good afternoon. in the last hour, the chancellor rishi sunak has announced what he called "a historic agreement" to reform the global tax system. the deal struck by the g7 group of leading economies includes a global minimum corporation tax of at least 15%. it aims to ensure multinational companies, including the tech giants, will pay what mr sunak described as "the right tax in the right places". our business correspondent katy austin reports. how much tax should multinational companies, particularly tech giants,

pay, and where should they pay it? those were the questions at the heart of these discussions between g7 finance ministers. today a consensus to back a global minimum rate of at least 15%. i am delighted to announce today after years of discussion g7 finance ministers have reached a historic agreement to reform the global tax system to make it fit for the global digital age but crucially to make sure it is fair so that the right companies pay the right tax in the right places. the deal is seen as a significant development. since at least ten years ago and earlier there has been dissatisfaction that lots of companies moved their headquarters to very low taxjurisdictions. but it has been really hard to come up with a global deal on corporation tax. some countries including the uk have already introduced their own digital services tax. there had been pressure from the us to drop them quickly

as part of this deal. asked if the uk would now do that the chancellor said the measure had always been intended as a temporary one. this is the first step, the g7 agreement, we have to move to the g20 and beyond. but obviously the intention would be once there is a global multilateral solution in place, then the need for those dsts falls way. the rules agreed today would also aim to make companies pay tax in the countries where they are selling their products or services. rather than where their profits are declared. the german finance minister called the agreement bad news for tax havens around the world. katy austin, bbc news. our economics editor faisal islam is at that meeting in central london, and joins me now. faisal, how big a moment is this? it isa it is a historic moment this deal. it is a historic moment this deal. it is a deal amongst the traditional biggest seven countries that command

the biggest parts of the world economy. and it will have to go to other economies like china and russia and the saudis, and smaller economies like ireland, in order to make it work. the mere fact these seven big countries, three european powers, the us, canada, japan and the uk have come to this deal would have been unthinkable a few years ago. there were some finance ministers who came over to law the deal and were emotional, because for years they have tried to get these big multinationals, in particular the tech companies, who can move their personnel and technology and trade marks around the world, to get them to pay more tax. they did not think it would happen, they thought the americans would stand in the way, and the uk where politics has been about cutting corporation tax. that has changed today, the first foundation stone of a fundamentally different tax system where big

multinationals that can traditionally legally put their tax liabilities all around the world, that changes are starting today, and they will have to get that agreement all around the world. thank you. the head of nhs providers, which represents health services, has said covid vaccines appear to "have broken the chain" between catching the virus and becoming seriously ill, or dying. despite this, chris hopson says any decision on easing restrictions in england on 21june is "finely balanced". our health correspondent naomi grimley reports. it is the big question of the summer. can hospitals still cope with the numbers of people who will fall severely ill with covid—i9 before the full effects of mass vaccination are felt? the encouraging news is that hospital admissions are well below the levels we saw in winter and today one of those representing health trusts appeared to strike an optimistic note. what we think we can start to say now based on that experience from those

who have been at the front of this wave is it looks as though the vaccines have broken the chain between catching covid—i9 and potentially being very seriously ill and potentially dying. but more surge testing is to begin on monday in reading and wokingham because of the more transmissible delta variant first discovered in india. cases have been nudging up quite noticeably again as we mix more. yesterday over 6,000 were recorded. and some experts fear that could still translate into a problem until full vaccination is reached. it is particularly this increase in transmission that could cause us rob sams. _ transmission that could cause us rob sims. we _ transmission that could cause us rob sims. we are — transmission that could cause us rob sims, we are getting estimates of 60% more — sims, we are getting estimates of 60% more transmissible than the kent variant_ 60% more transmissible than the kent variant that _ 60% more transmissible than the kent variant that was dominant and that means— variant that was dominant and that means infections can come at us quite _ means infections can come at us quite fast — quite fast. in- quite fast. in the end it is a political

decision whether to go ahead with the final stage of loosening in england. 0pinions in the scientific community are split, perhaps the only thing everyone agrees on is that more data is needed. naomi grimley, bbc news. coronavirus restrictions have eased for millions of people in scotland today. glasgow has moved down to level 2, which means people can meet in each other�*s homes, in limited numbers, and drink alcohol in pubs and restaurants for the first time in eight months. but a planned relaxation across some other parts of the country has been delayed. 0ur correspondent graham stewart is in glasgow. a significant day for the citizens of glasgow, they are emerging from nine long months and some of the country's toughest covid restrictions. from today they can meet indoors and enjoy alcohol inside pubs and restaurants, and travel in and out of the city. but for 13 other council areas who have been enjoying these same freedoms

