this is bbc news. the headlines at 7pm — cheering. the team were cheered on as they arrived at the stadium, hoping for the tournament win that has proved so elusive for decades. we'll be doing everything we can. your support and energy has given us a huge lift, and i know it will on sunday. here's the scene inside the stadium, where 65,000 mostly england supporters will be watching. gareth southgate had this message for them and the rest of the country. we will bring you more from the stadium in the course of this next half hour as england prepared to run on the page within the next a0

minutes or so. the uk's vaccine minister says the government is confident that plans to lift a range of covid restrictions will go ahead onjuly the 19th in england, but he also said masks are still expected to be worn indoors. the fortification of the vaccination programme has allowed us to cautiously move to step four and the pm will say more about this. a sixth wimbledon title. and at wimbledon, it's game, set and match for novak djokovic as he beats matteo berrettini by three sets to one to take his sixth grass court title. lift—off for branson — the billionaire virgin galactic founder has flown to the edge of space on the company's first ever passenger flight before gliding back to earth safely.

good evening from wembley, where in an hour's time the opportunity england's men have dreamed of for so long will be under way. dreamed of for so long the final of the euros is upon us. dreamed of for so long the dreamed of for so long rain has started around the stadium the rain has started around the stadium here that is not dampening spirits because this is a night on which so much anticipation, the hopes and dreams of fans across england are panda. the footballers already into the stadium. they arrived in the last a0 minutes or so and it will be within the hour that we see them come out onto the pitch and face italy's team in the final of this tournament. 0ur and face italy's team in the final of this tournament. our first report this hour is from our sports editor. carrying the hopes of a nation, england leaving their hertfordshire hotel in the last hour,

bound for wembley and a date with destiny. the last leg of an epicjourney that has taken these players to the brink of sporting immortality. earlier at wembley, many savouring a day that will be etched into the fabric of english football history. this stadium had waited 55 years for such an occasion. and by lunchtime, the party was in full swing. these the scenes a full five hours before kick—off as thousands of fans, not all with tickets, came to be part of a day they'd dreamed of. rarely if ever had this ground witnessed such a build—up. we've been waiting a long time to get this far. ijust hope we have to do it now. getting a ticket for tonight, that means everything to me. and the whole country. it is about time we bring it home! they think it's all over. it is now! since sir alf ramsey's england

tasted world cup glory in 1966, 12 managers of the national team have tried and failed to emulate him by delivering a major trophy. but none have come as close as gareth southgate. and today, he issued the following message to england supporters. thank you to everybody for the incredible support we've received throughout this tournament. we hope that we've represented you in the right way. we hope that you've enjoyed watching us play. but of course we know now we've got to deliver for you, so we'll be doing everything we can. your support and energy has given us a huge lift. standing in the way, however, the toughest of opponents. unbeaten for three years, italy a sterner test than anything england have yet faced at these euros. whatever today's result, england have already made great strides under southgate, a talented generation of players reaching a first—ever european championship final. and today, the fa president paid this tribute to a team that's given the country a lift when it was needed most. gareth, harry, and to every. member of the england team

on and off the pitch, _ just want to wish you the very best of luck for tonight. what a team performance it's been. every member of the squad has played their part. - can't really believe this _ is happening, so exciting and just wish you the very best of luck. you bring out the very best - of england, and we are all behind you, the whole country's behind you. so, bring it home. the men that delivered the country's sole major trophy all those years ago are immortalised here at wembley. matching them has proved beyond those that followed. but now, finally, a new england has the chance to become legends and be remembered forever. dan roan, bbc news. let's just show you what it is like inside the stadium now. we are in the very last stage of the build up to the game, so about 60,000 england fans and around 6000 italy fans are lucky enough to have one of those

seats inside. it will be about a5 minutes or so until we see that very final stage of this before the actual kick—off at eight p:m.. there are a lot people who came to wembley from quite early in the day here who did not have tickets. celesta stadium gates were opened, those with tickets managed to go inside and that means that means that the streets around where i am have thinned out quite a lot because those who are still outside of those who came here without tickets. and there was a little bit of trouble actually was a people who had arrived without tickets, and there were some scuffles as they try to get inside wembley stadium. these stadium spokespersons said there was an incident where the outer security dealt with with support from the police. there are also designated fan zones in different parts of the country for the people are gathering in different settings with there are some dedicated fan zone. we can join one of our correspondence.

