at six, scotland will ease covid restrictions from next week but much more cautiously than england. face coverings remain mandatory and social distancing rules will be relaxed but not scrapped. we should not lift important restrictions to make our lives easier and then expect the public to take responsibility for doing the right thing anyway. to take responsibility for doing it comes as the uk has recorded another 50 deaths — the highest daily death toll since early april. also tonight... a manjailed for raping and murdering two 15—year—old girls in leicestershire in the 1980s is to be released after a government challenge failed. a huge show of support for england footballer marcus rashford as a mural — defaced with racist graffiti after england's defeat —

is now covered in hearts. how the pandemic has brought about a rise in the number of victims of stalking. and heading to tokyo — the mother of all comebacks for olympic rower helen glover. and coming up on the bbc news channel, uefa opens disciplinary proceedings into security breaches at the euro 2020 final at wembley. is a uk bid for the 2030 world cup derailed? good evening and welcome to the bbc news at six. scotland's first minister, nicola sturgeon, has confirmed that covid restrictions will be eased from monday, but she said face coverings will still be mandatory for some time to come.

in what is a more cautious approach than england's, scotland will relax social distancing to one metre inside public spaces and ease but not lift the restrictions on the number of people allowed to meet in homes. ms sturgeon said it was to protect the vulnerable in society. it comes as the uk has recorded its highest daily death toll since early april. here's our medical editor, fergus walsh. all of scotland will move to level zero on monday, the lowest tier of its covid controls. up to ten people from four household will be allowed to meet indoors in pubs and restaurants and up to 15 outdoors. unlike in england, face coverings will still be compulsory and night clubs will stay closed. the first minister said sensible precautions were still needed. in minister said sensible precautions were still needed.— were still needed. in the race between the _ were still needed. in the race between the vaccine - were still needed. in the race between the vaccine and - were still needed. in the race between the vaccine and a i were still needed. in the race i between the vaccine and a virus, were still needed. in the race - between the vaccine and a virus, we believe the vaccine will win but we cannot allow the virus to run too

far ahead. we must stick to a cautious approach. we are easing restrictions next week but we are not abandoning them.— restrictions next week but we are not abandoning them. covid cases have been rising _ not abandoning them. covid cases have been rising fast _ not abandoning them. covid cases have been rising fast in _ not abandoning them. covid cases have been rising fast in recent - have been rising fast in recent weeks across the uk and there is huge uncertainty about how big this third wave will be. the number of covid patients being admitted to hospital has doubled in the past ten days to more than 500 per day but if we look at december, to the point when daily cases were the same as they are now, then there were more than 2000 admissions per day, four times the rate now. the difference is down to the protection from vaccines. they could be as much as 98% effective at preventing serious illness with the delta variant but if it is just a bit less, let's say 94% effective, that would lead to three times the number of infected vaccinated people ending up in

hospital. a small change could make a big difference. in england, the big unknown is how behaviour will change from next week when legal controls on social distancing and mask wearing dropped. if there is a quick return to pre—pandemic behaviour with a lot more contacts and less caution, modellers predict they could be 2000 hospital admissions per day although in the worst—case scenario, it could be nearer 4000. worst—case scenario, it could be nearer4000. but worst—case scenario, it could be nearer 4000. but if there is a more cautious return, spaced over several months, there will be far fewer admissions and less impact the nhs. 0nce legal restrictions are lifted, we don't know how each individual will act but if each of them acts cautiously, wearing a mask working from home where possible, that may result in a massive reduction in the size of the epidemic wave. emit

