ealing trailfinders 57—15 in the second leg of their championship play—off final to add to their 60—0 first—leg win. and over on the bbc sport website, and bbc radio 5 live, you can follow the final round of the us open golf, where rory mcilroy is in contention. but that's all from me for now. reeta. there's more throughout the evening on the bbc news channel. now on bbc one it's time for the news where you are. goodbye. hello there. over the last few days, there's been an awful lot of rain affecting parts of southern england, the south midlands, parts of east anglia, too. the wettest areas now have seen over a month's worth of rain. odiham is in northeast hampshire — 81 mm of rain has fallen so far this month, most of it

in the last few days. that compares with a monthly average here of around 48 mm, so it's already been a very wet month, and of course, we've got plenty ofjune still left. whereas further north, for wales, northern england and scotland as well, it's been dry. only six mm of rain recorded so far in both edinburgh and aberdeen. on sunday, we had the cloud across most parts of the uk thanks to several weather fronts, and we've got more cloud and more rain to come on monday as well. the heaviest rain will be from this front in the south. it will definitely be very wet across southern coastal counties, but we'll start to see some of that rain drifting northwards. there's some uncertainty how much rain we'll get across the midlands and east anglia, but it could turn very wet. another very weak weather front drifting into northern england, bringing some splashes of rain here. between, a bit of brightness, but the best of the day's weather and sunshine will be across scotland and northern ireland. here in the sunshine, temperatures should reach 18 degrees in glasgow. now, for tuesday, weather front�*s still not far away from southern england, but it will be pulling out of the way as pressure builds across most of the uk ahead

of our next weather system that will eventually make inroads into the northwest. so, tuesday, any rain coming away from the south, most of us having a fine day with spells of sunshine. perhaps a bit of cloud developing and flattening out across the skies as we go through the early afternoon, and then it turns wet towards the end of the day, and the rain threatening west scotland and northern ireland as well. on into wednesday's forecast, we've still got high pressure trying to hold on, but the weak area of low pressure skirts into the north through wednesday and thursday, bringing a little bit more in the way of rain. but because it's running into that high pressure, the rain's not going to be particularly heavy. for wednesday, it turns much cloudier for scotland and northern ireland. there will be some splashes of rain around here. south—westerly winds, so bringing relatively mild air. 18 degrees even though it stays cloudy in both glasgow and belfast. further south for england and wales, some sunshine and temperatures into the low 20s. now, thursday will see a bit more rain across northern areas of the uk, a few showers drifting away southwards with time, and generally, a little bit more in the way of cloud in the skies,

but there will still be some bright or sunny spells getting through that cloud. favoured spots across east wales, the midlands, southern counties of england as well. top temperatures of about 22. we end the week with cloud and rain affecting southern areas of england, slowly pulling away. northerly winds elsewhere should bring a better chance of the cloud breaking up with a bit more sunshine developing across northern areas, but it will be a bit cooler. despite that, even in thejune sunshine, it should still feel pleasant and warm. into next week, and this time yesterday, we were looking at two different scenarios, both based on a trough that was diving across the uk with a bill of pressure behind it. these two models have kind of, sort of come into line — that is, they both have areas of high pressure near the uk, influencing weather and potentially bringing us more settled conditions. but look at the low pressure over europe. this is one of the models. another model has that low much closer to us. and with the jet stream, it's still not settled between these two scenarios, so i'd say this next weekend, yes,

there's hope for drier weather, hope for high pressure, but it's not a done deal yet. some of the models could return to a rather wetter solution over the next few days.