for three weeks, they are staying where they are because of concerns over the now dominant indian variant. across scotland infections have more than tripled over the past month. in some other areas where case numbers are relatively low they are moving to level 1, 0rkney, shetland, the western isles are moving to the lowest level of restrictions, and that is where the whole of scotland hopes to be towards the end of this month. the first minister said the situation is hopeful but fragile. thank you, graeme. the home office says it's urgently investigating a report that a border force vessel in the channel entered french waters to pick up migrants heading towards the uk in a small boat. the daily mail says it has a recording of a radio conversation in which an officer on the border force vessel asks a french patrol ship for permission to get the group. indian officials have announced that lockdown restrictions will start easing in delhi, weeks after a devastating

second wave of the virus. markets and shopping centres will be able to partially reopen from monday and offices can also reopen at half capacity. the city reported about 400 new infections today down from about 25,000 daily cases when the lockdown was announced seven weeks ago. with all the sport now, here's chetan pathak at the bbc sport centre. good afternoon. after a whole day lost to rain, england's batsmen have resumed their reply to new zealand's 378 all out in the first test at lord's. rory burns and captainjoe root started the day at the crease, though wickets have been tumbling, as patrick gearey reports. test cricket is an unusual sport in that you get time to think. all day yesterday while the rain felljoe root could mull over the match, plan his innings. then first ball, new zealand ensures the cat and had even more time to think. sometimes

instincts are most important, tim southee knew he had 0llie pope leg before wicket even if the umpire did not think so. technology backed tim southee and 0ft sloat pope, followed by dan lawrence, early in his innings, hasty to the shop. james bracey in his first test, gone before his first run. saddier again, england sits down, still behind. it might have got worse, 0lly robinson was given out, caught, only to be retrieved by the replay. still england are in big trouble and will go to lunch try not to think about it. patrick gearey, bbc news. st helen's have won their first women's challenge cup after thrashing york city knights in the final. saints raced into a 20—0 half—time lead with four tries, amy hardcastle with the pick of them. the final score was 3a—6. england's mel reid remains in contention at the halfway point of the us women's open in san

francisco. reid, who led after the first round, slipped back to sixth following a two over par 73. she's four shots behind the leader, 19—year—old yuka saso of the philippines. max verstappen crashed in final practice for the azerbaijan grand prix this morning leaving red bull mechanics battling to fix his car ahead of qualifying, which has just got under way. championship leader verstappen is the favourite for pole position with lewis hamilton's mercedes struggling for pace. and cameron norrie says playing 13—time champion rafael nadal at the french open is the toughest task in world sport. norrie, the british number two, meets nadal in the third round in paris later. it's his first time at this stage of the tournament, whereas nadal has only lost twice at roland garros in 15 years. you can follow how he gets on over

on the bbc sport website, latest action from england against new zealand in that first test. that's all your sport for now, back to you. and before we go — the first big event of coventry�*s year as the uk city of culture is taking place, after a six—month delay because of the pandemic. # i rise above. the singer pauline black of the �*80s band the selector, opened coventry moves, an online event, with this performance in a residential part of the city. you can see more on all of today's stories on the bbc news channel. the next news on bbc one is at 5:30pm. bye for now.

hello — you're watching the bbc news channel. more now on our main story — the finance ministers of the world's seven biggest economies have agreed a deal to ensure multinational companies pay their fair share of tax. the g7 summit has committed to a global minimum rate of corporation tax of 15%. the chancellor, rishi sunak, who has been chairing the meetingl. said this move was just the first step and the deal is a huge prize for the uk taxpayer. we have reached an historic agreement. it's a very proud moment. i want to say thank you to my g7

colleagues for their collective leadership and for their willingness to work together to seize this moment and to reach an historic agreement that, finally, brings our tax system into the 21st century. can you give people a sense of what we are talking about? the rates? the mechanisms? it's complicated but it is important stuff. it is is important stuff. it is complicated. - is important stuff. it is complicated. next - is important stuff. it is i complicated. next month is important stuff. it is - complicated. next month we is important stuff. it 3 complicated. next month we will have a 620 complicated. next month we will have a g20 finance ministers summit to make further progress on today. people will take away the principle of fairness. that's what we've achieved today to make sure there is achieved today to make sure there is a level playing field for all types of companies, whether it is people operating in tax havens or digital companies, we will inject that principle of fairness into our global tax system. the principle of fairness into our global tax system.— principle of fairness into our global tax system. the uk has a diuital global tax system. the uk has a digital service _ global tax system. the uk has a digital service attacks _ global tax system. the uk has a digital service attacks already. l digital service attacks already. what will happen now these rules will potentially come into play? all they raise more money than the

