the number of new cases of covid19 in england rises by around three—quarters in just one week. the rise raises new questions about the full easing of restrictions onjune 21st — the health secretary urges caution. we can keep this virus under control, but we need to keep vigilant, we need to watch the data. the uk medicines regulator has followed the us and approved the use of the pfizerjab for 12—15 year olds. but for 12—15 year olds. some ask if the vaccine should be but some ask if the vaccine should be given to children here, when many developing countries are in need. the scramble for uk tourists to get back from portugal before 4am on tuesday, after which they'll have

to quarantine for ten days. more than 600 people will get compensation over serious errors after the hillsborough disaster — as two police forces agree to pay damages. facebook announces it has suspended donald trump or two years after he praised capitol hill rioters. and coventry gets set to launch itself as the uk city of culture. and coming up in sport on the bbc news channel... chasing a record equalling 24th grand slam title — serena williams wins in straight sets to move into the fourth round of the french open. good evening. the number of people who had

covid—19 in england went up by around three—quarters in one week, new official figures suggest. the office for national statistics estimates that around one in 640 people in private households had the virus in the week to may 29th — that's up from one in 1,120 the previous week. the north west of england had the highest proportion of positive cases — and in terms of age group, numbers went up among the over 35s, and in secondary school children. it came as the uk medicines regulator approved the use of the pfizer—biontech vaccine in children aged 12—15, although the vaccines committee, thejcvi, still has to decide whether children should get the jab. for our first report tonight, here's our health editor hugh pym. come on in, that is the message being stressed yet again by nhs leaders in gloucester and across the country. leaders in gloucester and across the count . . . leaders in gloucester and across the country-_ book-

leaders in gloucester and across the country._ book in - leaders in gloucester and across the country._ book in for. leaders in gloucester and across the country._ book in for a i country. have a seat. book in for a “ab as country. have a seat. book in for a jab as soon — country. have a seat. book in for a jab as soon as _ country. have a seat. book in for a jab as soon as you _ country. have a seat. book in for a jab as soon as you are _ country. have a seat. book in for a jab as soon as you are eligible. - jab as soon as you are eligible. with the new variant of the virus gaining ground, the need to get as many people vaccinated as possible is said to be as urgent as ever. we have seen — is said to be as urgent as ever. - have seen a reduction in the number of deaths and hospital admissions, and so we have definitely seen the impact that the covid—19 vaccination has held locally, as well as nationally.— has held locally, as well as nationall . . nationally. older children could soon be vaccinated. _ nationally. older children could soon be vaccinated. the - nationally. older children could soon be vaccinated. the uk - soon be vaccinated. the uk regulator's approved the use of the pfizerjab regulator's approved the use of the pfizer jab for those aged regulator's approved the use of the pfizerjab for those aged five and over. now a committee of experts will decide if it will happen. around england, including here in leeds, people wondering how much opening up there will be, if any, in june the 21st. the spread of the variant identified in india, known as delta, is causing some concern for officials and scientists as it spreads faster than the kent variant. , , ., ., , spreads faster than the kent variant. , , ., variant. the news is not as positive as i would — variant. the news is not as positive as i would like, _ variant. the news is not as positive as i would like, in _ variant. the news is not as positive

as i would like, in any— variant. the news is not as positive as i would like, in any respect, - as i would like, in any respect, about the delta variant. and the best estimate at the moment is that this variant may be 60% more transmissible than the alpha variant. there is some uncertainty about that, depending on the data, between 30% and may be 100% more transmissible.— between 3096 and may be 10096 more transmissible.— transmissible. after some customers were allowed — transmissible. after some customers were allowed in _ transmissible. after some customers were allowed in restaurants - transmissible. after some customers were allowed in restaurants and - transmissible. after some customers i were allowed in restaurants and pubs from the middle of may, it was expected the virus would spread more widely. though with more people vaccinated, the risk of serious illness was reduced and cases have been increasing. they 0ffice illness was reduced and cases have been increasing. they office for national statistics survey of community infection suggests in england, one in 640 people had the virus last week, an increase on the previous week. in wales, it was one in 1050. again, with an increase. in scotland, one in 680, and northern ireland, one in 800, case rates were broadly similar to the previous week. so, for the health secretary at a tree—planting ceremony with his