hello, this is bbc news. first, the headlines... a senior scientist says it might be possible for people with both covid jabs to face fewer restrictions, and travel without quarantining. i think in the time in the future, i'm not sure when, but a time in the future, i can imagine a situation where we will have alternatives to isolation for people who have two doses of the vaccine. wales celebrate as they qualify for the last 16 in the euro 2020 tournament — despite defeat in rome. the bbc understands the post office has made payouts to 400 former sub—postmasters falsely accused

of theft and fraud, but thousands are still waiting for compensation. a plea from pilots for more help to stop the pandemic devastating the airline industry. hello, and welcome to our look ahead to what the papers will be bringing us tomorrow. with me are kate andrews, who is the economics correspondent at the spectator, and independent features writer, james rampton. welcome to you both, lovely to see you, it's been ages. tomorrow's front pages, then. the guardian reports that ministers, including chancellor rishi sunak, will tell borisjohnson to consult his entire cabinet, and notjust a number ten clique. the metro's headline is that tiktok, snapchat, and other social media giants are uniting to urge young

people to book coronavirus jabs as britain races to squash a third wave of infections. the lead in the i is how one million people havejoined the rush for a vaccination in the race to beat the delta variant. "new two jab hope to free up your summer" is how the mail combines two stories of ministers looking at easing strict rules on isolation and of travel quarantine requirements. the paper says health secretary matt hancock wants to ditch the stay—at—home order for fully—vaccinated people who come into contact with covid cases. the ft reports that the bill for hs2 high—speed rail line hasjumped another £1.7 billion as covid adds to the rail project's delays. let's make a start, we are slightly worried on social media, you got your pen in your pocket, james. that's ok, we were very worried.

let's start with the daily mail, this will be music to the ears of a lot of people, kate.— this will be music to the ears of a lot of people, kate. yes, certainly --eole lot of people, kate. yes, certainly peeple wh0've _ lot of people, kate. yes, certainly people who've been _ lot of people, kate. yes, certainly people who've been double - lot of people, kate. yes, certainly people who've been double jab . lot of people, kate. yes, certainly| people who've been double jab will be delighted by the news. we've heard these whispers for quite some time, that people who had both their jobs who are as protected from this virus as they'll be will be able to resume a more normal lifestyle. there's two ways to look at this. firstly, speaking to the science, it's safe to say once you are vaccinated, you're in a safer position than if you weren't. we know vaccines work since we've had effective jabs roll onto the scene, so we've been talking about how they aren't 100% so we've been talking about how they aren't100% effective is a strange narrative. but there's another side to this story, and this is a complicated issue. first and

foremost, the idea that you would create any kind of two—tiered society where people who have had... especially if this doesn't play out in a debate in parliament as it should. secondly, it's in a debate in parliament as it should. secondly, its young people who will be the last to get their jobs —— second jabs, so the idea that we might have a two—tiered system when not everybody has been offered their second jabs difficult. thirdly, and this might make people nervous, even if you've had jabs, what exactly does it mean to reach freedom day? is it still freedom day if we talk about a strict regime where you've had to have certain jabs and live a certain lifestyle in order to fit into the rules? that's not exactly returning all our freedoms, it doesn't sound like it was pre—pandemic. i’m freedoms, it doesn't sound like it was pre-pandemic._ freedoms, it doesn't sound like it was pre-pandemic. i'm all in favour of callin: was pre-pandemic. i'm all in favour of calling it — was pre-pandemic. i'm all in favour of calling it so-called _ was pre-pandemic. i'm all in favour of calling it so-called freedom - was pre-pandemic. i'm all in favour of calling it so-called freedom day, | of calling it so—called freedom day,

just gets us around all sorts of accusations of bias. james, lots of points kate raises her about equality, is notjust about politics. equality, is not 'ust about olitics. ~ , equality, is not 'ust about olitics. , ., politics. absolutely, i agree with kate that there _ politics. absolutely, i agree with kate that there is _ politics. absolutely, i agree with kate that there is a _ politics. absolutely, i agree with kate that there is a danger- politics. absolutely, i agree with kate that there is a danger of. kate that there is a danger of creating _ kate that there is a danger of creating a two—tiered society of those _ creating a two—tiered society of those who _ creating a two—tiered society of those who have beenjabbed and creating a two—tiered society of those who have been jabbed and those who are _ those who have been jabbed and those who are hot _ those who have been jabbed and those who are not. and it will also skew towards _ who are not. and it will also skew towards older people, which could also create some resentment because younger— also create some resentment because younger people have made great sacrifices — younger people have made great sacrifices. i've got a daughter at university— sacrifices. i've got a daughter at university who's had a miserable year because she hasn't been out to the pub— year because she hasn't been out to the pub and — year because she hasn't been out to the pub and parties with friends. it's hot _ the pub and parties with friends. it's not a — the pub and parties with friends. it's not a university experience at all. it's not a university experience at alt she's — it's not a university experience at all. she's made great sacrifices to protect— all. she's made great sacrifices to protect us— all. she's made great sacrifices to protect us all, and it would seem extremely— protect us all, and it would seem extremely unfair if she and her generation were then discriminated against _ generation were then discriminated against. i'm very wary, alleged freedom — against. i'm very wary, alleged freedom day, of getting my hopes up too high _ freedom day, of getting my hopes up too high i_ freedom day, of getting my hopes up too high. i think of that great quote — too high. i think of that great quote from john cleese in clockwise when _ quote from john cleese in clockwise