digital services tax, and will you get rid of it in the future? we've alwa s get rid of it in the future? we've always said _ get rid of it in the future? we've always said the _ get rid of it in the future? we've always said the digital _ get rid of it in the future? we've always said the digital services | get rid of it in the future? we've l always said the digital services tax we've implemented, as have many others whether that's france, italy, spain, canada soon. all of those are meant to be temporary solutions until we have found a multilateral agreement on this issue that could be implemented consistently across the world. this is the first step. we've got to move to the g20 and then beyond. the intention will be once there is a global multilateral solution in place then the need for those digital services tax goes away. those digital services tax goes awa . ., ., those digital services tax goes awa. ., ., , ., those digital services tax goes awa. ., , ., ., ., ., away. how do you square a tax rate with the importance _ away. how do you square a tax rate with the importance of _ away. how do you square a tax rate with the importance of tax - with the importance of tax sovereignty? aren't you potentially tying your own hands if you have this minimum rate in future? what this minimum rate in future? what the british public— this minimum rate in future? what the british public want _ this minimum rate in future? what the british public want to - this minimum rate in future? twat the british public want to know is that the system is fair. they want to know there is a level playing field so if people are operating in tax havens or with a large particularly online businesses are not paying tax in certain areas, they want that tackled and that is

what this agreement gives us the ability to do and it has been agreed amongst g7 colleagues and once we broaden it out and implement it globally it is a huge prize for british taxpayers.— globally it is a huge prize for british taxpayers. slightly less ambitious. _ british taxpayers. slightly less ambitious, not _ british taxpayers. slightly less ambitious, not 21 _ british taxpayers. slightly less ambitious, not 21 but - british taxpayers. slightly less ambitious, not 21 but 15%. - british taxpayers. slightly less l ambitious, not 21 but 15%. does british taxpayers. slightly less - ambitious, not 21 but 15%. does that underline the strength of this agreement? some people say it does. what the agreement reached today is at least 15%. this has been talked about for almost a decade. here, for the first time today, we have agreement on the tangible principles of what these reforms should look like and that is huge, huge progress. like and that is huge, huge progress-— like and that is huge, huge rouress. , ,, . ~ ., . like and that is huge, huge rouress. , ,, .,~ ., ., ., progress. rishi sunak on that deal. now, an progress. rishi sunak on that deal. now. an update — progress. rishi sunak on that deal. now, an update on _ progress. rishi sunak on that deal. now, an update on our— progress. rishi sunak on that deal. now, an update on our headlines. | chancellor, rishi sunak has said g7 finance ministers from the world's leading economies have reached a historic deal to reform the global tax system during talks in london. testing is ramped up as the uk sees the highest number of new covid infections in 2 months.

for the first time in nine months, people in glasgow will be able to socialise in each others homes and drink alcohol in pubs & restaurants as parts of scotland move to lower restriction levels from today. coronavirus restrictions have eased for millions of people across scotland from this morning. glasgow has moved down to level two, which means socialising in each other�*s homes is allowed, in limited numbers, and pubs can serve alcohol. but a planned relaxation across some other parts of the country has been delayed. connor gillies reports. preparing for pints inside the pub here in glasgow. margaret's place hasn't opened at all since october. it's been absolutely horrendous, horrendous for everybody. hopefully all the regulars will be back, because we miss them. we miss them, so that will be great, that'll be absolutely brilliant, to see everybody. here in scotland's biggest city, almost 600,000 people have been living under the strictest of restrictions for the longest period of time across

the whole of the uk. families haven't been able to mix inside their homes for nine months. but this move from level three to level two makes that possible once again — a major milestone. i'm looking forward to going into my nephew's communion and spending time with my family and getting a wee drink and things like that. it'll be great, to see everybody again in the sunshine. a nightmare, an absolute nightmare. we've really been struck the worst, really, in glasgow. so, i'm looking forward to things opening up again and maybe getting back to a wee bit of reality. we've got max here... it's level one here on the farm in aberdeen, this business a magnet forfamilies — now allowed to reopen this soft play inside. it's been 1a months since we've been able to open this soft play. we're not as weather—dependent, we can increase our capacity a little bit and things like that, so, yeah, it's a big boost for us as a business. 0rkney has mostly been shielded from covid. it, like other scottish islands,

