afternoon. we have coverage of the live coronavirus press conference coming up. restrictions have been eased in england. n up. restrictions have been eased in encland. l, l, a, a, england. i want to have a good time. so excited. — england. i want to have a good time. so excited, can't _ england. i want to have a good time. so excited, can't wait _ england. i want to have a good time. so excited, can't wait for _ england. i want to have a good time. so excited, can't wait for it. - england. i want to have a good time. so excited, can't wait for it. it - england. i want to have a good time. so excited, can't wait for it. it is - so excited, can't wait for it. it is such a relief— so excited, can't wait for it. it is such a relief after _ so excited, can't wait for it. it is such a relief after such - so excited, can't wait for it. it is such a relief after such a long time, — such a relief after such a long time, just— such a relief after such a long time, just to _ such a relief after such a long time, just to have _ such a relief after such a long time, just to have freedom. i such a relief after such a long. time, just to have freedom. but such a relief after such a long time, just to have freedom. but the prime minister _ time, just to have freedom. but the prime minister is _ time, just to have freedom. but the prime minister is urging _ time, just to have freedom. but the prime minister is urging people - time, just to have freedom. but the prime minister is urging people to l prime minister is urging people to be cautious with cases of covid on the rise. foreign travel rules change. fully vaccinated people no longer have to

quarantine on return from and the list countries. back in business, hard—hit firms hope the end of restrictions will lead to recovery although they now face stuff having to self—isolate. we will find out shortly whether the government will aim to vaccinate children. and which young people it would prioritise as parliament is updated on that in the next few minutes. not everyone is celebrating today. we speak to people who are immunosuppressed. about how they view what some are calling freedom day. good afternoon and welcome to this bbc news special. we'll bring you the latest news briefing at 5 o'clock led by borisjohnson, who is in isolation.

the majority of legal covid restrictions have been lifted in england, including an end to social distancing rules. there are now no limits on how many people can meet and face coverings are no longer required by law. in scotland, the rules are also changing, with looser limits on indoor gatherings, but masks will remain compulsory in shops and on public transport. wales relaxed some rules on i7july. northern ireland is set to ease rules on 26july. as the uk recorded nearly 40,000 further cases today, experts advising the government say the country is heading towards "the biggest wave of covid infection" it has ever had to deal with. the labour leader sir keir starmer says lifting all coronavirus restrictions in one go is reckless — and that borisjohnson and the chancellor rishi sunak "played the system" by trying

to dodge self—isolation. the vaccines minister, nadhim zahawi, defended the government's decision to press ahead with unlocking. he's currently updating mps on whether children aged 12 to 17 will be vaccinated in england. as well as an end to social distancing in england, people are being encouraged to gradually return to offices. and nightclubs can open for the first time since march 2020. jim connolly was at one club in leeds as they welcomed people back to celebrate at the stroke of midnight. three, two, one! cheering. # now�*s the time cos you're free to do what you want to do! the place has only been open a couple of minutes, and it's been a long time coming for people. and look, it seems to have made it a whole lot sweeter.

it's so good. being able to dance with your family and friends, it's so good. i've had my vaccination. and we're obviously young people, so i feel like we've sort of missed out on a year of our lives. a real sense of relief. it's been nearly 500 days since the clubs shut and aside from illegal raves, dance floors have been eerily empty, big—name djs like hot since 82 no longer touring the world, holed up instead in their recording studios. a club is a small, dark, sweaty space, isn't it? and that's the highlight of being a dj, being in that small, underground club that plays until 6 or 7am, great system. i can't actually envision that at the minute. festivals, outside, yeah, i'm totally for it. but i want to get back to playing in clubs because that's where my heart is. his frustration is shared by everyone i've chatted to in the scene. another of the country's biggest

names is also angry. it feels like we're second class citizens amongst shops reopening and sporting events. we're just as important as sporting events. we provide big revenue. we're a big cultural hub for this country. everywhere around the world, and i've travelled around the world a few times over, our uk sound is recognised and celebrated and is a source of inspiration for people. and i just don't think our leaders give it the respect it deserves. we were the first to close and last to open. it was already tough for clubs to survive. in the past six years, a quarter have closed or changed use and in the decade before that, another half had gone the same way. during the pandemic, the decline has slowed, but those that represent the industry are still worried, worried that those closures will be even more rapid as we leave covid behind. many of them have closed and have been in a sort of hibernation state. they've survived the black swan of covid, but they've still got the recovery to grapple with and it's going to be harder