the official england fanzone in trafalgar square in central london. chi chi izundu is there now. what has it been like where you are? as you can see, there are a number of fans in trafalgar square. 1500 lucky enough to get a seat at one of the picnic tables here in central london. but if we just turn the camera around, you will see a number of people who have climbed up the steps of the national gallery in the hopes to catch a glimpse of the large screens that have been erected here. none of the people were lucky enough to get the banners and up to about 50 minutes ago, this area was completely cleared. but a lot of these fans have climbed the steps and are now throwing missiles, bottles and so on and so forth and letting off some flares into this area. stewards have had to clear this top half of trafalgar square in order to make sure that people are safe. but all of these people here in the background that you can see

behind me at the national gallery don't have any tickets to be part of the free event in trafalgar square. 0nly the free event in trafalgar square. only 1500 the free event in trafalgar square. 0nly1500 people were allowed here. but apart from that little bit of trouble, it's been rather peaceful. people are dancing in the centre of trafalgar square looking forward to the start of the match which should kick—off in about a0 minutes. the start of the match which should kick-off in about 40 minutes. thanks very much- — kick-off in about 40 minutes. thanks very much- one _ kick-off in about 40 minutes. thanks very much. one of— kick-off in about 40 minutes. thanks very much. one of those _ kick-off in about 40 minutes. thanks very much. one of those fan - kick-off in about 40 minutes. thanks very much. one of those fan zones i very much. one of those fan zones decimated in central london. let's get a sense of what it is like in italy tonight. the attained theme of come here with a stream of victories behind them, winning the world cup for times and that european shema shipped back when it was a different sort of tournament in 1968. here's our correspondent mark lowen on the view from rome. from every piazza comes the message... this is the moment for italy to shine.

in rome's campo de' fiori, the mood — and the temperature — are building. but even the chance of italy's first european football title since 1968 doesn't get this nation away from a serene lunch. and also very positive. you think that italy will do well? yes, i think so. this is a beautiful final, in my opinion. it's a very beautiful... two teams that have the history and respect each other and so we already won, in my opinion. translation: after a difficult moment for italy and also - for england with coronavirus| and the economic problems, it would give us confidence. people would feel satisfied. but whatever happens, we'll be happy. - roberto mancini has worked wonders for an italian team now unbeaten for 33 matches. italy knows it needs all the dazzling moves tonight to beat a strong england playing with a home advantage.

but the azzurri have already brought joy back to this country. and that is the mancini magic. this football—passionate country already has its team on a pedestal. victory tonight, and they'll be heroes for generations to come. forza italia! and we can speak to mark from the centre of rome now. covid—19 has made many things different forfans and covid—19 has made many things different for fans and for players throughout this tournament. what will it be like in italy for the next few hours? what are the rules of how people can watch the game? i5 of how people can watch the game? is having an impact here. the fans are in central_ having an impact here. the fans are in central rome because there are 2000 _ in central rome because there are 2000 people who are allowed into the square _ 2000 people who are allowed into the square here. you can see actually compared — square here. you can see actually compared to what you were seeing in london _ compared to what you were seeing in london it_ compared to what you were seeing in london it looks pretty empty probably, but ijust say there is a lot of— probably, but ijust say there is a lot of spirit — probably, but ijust say there is a lot of spirit here was up and what the italians may be a picking up four and — the italians may be a picking up four and lack of number they make up