result in a massive reduction in the size of the epidemic wave.- size of the epidemic wave. amit is extremely clinically _ size of the epidemic wave. amit is extremely clinically vulnerable - size of the epidemic wave. amit is| extremely clinically vulnerable and has been shielding for 15 months after suffering kidney failure. his wife goes out to work and he is worried she might get infected when restrictions are lifted in england. the fear factor is that when she uses _ the fear factor is that when she uses public transport, people might not have _ uses public transport, people might not have to — uses public transport, people might not have to wear masks, and that is not have to wear masks, and that is not going _ not have to wear masks, and that is not going to — not have to wear masks, and that is not going to protect her. she is wearing — not going to protect her. she is wearing a — not going to protect her. she is wearing a mask thinking it will protect— wearing a mask thinking it will protect herself and me. personal resnonsibility _ protect herself and me. personal responsibility or _ protect herself and me. personal responsibility or legal _ protect herself and me. personal responsibility or legal controls? l protect herself and me. personal| responsibility or legal controls? a clear difference of approach between the governments in england and scotland and how best to manage covid. both are urging public caution as the third wave grows. fergus walsh, bbc news. the latest official figures show another 50 deaths were recorded in the last 24 hours — the highest number since early april. 36,660 new infections were also recorded across the uk. it means on average there were over 22,500 new cases per day in the past week.

—— more than 33,000. just over 54,000 people had a first dose of the vaccine in the last 24 hours. that means nearly 46 million people have had theirfirstjab — that's just over 87% of uk adults. more than 125,000 people have just had a second dose. which meansjust under 35 million — or 66% of all adults — are fully vaccinated. let's talk to our correspondent james shaw in glasgow. scotland is taking a more cautious approach? a more cautious approach than england? a more cautious approach than encland? . , ., england? that is true from next monday there — england? that is true from next monday there will _ england? that is true from next monday there will be _ england? that is true from next monday there will be some - england? that is true from next i monday there will be some easing england? that is true from next - monday there will be some easing of restrictions, but even that has been tweaked because of the recent upsurge of cases in scotland so that all pubs and restaurants will have to close at midnight, working from home will still be encouraged, and perhaps most significantly, the

wearing of facemasks in many indoor public places will remain mandatory for some time to come, that was the way that nicola sturgeon, the first minister, put it. she said this was an important public health measure, so important that it should not be left up to individuals to decide whether to wear facemasks or not. in that you might see a dig at boris johnson and the uk government, whereas of course on monday, facemasks will not be mandatory. and if those changes in england are characterised as a gamble, as they are by many people, then that is a gamble where nicola sturgeon has decided she does not like the odds. james shaw in glasgow, thank you. a man who killed two schoolgirls in the 1980s is to be released from prison, that's despite the government asking for the decision to be reviewed. colin pitchfork has served 33 years injailfor raping and murdering 15—year—olds lynda mann and dawn ashworth.

last month the parole board said it was safe to release the 61—year—old, who was the first murderer to be convicted using dna evidence. sian lloyd reports. in november 1983, the body of 15—year—old lynda mann was found near leicester. the schoolgirl had been raped and strangled. three years later, and less than a mile away, the body of a second 15—year—old, dawn ashworth, was found. she died following what the pathologist described as a brutal sexual assault. colin pitchfork — a married father of two, a family man who became a murderer. he was 22 when he first killed. now, after 33 years in prison, he will be released after the government's challenge to the parole board's decision to free him was rejected. his victims�* families had campaigned to keep him in prison. i'm concerned about what it says, what messages it sends out. and what assessment it makes

of the worth of the lives of my niece and his other victim. the police investigation had been the first of its kind, using dna fingerprint technology with techniques pioneered at the university of leicester. local men from three villages were asked to give a dna sample — again, the first time that mass screening like this had been used. and more than 5000 men volunteered. colin pitchfork was caught and became notorious as the first person convicted of murder on the basis of dna evidence. the local mp said he was saddened by the decision to release him. the family and friends of those victims will serve themselves a life sentence and this situation is still very raw, not just in my constituency but across the country. how can it be that somebody has committed that type of egregious sexual offence — murder against young women — can ever be released?