counterparts from g7 nations, there is still some hard work ahead. he says more data will be assessed next week before final decisions are made about lifting restrictions in england. about lifting restrictions in encland. ., ., ., , about lifting restrictions in eniiand, ., ., ., , , about lifting restrictions in encland. ., ., ., , , ., england. nationally, the number of cases is going _ england. nationally, the number of cases is going un- _ england. nationally, the number of cases is going up. and _ england. nationally, the number of cases is going up. and the - england. nationally, the number of cases is going up. and the critical l cases is going up. and the critical thing is that the vaccine breaks the link from the number of cases to the number of people ending up in hospital, and sadly dying of covid. wejust hospital, and sadly dying of covid. we just need to see in the data exactly how effective that is being. but for sally, and in restrictions won't make any difference. she has long covid, one of1 million people now said to be experiencing persistent symptoms after having the virus. i persistent symptoms after having the virus. , , ., ,': :: persistent symptoms after having the virus. i, ., 9:1, ., , persistent symptoms after having the virus. i, ., ;;:: , ., ., virus. i myself am 30 years of age, otherwise healthy. _ virus. i myself am 30 years of age, otherwise healthy. i— virus. i myself am 30 years of age, otherwise healthy. i wouldn't - virus. i myself am 30 years of age, otherwise healthy. i wouldn't have| otherwise healthy. i wouldn't have gleaned that i would still be experiencing these debilitating symptoms nine months down the line. it seems very randomised. it really could happen to anyone.—

could happen to anyone. sally's messages _ could happen to anyone. sally's messages to — could happen to anyone. sally's messages to get _ could happen to anyone. sally's messages to get the _ could happen to anyone. sally's messages to get the jab - could happen to anyone. sally's messages to get the jab to - could happen to anyone. sally'sl messages to get the jab to avoid those possible long—term consequences of covid. pym, bbc news. as we heard there, the uk's medicines regulator has approved the use of the pfizer vaccine in children aged between 12 and 15. our medical editor fergus walsh is here. this doesn't mean it's going to happen automatically, does it? lilo. happen automatically, does it? no, an happen automatically, does it? iirr, an independent group of scientists, thejcvi committee, will now make thejcvi committee, will now make the decision. but it is not clear—cut. the pfizerjab is already improved and offered to those over 16 with underlying health conditions. but for the vast majority of children, the biggest harm they have faced this pandemic is not from the virus, it is from disruption to their education. they are highly unlikely to get seriously ill. there have been cases of a very nasty inflammatory condition, but those have been rare. the biggest benefit to children from immunisation would be in preventing school outbreaks. we know that the delta variant does seem to be

spreading more easily among secondary schools.— spreading more easily among secondary schools. what are other countries doing _ secondary schools. what are other countries doing when _ secondary schools. what are other countries doing when it _ secondary schools. what are other countries doing when it comes - secondary schools. what are other countries doing when it comes to i secondary schools. what are other i countries doing when it comes to the pfizerjab? the countries doing when it comes to the pfizer “ab? ,, ., , , pfizer “ab? the united states is auoin pfizerjab? the united states is going all-out — pfizerjab? the united states is going all-out to _ pfizerjab? the united states is going all-out to immunise - pfizerjab? the united states is - going all-out to immunise children. going all—out to immunise children. it is immunising 600,000 a week, aged 12—15. france is going to offer the vaccine to those aged 12 and over from the middle of the month. both those countries have very high levels of vaccine hesitancy. they are not getting the superb coverage of 90%, 95% in older adults that is happening in the uk. so here it might be possible, once all over 18 have been offered and given the vaccine, that might suppress the virus. then there is the ethical argument. should we be offering the vaccine to children this autumn, when there will still be billions of adults around the world who do not have access to the vaccine and are in greater need? because if we want to end this pandemic, we will have to end this pandemic, we will have to vaccinate globally, notjust

locally. to vaccinate globally, not 'ust locall . . ., to vaccinate globally, not 'ust locall. ., ~' to vaccinate globally, not 'ust locall. ., ~ , to vaccinate globally, not 'ust locall. ., ~' ,_,, well the latest figures across the uk show there were more than 6200 new coronavirus infections in the latest 24—hour period. that's the highest daily number of cases since the end of march. on average 4,147 case have been reported per day in the last week. 11 deaths 11 deaths were recorded in the last 24 hours, taking the average number to eight. nearly 200,000 received their first dose in the last 24 hours, taking the overall total 5 to nearly 40 million who've had a single jab. that's over three—quarters of the uk's adult population. more than 375,000 people had their second vaccine dose, which means 8 nearly 26.8 million have now had two jabs, that's more than half of all adults in the uk. airlines say they'll provide