as they come out of that. and the level of debt that those businesses will exit with is so significant that many of them may fall over before the next two years are out. the government says it understands how difficult the pandemic has been for nightclubs and it continues to do everything it can to support them. it also points to what it calls an unprecedented £352 billion package of support. but uncertainty has consequences. for example, many clubs are refusing to check people's covid status as encouraged by the government, but worry that vaccine passports may become mandatory if cases rise. venues like the welly in hull have fears for the future. it's quite clear that the government just do not understand the nightclub sector and its benefit to the economy. they're stuck in the world of the 1990s when you had chrome handrails and a 2am slow dance. that's not what nightclubs are doing. we're generating new music, new creative talent. and music internationally is one of our last great british exports. later tonight people will be back in clubs across england,

but the worry for many is, will there always be a space for them to party? ben mundy is at the fibre nightclub in leeds. starting early, ben! i am starting earl buti starting early, ben! i am starting early but i am — starting early, ben! i am starting early but i am working, _ starting early, ben! i am starting early but i am working, jane. - starting early, ben! i am starting i early but i am working, jane. from early but i am working, jane. from the look on people's faces as they left this nightclub in the early hours of this morning, they had a big party last night. the owner here at fibre says this is a significant moment in this pandemic, talking about the benefits for people's mental health and the economy. as jim just mentioned, others have huge concern given the context of the current covid situation. and despite government advice, this nightclub and many others we have spoken to are not checking for vaccinations or negative covid tests. let's find out what it was like inside here last night from one minute past midnight.

any stonework here at fibre. she is back on ship this afternoon. how was it? , ., , ., , ,., . back on ship this afternoon. how was it? , . ., it? unbelievable. it was so nice to see everyone _ it? unbelievable. it was so nice to see everyone back— it? unbelievable. it was so nice to see everyone back together - it? unbelievable. it was so nice to see everyone back together after l it? unbelievable. it was so nice to | see everyone back together after a lon- see everyone back together after a long 16 _ see everyone back together after a long 16 months in to see people enjoying — long 16 months in to see people enjoying themselves again. given what ou enjoying themselves again. given what you have — enjoying themselves again. given what you have heard _ enjoying themselves again. given what you have heard and - enjoying themselves again. given what you have heard and read - enjoying themselves again. (1: ezi what you have heard and read about the coronavirus situation at the moment, are there any levels of anxiousness working in a place with lots of people? plat anxiousness working in a place with lots of maple?— lots of people? not for me, otherwise — lots of people? not for me, otherwise i _ lots of people? not for me, otherwise i wouldn't - lots of people? not for me, otherwise i wouldn't work. lots of people? not for me, i otherwise i wouldn't work out. lots of people? not for me, - otherwise i wouldn't work out. but at the _ otherwise i wouldn't work out. but at the end — otherwise i wouldn't work out. but at the end of the day, it is down for people's own decision. if they want _ for people's own decision. if they want to— for people's own decision. if they want to stay at home, they can, but i want to stay at home, they can, but iwant _ want to stay at home, they can, but i want people to come back to normal life. ., ., ., ., ., ., life. you have got another event on toni . ht. life. you have got another event on tonight- we — life. you have got another event on tonight. we will _ life. you have got another event on tonight. we will leave _ life. you have got another event on tonight. we will leave you - life. you have got another event on tonight. we will leave you to - life. you have got another event on tonight. we will leave you to do - life. you have got another event on tonight. we will leave you to do a l tonight. we will leave you to do a bit of work here, but thank you for having us. there are concerns with this pandemic and the reopening of nightclubs, notjust for the nightclubs, not just for the covid—19 nightclubs, notjust for the covid—19 situation, but other concerns too. alicia mosley is from the no regrets campaign. it is a drugs and alcohol service. what are your concerns aside from covid—19? well, there are no regrets campaign is aimed _