when he _ quote from john cleese in clockwise when he says, "i can cope with the despair _ when he says, "i can cope with the despair it's— when he says, "i can cope with the despair. it's the hope i can't handle" _ despair. it's the hope i can't handle-"— despair. it's the hope i can't handle.“ ., , ,, ., handle." that sounds like a football fan's entreaty. _ handle." that sounds like a football fan's entreaty, as _ handle." that sounds like a football fan's entreaty, as well. _ handle." that sounds like a football fan's entreaty, as well. you - handle." that sounds like a football| fan's entreaty, as well. you mention not being able to have much of a social life, but on the guardian, there are people in darlington park — which back then i would've known as monsters of rock — they forgot all about covid just for a moment? they have forgotten about the covid crisis _ they have forgotten about the covid crisis that _ they have forgotten about the covid crisis that we've all been living with— crisis that we've all been living with for— crisis that we've all been living with for 18 months, and this is the most _ with for 18 months, and this is the mostioyfut— with for 18 months, and this is the mostjoyful picture of with for 18 months, and this is the most joyful picture of scene probably in about a year. the sheer unfettered — probably in about a year. the sheer unfettered pleasure with which these heavy _ unfettered pleasure with which these heavy metal fans were enjoying their lil. heavy metal fans were enjoying their gig it _ heavy metal fans were enjoying their gig it fills— heavy metal fans were enjoying their gig. it fills me with delight. i wish — gig. it fills me with delight. i wish i — gig. it fills me with delight. i wish i could be there if i was about 40 years— wish i could be there if i was about 40 years younger and had heavy metal hair and _ 40 years younger and had heavy metal hair and an— 40 years younger and had heavy metal hairand an iron 40 years younger and had heavy metal hair and an iron maiden t—shirt, but youtt— hair and an iron maiden t—shirt, but yotr'tt tre— hair and an iron maiden t—shirt, but yotr'tt be glad — hair and an iron maiden t—shirt, but you'll be glad i haven't got any of those _ you'll be glad i haven't got any of those things. i'm delighted to see this is— those things. i'm delighted to see this is one — those things. i'm delighted to see this is one sign of a normal life returning. _ this is one sign of a normal life returning, and i hope it's prelude

to many— returning, and i hope it's prelude to many more. | returning, and i hope it's prelude to many more-— returning, and i hope it's prelude to many more. i can't cope with the volume, to many more. i can't cope with the volume. that's _ to many more. i can't cope with the volume, that's my _ to many more. i can't cope with the volume, that's my problem. - to many more. i can't cope with the | volume, that's my problem. staying with the guardian, ministers tell johnson to consult the entire cabinet, notjust the number ten clique. i suppose groupthinkjust sets in briefly? ill make this is an issue that's been building up for some time, it is no longer a cabinet government but rather borisjohnson will only work with select ministers depending on the topic and within number ten. this depending on the topic and within number ten-— depending on the topic and within number ten. , , , ., ., number ten. this is been made more difficult by the _ number ten. this is been made more difficult by the pandemic, _ number ten. this is been made more difficult by the pandemic, for - number ten. this is been made more difficult by the pandemic, for the - difficult by the pandemic, for the long time people can be in the same room together, having meetings on zoom just isn't the same as being in person —— zoom act. what you'll see in the next few months is an attempt for... we know when so—called freedom day was delayed, it actually put a few cabinet members where reference is not being happy with that decision, and it wasn't the hill they were going to die on or