the parole board said it has immense sympathy for the families dawn ashworth and lynda mann however the parole board panel are bound by law to assess whether a prisoner is safe to release. it has no power to alter the original sentence set down by the courts. now aged 61, colin pitchfork has been found not to be a danger to the public. but his release will be subject to strict licence conditions. sian lloyd, bbc news. downing street has defended the home secretary after the england footballer tyrone mings criticised her comments about the abuse his team—mates received after the euro 2020 final. tyrone mings accused priti patel of pretending to be disgusted after describing the team's decision to take the knee before matches as gesture politics when the tournament began. here's our community affairs correspondent adina campbell. supporting their man on and off the pitch. a community in defiance. i think the racist abuse marcus

suffered is a systemic of what it's like to be a black person in the uk, i think our value is completely mitigated by what we bring to point to as soon as he was doing well in football he was like a great british icon and as soon as he made one mistake his colour was brought into it and i think that is the perfect metaphorfor it and i think that is the perfect metaphor for what it's like to be black and british.— metaphor for what it's like to be black and british. today the mural of marcus rashford _ black and british. today the mural of marcus rashford was _ black and british. today the mural of marcus rashford was restored i black and british. today the mural. of marcus rashford was restored by the artist who created it. spraying over at the racist graffiti after england's defeat against italy on sunday night. he and two of his other team—mates, jadon sancho and bukayo saka, all received racist abuse on social media shortly after missing their penalties. in a heartfelt online post, marcus rashford has opened up about the events over at the last few days. the response in withington add me on the verge of tears. i can take critique of my performance all day long but i will never apologise for who i am and where i came from.

meanwhile, england defender tyrone mings has accused the home secretary stoking the fire, accusing her of pretending to be disgusted about racism after she condemned the online abuse faced by footballers because she had previously called taking the knee gesture politics. irla taking the knee gesture politics. iir> one wants to see racism, let's assume that if the case with everybody including by the way our home secretary who has been subject in her life to racism herself, nobody wants to see it and i think we all get behind each other to defeat it, not only in sport but in society more broadly.— defeat it, not only in sport but in society more broadly. inspired by encland's society more broadly. inspired by england's overall _ society more broadly. inspired by england's overall performance i society more broadly. inspired by england's overall performance at | society more broadly. inspired by . england's overall performance at the euros, these young footballers in luton are hoping to follow in the footsteps of their role models but they say the last 48 hours have been hard to bear. i they say the last 48 hours have been hard to bear-— hard to bear. i was gutted because i was wanting — hard to bear. i was gutted because i was wanting england _ hard to bear. i was gutted because i was wanting england to _ hard to bear. i was gutted because i was wanting england to win, - hard to bear. i was gutted because i was wanting england to win, and . hard to bear. i was gutted because i. was wanting england to win, and saka is one _ was wanting england to win, and saka is one of— was wanting england to win, and saka is one of my— was wanting england to win, and saka is one of my favourite players, i sopoort — is one of my favourite players, i support arsenal. but ijust knew when _ support arsenal. but ijust knew when he — support arsenal. but ijust knew when he missed, i knew he would get some _ when he missed, i knew he would get some backlash because of our race and that_

some backlash because of our race and that point i was at wembley when the mist _ and that point i was at wembley when the mist and had to get out there quick _ the mist and had to get out there quick i_ the mist and had to get out there auick. ., ., ., ., ., quick. i thought of the aftermath of if they missed _ quick. i thought of the aftermath of if they missed and _ quick. i thought of the aftermath of if they missed and what _ quick. i thought of the aftermath of if they missed and what would - if they missed and what would happen, — if they missed and what would happen. the _ if they missed and what would happen, the effect— if they missed and what would happen, the effect on- if they missed and what would happen, the effect on what . if they missed and what would i happen, the effect on what would happen— happen, the effect on what would happen online _ happen, the effect on what would happen online and _ happen, the effect on what would happen online and the _ happen, the effect on what would happen online and the racial- happen, the effect on what wouldl happen online and the racial abuse and ail— happen online and the racial abuse and all that — happen online and the racial abuse and all that-— and all that. aspiring professional footballers who _ and all that. aspiring professional footballers who one _ and all that. aspiring professional footballers who one day _ and all that. aspiring professional footballers who one day hope - and all that. aspiring professional i footballers who one day hope racism will finally be rooted out of the game they love. it’s will finally be rooted out of the game they love.— will finally be rooted out of the game they love. it's worrying to be fair since we _ game they love. it's worrying to be fair since we are _ game they love. it's worrying to be fair since we are not _ game they love. it's worrying to be fair since we are not really - game they love. it's worrying to be fair since we are not really seeing i fair since we are not really seeing any changes, i'm an aspiring footballer myself so i'm thinking, if god allows me to become a will these kind of things still happen, is worrying. adina campbell, bbc news. let's go to withington in manchester and our sports correspondent nesta mcgregor. marcus rashford is clearly very moved by the reaction. and a lot of people are still there tonight? and a lot of people are still there toniaht? , ., ~ and a lot of people are still there toniaht? , . ,, . , tonight? yes, and i think marcus rashford might _ tonight? yes, and i think marcus rashford might be _ tonight? yes, and i think marcus rashford might be moved - tonight? yes, and i think marcus rashford might be moved by - tonight? yes, and i think marcus. rashford might be moved by what tonight? yes, and i think marcus - rashford might be moved by what is happening here right now. this is the mural we mentioned which has been restored today and as well as restored, i have been here since