well, there are no regrets campaign is aimed at— well, there are no regrets campaign is aimed at people aged 18 to 25 and not drinking, is aboutjust keeping things— not drinking, is aboutjust keeping things under control. it's been a while _ things under control. it's been a while since _ things under control. it's been a while since everyone has been on a bil while since everyone has been on a big night— while since everyone has been on a big night out and is about pacing yourself, — big night out and is about pacing yourself, looking after your friends, _ yourself, looking after your friends, taking it steady. at the end of— friends, taking it steady. at the end of the — friends, taking it steady. at the end of the night, you have had a night _ end of the night, you have had a night with— end of the night, you have had a night with no regrets and can have a great _ night with no regrets and can have a great next _ night with no regrets and can have a great next day. we night with no regrets and can have a great next day-— great next day. we had the fun element with _ great next day. we had the fun element with annie, _ great next day. we had the fun element with annie, but - great next day. we had the fun element with annie, but there | great next day. we had the fun | element with annie, but there is great next day. we had the fun i element with annie, but there is a serious side to this and just being aware that 16 months of not having nights out like we saw last night, you need to be cautious of that? definitely. it'sjust you need to be cautious of that? definitely. it's just about taking a study. _ definitely. it's just about taking a study, looking after each other and if you _ study, looking after each other and if you need — study, looking after each other and if you need to have a drink of water in between — if you need to have a drink of water in between and pace yourself, that is fine _ in between and pace yourself, that is fine 0n— in between and pace yourself, that is fine. ., ., " ., is fine. on down the covid-19 front, how do you — is fine. on down the covid-19 front, how do you feel _ is fine. on down the covid-19 front, how do you feel about _ is fine. on down the covid-19 front, how do you feel about the - is fine. on down the covid-19 front, how do you feel about the structure j how do you feel about the structure is being lifted in england? n how do you feel about the structure is being lifted in england? heel! is being lifted in england? i feel aood is being lifted in england? i feel good about— is being lifted in england? i feel good about it — is being lifted in england? i feel good about it personally. - is being lifted in england? i feel good about it personally. it - is being lifted in england? i feel good about it personally. it has gone _ good about it personally. it has gone on — good about it personally. it has gone on for a while and i'm looking forward _ gone on for a while and i'm looking forward to— gone on for a while and i'm looking forward to socialising more, just doing _ forward to socialising more, just doing it — forward to socialising more, just doing it in — forward to socialising more, just doing it in a safe way and being conscious— doing it in a safe way and being conscious that a lot of the things we can— conscious that a lot of the things we can do— conscious that a lot of the things we can do now, we have not been able to do—

we can do now, we have not been able to do for— we can do now, we have not been able to do for a _ we can do now, we have not been able to do for a while. we we can do now, we have not been able to do for a while.— to do for a while. we are in the erfect to do for a while. we are in the perfect base — to do for a while. we are in the perfect base to _ to do for a while. we are in the perfect base to do _ to do for a while. we are in the perfect base to do that. - to do for a while. we are in the perfect base to do that. jane, i to do for a while. we are in the i perfect base to do that. jane, this is a significant crossroads in this pandemic, a real split in opinion, some happy that the nightclubs have reopened, some really cautious. what we do know is that after a 16 month pause, djs can once again push play. while we were listening to ben, were we were keeping our eye on the house of commons because the vaccines minister nadhim zahawi has just started speaking in the last few minutes. let's hear a little of what he is saying because we are expecting more detail about the potential vaccination of people under the age of 18. we potential vaccination of people under the age of 18.— potential vaccination of people under the age of 18. we are drawing u . under the age of 18. we are drawing u- lans under the age of 18. we are drawing up plans for— under the age of 18. we are drawing up plans for a _ under the age of 18. we are drawing up plans for a potential _ under the age of 18. we are drawing up plans for a potential booster - up plans for a potential booster programme subject to advice from the jcvi so we can protect the most vulnerable ahead of winter. we are also looking at extending our vaccination programme so we can protect even more people. we asked

the jcvi to protect even more people. we asked thejcvi to consider whether the jcvi to consider whether children thejcvi to consider whether children and young adults should be given the offer of a vaccine, and this advice has been published today. before i continue, allow me today. before i continue, allow me to apologise to you, mr speaker, for mistakenly referencing this on air this morning before setting out the details before the house. thejcvi have considered notjust the health impacts, but also the non—health impacts, but also the non—health impacts, as we asked them to do, like how education is disrupted by outbreaks in schools. i should reassure the house that the number of children and young people who have had severe outcomes from covid is extremely low, with a hospitalisation rate during the second wave of between 100 and 400 for every million. and when we look at the small numbers who were hospitalised, most of them had severe underlying health conditions. today's advice recommends that we continue to vaccinate 16 and