for with_ four and lack of number they make up for with a _ four and lack of number they make up for with a lot — four and lack of number they make up for with a lot of noise and a lot of energy _ for with a lot of noise and a lot of energy and _ for with a lot of noise and a lot of energy. and there are some amazing costumes_ energy. and there are some amazing costumes here with italian wigs and old roman— costumes here with italian wigs and old roman gladiators helmets and there _ old roman gladiators helmets and there is_ old roman gladiators helmets and there is a — old roman gladiators helmets and there is a lot of love here for the itaiiah _ there is a lot of love here for the italian people so i think that is what _ italian people so i think that is what roberto mancini has managed to do in transforming the italian team that was_ do in transforming the italian team that was irr— do in transforming the italian team that was in despair absolutely overfilling to qualify for the 20 world — overfilling to qualify for the 20 world cup. the first time in 60 years— world cup. the first time in 60 years that _ world cup. the first time in 60 years that italy had failed to qualify— years that italy had failed to qualify for a world cup. he took over— qualify for a world cup. he took over and — qualify for a world cup. he took over and injected youth and confidence and self belief and frankly— confidence and self belief and franklyjoy into the italian team and he — franklyjoy into the italian team and he has really the italian nation behind _ and he has really the italian nation behind theirteam in and he has really the italian nation behind their team in a way this country— behind their team in a way this country is _ behind their team in a way this country is often split between regions, _ country is often split between regions, north, south, etc. relate with the— regions, north, south, etc. relate with the football team, they come together— with the football team, they come together and never more so than with roberto— together and never more so than with roberto mancini's team for many the mere _ roberto mancini's team for many the mere front— roberto mancini's team for many the mere front to being able to come out tonight— mere front to being able to come out tonight and _ mere front to being able to come out tonight and watch the game on dick screens, _ tonight and watch the game on dick screens, irr— tonight and watch the game on dick screens, in bars as well, after such a terrible _ screens, in bars as well, after such a terrible -- — screens, in bars as well, after such a terrible —— on big screens. this

was _ a terrible —— on big screens. this was the — a terrible —— on big screens. this was the first _ a terrible —— on big screens. this was the first country in the west be crushed _ was the first country in the west be crushed with a pandemic, that has kind of— crushed with a pandemic, that has kind of restored faith and brought 'oy kind of restored faith and brought joy irack— kind of restored faith and brought joy back to this nation and really it was— joy back to this nation and really it was needed here so very badly. so in the _ it was needed here so very badly. so in the eyes _ it was needed here so very badly. so in the eyes of many italians celebrating tonight, i think a lot of them — celebrating tonight, i think a lot of them will feel that they have already— of them will feel that they have already won. of them will feel that they have already won-— already won. italia! italia! italian! already won. italia! italia! italian! i— already won. italia! italia! italian! | think _ already won. italia! italia! italian! i think we - already won. italia! italia! italian! i think we will - already won. italia! italia! i italian! i think we will leave already won. italia! italia! - italian! i think we will leave mark there with those _ italian! i think we will leave mark there with those italy _ italian! i think we will leave mark there with those italy fans - italian! i think we will leave mark there with those italy fans and i italian! i think we will leave markl there with those italy fans and join james reynolds who is at an england fans own in croydon. what is it like they are? fans own in croydon. what is it like the are? ., ,~ , , fans own in croydon. what is it like the are? ., _ , , they are? who needs wembley when you have croydon- — they are? who needs wembley when you have croydon. this _ they are? who needs wembley when you have croydon. this is _ they are? who needs wembley when you have croydon. this is the _ they are? who needs wembley when you have croydon. this is the box _ they are? who needs wembley when you have croydon. this is the box park- have croydon. this is the box park and come and have a look. several hundred people got lucky in the balance and they have been here for the last couple of hours having a pretty good time. all of them had to provide covid—19 certificates and this is a secure location with one big screen there. there is another