midday, thousands and thousands of messages of thanks and support have been posted and in the last few minutes, what has happened is that instead of local people from the community, we have had people coming from all over the uk, some coming from all over the uk, some coming from london, from birmingham, as far as ireland have come to show support. at the moment there is an antiracism group which is also protesting with the occasional chant everyone around here sees marcus rashford as a local hero, notjust the footballer but this mural was because of his social enterprise work. remember, he successfully campaigned to have free school meals for primary school kids, and every now and again there is applause and someone telling a story of how marcus rashford has helped them and given them hope. 0n the wall there is stuff that says role model, hero, and thank you, marcus. and i think everyone around her, knowing he grew up everyone around her, knowing he grew up here, to see a boy done good is a great story and inspiration to them.

thank you. the time is nearly a quarter past six. our top story this evening. scotla nd scotland will ease covert reductions next week but face coverings will mandatory. the crime and starting up a result by mps from his own party about eight. coming up on sportsday on the bbc news channel... we hearfrom formula 1 world champion lewis hamilton on his mission to get more diversity in motor racing. he hopes it could be the most valuable thing he achieves in his career. police say there has been a "significant increase" in stalking offences during the pandemic in england and wales. figures obtained by the bbc — through freedom of information requests — show that while tens of thousands of stalking crimes occurred last year, police forces are struggling to keep up with offences. the government says protecting women from violence and abuse is "an absolute priority".

our special correspondent ed thomas has been speaking to one woman who's been stalked for years, but whose problems intensified during the coronavirus lockdowns. there is some offensive language in his report. the there is some offensive language in his re ort. , , there is some offensive language in his reort. , , ., his report. the simple fact that he could find me _ his report. the simple fact that he could find me as _ his report. the simple fact that he could find me as petrifying. - his report. the simple fact that he could find me as petrifying. every| could find me as petrifying. every six minutes _ could find me as petrifying. every six minutes on _ could find me as petrifying. every six minutes on average _ could find me as petrifying. every six minutes on average a - could find me as petrifying. every six minutes on average a stalkingj six minutes on average a stalking offence is committed _ six minutes on average a stalking offence is committed across - six minutes on average a stalking i offence is committed across england and wales. the other time i fear more than anything is when it comes to my workplace. i more than anything is when it comes to my workplace-— to my workplace. i would say i am 'ust a to my workplace. i would say i am just a number— to my workplace. i would say i am just a number and _ to my workplace. i would say i am just a number and i _ to my workplace. i would say i am just a number and i don't - to my workplace. i would say i am just a number and i don't think . to my workplace. i would say i am i just a number and i don't think they care. it is completely ruler in my life, jeopardises my career and the messages are vile. haste life, jeopardises my career and the messages are vile.— life, jeopardises my career and the messages are vile. we have learnt of a sharp rise — messages are vile. we have learnt of a sharp rise offences _ messages are vile. we have learnt of a sharp rise offences last _ messages are vile. we have learnt of a sharp rise offences last year - messages are vile. we have learnt of a sharp rise offences last year and i a sharp rise offences last year and figures suggest police arrests are not increasing in line with incidents. i not increasing in line with incidents.— not increasing in line with incidents. . �* incidents. i haven't stopped thinkina incidents. i haven't stopped thinking about _ incidents. i haven't stopped thinking about you - incidents. i haven't stopped thinking about you since i

