims' families, this has all come too late. west midlands police have also releeased a statement. in it, deputy chief constable vanessa

jardine said: a 35—year—old man will stand trial next year charged with the murder of 14—year—old dea—john reid on monday evening. he died of a single stab wound to the chest. michael shields has appeared at birmingham crown court chagred with the boy's murder. two other suspects, 38—year—old george khan, and a 14—year—old — who cannot be named for legal reasons — are due to appear at the city's magistrates' court tuesday. now it's time for a look

at the weather, with tomasz shafernaker. so far the weather has been a little mixed today. sunshine but also some quite heavy rain across the south—east. you can see on the radar, the rain spreading from south moving northwards, and i think the second half of the day will be cloudy and damp if not wet across some south—eastern areas, but many parts of the country, across central and western areas, will have a mostly sunny day and a clear evening. that is how it is looking through the night. clear skies across many parts of the country but in the south—east there is the cloud and rain. 0vernight lows, a little bit of a nip in the air in north—eastern areas, 6 degrees in newcastle, more like 10—13 in the south. tomorrow, a much better day in the south—east after the rain today, but we get a few showers into south—western england, maybe wales, and also showers for northern ireland into western scotland, but temperatures into the low 20s for the most part.

the indian variance, b .1 .6 .72, or the delta white matters with the latest dominant strain of the coronavirus is called. that's news watch bbc news. hello this is bbc news. the headlines. the uk's health regulator approves the use of the pfizer—biontech vaccine for children as young as 12 — the uk's vaccines committee will now decide whether children should get the jab. i want to make sure this all done on a clinical base, following the clinical advice, to make sure that we get this country out of the pandemic as safely as we can. the variant of coronavirus first identified in india is now the dominant strain in the uk — and there's concern that cases are rising. havoc for holidaymakers

and businesses — portugal and the travel industry react angrily to the government's decision to remove the country from the green travel list. two police forces agree to pay damages to more than 600 people following the hillsborough disaster. and how a promise made more than 70 years ago... i'm not going to take it off ever. and how a promise made more than 70 years ago... has finally been fulfilled. sport and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, here's sarah mulkerrins. we'll start with the tennis — as serena williams remains on course for a fourth french open title. she's through to the last 16 after beating fellow american danielle collins 6—4, 6—4 this afternoon. williams is now the highest seed left in her side of the draw — after the third seed arina sabalenka was knocked out by russia's anastasia pavlyuchenkova.

no problems for alexander zverev in the men's draw. he's eased into round four, beating laslo djer—eh of serbia in straight sets. the second seed daniil medvedev is also through to the last 16 — following a number of protests, manchester united have announced they are to create a fan advisory board and look at a supporter share scheme. the announcement came after united co—chairmanjoel glazer broke a near 16—year silence on his family's ownership of the club at a fans forum today. united also say they have initiated a dialogue with the manchester united supporters trust with the aim of identifying a mutually beneficial fan share scheme. lewis hamilton was left frustrated this afternoon — as he could only set the 11th quickest time in second practice ahead of this sunday's azerbaijan grand prix. red bull's sergio perez was quickest. meanwhile, the singapore grand prix has been called off this year —

because of travel restrictions in the city state amid the coronavirus pandemic. the race was set to take place in october, but it's now understood turkey, china and austin are all under the weather dictated proceedings, with play abandoned on day three of the first test between england and new zealand at lord's. rain throughout the day meant no play was possible — meaning england will resume tomorrow in their first innings on 111—2 with captainjoe root and rory burns at the crease — 267 runs behind new zealand's first innings score of 378. to horse racing where snowfall made the headlines at epsom this afternoon. frankie dettori rode the horse to victory by a record 16 lengths at epsom to claim his sixth 0aks triumph and trainer aidan 0'brien's ninth win in this race. mystery angel was second with 0'brien also secuing third with divinely. two—time 0lympic triathlon medallist jonny brownlee will step away from the sport after this