resigned by any means, but there are tensions that are ruined. the idea of the prime minister might now have to come to the table more often is one we are sensing more and more as ministers feel frustrated that they aren't getting the contact with the prime minister that they may have done pre—pandemic. the prime minister that they may have done pre-pandemic._ prime minister that they may have done pre-pandemic. the speaker of the house of _ done pre-pandemic. the speaker of the house of commons, _ done pre-pandemic. the speaker of the house of commons, lindsey - done pre-pandemic. the speaker of. the house of commons, lindsey hoyle, was cross at the prime minister once again making an announcement, but not in the first case to parliament. yes, he was livid about that, and indeed _ yes, he was livid about that, and indeed the — yes, he was livid about that, and indeed the previous speaker has had borisjohnson in his sights this weekend _ borisjohnson in his sights this weekend. he said, "he is someone who only has— weekend. he said, "he is someone who only has a _ weekend. he said, "he is someone who only has a nodding acquaintance with the truth, _ only has a nodding acquaintance with the truth, and that's in a leap year" — the truth, and that's in a leap year." those are the sorts of distractions that the prime minister is having _ distractions that the prime minister is having to deal with. i don't think— is having to deal with. i don't think dominic cummings is going away anytime _ think dominic cummings is going away anytime soon. he also has to reckon with a _ anytime soon. he also has to reckon with a potential crumbling of the blue wall, losing the cheshire seat for the _ blue wall, losing the cheshire seat for the first time ever is significant. it slightly went

unnoticed last week because of a certain— unnoticed last week because of a certain football tournament that was --oin certain football tournament that was going on. _ certain football tournament that was going on, and the covid crisis. but ithink— going on, and the covid crisis. but i think it _ going on, and the covid crisis. but i think it is — going on, and the covid crisis. but i think it is very important to notice — i think it is very important to notice that people in those traditional tory areas are very worried — traditional tory areas are very worried about planning laws, they are very— worried about planning laws, they are very worried about hsz, worried about planning laws, they are very worried about h52, and he cannot— are very worried about h52, and he cannot take — are very worried about h52, and he cannot take them for granted. if he's pursuing redwall, he mustn't forget _ he's pursuing redwall, he mustn't forget about blue wall at same time. looking _ forget about blue wall at same time. looking at _ forget about blue wall at same time. looking at the fte, "squeeze on farm fees as a blow to cannabis growers." we see what they did there with that headline. why is that happening? you thou~ht headline. why is that happening? you thought it wasjust headline. why is that happening? you thought it was just sausages that were _ thought it was just sausages that were under threat because of brexit, but no, _ were under threat because of brexit, but no, far— were under threat because of brexit, but no, far more seriously because this is— but no, far more seriously because this is a _ but no, far more seriously because this is a fiscal matter, some cannabis— this is a fiscal matter, some cannabis farms are complaining that they cannot recruit farm workers now because _ they cannot recruit farm workers now because of— they cannot recruit farm workers now because of the new, more strict regime — because of the new, more strict regime since brexit means that farm workers _ regime since brexit means that farm workers from abroad can only be employed — workers from abroad can only be employed if they are helping to grow