incidents. i haven't stopped| thinking about you since the incidents. i haven't stopped i thinking about you since the day i left and i am not taking no for an answer. ~ , ., , left and i am not taking no for an answer. ~ , . , | answer. message after message. i need to see — answer. message after message. i need to see you- _ answer. message after message. i need to see you. we _ answer. message after message. i need to see you. we after - answer. message after message. i need to see you. we after week. i answer. message after message. i. need to see you. we after week. we met for a reason _ need to see you. we after week. we met for a reason and _ need to see you. we after week. we met for a reason and i _ need to see you. we after week. we met for a reason and i believe i need to see you. we after week. we met for a reason and i believe we i met for a reason and i believe we are meant for each other.- met for a reason and i believe we are meant for each other. chris has been stored — are meant for each other. chris has been stored for _ are meant for each other. chris has been stored for six _ are meant for each other. chris has been stored for six years _ are meant for each other. chris has been stored for six years by - are meant for each other. chris has been stored for six years by a i are meant for each other. chris has been stored for six years by a man | been stored for six years by a man she sat next to once in a team meeting at work.— she sat next to once in a team meeting at work. you dirty filthy slu: , i meeting at work. you dirty filthy slug. i hepe _ meeting at work. you dirty filthy slug. i hepe you _ meeting at work. you dirty filthy slug, i hope you get _ meeting at work. you dirty filthy slug, i hope you get aids, i meeting at work. you dirty filthy| slug, i hope you get aids, which. this abuse surge during covid. here a visit to her new offices was caught on cctv.— a visit to her new offices was caught on cctv. a visit to her new offices was cau:ht on cctv. ., i. , a visit to her new offices was cau:ht on cctv. ., , ., caught on cctv. the moment you see a -h sical caught on cctv. the moment you see a physical image — caught on cctv. the moment you see a physical image of _ caught on cctv. the moment you see a physical image of somebody _ caught on cctv. the moment you see a physical image of somebody you i physical image of somebody you realise this is real. someone that has actually no kind of relationship with you whatsoever can be completely obsessed. she says colleagues _ completely obsessed. she says colleagues have _ completely obsessed. she says colleagues have been - completely obsessed. she says| colleagues have been contacted completely obsessed. she says i colleagues have been contacted more than 2000 times. she colleagues have been contacted more than 2000 times.— than 2000 times. she doesn't work here any more- _

than 2000 times. she doesn't work here any more. with _ than 2000 times. she doesn't work here any more. with increasing i here any more. with increasing threats. here any more. with increasing threats- he _ here any more. with increasing threats. he phoned _ here any more. with increasing threats. he phoned up- here any more. with increasing threats. he phoned up and i here any more. with increasing j threats. he phoned up and said here any more. with increasing i threats. he phoned up and said he would punch _ threats. he phoned up and said he would punch me _ threats. he phoned up and said he would punch me up— threats. he phoned up and said he would punch me up until— threats. he phoned up and said he would punch me up untilthere i threats. he phoned up and said he would punch me up untilthere is. threats. he phoned up and said he. would punch me up untilthere is no would punch me up until there is no more of me. my fear is that he would take my life and then his life. the national stalking advocacy service says one into stalkers carry out the threats they make.— threats they make. stalking has increased massively _ threats they make. stalking has increased massively for - threats they make. stalking has increased massively for victims | increased massively for victims during the pandemic. victims tell me they feel particularly vulnerable because they haven't got the normal sources of support. to compound that victims also tell me the police are just not investigating the allegations they make and they are met with an attitude of disbelief. they are fighting their stalker and the criminaljustice system and that is just not good enough. the criminaljustice system and that isjust not good enough. the the criminaljustice system and that is just not good enough. the first time i ever reported it i had a police officer who came to my old workplace and his words were, you should be flattered, hejust likes you. should be flattered, he 'ust likes ou. , ., , , you. the hundreds of messages, the -hone you. the hundreds of messages, the phone calls. —