17—year—olds who are in an at—risk group, as we do now. it also recommends expanding the offer of the vaccine to some younger children with underlying health conditions that put them at greater risk of covid—19. this includes children aged 12 to 15 with severe nearer disabilities, down's syndrome, immunosuppression and profound or multiple learning disabilities. the jcvi advice also recommends offering a vaccine to children and young people aged 12 to 17 who live with someone who is immunosuppressed. this means we can indirectly protect the immunosuppressed who are at higher risk of serious disease from covid—19 and may not generate a full immune response to vaccination. finally, the jcvi immune response to vaccination. finally, thejcvi advises that we should offer the vaccine to all 17—year—olds who are within three months of their 18th birthday so we can make sure they are protected as soon as they turn 18. together with

health ministers in all parts of the uk, the secretary of state has accepted this advice and has asked the nhs to put it into action as soon as possible. as we do this, we will be using the pfizer/biontech vaccine, which is the only vaccine in the uk that has been clinically authorised for people between the ages of 12 and 17. i know people will have questions about what it means for them and their children, but i can assure them that nobody needs to come forward at this stage. the nhs will get in touch with them at the right time and they will make sure the jabs are delivered in a setting that meets their complex needs. we also asked thejcvi to consider rolling out vaccines to all children and young people over the age of 12. and although we are not taking this step today, thejcvi is keeping this matter under review and they will be looking at more data as it becomes available, especially on

children with a second dose of the pfizer/biontech vaccine. the steps we are taking today mean we will be offering even more vulnerable people offering even more vulnerable people of the protection that a vaccine brings and we will all be safer as a result. we know the vaccines are our most important defence against this virus. this is especially the case in adult social care settings that are home to some of the most vulnerable people in our communities, who are vulnerable to a devastating impact from covid—19. last week, this house passed a regulation to make vaccination a condition of deployment in care homes, and the lord's consider those regulations tomorrow. these regulations tomorrow. these regulations are designed to help maximise vaccine uptake and protect some of our most vulnerable citizens. �* , ., some of our most vulnerable citizens. �* , . , citizens. let's leave the events in the commons _ citizens. let's leave the events in the commons right _ citizens. let's leave the events in the commons right now - citizens. let's leave the events in

the commons right now and - citizens. let's leave the events in the commons right now and talk| citizens. let's leave the events in i the commons right now and talk to the commons right now and talk to the man absolutely at the heart of all of this who can fill us in on all of this who can fill us in on all those proposals. it is professor anthony harnden who's the deputy chair of thejoint committee of vaccination and immunisations. a very good afternoon, good to see you again. you can talk us through. we haven't heard everything that the minister has been saying, so you can explain for us if you can just which groups when we are talking about under 18 is are going to get a vaccine. 50 under 18 is are going to get a vaccine. ., ., ~' under 18 is are going to get a vaccine. ., ., ~ ., , , vaccine. so we looked at this very carefull , vaccine. so we looked at this very carefully. as _ vaccine. so we looked at this very carefully. as you _ vaccine. so we looked at this very carefully, as you can _ vaccine. so we looked at this very carefully, as you can imagine, - vaccine. so we looked at this very| carefully, as you can imagine, and decided that the risks, the benefits to the majority of children did not outweigh the potential risks from the vaccine. covid is a very mild illness in most children, and doesn't cause any complications. there are a few groups in which it does, and therefore we recommended vaccinating those 12—15 year olds

with multiple and profound learning disabilities, down syndrome, those who are immunosuppressed and those with severe nero disabilities, alongside those that live in a household with an immunosuppressed patient. that is a parent may be grandparent, but also for their own mental health, because we were aware of the long—term mental health implication of a child thinking that they had caused their parent or grandparent harm. those from the age of 16 with underlying illnesses are eligible anyway, and those three months short of their 18th birthday as they are going to higher education or employment can also be