summer's olympic games. after winning silver and bronze at the two previous games, brownlee says he wants to move up in distance — and race in half—ironman and ironman events. brownlee is back in action in leeds on sunday for the latest world triathlon series event. now to the news that the 0lympic100 metres hurdles champion, brianna mcneal, has been banned forfive years for an anti—doping rule violation. the athletics integrity unit said the american had been sanctioned for what they call "tampering within the results management process". the 29 year old won gold at the 2016 rio games and was world champion in 2013. mcneal has appealed to the court of arbitration of sport and will know the outcome before the olympics and has been granted permission to take part in the american trials for tokyo later this month. britain's tayo gaygan hartjust missed out on winning stage

six of the criterium du daupine. the ineos grenadiers' rider attacked with just a couple of hundred yards to go, but was beaten to the victory by alejandro valverde. geraint thomas finished eleventh. that moves him up to fourth overall 13 seconds off the new leader alexey lutsenko. that's all the sport for now. you can find more on all those stories on the bbc sport website. coronavirus cases in scotland have more than tripled over the past month with today's case numbers at the highest level since february according to the scottish government. but first minister nicola sturgeon said there are now strong indications that vaccines are weakening the link between new cases and hospitalisations. speaking at her regular news briefing in edinburgh ms sturgeon confirmed another 992 positive cases with two more deaths in the past 2a hours.

you can clearly see from the figures today that we are at a very criticaljuncture right now, in what we still hope, still very much hope and believe, is a transition to a less restrictive way of dealing with covid, but the position we are in at the moment on that transition is a fragile one and that will inform my comments today and the tone of the comments i want to make. 0n the downside, as we can see, cases are rising again, and they have more than tripled in the last month, and today more than 900 cases have been reported, the highest number of new cases since the 17th of february. the r number is now estimated to be above one and indeed many experts believe that notjust scotland, but the uk, is now at the start of a third wave of covid. underlying this and indeed driving all of this is the new delta variant which now makes up the majority of all new cases in scotland. this variant is thought to be quite significantly more transmissible than even the kent variant we dealt with at the turn of the year. as you may have seen reported, there is early data suggesting that, all else being equal,

it may increase the risk of hospitalisation. hopefully vaccines are reducing overall the risk of hospitalisation but even if it is a lower risk, the early data suggests the new delta variant has a higher risk than the variants that went before. it is important to say that that is something that is still under investigation and what has been reported in the last 2a hours is early data. all of that, obviously, gives cause for concern. right throughout this i have never tried to shy away from saying to you when we are in a period that should make everyone sit up and remember that this virus is not done with us yet. that said, there is an upside as well, and it is an upside that we did not have at the start of the first wave or even

at the start of the second wave, and that is, of course, the vaccines. we do need to analyse the data on an ongoing basis so again a bit like the data on hospitalisations, it is too early to be definitive, but the strong indication that we have so far is that vaccines are weakening the link between rising cases and cases of hospitalisation and intensive care and people dying. next week, the g7 — the group of leading global economies, will meet in cornwall. being hosts will generate huge attention for the county, and provide a big boost for local businesses. but it's notjust the summit that will have people pouring in. tourism is one of cornwall�*s main industries, and during the pandemic visitors have been hitting the beaches in huge numbers. but with foreign holidays looking increasingly doubtful this summer, just how sustainable is the boom? jon kay has been finding out.

first thing every morning, the swannies take a dip. oh, this is beautiful. these local women swim before the tourists get up. and this summer will bring record numbers. where will they fit? i worry when you see people parking in mad places, and fire engines and ambulances can't get through. even the secret places we know in cornwall, i you'll go and you'll. still find it's rammed. even some of the campsites are charging £8,000 for two weeks in a caravan. and you sort of think, you know, who would pay that? but people are. because they are desperate to get away. cornwall has already had the busiest half term anyone can remember. and next week the world will be here for the g7 summit, the kind of global advertising money can't buy. but it does this county need more visitors? losing your temper isn't going to help. i haven't lost my temper yet. that tension is depicted in a recent