you. the hundreds of messages, the phone calls. the _ you. the hundreds of messages, the phone calls, the cctv _ you. the hundreds of messages, the phone calls, the cctv have - you. the hundreds of messages, the phone calls, the cctv have all i you. the hundreds of messages, the phone calls, the cctv have all been | phone calls, the cctv have all been passed to the police. i phone calls, the cctv have all been passed to the police.— passed to the police. i don't think the have passed to the police. i don't think they have done _ passed to the police. i don't think they have done enough. - passed to the police. i don't think they have done enough. i - passed to the police. i don't think they have done enough. i have i passed to the police. i don't think. they have done enough. i have had about 50 conversations with multiple police officers. haifa about 50 conversations with multiple police officers-— police officers. how many officers have dealt with _ police officers. how many officers have dealt with your _ police officers. how many officers have dealt with your case? i'm i police officers. how many officers i have dealt with your case? i'm going to say over — have dealt with your case? i'm going to say over ten _ have dealt with your case? i'm going to say over ten because _ have dealt with your case? i'm going to say over ten because i _ have dealt with your case? i'm going to say over ten because i don't i have dealt with your case? i'm going to say over ten because i don't knowj to say over ten because i don't know how many. i have lost track. i will contact them again to see what is going on and i am told the officers are no longer taking of the case, you will have somebody else and every single time i have to spend a story it is exhausting. haste every single time i have to spend a story it is exhausting.— story it is exhausting. we have learned of _ story it is exhausting. we have learned of a — story it is exhausting. we have learned of a sharp _ story it is exhausting. we have learned of a sharp increase i story it is exhausting. we have learned of a sharp increase in i learned of a sharp increase in stalking arrests, to more than 80,000 crimes, one every six minutes. 0ur information requests indicate the numbers of arrests of offenders rose atjust half the rate offenders rose atjust half the rate of the increase in incidents. iloathed of the increase in incidents. what we have seen _ of the increase in incidents. what we have seen both _ of the increase in incidents. what we have seen both in _ of the increase in incidents. what we have seen both in the - of the increase in incidents. what we have seen both in the pandemic and outside of it is a significant increase — and outside of it is a significant increase in— and outside of it is a significant increase in stalking cases and what we are _ increase in stalking cases and what we are looking at in certain parts

of the _ we are looking at in certain parts of the country, up to 200% increase, there _ of the country, up to 200% increase, there has— of the country, up to 200% increase, there has been a change around the way we _ there has been a change around the way we look at it and record these offences, — way we look at it and record these offences, trying to compare year on year is _ offences, trying to compare year on year is challenging at the moment. and so— year is challenging at the moment. and so the — year is challenging at the moment. and so the justice system is waiting to catch up, what do you say to these women? i to catch up, what do you say to these women?— to catch up, what do you say to these women? . ,, ., ., these women? i thank them for going forward. it these women? i thank them for going forward- it is— these women? i thank them for going forward. it is really _ these women? i thank them for going forward. it is really important - these women? i thank them for going forward. it is really important to i forward. it is really important to come _ forward. it is really important to come forward. i am saying sorry if there _ come forward. i am saying sorry if there are — come forward. i am saying sorry if there are delays in the system. which — there are delays in the system. which we — there are delays in the system. which we know there are.- there are delays in the system. which we know there are. yes, we acce -t which we know there are. yes, we accept that — which we know there are. yes, we accept that is _ which we know there are. yes, we accept that is the _ which we know there are. yes, we accept that is the position - which we know there are. yes, we accept that is the position in i accept that is the position in certain— accept that is the position in certain cases. white the metropolitan police say they did arrest _ metropolitan police say they did arrest someone last year. white micro _ arrest someone last year. white micro he — arrest someone last year. white micro he has been hailed arrest someone last year. white micro he has been bailed and chris has been _ micro he has been bailed and chris has been supported by a dedicated police _ has been supported by a dedicated police officer while the investigation continues. chris dis - utes investigation continues. chris disputes this. _ investigation continues. chris disputes this. she _ investigation continues. chris disputes this. she says - investigation continues. chris disputes this. she says six i investigation continues. (ct 3 disputes this. she says six years after the first complaint, she is still waiting for justice. after the first complaint, she is still waiting forjustice. i after the first complaint, she is still waiting forjustice.- after the first complaint, she is still waiting forjustice. still waiting for 'ustice. i want my sto to still waiting for 'ustice. i want my story to be — still waiting forjustice. i want my story to be taken _ still waiting forjustice. i want my story to be taken seriously. - still waiting forjustice. i want my story to be taken seriously. it - still waiting forjustice. i want my| story to be taken seriously. it will never be the same person, i am completely guarded and i have got my guard up at all stages. i am so