one here. and everyone is waiting to see what the match will be like. we have people to talk to. hello, it's us. ., have people to talk to. hello, it's us. what have people to talk to. hello, it's us- what do _ have people to talk to. hello, it's us. tags! what do you feel about us. yay! what do you feel about toniaht? us. yay! what do you feel about tonight? everything! _ us. yay! what do you feel about | tonight? everything! everything! us. yay! what do you feel about - tonight? everything! everything! do ou have a tonight? everything! everything! do you have a prediction? _ tonight? everything! everything! do you have a prediction? i— tonight? everything! everything! do you have a prediction? i reckon - tonight? everything! everything! do you have a prediction? i reckon to l you have a prediction? i reckon to have engiand- _ you have a prediction? i reckon to have england. i— you have a prediction? i reckon to have england. ithink— you have a prediction? i reckon to have england. i think 3-2. - you have a prediction? i reckon to have england. i think 3-2. does i have england. ithink 3-2. does an bod have england. ithink 3-2. does anybody think — have england. ithink 3-2. does anybody think penalties? - have england. ithink 3-2. does anybody think penalties? no, . have england. i think 3-2. does i anybody think penalties? no, no! have a really _ anybody think penalties? no, no! have a really good _ anybody think penalties? no, no! have a really good time. - anybody think penalties? no, no! have a really good time. i - anybody think penalties? no, no! have a really good time. i spokel anybody think penalties? no, no! i have a really good time. i spoke to anotherfan a have a really good time. i spoke to another fan a little earlier who said he had been following the progress in the tournament on a spreadsheet. his rendition like these guys was also to have in one and if it does not bodgan in the end everyone here is going to get drenched in beer. thank you and back to you. drenched in beer. thank you and back to ou. , . , drenched in beer. thank you and back to , ., ~ drenched in beer. thank you and back to , ., ,, drenched in beer. thank you and back to , ., , drenched in beer. thank you and back to ou. . ., , ., ~' , .

to you. james, thank you very much. i think to you. james, thank you very much. ithinkjames — to you. james, thank you very much. ithinkjames is _ to you. james, thank you very much. i thinkjames is setting _ to you. james, thank you very much. i thinkjames is setting us _ to you. james, thank you very much. i thinkjames is setting us up - to you. james, thank you very much. i thinkjames is setting us up for - to you. james, thank you very much. i thinkjames is setting us up for a i i thinkjames is setting us up for a competition between fan zones and have a feeling the anti—gail in press it is probably up for that. what are you seeing?— press it is probably up for that. what are you seeing? there are five --eole what are you seeing? there are five peeple here — what are you seeing? there are five peeple here at _ what are you seeing? there are five people here at the _ what are you seeing? there are five people here at the flag _ what are you seeing? there are five people here at the flag market - what are you seeing? there are five people here at the flag market in i people here at the flag market in preston — people here at the flag market in preston all in very good voice. —— 540 _ preston all in very good voice. —— 540 lots— preston all in very good voice. —— 540 lots of— preston all in very good voice. —— 540. lots of covenants and restrictions as you might expect with people having to prove a negative _ with people having to prove a negative test really can come in here _ negative test really can come in here but— negative test really can come in here but the tickets for this event sold out _ here but the tickets for this event sold out in— here but the tickets for this event sold out in less than a minute. that gives— sold out in less than a minute. that gives you _ sold out in less than a minute. that gives you some indication of how my people _ gives you some indication of how my people wanted to be here to mark this moment with the england football— this moment with the england football team. not least of course because _ football team. not least of course because of the last 15 or 16 months of people _ because of the last 15 or 16 months of people have not been able to get together— of people have not been able to get together like this. it is so important for people they do that. paul from — important for people they do that. paul from the northwest ligature chamber— paul from the northwest ligature chamber of commerce is with this and has helped _ chamber of commerce is with this and has helped organise this. what does this n1ean— has helped organise this. what does this mean for people in preston to -et this mean for people in preston to get together like this? | this mean for people in preston to get together like this?— get together like this? i think it's a fantastic event _ get together like this? i think it's a fantastic event for _ get together like this? i think it's a fantastic event for the - get together like this? i think it's a fantastic event for the people i get together like this? i think it's| a fantastic event for the people of preston — a fantastic event for the people of preston for— a fantastic event for the people of preston. for the _