food. employed if they are helping to grow food 0t— employed if they are helping to grow food. of course, medicinal cannabis is not _ food. of course, medicinal cannabis is hot food — food. of course, medicinal cannabis is hot food - — food. of course, medicinal cannabis is hot food - i— food. of course, medicinal cannabis is not food — i won't even make that 'oke is not food — i won't even make that joke because — is not food — i won't even make that joke because i'll probably be sued. but there — joke because i'll probably be sued. but there are very massive ramifications to brexit which we haven't— ramifications to brexit which we haven't seen, and only now coming out of— haven't seen, and only now coming out of the — haven't seen, and only now coming out of the woodwork as it begins to unfold _ out of the woodwork as it begins to unfold the — out of the woodwork as it begins to unfold. the whole northern ireland protocol— unfold. the whole northern ireland protocol in — unfold. the whole northern ireland protocol in the threat to the good friday— protocol in the threat to the good friday agreement is socially huge, potentially cataclysmic disaster that may hit our union. but this medicinal— that may hit our union. but this medicinal cannabis story is very significant — medicinal cannabis story is very significant as well because nobody saw that— significant as well because nobody saw that coming. it is significant as well because nobody saw that coming.— saw that coming. it is medicinal cannabis. _ saw that coming. it is medicinal cannabis. not — saw that coming. it is medicinal cannabis, not meant _ saw that coming. it is medicinal cannabis, not meant to - saw that coming. it is medicinal cannabis, not meant to be - saw that coming. it is medicinal- cannabis, not meant to be consumed in food form. kate, this has been a problem that lots of businesses are now finding a aren't they? notjust agriculture? now finding a aren't they? not 'ust agriculture?— agriculture? certainly businesses are frustrated _ agriculture? certainly businesses are frustrated that _ agriculture? certainly businesses are frustrated that the _ agriculture? certainly businesses l are frustrated that the combination of covid in the furlough scheme, plus brexit has meant a lot of businesses are struggling to find workers. the positive angle on this is that wages are increasing, there are multiple reasons for that, it's

notjust are multiple reasons for that, it's not just a straightforward are multiple reasons for that, it's notjust a straightforward answer. itjust notjust a straightforward answer. it just comes notjust a straightforward answer. itjust comes down to limited workers. but in some cases this could be good for workers if their wages go up. at the front page of the fte shows that the medical cannabis industry in the uk has been overlooked for far too long —— fte_ and for it to be made here, so i think that's one thing to highlight here. it's alsojust think that's one thing to highlight here. it's also just impossible for the government to forecast what the labour market will need. it's really bad at doing that, it's a decision much better left a business. we will find hurdles in the immigration system which is in some ways becoming stricter, and it will have to move very quickly to make sure these industries continue to operate. these industries continue to o erate. �* these industries continue to oerate. �* ., , ., these industries continue to oerate. ., , ., , operate. i'm not sure how closely either of you _ operate. i'm not sure how closely either of you follow _ operate. i'm not sure how closely either of you follow the _ operate. i'm not sure how closely either of you follow the euro - operate. i'm not sure how closely| either of you follow the euro 2020 competition, but we will now congratulate wales who have reached the last 16 despite losing — they're celebrating because they lost 1—0 but they are still through. i

celebrating because they lost1-0 but they are still through.- but they are still through. i found it very closely. — but they are still through. i found it very closely. i _ but they are still through. i found it very closely, i had _ but they are still through. i found it very closely, i had to _ but they are still through. i found it very closely, i had to pull- but they are still through. i found it very closely, i had to pull over| it very closely, i had to pull over in my— it very closely, i had to pull over in my car— it very closely, i had to pull over in my car because it when the welsh player— in my car because it when the welsh player got— in my car because it when the welsh player got sent off, so let's be clear. — player got sent off, so let's be clear. this _ player got sent off, so let's be clear, this italy team is superb. they— clear, this italy team is superb. they are — clear, this italy team is superb. they are unbeaten for 30 games which equals _ they are unbeaten for 30 games which equals an— they are unbeaten for 30 games which equals an all—time record set in the 1930s— equals an all—time record set in the i930s~ they— equals an all—time record set in the 19305. they are one of equal5 an all—time record set in the 19305. they are one of the favourites. only to look —— to lose 1-0 favourites. only to look —— to lose i-0 is _ favourites. only to look —— to lose i-0 is a _ favourite5. only to look —— to lose i-0 is a really— favourites. only to look —— to lose 1—0 is a really commendable effort. i 1—0 is a really commendable effort. i don't _ 1—0 is a really commendable effort. i don't want — 1—0 is a really commendable effort. i don't want to sound patronising because — i don't want to sound patronising because this is a team doing much better— because this is a team doing much better than— because this is a team doing much better than england at the moment. let'5 better than england at the moment. let's not _ better than england at the moment. let's not forget that the last euros, — let's not forget that the last euros, they reach the semifinals. i think— euros, they reach the semifinals. i think a _ euros, they reach the semifinals. i think a lot — euros, they reach the semifinals. i think a lot of england fans will be discovering a long—lost wel5h granny thi5 discovering a long—lost wel5h granny this week, _ discovering a long—lost wel5h granny this week, because i think wale5 this week, because i think wales will go _ this week, because i think wales will go very far in the euros. what insiaht will go very far in the euros. what insight can _ will go very far in the euros. what insight can you — will go very far in the euros. what insight can you share? _ will go very far in the euros. what insight can you share? i'm - will go very far in the euros. what insight can you share? i'm not. will go very far in the euros. what. insight can you share? i'm not here for my football _ insight can you share? i'm not here for my football commentary! - insight can you share? i'm not here for my football commentary! but i insight can you share? i'm not here| for my football commentary! but as someone who came to the uk 12 years ago, i don't think i've everfelt