fearful that i willjust bump into him. and i won't know what to do. chris ending that report from our special correspondent ed thomas. the government has fought off a challenge by a swathe of senior conservative mps — including the former prime minister theresa may — who opposed its decision to cut overseas aid spending during the pandemic. mps m ps voted mps voted for a treasury plan to login the cuts were a number of years. hrt said the result was a disaster. this report from a diplomatic correspondence james landale contain some images you may find it distressing. britain has long given humanitarian aid like this to the world's poorest people, but the government is cutting that aid. what was promised to be temporary has now become much longer term, and all, the prime minister says, to save money. we are doing this in the midst of a terrible crisis, when our public finances are under greater strain than ever before in peacetime history, and every pound we spend in aid has to be borrowed.

millions less has already been spent on humanitarian crises in syria and yemen, part of a £4 billion cut this year to the aid budget, money that labour said made a real difference. it reduces conflict, it reduces disease, and people fleeing from their homes. it is a false economy to pretend that this is some sort of cut that doesn't have consequences. for the first time, mps had a chance to vote on these cuts, either to restore aid spending to previous levels next year or tie any future rise to the state of the government finances. a vote the government won despite a sizeable tory rebellion. the ayes to the right 333, the noes to the left 298. i the ayes have it, the ayes have it. so now two new tests will have to be passed before aid spending rises. the amount of long—term debt the government owes must be fully, and day—to—day government spending must no longer be reliant on borrowing.

the prime minister believes these cuts reflect the priorities of voters, even if not all his backbenchers, who said these tests would not be passed for years. we made a promise to the poorest people in the world. the government has broken that promise. this motion means that promise may be broken for years to come. there is an unpleasant odour wafting out from under my party's front door. this is not who we are. this is not what global britain is. when i come to choose i between money and lives, i always choose lives. only rarely does the house of commons debate matters of life and death, but today's vote means that the government's cut in aid spending is no longer temporary but locked in for a number of years. and that will have a direct impact on the lives of millions of people around the world. this vote is going to mean children not getting vaccinations around the world, half a million children whose lives could have been saved through uk aid who will now die. we are going to see 3 million

children no longer in schools. the government will still spend £10 billion on aid this year, but its costs are now entrenched and backed by a majority of mps. james landale, bbc news. football's european governing body, uefa, has confirmed it has started disciplinary proceedings against the english football association after the euro 2020 final between italy and england at wembley stadium on sunday. charges against the english fa include invasion of the pitch by supporters, throwing of objects, disturbance by supporters during the national anthem and the lighting of fireworks. they will also be investigating events involving supporters inside and around the stadium. almost 1.5 million pupils were absent from classes in england's primary and secondary schools last week. the weekly department for education figures show about 840,000 were off for covid—related reasons and a further 630,000

were absent for other reasons. it means a quarter of secondary pupils were out of class on thursday last week, and 15% of primary pupils. police scotland has launched a formal investigation into the snp�*s finances after receiving complaints about how donations to the party were used. questions had been raised about funds given to the party for use in a fresh independence referendum campaign. seven people made complaints to the police, which has set up a probe following talks with prosecutors. 0ur scotland editor sarah smith is in glasgow. tell us more about the background to the. ,, . , . , ., the. the snp has raised over £600,000 — the. the snp has raised over £600,000 in _ the. the snp has raised over £600,000 in the _ the. the snp has raised over £600,000 in the last - the. the snp has raised over £600,000 in the last four. the. the snp has raised over i £600,000 in the last four years specifically to be spent on another campaign for scottish independence. obviously over that time despite demands for another referendum there hasn't been another vote and activists have long been concerned that this money raised hasn't been specifically ring fenced inside the