a fantastic event for the people of preston. for the society- a fantastic event for the people of preston. for the society as - a fantastic event for the people of preston. for the society as a - a fantastic event for the people of. preston. for the society as a whole to be _ preston. for the society as a whole to be able — preston. for the society as a whole to be able to — preston. for the society as a whole to be able to come _ preston. for the society as a whole to be able to come out _ preston. for the society as a whole to be able to come out and - preston. for the society as a whole to be able to come out and supportj to be able to come out and support the england — to be able to come out and support the england football— to be able to come out and support the england football team. - the england football team. absolutely _ the england football team. absolutely. preston - the england football team. absolutely. preston are . the england football team. i absolutely. preston are very the england football team. - absolutely. preston are very proudly recognised _ absolutely. preston are very proudly recognised as — absolutely. preston are very proudly recognised as one _ absolutely. preston are very proudly recognised as one of _ absolutely. preston are very proudly recognised as one of the _ absolutely. preston are very proudly recognised as one of the safest - recognised as one of the safest events — recognised as one of the safest events we _ recognised as one of the safest events. we liaise _ recognised as one of the safest events. we liaise very- recognised as one of the safest events. we liaise very closely. recognised as one of the safest. events. we liaise very closely with the iocai— events. we liaise very closely with the local authorities _ events. we liaise very closely with the local authorities and _ events. we liaise very closely with the local authorities and from - events. we liaise very closely with the local authorities and from thatj the local authorities and from that we decided — the local authorities and from that we decided to— the local authorities and from that we decided to implement - the local authorities and from that we decided to implement the - we decided to implement the n1andatory— we decided to implement the mandatory testing _ we decided to implement the mandatory testing before - we decided to implement the mandatory testing before the we decided to implement the - mandatory testing before the event. we have _ mandatory testing before the event. we have test— mandatory testing before the event. we have test facilities _ mandatory testing before the event. we have test facilities on _ mandatory testing before the event. we have test facilities on side - mandatory testing before the event. we have test facilities on side so - we have test facilities on side so that we — we have test facilities on side so that we are — we have test facilities on side so that we are sure _ we have test facilities on side so that we are sure this _ we have test facilities on side so that we are sure this is - we have test facilities on side so that we are sure this is both- that we are sure this is both unenjoyabte _ that we are sure this is both unenjoyable and _ that we are sure this is both unenjoyable and a _ that we are sure this is both unenjoyable and a very - that we are sure this is both unenjoyable and a very safe| that we are sure this is both- unenjoyable and a very safe event. let's _ unenjoyable and a very safe event. let's talk _ unenjoyable and a very safe event. let's talk about _ unenjoyable and a very safe event. let's talk about the _ unenjoyable and a very safe event. let's talk about the football. - unenjoyable and a very safe event. let's talk about the football. i - let's talk about the football. i know you are a football man. your team is man united.— know you are a football man. your team is man united. that's correct. how are you _ team is man united. that's correct. how are you feeling _ team is man united. that's correct. how are you feeling with _ team is man united. that's correct. how are you feeling with the - team is man united. that's correct. how are you feeling with the match j how are you feeling with the match tonight? i how are you feeling with the match toniaht? ., , , how are you feeling with the match toniaht? ., _ ,. ., _ tonight? i nervously consciously excited is the _ tonight? i nervously consciously excited is the way _ tonight? i nervously consciously excited is the way to _ tonight? i nervously consciously excited is the way to put - tonight? i nervously consciously excited is the way to put it, - tonight? i nervously consciously excited is the way to put it, i . excited is the way to put it, i think— excited is the way to put it, i think i— excited is the way to put it, i think i went _ excited is the way to put it, i think i went on _ excited is the way to put it, i think i went on people - excited is the way to put it, i think i went on people and l excited is the way to put it, i. think i went on people and i'm excited is the way to put it, i- think i went on people and i'm old enough _ think i went on people and i'm old enough to— think i went on people and i'm old enough to remember— think i went on people and i'm old enough to remember in— think i went on people and i'm old enough to remember in 1956- think i went on people and i'm old enough to remember in 1956 and. think i went on people and i'm old i enough to remember in 1956 and i've never— enough to remember in 1956 and i've neverseen— enough to remember in 1956 and i've never seen us —