dropping to level zero. continued caution, though, still required. it's the direction of travel that's really important. at the same time, we've got to be very conscious that we have more and more people coming here, and we're really asking them to take a lateral flow test, and even our own community, going away and coming back again, just taking those tests to give us an extra degree of safety. safety amid a difficult, fragile position. but as a new day begins, so does a new dawn on regaining many of our old freedoms. connor gillies, bbc news. the indian capital delhi has announced a gradual lifting of covid restrictions, weeks after being ravaged by a second wave. markets and malls will partially reopen from monday. despite the move, officials are still warning the country to prepare for a third wave of coronavirus. meanwhile australia's second—most populous state of victoria has reported a small

increase in covid cases as authorities try to find the source of the highly infectious delta variant that first emerged in india. a total of seventy new cases have been confirmed. the state capital melbourne entered its second weekend of a hard lockdown which is due to end in five days. visitors may be returning to some of the uk's most popular tourist destinations, but employers are reporting problems recruiting staff. in cumbria, tourism bosses are warning the situation is reaching crisis point, and say the sector has been badly hit by new post—brexit immigration rules. yunus mulla reports. the lake district is looking busy. the visitors have returned in large numbers. but fewer people are choosing to work here. emma's deli here is facing a problem. its owner has another cafe in keswick which is down to opening just five days a week. here, the chef retires soon.

that position hasn't been filled. when we reopened lastjuly we didn't have a shortage of people coming forward forjobs. something seems to have shifted. it might mean we have to reduce what we can offer, either in terms of the days we are open or the days we can offer food because we cannot keep up with demand. this crisis facing the tourism and hospitality industry is said to have doubled in the area in the last month. the challenges have been highlighted in the lake district. 68% say there is a significant problem recruiting staff, business responses also reveal 73% cite a lack of applicants, and 44% say there is a skills shortage. lack of affordable housing and transport difficulties isn't new, but many businesses weren't expecting the current staff shortages. i've had clients in tears,

ringing me up begging for help. i had a head chef say to me the other day that the hours he is having to work because he is six, seven people down in the kitchen, he says he will end up in an early grave. when the lake district country hotel group opened up with the easing of restrictions, 10% of staff didn't return, but brexit and the end of the free movement of people is a bigger problem. our biggest problem in our area is pre—brexit we had 40% of our staff coming from the eu. since the end of free movement we are finding it harder to find people. unemployment in our area isjust shy of 1%. it's an ageing population in our area. people are migrating away from the area rather than coming to it. businesses here are doing what they can to find a way out of the staffing crisis.

but to grow and recover there is also a call for government intervention. coventry is staging its first major events to mark its year as the uk's city of culture. the pandemic meant that celebrations had to be postponed until restrictions had started to ease. there are pop—up performances throughout the day, including fourteen modern day lady godivas who will ride through the city. colleen harris reports. music plays. it's been a long wait. now coventry is ready. from street theatre to music, pop—up performances are set for today's launch. welcome to coventry. the city will showcase its cultural heritage, from postwar 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 �*80s band the selecter. # 0h, take me back, back to the days... she says the city's year in the cultural spotlight will bring much—needed regeneration

and investment. coventry is, if you like, the 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. rather than come to coventry to see it, the message from organisers for now is to stay at home and watch from there. the halo that i have on right now was inspired by the bicycle wheel, it 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, you know, what is there for me? and then coming back later on, and the city is booming, you know, 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 helping people, you know? it has been a challenging feat, planning a cultural programme in a pandemic. concerns about crowds have kept announcements low—key in secret. so a city of surprises awaits. let's cross live to

colleen harris in coventry. good afternoon. we are in the beautiful grounds of coventry cathedral, which is part of the centrepoint of uk city of culture's opening event, and also for the city it is a rich history of resilience, which is a nod to coventry�*s past when it was bombed in world war ii. 0ut when it was bombed in world war ii. out of that it became a symbol of peace and reconciliation. street performers and street artists are telling this story in moving parts throughout the day. moving parts because organisers have had a real challenge to deliver a covid safe programme, really. they are trying to avoid crowds coming into the centre and asking people to stay at home and watch online. we've been here all day. this morning's opening events began with pauline black, the singer from the 80s band the selecter. she performed on a bridge

in a residential part of the city, so there was an element of surprise there for residents waking up. that journey has continued throughout different neighbourhoods in the city. again, moving through with river runners, bmx performers and parcours performers. a nod to the city's usefulness. these are all the stories they want to tell. stories of car innovation and manufacturing. let's have a chat with danjones who is a composer and a sound artist. tell us about the stuff you've been doing that's part of the celebration.— doing that's part of the celebration. �* . ., celebration. i've had the final honour of— celebration. i've had the final honour of doing _ celebration. i've had the final honour of doing the - celebration. i've had the final honour of doing the last - celebration. i've had the final| honour of doing the last piece celebration. i've had the final. honour of doing the last piece of the jigsaw puzzle. honour of doing the last piece of thejigsaw puzzle. it honour of doing the last piece of the jigsaw puzzle. it is called 2021, coventry moves together. exactly 21 minutes past 8pm tonight at nine different radio stations will broadcast the same piece of music but different elements of it, inviting everybody in coventry to have one moment everybody can take