more at home than i did in 2018 cheering on england. and i've been so excited to do it for a second time. unfortunately the underperforming so far has not been very pleasant, so i'm delighted for whales that they've made it through, now i think all eyes are back on england after a very disappointing result against scotland —— wales. you say you aren't here for your football commentary but that was very good. i'm very happy with that. i was so happy with the i'd like to invite you both back at 11:30pm how about that? excellent, glad to hear it. i don't want to be here on my own. kate and james will be back at 11:30pm. next — ros atkins looks at the story of the delta variant.

this is the story of the delta variant — of how it came to the uk, of how it delayed boris johnson's covid plans. since today, i cannot say that we have met all our four tests for proceeding with step four on 21june. i think it is sensible to wait just a little longer. well, let's go back to the start. in october, a new variant was detected in india. six months on, in april, india's cases were surging, and several mutations of the variant were causing concern. one was called b.1.617.2. this was delta, and it was gaining international attention. the world health organization designated it a variant of interest on the 4th of april. on the 9th of april, borisjohnson's government expanded its red list of countries, the ones facing the strictest travel restrictions. here's the press release.

it went on... the delta variant wasn't mentioned, nor was india. it wasn't on the list, which begged the question — why? well, one possible explanation was politics, that borisjohnson had a trip to india in late april that he didn't want to cancel. weeks later, the sunday times reported... the theory goes, the trip would have helped. the government's never accepted that. what is beyond dispute, though, is that by mid april, the pressure on borisjohnson was building. one leading public health academic said india being off the red list was "frankly insane". but the government held its line. on the 16th of april, the telegraph asked it about india's absence from the list. a number ten spokesperson said only...

well, we got more detail on the government's thinking when health secretary matt hancock said this in may. when we put pakistan on the red list, and indeed, bangladesh, the positivity of those arriving from pakistan and bangladesh was three times higher that from india. that's why we took those decisions. but publicly available government data doesn't back that up. these are the covid infection rates for arrivals in late march and early april. india's above bangladesh and close to pakistan. then, injune, mr hancock argued that back in april, the government didn't have the full picture. we didn't have that data because there is a long lag from the cases, the data in which the case occurs, to the date when the sequencing result comes back. so, you have to act on the data that you have. his argument there is about sequencing,

the process where individual variants are identified. but even without that information, the headline data from india didn't need much interpretation. by mid april, even after factoring in population size, india was recording far more new cases a day than bangladesh or pakistan, though the uk government says india's higher testing rate was a factor. what the uk definitely knew was that india had outbreaks of what were then called the kent, south africa and brazil variants, and covid in india was a huge and rapidly escalating crisis. and within days, the government had changed tack. this press release on 19 april announced... it noted... certainly, there was a high volume in april. the sunday times estimates that 20,000 people arrived in the uk from india in the first three weeks of the month. but again, this week, borisjohnson

has defended his government. we put india on the red list, mr speaker, on april the 23rd, and the delta variant was not so identified until april the 28th, mr speaker, and was only identified as a variant of concern on may the 7th. this is all true. but it's also true that the role of variants in india's crisis was known earlier in april, and that people in mid april were urging the prime minister to act. and whatever the rights and wrongs of the government's decision, borisjohnson was following a pattern. at the start of the pandemic, he locked down england later than many european countries. in the autumn, he locked down later than his scientific advisers suggested. in december, he resisted calls for more restrictions at christmas, then changed his mind. and again here, he acted later than he might have. the question is — what was the impact of doing that?