enough to remember in 1956 and i've never seen us to _ enough to remember in 1956 and i've never seen us to lose _ enough to remember in 1956 and i've never seen us to lose a _ enough to remember in 1956 and i've never seen us to lose a tournament i never seen us to lose a tournament final so— never seen us to lose a tournament final so i— never seen us to lose a tournament final so i hope — never seen us to lose a tournament final so i hope that _ never seen us to lose a tournament final so i hope that carries- never seen us to lose a tournament final so i hope that carries on. - never seen us to lose a tournament final so i hope that carries on. so . final so i hope that carries on. so come _ final so i hope that carries on. so come on. — final so i hope that carries on. so come on, england. _ final so i hope that carries on. so come on, england.— final so i hope that carries on. so come on, england. what is the key to t to net come on, england. what is the key to try to get back _ come on, england. what is the key to try to get back the — come on, england. what is the key to try to get back the italian _ come on, england. what is the key to try to get back the italian team? - come on, england. what is the key to try to get back the italian team? i - try to get back the italian team? i think we have to play our own game. we cannot— think we have to play our own game. we cannot try— think we have to play our own game. we cannot try to— think we have to play our own game. we cannot try to match _ think we have to play our own game. we cannot try to match what - think we have to play our own game. we cannot try to match what they. think we have to play our own game. | we cannot try to match what they are doing _ we cannot try to match what they are doing i_ we cannot try to match what they are doing i think— we cannot try to match what they are doing i think if— we cannot try to match what they are doing i think if we _ we cannot try to match what they are doing i think if we play— we cannot try to match what they are doing i think if we play a _ we cannot try to match what they are doing i think if we play a free - doing i think if we play a free flowing, _ doing i think if we play a free flowing, attacking _ doing i think if we play a free flowing, attacking game, - doing i think if we play a free flowing, attacking game, we| doing i think if we play a free - flowing, attacking game, we can find the itatians— flowing, attacking game, we can find the italians out _ flowing, attacking game, we can find the italians out and _ flowing, attacking game, we can find the italians out and i— flowing, attacking game, we can find the italians out and i think— flowing, attacking game, we can find the italians out and i think the - the italians out and i think the spanish — the italians out and i think the spanish prove _ the italians out and i think the spanish prove that _ the italians out and i think the spanish prove that in- the italians out and i think the spanish prove that in the - the italians out and i think the - spanish prove that in the semifinal. give me _ spanish prove that in the semifinal. give me a _ spanish prove that in the semifinal. give me a prediction _ spanish prove that in the semifinal. give me a prediction for— spanish prove that in the semifinal. give me a prediction for the - spanish prove that in the semifinal. give me a prediction for the score l give me a prediction for the score then. �* , give me a prediction for the score then. �* ., ., , ., ., then. i'm saying to have been one to encland. then. i'm saying to have been one to england- and — then. i'm saying to have been one to england. and who _ then. i'm saying to have been one to england. and who is _ then. i'm saying to have been one to england. and who is going _ then. i'm saying to have been one to england. and who is going to - then. i'm saying to have been one to england. and who is going to score? | england. and who is going to score? i think england. and who is going to score? i think harry — england. and who is going to score? i think harry kane _ england. and who is going to score? i think harry kane and _ england. and who is going to score? i think harry kane and raheem - i think harry kane and raheem sterling — i think harry kane and raheem sterlina. . ~ i think harry kane and raheem sterlina. ., ,, , ., , i think harry kane and raheem sterlina. ., ~' ,, , . sterling. thank you very much indeed. from _ sterling. thank you very much indeed. from the _ sterling. thank you very much indeed. from the flag - sterling. thank you very much indeed. from the flag market| sterling. thank you very much - indeed. from the flag market fans own and we are back here later, we hope to my back to you. and he you very much. a short amount of time left for the prediction stage of this with the huge test of the european chevy ship final beginning for england. let's take you inside the stadium to show you again the scene in this final

stage before kick—off. 60,000, just over 60,000 england fans lucky enough to be there inside with around 6000 italy fans and this is the pinnacle of a tournament that gareth southgate went into saying how aware he was that memories are made watching tournaments like this. it was like that for him as a child, for england fans, for the teen themselves, those who were going to be wearing the shirt and out on that pitch today. and of course to their conduct in the moments they have already given fans across england, they have already delivered in so many different ways. but this is the big test. this final against italy, formidable opponents, unbeaten in the last three years but nevertheless england had made it to this really important and climactic stage of this tournament. kick off at 8pm tonight. full coverage of course on the bbc. for now, from