part in to pick up a radio, their phones, open their car doors, but on the hi—fi, smart tvs, whatever comes to hand where they can play these streams. they will create an unprecedented sound piece across the city. is unprecedented sound piece across the ci . , ., unprecedented sound piece across the ci . , . , ., , city. is a performed live, is it pre-recorded? _ city. is a performed live, is it pre-recorded? we _ city. is a performed live, is it pre-recorded? we had - city. is a performed live, is it pre-recorded? we had to - city. is a performed live, is it i pre-recorded? we had to make city. is a performed live, is it - pre-recorded? we had to make it work with the radio — pre-recorded? we had to make it work with the radio stations. _ pre-recorded? we had to make it work with the radio stations. we _ pre-recorded? we had to make it work with the radio stations. we had - pre-recorded? we had to make it work with the radio stations. we had the - with the radio stations. we had the input of the birmingham city symphony orchestra, coventry cathedral organ, and also over 100 kids at primary schools. they had to tell me what they wanted to sing, i didn't tell them. we tapped into their creativity. further to that we asked them some questions. so there is a spoken word as well about their ideas for the future. i found it intensely moving. you would expect to get a few flying cars and tall skyscrapers. we tend to talk about the future in technological terms.

what is interesting is they steered the conversation about how we live together in the future and i thought that was very moving. what together in the future and i thought that was very moving.— together in the future and i thought that was very moving. what does uk ci of that was very moving. what does uk city of culture _ that was very moving. what does uk city of culture mean _ that was very moving. what does uk city of culture mean to _ that was very moving. what does uk city of culture mean to the _ that was very moving. what does uk city of culture mean to the people i city of culture mean to the people of coventry? do you have been at the helm of that? hot of coventry? do you have been at the helm of that?— helm of that? not at the helm. i must give _ helm of that? not at the helm. i must give credit _ helm of that? not at the helm. i must give credit to _ helm of that? not at the helm. i must give credit to justine - helm of that? not at the helm. i must give credit to justine for i helm of that? not at the helm. i | must give credit to justine for her work with the team. share must give credit to justine for her work with the team.— work with the team. are heavily involved, then. _ work with the team. are heavily involved, then. exactly, - work with the team. are heavily involved, then. exactly, i've i work with the team. are heavily i involved, then. exactly, i've been caretaking — involved, then. exactly, i've been caretaking these _ involved, then. exactly, i've been caretaking these amazing - ca retaking these amazing performances caretaking these amazing performances and weaving them together but it is really for the people of coventry to come together tonight. and very much in the spirit of clapping for carers, standing on doorsteps, drives, in the road, it is designed to be socially distanced, as it were, without danger. but it means we can start coming together as a society again, which is what these kids are talking about and how important that is. thank you. 0rganisers are stressing the point that this is an online event only. you can watch it, you

can be involved if you go to coventry2021.online. studio: thanks very much. now, let's take a look at the weather. a lot more sunshine across the south—east today. it was a wash—out yesterday. the rest of the country didn't do too badly with sunny spells. the rain has cleared away from the south—east. we have another weather front coming in, bringing more cloud for western scotland, parts of northern ireland, then moving across to west wales in the south—west of england by the latter part of the afternoon. there will be showery outbursts of rain, and some heavy showers mixed in as well. good sunny spells and feeling warmer, as well come over eastern areas. tomorrow, you will notice the weather fronts lying across parts of england and wales. it will be cloudy here, showery bursts of rain, heavy showers may be into the afternoon. for scotland and northern ireland

and later west wales in the south—west, a bright day with spells of sunshine. cooler, though, between 18 and 21 degrees. through the week, low pressure making its way in. showers for the north west, whereas further south and east should stay drier, and in the sunshine it will feel warm. hello this is bbc news. the headlines: the uk chancellor, rishi sunak says g7 finance ministers from the world's leading economies have reached a historic deal to reform the global tax system during talks in london. i think the crucial thing for people to take away is the principle of fairness. that is what we have achieved today. to ensure there is a level playing field for all types of companies. testing is ramped up as the uk sees the highest number of new covid infections in 2 months, raising more question marks over the further relaxation of restrictions. for the first time in nine months,

people in glasgow will be able