film, and one of its cornish stars says things have gone too far. sell—out! we should be taxing holiday—makers. if we book a hotel in italy, you go abroad, you pay a tourism tax. i think we could do exactly the same here, so we could start to provide better infrastructure with our hospitals, roads, toilets, more parking. but it's a difficult balance. cornwall is one of the poorest parts of the uk, and it will need visitors to help rebuild after covid. about one in three households partly or fully depends on tourism. and it's about 20% of employment. but it also sells food and drink. so, you know, tourism is a very good thing for cornwall. but we've got to manage it. we don't want to kill the golden goose, or get the goose too fat. while politicians debate global issues here next week, cornwall�*s asking questions about its own future. like housing.

prices have rocketed during the pandemic. steve was born and bred here in redruth. there isn't the jobs down here, like there is further up the line. so they're going to have to go and chase the jobs, and leave where they live, leave where they're born. do you feel forced out? we are forced out, definitely. as security's stepped up this weekend, a lot�*s being made of the g7 disruption. but many here worry more about the summer than the summit. jon kay, bbc news, cornwall. pick a bit of breaking news for you. facebook has said that the former us president donald trump has been suspended from its platform for two years, of course it had suspended him previously but now it has said that he will be suspended from its platform for two years, it's a decision that has been watch very

closely for signals on how the company will treat other world leaders in the future, there will be more on that no doubt to come. now — for one woman — leicester city's fa cup victory was the realistion of a promise made more than 70 years ago. margaret angel's fiance cecil popped the question in 1948 — but he didn't have enough money for a ring. he promised to buy her one if his beloved leicester city won the fa cup. sadly cecil died before the club lifted the trophy, so his son stepped in to fulfil his dad's promise. kathryn stanczyszyn went to see margaret's new sparkler. it was a long wait but it was worth it. he used to say it every time. "you'll get your ring when city win the cup." in 1948, cecil angel proposed to his sweetheart, margaret. money was tight so the deal was — a proper engagement ring when his beloved leicester city won the fa cup. i never thought i'd get one, to be honest.

they got to the final so many times, and i never got my ring. over the decades, margaret got her hopes up on four occasions but it wasn't to be until now. so how does that hand feel, margaret, with a sparkler like that on it now? it's wonderful. have you taken it off yet? no. i haven't taken it off yet. never will. i'm not going to take it off either. sadly, cecil is no longer around to see the football moment he'd always longed for, but his son, mike, decided to step in and honour a promise — the ring his mum deserves and his dad would have wanted her to have. loved his football, loved his sport, loved cricket, rugby. followed leicester, leicestershire in absolutely everything. it'sjust a matter of whether we're all alive for leicester city to win it. yeah, they've made it. 73 years later but they've done it. last week we told the angell family story and it turned out a certain football club was watching.

they decided margaret should have another surprise. hello, margaret. i've got something really special to hand over to you. _ i think you probably know what this is, don't you? l that's beautiful. i've been waiting for this for a long time, so thank you all. they've made my dream come true. fantastic. i didn't imagine anything like this would happen. but to have the fa cup in your garden with your mother and just looking at a 96—year—old with a big grin on her face... for a football club still basking in fa cup glory, this has been a cherry on the cake. one of the best ones, - presentations, i've ever done, and believe you me _ i've done a few over the years. but for margaret, fantastic. what a beautiful story! i think if we'd have known margaret had been waiting _ we might have done it quicker. and for margaret, this was the fulfilment of a life promise and the ultimate way to honour the man who made it. i'm sure my husband is up there

feeling very happy with himself. kathryn stanczyszyn, bbc news. the film review with mark kermode. hello, and welcome to the film review with me, mark kermode. rounding up the best new movies available in cinemas and in the home. last week, william friedkin, director of the exorcist, considered by many to be the scariest movie ever made, tweeted a quiet place two is a classic horror film. adding simply that cinema is back.