party's funds and now several of them have complained to the police. in may the party's treasurer resigned and he said then he wasn't being given enough information about the party finances to be able to do hisjob and an snp mpjoanna cherry resigned from the party's management board then saying there was a lack of scrutiny and transparency. then nicola sturgeon the party leader said she wasn't concerned about the party's finances and that money has not gone missing. now the snp say they will cooperate fully with the police in this investigation but it does have the potential to be a real problem notjust for nicola sturgeon as the smp party leader but also for the smp chief executive peter merrill of course itjust happens to beat nicola sturgeon's husband. —— beat nicola sturgeon's husband. —— be nicola sturgeon's husband. almost 400 british athletes are on their way to japan for the start of the delayed tokyo games next week. among them will be the olympic rowers helen glover and polly swann, who are competing together. but as andy swiss reports — their build up to the games has

been far from normal. she has been cheered to gold at the last two mac games, but since then helen glover has found a new fan club. what do you see? mummy. competing in tokyo wasn't in the family diary. for them the game were postponed for a year and she couldn't resist the challenge. over that first lockdown, the babies were so small that i wanted to get some fitness back, and while they were napping i went on the rowing machine, and that alljust kind of escalated up into thinking, "i wonder if i could make the team." the little ones, they are all early risers, which is great! but actually, it's become quite a nice part of the routine, because i have a couple of hours with them when they wake at five and i leave at around seven. i'll sometimes do weights when the babies have gone to bed. do they have any sense at all of what their mum's doing?

if they see a rower, they'll kind of point that it and say, "rower, mummy," and they think every rower is me. and then logan, i told him that i was going to be going to the olympics and he told me i was too old! they laugh so that was a real boost! but if glover has had some journey, so has a partner. having just medical studies polly swann volunteered as a doctor during lockdown while still training for tokyo. ijust remember thinking i had the skills to help, i wanted to help, and there is something a bit bigger than sport at hand at the moment. and i was staying at my parents' and there was a row machine in the hallway, there was a wattbike in my mum and dad's garden shed. my mum was pretty pleased when lockdown was over, i was going back home down here, and all the equipment could be out of her house! how much respect do you each have for what the other one has done? personally i can't overstate

the respect that i have for polly. i think it's phenomenal. to represent your country in a sport is one thing, but to actually back that up with action in actively helping your country is another. i think she's going to make me cry. i felt like i was going to cry in that bit. oh, my god. helen, how do i follow that? well, expect plenty more emotion if they can follow up their european title this year with the biggest title of all. for us to end up in a boat together isjust, for me it's the fairy tale story, and that's why we love sport. we go out to see what we can do against the rest of the world, and who knows what's going to happen? let's hope they get their fairy tale ending. you can see more about their preparations for the games on "helen glover, the mother of all comebacks" which is on monday at 1035pm on bbc one. good luck to them both. time for a look at the weather. here's tomasz schafernaker.

he is bringing us sunshine. not me, mother nature, _ he is bringing us sunshine. not me, mother nature, but _ he is bringing us sunshine. not me, mother nature, but i _ he is bringing us sunshine. not me, mother nature, but i am _ he is bringing us sunshine. not me, mother nature, but i am the - he is bringing us sunshine. not me, mother nature, but i am the one - mother nature, but i am the one reporting and it is looking good over the next few days. increasingly warm, sunshine expected this weekend, and the fine weather will probably last well into next week. the weather system will stay to the north of us, high pressure currently across the azores is building and definitely heading in our direction. the weather this evening is certainly quieter than yesterday after the rain storms and the flash floods, what a troublesome day it was, but not quite as evening and overnight. clear spells across many western and central areas. eastern counties adjacent to the north sea coast probably a little bit cloudy so there might be some mark around first thing in the morning and some grey skies, a bit of a slow start but the high pressure is building. temporarily, in a north—west of the country we will see a weak weather front moving and that will bring thicker cloud, maybe some spots of rain in the western isles but really for most of us it is a cracking date