offered the vaccine. we are conscious of the emerging safety signal especially with the second dose of pfizer from the states of younger people and information around their heart, we just wanted to see that data in a bit more granularity before we move on to a universal programme for children in this country. bud universal programme for children in this country-— this country. and there is so much that is interesting _ this country. and there is so much that is interesting in _ this country. and there is so much that is interesting in that. - this country. and there is so much that is interesting in that. just - this country. and there is so much that is interesting in that. just a i that is interesting in that. just a quick thought as well, because we know that nadhim zahawi has been talking about drawing up plans for a booster programme. i'm assuming we are talking about adults. how much can you say about that, how is that going to work? i can you say about that, how is that going to work?— going to work? i can 'ust say briefl , going to work? i can 'ust say briefly, because _ going to work? i can 'ust say briefly, because i h going to work? i can just say briefly, because i need - going to work? i can just say briefly, because i need to i going to work? i can just say l briefly, because i need to take going to work? i can just say - briefly, because i need to take this call in a minute, because i have agreed to do this radio call. the booster vaccine will be administered in september to the most at risk

groups, and we will be rolling that out in two phases, phase one for those 70 and above and in phase two for those 50 and above, and i would be delighted to come and talk to you on another occasion about those. understood. we can hear you are in demand. ! understood. we can hear you are in demand. ., ., ., , ., demand. i do need to go, sorry about that. all demand. i do need to go, sorry about that- all the — demand. i do need to go, sorry about that. all the best, — demand. i do need to go, sorry about that. all the best, we _ demand. i do need to go, sorry about that. all the best, we will _ demand. i do need to go, sorry about that. all the best, we will talk - that. all the best, we will talk auain, that. all the best, we will talk again. thank— that. all the best, we will talk again, thank you. _ that. all the best, we will talk again, thank you. professor i that. all the best, we will talk - again, thank you. professor anthony harnden, not surprisingly a man in demand today, because he is the deputy at the jcvi, and demand today, because he is the deputy at thejcvi, and nadhim zahawi i can see on the monitor is still addressing mps in the commons, so more to come on that, but some very interesting insights in the way the decisions were reached around children and vaccinating children who are immunosuppressed for example with learning disabilities, so more on that to come and nadhim zahawi still speaking, so we may have more

on the politics of it all to come as well. but it is a big day, whatever your take on it all, in england, with the lifting of a large number of restrictions. let's get a sense of businesses and their response to all of this. we know businesses have been hit hard in the last 16 months, particularly the hospitality industry. our business presenter ben thompson is here for us. welcome to birmingham, we are in the heart of the business district. 55,000 workers would be in the offices around here every single day, which means in normal times, good news for polices like this, bars, restaurants, coffee shops that cater to commuters, but they have been sadly lacking over the last 18 months. there has been a pretty steady trade over the course of today with a few people back, but the boss telling me earlier that trade is still down 50% on normal levels, and the big question is how

long will it take for those office workers to come back and therefore places like this get back to some sort of normality? let me introduce you to samuel, who is with us this afternoon. you run a barjust around the corner from here. afternoon. you run a barjust around the cornerfrom here. talk afternoon. you run a barjust around the corner from here. talk to afternoon. you run a barjust around the cornerfrom here. talk to me about today. what does taddei mean for you in terms of what changes, if anything? at the moment not a lot is changing for us. we decided to keep a lot of the current restrictions in place like social distancing, the rule of six, the sanitiser, the masks, because we are trying to make sure that our customers and staff are safe. that crucial bit about your staff being safe is an interesting one because i would imagine you want a lot of people in the bar to pay your bills, but you are worried about having too big a group and what would that mean for your staff. group and what would that mean for our staff. , , .., , group and what would that mean for our staff. , , u, , ., ~' your staff. typically we would like to have large _ your staff. typically we would like to have large bookings, _ to have large bookings, people have got lots of celebrate reasons to come _ got lots of celebrate reasons to come to — got lots of celebrate reasons to come to pass, but for us it is more