additionalflights to help british passengers return from portugal, before the country is taken off the uk government's green travel list. from 4am on tuesday, portugal will become amber, meaning travellers will have to quarantine on their return. portugal has said it was "perplexed" by the government's decision. 0ur transport correspondent caroline davies reports. the end of holiday blues came early for some at lisbon airport today, as some passengers cut their trip short, while others have decided to stay. 50 short, while others have decided to sta . short, while others have decided to sta _ , , short, while others have decided to sta . ,, ., ., ':: :: ., stay. so we spent another £100 for the fli . ht, stay. so we spent another £100 for the flight, we've _ stay. so we spent another £100 for the flight, we've got _ stay. so we spent another £100 for the flight, we've got to _ stay. so we spent another £100 for the flight, we've got to get - stay. so we spent another £100 forj the flight, we've got to get another test now. we have to get another test now. we have to get another test when we are in the uk, which we all had booked. we had everything planned, the whole holiday and stuff we were going to do and now it has been cut short. we are trying to spend our time sorting tests and new flights, stuff like that. we spend our time sorting tests and new flights, stuff like that.— flights, stuff like that. we 'ust thou . ht, flights, stuff like that. we 'ust thought, everything i flights, stuff like that. we 'ust thought, everything out h flights, stuff like that. we just thought, everything out here i flights, stuff like that. we just | thought, everything out here is still open, we may as well go and enjoy— still open, we may as well go and enjoy our— still open, we may as well go and enjoy our holiday and stay indoors for five _ enjoy our holiday and stay indoors for five days. enjoy our holiday and stay indoors for five days-— for five days. extra flights and bi aer for five days. extra flights and bigger planes _ for five days. extra flights and bigger planes are _ for five days. extra flights and bigger planes are being - for five days. extra flights and bigger planes are being put i for five days. extra flights and | bigger planes are being put on for five days. extra flights and - bigger planes are being put on over the next three days to help

passengers who want to get back before they have to quarantine. todayis before they have to quarantine. today is a bleak day for the uk travel industry. they had hoped that the vaccine would bring more certainty to the summer than the last. now, the reality of yesterday's decision is beginning to sink in for many operators. we thought that there was light at the end of the tunnel, the turns out the end of the tunnel, the turns out the light was a freight train coming to hit us. �* the light was a freight train coming tohitus. , , to hit us. after yesterday's announcement, _ to hit us. after yesterday's announcement, not - to hit us. after yesterday's announcement, not to - to hit us. after yesterday's| announcement, not to stop to hit us. after yesterday's - announcement, not to stop flying again until the 1st ofjuly. currently they don't plan to plan to fly to amber countries, but they are trying to guess which might be green. we trying to guess which might be ureen. ~ �* trying to guess which might be ireenr �* ,., trying to guess which might be ureen. . �* ,., ., trying to guess which might be ureen. . �* , ., ., ., green. we can't plan what we are doinu. green. we can't plan what we are doing- we _ green. we can't plan what we are doing. we have _ green. we can't plan what we are doing. we have either— green. we can't plan what we are doing. we have either got - green. we can't plan what we are doing. we have either got to - green. we can't plan what we are - doing. we have either got to assume all destinations will be green, none will be green, or use a lottery machine and try to work out in the absence of a structured methodology. today, the government has explained the reasons again for moving portugal from the green list. unfortunately we did see an increase in the number of a new variant in

portugal. and that is why we have to take the decision to remove portugal from the green list. but take the decision to remove portugal from the green list.— from the green list. but in portugal there was confusion. _ from the green list. but in portugal there was confusion. no, _ from the green list. but in portugal there was confusion. no, i - from the green list. but in portugal there was confusion. no, i can't - there was confusion. no, i can't understand _ there was confusion. no, i can't understand it. _ there was confusion. no, i can't understand it. we _ there was confusion. no, i can't understand it. we had - there was confusion. no, i can't understand it. we hadjust - there was confusion. no, i can't understand it. we had just a - there was confusion. no, i can't i understand it. we had just a small spike _ understand it. we had just a small spike in _ understand it. we had just a small spike in lisbon. the nepalese variant— spike in lisbon. the nepalese variant hasjust 12 spike in lisbon. the nepalese variant has just 12 cases, spike in lisbon. the nepalese variant hasjust 12 cases, nothing more _ variant hasjust 12 cases, nothing more than — variant hasjust 12 cases, nothing more than that. and so we don't understand _ more than that. and so we don't understand the decision. its grounds, _ understand the decision. its grounds, and i'm not sure about the reasons_ grounds, and i'm not sure about the reasons why— grounds, and i'm not sure about the reasons why the english government has decided like that. the government _ has decided like that. the government is _ has decided like that. the government is still - has decided like that. tue: government is still advising has decided like that. tta: government is still advising against travel to amber list countries. with so few destinations on the green list, the next question for the industry and travelers is if some will still make the journey. one of the reasons given by ministers for putting portugal on the amber list is the existence — in very small numbers — of a mutation of the virus first found in india,