wembley, back to un the studio. studio: thank you very much. michelle will have the full national and international news on bbc one later tonight. and international news on bbc one latertonight. let's and international news on bbc one later tonight. let's move on to other news. here, the government says people will still be "expected" to wear masks in many indoor spaces and on public transport after covid restrictions in england are lifted. the prime minister is due to confirm tomorrow whether most of the rules will end on the 19th ofjuly, including the legal requirement to wear masks. here's our health correspondentjim reed. it's one of the most visible signs of the pandemic. injust over the week, the legal requirement to wear a mask in england is set to end. speaking earlier, though, the vaccines minister said there would still be an expectation to mask up in some cases. the guidelines will be very clear on things like mask—wearing. there is an expectation for people to wear masks indoors, in crowded places,

on public transport. so, rather than governed by diktat, what we're saying is we move to step four cautiously. in wales, scotland and northern ireland, wearing a mask will still be law for the time being. in england, laboursaid making the rule voluntary would be a mistake. we think more could be done to make sure that public spaces are properly ventilated. and as we've said all the way through this crisis, people who do need to go home to self—isolate need, if they're on low incomes, to be financially supported. it comes as infections are rising across much of the country. more people are mixing and there are signs the football has led to a spike among young men. though in scotland, that trend has started to reverse. do you have a registration card? across the uk, ministers have said 100,000 a day could soon be testing positive. vaccines will keep the vast majority out of hospital,

but some are warning there could still be disruption to the nhs. so, the actual numbers in hospital would still be well below the second wave peak, even if we did hit that 100,000 a day. but, of course, it's very disruptive having covid cases and there would, of course, be a lot of bad outcomes. but i guess the judgment is that it's better that we do it now than in the winter. tomorrow, borisjohnson will confirm plans to lift most of those last restrictions in england. but the message will be one of caution rather than celebration as ministers try to navigate out of this pandemic. jim reed, bbc news. and from the latest official figures on the virus, we can see another 26 deaths recorded in the last 2a hours and 31,772 new infections across the uk. that is somebody he would have tested positive in the previous 28 days from covid—19 on the death total. it means on average there were around 31,500 new cases per day in the past week.

more than 93,000 people had a first dose of the vaccine in the last 2a hours. that means nearly a6 million people have had their firstjab, or 87% of uk adults. more than 211,000 people have just had a second dose, which means more than 3a.5 million, or 66% of adults, are fully vaccinated. sir richard branson flew to the edge of space this afternoon during virgin galactic�*s first fully—crewed flight. take—off from new mexico was slightly delayed by bad weather, but the flight is being seen as a milestone for the commencial space industry. sir richard said it was the experience of a lifetime. from spaceport america, sophie long reports. preparations were made before take—off... about ten years and an hour and a half behind schedule, in one of the most desolate areas of north america, a lifelong dream became reality.

sir richard branson, along with two pilots and three other virgin galactic employees, were transported to the spaceship unity tethered to the mothership eve. then take—off. this is the moment he's been waiting for. after more than 16 years and hundreds of millions of pounds, sir richard branson is now on his way to space. that's so cool. so, you can see the moment when they release right there. are you so excited to experience that? forjust under four minutes, they experienced weightlessness and enjoyed a view of planet earth that only astronauts can dream of. well, i've done some ridiculous things in my lifetime. really, really, really ridiculous. but ijust can't wait for... ..one day to experience this. it's the experience of a lifetime. and touchdown. safely back on earth after a 90—minute flight.

critics call this a billionaire's joy ride, harmful to the planet sir richard says he wants to protect. for the people here at the first purpose—built commercial spaceport on the planet, this passenger flight marks an historic moment in the long and continuing journey towards space tourism becoming a reality. sophie long, bbc news, spaceport america, new mexico. now let's bring you some pictures from our helicopter above the streets of london. this is the scene just outside the national gallery looking down at trafalgar square. you can see all the tables laid out for those who have tickets will stop the scene described a little earlier for us. the area just to the left of the screen now as he helicopter spins around is the national gallery and you will notice a huge number of people outside there. they are not