the security— come to pass, but for us it is more the security of staff isolation and making _ the security of staff isolation and making sure our staff are protected, hence _ making sure our staff are protected, hence we _ making sure our staff are protected, hence we are keeping masks with them and they— hence we are keeping masks with them and they are _ hence we are keeping masks with them and they are regularly sanitising and they are regularly sanitising and doing lateral flow tests, so we are doing — and doing lateral flow tests, so we are doing as much as we can to make sure that _ are doing as much as we can to make sure that they don't have to isolate because _ sure that they don't have to isolate because they are a young team and havent— because they are a young team and haven't had — because they are a young team and haven't had their second dose is yet. haven't had their second dose is et. �* , ., haven't had their second dose is et. �* , . . , , ., yet. and is a relatively young business. — yet. and is a relatively young business, you _ yet. and is a relatively young business, you open - yet. and is a relatively young business, you open six - yet. and is a relatively young i business, you open six months yet. and is a relatively young - business, you open six months before the first lockdown and here we are 18 months later, you have barely been able to open. took me through the past year, how has it been? it the past year, how has it been? it was six weeks before the last lockdown, so we were open for six weeks _ lockdown, so we were open for six weeks then— lockdown, so we were open for six weeks then closed for six months, and that— weeks then closed for six months, and that has produced a lot of challenges. you spend a lot of money on marketing, and then all of a sudden — on marketing, and then all of a sudden nobody can come, so we did our best— sudden nobody can come, so we did our best to — sudden nobody can come, so we did our best to continue marketing, we pushed _ our best to continue marketing, we pushed ourselves on social media, we did collaborations with influential local people, just to try to keep our name — local people, just to try to keep our name at the forefront of local people _ our name at the forefront of local people so — our name at the forefront of local people so that when we reopened, we were a _ people so that when we reopened, we were a little _ people so that when we reopened, we were a little bit busier than we expected, which is great. and how

confident are _ expected, which is great. and how confident are you _ expected, which is great. and how confident are you that _ expected, which is great. and how confident are you that today - expected, which is great. and how| confident are you that today marks expected, which is great. and how l confident are you that today marks a return to something more normal? it is not business as usual by any stretch, but how confident are you that this is the starting point? i’m that this is the starting point? i'm hoinu that this is the starting point? i'm hoping that the idea of what today represents more than the physical restriction — represents more than the physical restriction changes just brings people — restriction changes just brings people more out to celebrate again, io people more out to celebrate again, go for— people more out to celebrate again, go for dinner with friends, because that for— go for dinner with friends, because that for us— go for dinner with friends, because that for us is where it is lacking. it that for us is where it is lacking. it is _ that for us is where it is lacking. it is when — that for us is where it is lacking. it is when people want to catch up on weekday evenings and so on is where _ on weekday evenings and so on is where the — on weekday evenings and so on is where the trade is lacking, so i'm hoping _ where the trade is lacking, so i'm hoping that— where the trade is lacking, so i'm hoping that people will get that confidence back to catch up with that friend they haven't seen for 18 months _ that friend they haven't seen for 18 months. �* , ., ., months. and it is that face-to-face contact that — months. and it is that face-to-face contact that i _ months. and it is that face-to-face contact that i would _ months. and it is that face-to-face contact that i would imagine - months. and it is that face-to-face contact that i would imagine in - months. and it is that face-to-face contact that i would imagine in a i contact that i would imagine in a business like yours that is so important, they want to be in groups, spending. hate important, they want to be in groups, spending.— important, they want to be in groups, spending. important, they want to be in a--arous,sendin. ~ . , groups, spending. we want people in and havin: groups, spending. we want people in and having fun. _ groups, spending. we want people in and having fun, we _ groups, spending. we want people in and having fun, we put _ groups, spending. we want people in and having fun, we put on _ groups, spending. we want people in and having fun, we put on as - groups, spending. we want people in and having fun, we put on as much i groups, spending. we want people inj and having fun, we put on as much of and having fun, we put on as much of a dozen _ and having fun, we put on as much of a dozen things during the day to try and entice — a dozen things during the day to try and entice people back, but i think with the _ and entice people back, but i think with the return to offices and more people _ with the return to offices and more people in— with the return to offices and more people in the area, more people will see us— people in the area, more people will see us who — people in the area, more people will see us who probably haven't seen us