which is being linked to nepal. but the health ministry in nepal has refuted reports of this new mutation — and the country's prime minister has instead made an urgent plea to the uk to provide vaccines, as they endure a second wave of coronavirus. 0ur south asia correspondent, rajini vaidyanathan reports from the capital, kathmandu. a sister consumed by grief... ..in a nation crushed by covid. in nepal, more than 4000 people have died from the virus in the last month alone. families are forced to say their last goodbyes at the gates of the capital's crematorium. my husband's dead, my husband's dead. this woman's husband died this week. through the railings she performs his last rites.

a final prayer for her beloved. not since the devastating earthquake in 2015 has this nation felt so broken. the country's army's been drafted in to collect and transport the bodies of those who died. it's only been a few minutes since we came in with the first ambulance, and here is another army ambulance bringing in more covid victims. itjust gives you a sense of the pressure and toll that covid is taking on this city. healthcare is basic. nepal is one of the world's poorest nations. in an interview with the bbc, the country's prime minister appealed to the uk, its oldest friend, for vaccines. we have a very old friendly and diplomatic ties, when the gurkhas served the uk for so many years, putting

their lives at risk so many times, so it is the responsibility of the uk also to support nepal. the virus is now climbing in rural areas now the peak has passed in cities. but the pain hasn't gone away. in the capital, a prayer service for a gurkha veteran who died alone. a nation in mourning. and a nation in need. nepal is appealing to the uk for a helping hand. rajini vaidyanathan, bbc news, kathmandu, nepal. two police forces have agreed to pay damages to more than 600 people over serious errors which followed the hillsborough disaster. lawyers say the south yorkshire and west midlands forces agreed the undisclosed settlement following a civil claim.

it comes after two former police officers and a solicitor were cleared of perverting the course ofjustice last month. nobody has ever been convicted over police actions following the disaster, in which 96 liverpool fans died. dan johnson reports. the death of 96 liverpool fans was only the start of the pain hillsborough would inflict. just that came before truth, deflection over transparency and victims were blamed before officials were held accountable. now after 32 years there as compensation for families like the traynors who lost brothers kevin and christopher. £311" like the traynors who lost brothers kevin and christopher.— kevin and christopher. our family have always _ kevin and christopher. our family have always been _ kevin and christopher. our family have always been fighters - kevin and christopher. our family have always been fighters and - kevin and christopher. our family. have always been fighters and they would want us to fight right to the end. ., ., . end. south yorkshire police were in charue of end. south yorkshire police were in charge of the _ end. south yorkshire police were in charge of the fa _ end. south yorkshire police were in charge of the fa cup _ end. south yorkshire police were in charge of the fa cup semifinal - end. south yorkshire police were in charge of the fa cup semifinal in i charge of the fa cup semifinal in sheffield, theirfailure charge of the fa cup semifinal in sheffield, their failure to charge of the fa cup semifinal in sheffield, theirfailure to manage the crab led to a deadly crash and the crab led to a deadly crash and the reluctance to admit responsibility led to tries of a cover—up. today the force said in a

statement... the fourth's subsequent feelings caused huge distress, suffering and pain bowed to the victims and their families. 0fficers' statements were changed during the investigation overseen by west midlands police. it has also settled this claim. just last week two former senior south yorkshire officers and the forced solicitor were cleared of perverting the course ofjustice, and their lawyer was adamant. the the course ofjustice, and their lawyer was adamant.— the course ofjustice, and their lawyer was adamant. the facts were investigated — lawyer was adamant. the facts were investigated here _ lawyer was adamant. the facts were investigated here yet _ lawyer was adamant. the facts were investigated here yet again - lawyer was adamant. the facts were investigated here yet again by - lawyer was adamant. the facts were investigated here yet again by a - investigated here yet again by a judge and jury. there was no cover—up at hillsborough. judge and jury. there was no cover-up at hillsborough. professor bill cover-up at hillsborough. professor itill spraying — cover-up at hillsborough. professor itill spraying was — cover-up at hillsborough. professor bill spraying was the _ cover-up at hillsborough. professor bill spraying was the first _ cover-up at hillsborough. professor bill spraying was the first to - bill spraying was the first to uncover those amended police statements.— uncover those amended police statements. , ., , statements. the phrase that was used toda b the statements. the phrase that was used today by the lawyers _ statements. the phrase that was used today by the lawyers for _ statements. the phrase that was used today by the lawyers for the _ today by the lawyers for the families was that it was the largest