in a ticketed area. that is just members of the public. the metropolitan police has expressed concern about the number of people clustered together on the streets of london this afternoon and evening marking this big match and they are worried about the covid—19 restrictions and we are also now heading over to leicester square it can see below us and will of the camera and large number of people in the area. not usually surprising at the area. not usually surprising at the weekend but particularly at the moment because of covenants and restrictions which people have been worried about in a sense there's not much i can do about it if they had to rely on people protecting themselves as best i can. they are in the open air and we are told they were infection spread is lower in the open air but that will be of concern as police have that concern already. but having been sent him a restrictions being lifted and probably over a week's time, the government will be down to individualjudgment of people how they behave and how closely together they behave and how closely together they stand to each other or not. with the government and police to be hoping to avoid is a repeat of the

scenes on the semifinal not midweek when people were climbing up on top of moving boxes in central london passing through trafalgar square late night. police came and was a point where the police intervened because they were concerned about the risk to life from that for some people getting a bit carried away. i suspect they have quite the concerns about people getting either carried away because they have had too much to drink in the course of the night or either if it's a win or defeat for england. but most people, they just want to have a good time and they will obviously all be sitting down in rapt attention for the screens will set let's go inside and we will go along to wimbley way which is of course is that very memorable approach below the barrier and banners up towards the stadium itself. a not to remember this from us is to be for anyone who has the good fortune to have a ticket. lots people on wimbley when the diverticulum we had a bit of a

problem earlier around 6pm people try to force their way in. so desperate to be part of the atmosphere inside wimbley. there are plenty of places to watch the match outside and we will hope to see one of those places as well because they are happening all of the country. we have heard from preston already and will go back to croydon where james reynolds warned about the likelihood people getting drenched in beer before the night is out. notice my calling has come on to make sure that she does not end up with beer stains trying to get out of the wash the next day and i thinkjames is a very experienced foreign respondent notice he has got a waterproof on and i think he's a wise man notwithstanding the heat today. it has been quite a muggy day again in london. this is the scene in preston, no, hang on that is not interested. it is preston and i'm told the little name has disappeared unfortunately, that is a scene in

preston and another regulated fans own as a table space wide apart and i think you cannot prevent people from spontaneously erupting when there is a goal and hopefully there'll be many on both sides tonight. and embracing each other. we will see what happens. a couple of bits of team news. italy unchanged from their success over spain in the semifinal and if we are going over to willie stadium, this is the scene inside and italy unchanged and phil foden though sadly if the man to feel most sorry for this evening. he is not playing tonight. not even on the bench because unfortunately he had a foot injury. not a serious foot injury but one that rules him out as he did not train yesterday on the last day of training. and so that is something of his appointment for him. one day he is waiting for his whole career and let's hope it's not his last chance of an appearance of this kind. two of the people you might look out for in the state this

evening, one is the president of italy. he has flown in from rome to support his national team and honestly in the hope that he will then be able to cheer their success if they win tonight. and the other name to look out for is a rather tired looking ball gentleman who you might see nodding off from time to time in his name isjohnny infantino, the president of fifa and he left rio dejaneiro in the early hours of sport after watching argentina wendy cope of america and he was whisked through entry at heathrow to watch the match and let's hope he can stay awake. now time for the weather with darren. hello, there, cloud has been increasing today and it has led more summary weather in the midweek and rain developing overnight tonight across england and wales with heavy burst as well with sundry downpours fading away and largely dry tonight in northern ireland was a bit cooler here but a warm not with a cloud and rain in england and

instill some heavy bursts of rain by the morning as well. bit of a messy picture with these areas of rain moving northwards in the rain may ease off for a while as things brighten up a get of bit of sunshine and that will trigger something to read our ports in scotland but also in particular towards the southeast of england and east anglia. good drinks and flash flooding as well. looks a bit dry for northern ireland, wales and the southwest temperatures a little bit higher than they were today. now moving things on into tuesday, most of the downpours are away the other side of the channels that we have still got some sharp showers around but they are becoming fewer and lighter and it's turning drierfrom are becoming fewer and lighter and it's turning drier from the west with a bit more sunshine chemists want tuesday temperatures will be higher.

hello this is bbc news with shaun ley. the headlines: 0n the brink of history — england's lions are less than 30

minutes away from their biggest match in more than half a century.