by mid may, the opposition was making these accusations. they 5hould've put india on the red list at the same time a5 pakistan and a5 bangladesh. since then, we've had this three—week period in which thou5and5 of people have returned from india, and that probably includes hundreds of the new variant covid ca5e5. and, as the case numbers in england increased, so did the criticism of what happened in april. injune, george eaton of the new statesman tweeted... but does this add up? can we connect the timing of india going on the red list with what's happening now? certainly, delta is the problem right now. it accounts for more than 90% of new cases, and one former adviser described what was happening this way. we are in the early grip of this virus. l it is this delta variant. we've got 7,000 cases - i would average at the moment and a doubling time around a week.

but was the red list agent responsible for this? this is one current adviser. in other words, to some extent, the timing did matter because if delta had been delayed, more people would have been vaccinated and we know the vaccine reduces the chances of getting delta and of getting seriously ill because of it. but timing isn't the whole story. look at this. the uae brought in extra restrictions on travel on 22 april. france was the 24th, the us, the 4th of may. the uk, remember, was the 23rd of april.

it wasn't out of sync with these countries. here's an american official telling us the delta variant is doubling every two weeks, so it's probably going to become the dominant strain here, he says. more broadly, the who says delta is in over 60 countries, so why is the uk particularly affected? it may be the volume of people who came in. drjeffrey barrett is quoted in the independent and says... he also points out denmark had individual cases of delta at the same time as the uk, but not a huge volume of them, and delta's impact in denmark is much smaller, all of which feeds into these arguments on the timing of the red list decision. arguments that have an urgency

because delta is becoming more and more of an issue. the problem at the moment is that the projections that include a significant third wave, which is what the delay today is designed to try and prevent, also say that in one month's time, the situation is very unlikely to look any better. he makes a longer—term point, too. there's no question that we have this conversation of six months�* time, we will be talking about different variants. his point being that variants are a long—term challenges and how governments manage and will have a huge bearing on how much covid disrupt our lives. both of those points are borne out by the last three months, because it is true that the delta variant would've reached the uk anyway. but it's also true that decisions in april directly connected to the fact that england's covid restrictions will not be eased on 21 june.

hello. monday may be the summer solstice, but across some southern counties of england, summer may be the last season on your mind. we will start here with cloud and outbreaks of rain which will push up from the south during the night. temperatures are holding up nicely here, but a vicious start elsewhere, especially with the sunshine across the northern west of scotland, northern ireland, northern england, north and west wales. as thick cloud across scotland will bring a few showers, that will drift its way down into northern england through the day, but the rain develops more widely, heavy at times across southern counties of england, may be fringing into the south east midlands and parts of east anglia. and with a north easterly breeze here, it will feel distinctly chilly, temperatures struggling in the mid teens. but with some brighter skies, west midlands, west wales, towards the west coast of england and across western scotland, it is here where temperatures could hit 18—20 celsius. now, as we go into monday

evening and monday night, that outbreak of rain to the south will push its way southwards to leave a much brighter day after a chilly start for most on tuesday. by wednesday, southern areas stick with some sunshine, but we will see some cloud from the north.

this is bbc news with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. talks aimed at reviving the iran nuclear deal have been adjourned in vienna, with indications that a deal may be close, but it's not there yet. israel's new prime minister says that world powers should not negotiate with iran, after the election of hardliner ebrahim raisi as president. raisi's election is, i would say, the last chance for the world powers to wake up before we're turning to the nuclear agreement and to understand who they're doing business with. early indications from france suggest that the far right politician marine le pen has failed to make a breakthrough in regional elections. here in the uk, a senior scientist suggests that people who've had both their covid jabs, might eventually be able to travel without quarantining.

i think in the time in the future, i'm not sure when, but a time