and most shameful cover—up by a police force in history. but what concerns me is, i could see that in front of me at that time, in the late 1990s. front of me at that time, in the late 1990s— front of me at that time, in the late 1990s. �* , late 1990s. after the inquiry, the in . uests late 1990s. after the inquiry, the inquests and _ late 1990s. after the inquiry, the inquests and the _ late 1990s. after the inquiry, the inquests and the failed _ late 1990s. after the inquiry, the l inquests and the failed prosecution of the match commander came the hillsborough independent panel report, then a new inquest on further court cases, butjust one conviction. now, this is the end of what has been described as an unparalleled fight for justice, what has been described as an unparalleled fight forjustice, but for many, it comes far too late. and johnson, bbc news. —— danjohnson. the time is 17 minutes past six. our top story this evening: the number of new cases of covid19 in england have gone up by around three—quarters in just one week. coming up, as cornwall prepares to host the g7 summit,

what will be the imapact on tourism? coming up on sportsday on the bbc news channel... more on what happened when manchester united's co—chairman joel glazer broke his silence and spoke to the fans, a month after protests at old trafford. next week cornwall will host the g7 summit, bringing together the leaders of seven of the largest global economies. today, finance ministers from those seven nations have been meeting in london to discuss a plan to ensure that the biggest multinational companies and in particular the major tech firms, stop exploiting tax loopholes. 0ur economics editor faisal islam has the story. in a crisis, an opportunity. there may be masks and no handshakes, but this is the first major in—person meeting of the world's most powerful nations since the covid outbreak, ahead of the full g7 summit in cornwall next week, hosted by the chancellor.

all of these finance ministers, from the us to japan, have been borrowing incredible amounts, trillions of dollars, yen and euro, to support their economies through the pandemic, and have coffers to fill. and at the same time covid—19 has accelerated sales and profits and revenues at multinational digital giants who have proved difficult to squeeze taxes out of, so the world's biggest economies have decided at this meeting to set a global minimum rate of corporation tax. we are spending a lot of public money to protect our economies against the consequences of covid, and to have a quick and very strong economic recovery, but we need money, and we need new resources. so, how do you sell this within the european union to your colleague, the president of the euro group, the finance minister of ireland? i can understand the difficulty of ireland and some other european countries, but, when there is such international

impetus, this is in the interests of all 27 european member states to say, yes, we are on board and we are supporting this international tax system. it is the us leading the charge on this under president biden's treasury secretary, a massive turnaround from the trump administration. the finance ministers will squeeze big global corporations with a minimum tax rate of at least 15% applying around the world. the crisis means that they have got no choice. but in the fine detail of these negotiations, there is still a question of who gets that bounty. that is why the chancellor is being cautious so far. will it go predominantly for hundreds of billions of dollars to the coffers of president biden, from the us tech giants, or, can they agree that notjust the profits, but sales in, say, britain, from these global tech giants can be taxed by britain? talks over making it compulsory for major companies to report

on their plans for cutting emissions to help the climate change effort are also on a knife edge. on both issues, the finance ministers may be tempted to leave it to their bosses, the presidents and prime ministers, next week, in cornwall. faisal islam, at the g7 meeting, in london. for cornwall itself, being hosts of the g7 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 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 insists 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 be that 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. in the past half hour facebook has announced that former us president donald trump has been banned from until january 2023. 0ur media editor amol rajan has more on this. how significant is this? it is a big moment. silicon _ how significant is this? it is a big moment. silicon valley, - how significant is this? it is a big moment. silicon valley, that - how significant is this? it is a big moment. silicon valley, that we | moment. silicon valley, that we stripped of motorway and campuses in front of me just adjacent to the bay area in san francisco is home to the most dense concentration of software engineers and computer scientist in

history but these days, they are being dragged ever more into political philosophy, where, by a curious quirk of history, they are sage and leader is a former leader of the lib dems, nick clegg, who works for facebook and has made this announcement and a blog post in the last half an hour. and in weighing potential harms against free speech more powerful people, nick clegg and facebook are making the sort of decisions and judgments that historically journalists decisions and judgments that historicallyjournalists have made, because these guys are now the editors of the internet, and therefore the public domain. and the dilemma for facebook was complex, sensitive, involved trade—offs, and was guaranteed to be polarising, a bit like donald trump. what has happened today is that the worlds biggest social network has denied access to its megaphone do it a person who was voted for by 74 million people. that is a big call. nick clegg i suspect is going to have to get used to some voter hostility here in the us, like he

saw in the uk.— hostility here in the us, like he saw in the uk. ., ., , saw in the uk. the government has struck a trade _ saw in the uk. the government has struck a trade deal _ saw in the uk. the government has struck a trade deal with _ saw in the uk. the government has struck a trade deal with norway, i struck a trade deal with norway, iceland and clifton state. the trade secretary liz truss said the deal would be a major boost to the british economy and protectjobs and the fishing industry in scotland, east yorkshire and north lincolnshire. trade between the nations is already worth over £21.5 billion. new research conducted for the government by the education policy institute shows pupils fell behind again in maths and reading during the second national lockdown. we arejoined by we are joined by our education correspondent brandmanjefferies. it correspondent brandman jefferies. tt isjust correspondent brandmanjefferies. tt isjust days since correspondent brandmanjefferies. tt is just days since the correspondent brandmanjefferies. tt isjust days since the prime is just days since the prime minister's adviser on catch up resigned saying that the government plans were too half—hearted, too slow and too narrow, and now we see

that by march this year, primary age pupils were more than three months behind in maths, more than two months behind in reading, key building blocks for their education, and that put them back to where they were in september so all of the work right up to christmas, lost and wiped out by the second lockdown. and big regional differences emerging at the beginning of this school year. children in yorkshire and the humber, three times more learning loss in maths than in south—west, showing how great the differences are. all of this will put pressure on the government to up its offer, currently. it has already committed to more than £3 billion of what it says is an ambitious, long—term plan, but it is going to face more questions now about whether that is enough. brandman, many thanks- _ whether that is enough. brandman, many thanks- -- — whether that is enough. brandman, many thanks. -- branwen. -

this year's uk city of culture — coventry — launches its opening event �*coventry moves' tomorrow. it's the first major event on its cultural calendar. 0rganisers have had to rethink their original plans for a mass gathering in the city — due to covid restrictions. instead, they will deliver a spectacle of art and performance, live—streamed online, throughout the day. colleen harris reports. it's been a long wait. now coventry is ready. from street theatre to music, preparations are being finalised for tomorrow's launch. welcome to coventry. the city will showcase its cultural heritage, from post—war brutalist architecture to the birth of iconicjaguars. # but when i switch on, i rotate the dial...# breathing new life into coventry�*s two—tone legacy is pauline black from the �*80s band the selecter. she says the city's year in the cultural spotlight will bring much—needed regeneration and investment. coventry is, if you like, a phoenix rising from the ashes,

because of how much it was, you know, it was decimated here by the world war ii bombing. it is the youth that is going to take that forward. but to take it forward you need to know about your history. so i'm part of that. hundreds of performers and production teams have been rehearsing for months now, putting finishing touches to moments like this that will move through the city. but rather than come to coventry to see it, the message from organisers for now is stay at home and watch from there. the halo i have on right now is inspired by the bicycle wheel and there was a manufacturing boom of bicycles here. artist and model daniel lismore uses his body as a living work of art. his career has taken him around the world. but his roots are firmly planted in coventry. to my right is where i used to get bullied at a bus stop. i rememberjust thinking, like, what is there for me?

and then coming back later on, and the city is booming and there are so many amazing things. the legend of lady godiva, who rode naked on a horse to protest against taxes, plays a central role in the opening. this modern—day godiva is an nhs nurse, campaigning for better pay and ppe during the pandemic. for me, it's about empowerment and ensuring that everyday people, like the community, are empowered to be able to be involved. and giving people opportunities, you know? it's been a challenging feat, planning a cultural programme in a pandemic. concerns about crowds have kept announcements low—key and secret. so, a city of surprises awaits. colleen harris, bbc news. time for a look at the weather here's tomasz schafernaker.