through— see us who probably haven't seen us through our— see us who probably haven't seen us through our marketing at that will bring _ through our marketing at that will bring them into spend and enjoy their— bring them into spend and enjoy their time. bring them into spend and en'oy their timed bring them into spend and en'oy their time. ,, ., their time. good luck. i know you have lots of— their time. good luck. i know you have lots of work _ their time. good luck. i know you have lots of work still _ their time. good luck. i know you have lots of work still to - their time. good luck. i know you have lots of work still to come, i their time. good luck. i know you i have lots of work still to come, but samuel, for now, good luck. it is very easy to think that today is a start of a return to something more normal, but until office workers are backin normal, but until office workers are back in city centres like this, it is very difficult to get people through the doors to pay the bills. i have been meeting all sorts of businesses throughout the day, some have managed to change their business a little bit, adapt to new markets, find different customers, use delivery services, use their website more and all of those things will be longer term changes, but fundamentally places like this need people coming through the doors and spending money. birmingham city council is spending £600 million to make its business district a bit more attractive, and that is one of their hopes that they will be able to entice people back, convince people to commute once again and come back into the office, even if it is not for five days a week, they may do it three or four, but

nonetheless they need people back in town and city centres to keep places like this in business. here like this in business. very interesting, _ like this in business. very interesting, thank - like this in business. very interesting, thank you - like this in business. very. interesting, thank you very like this in business. very interesting, thank you very much for now, ben thompson in birmingham. we are coming up to five o'clock, the news briefing from the prime minister and jonathan van—tam and patrick vallance is due to begin around five o'clock, so we are keeping an eye on that for you. here to talk us through all of that and to talk us through all of that and to talk us through all of that and to talk through all the developments todayis to talk through all the developments today is our health correspondent jim reed. this is such a striking day, striking for the obvious reasons. it has been a long 16 months, but there will be people waiting to hear what borisjohnson has to say this afternoon, because all of this coming against time when cases are on the rise. coming against time when cases are on the rise-— on the rise. yes, i wouldn't expect to see a celebrate _ on the rise. yes, i wouldn't expect to see a celebrate a _ on the rise. yes, i wouldn't expect to see a celebrate a return - on the rise. yes, i wouldn't expect to see a celebrate a return from i on the rise. yes, i wouldn't expect. to see a celebrate a return from the prime minister in this briefing in just under half an hour. likely to be very cautious, likely to be lots of talk of personal responsibility. this idea thatjust because you can now do something doesn't necessarily

mean you should. we have already had quite a debate to say the least about the use of masks. the government started off saying that ministers would not wear them on public transport, the message changed and now it is seen as recommended to do so in a crowded place where there are other people, so it feels because of these rising cases that you mentioned, it feels in the last week or ten days we have moved towards a more cautious tone, towards this idea that like i say just because you can do something doesn't necessarily mean that you should. . ., ., , should. all of that said, we will be heafinr should. all of that said, we will be hearing from _ should. all of that said, we will be hearing from the _ should. all of that said, we will be hearing from the prime _ should. all of that said, we will be hearing from the prime minister, l should. all of that said, we will be i hearing from the prime minister, who was at chequers. hearing from the prime minister, who was at chequers-— was at chequers. that's right, havinr was at chequers. that's right, having to _ was at chequers. that's right, having to self-isolate - was at chequers. that's right, j having to self-isolate because was at chequers. that's right, i having to self-isolate because he having to self—isolate because he was close to his health minister, sajid javid, who over the weekend we learnt had tested positive for coronavirus despite the fact that he had had two doses of the vaccine, and this is something we are noticing anecdotally across the country. i'm sure we have all got friends orfamily country. i'm sure we have all got friends or family who may have had two doses that are coming back

positive. that is not to say obviously that the vaccines are not working, because the point of the vaccines was to stop severe disease, stop people going to hospitals, stop deaths, and they are very effective at doing that. we had the latest daily data through in the last 45 minutes, and the hospitalisation data for england is pretty stark. we only get this data for england on a monday, not for the other parts of the uk, and we are at 3813 people in hospital in the uk. the last time it was that high was back on the 24th of march. but that has gone up quite heavily from about 1000 to just sort of 4000 -- heavily from about 1000 to just sort of 4000 —— just short of 4000 in the last month, but we are nowhere near the rates back injanuary when rates were far higher than that, so ministers will still be making the point that even though we are still seeing a sharp rise in cases, and now averaging 50,000 cases a day,

although today's figure was lower, 39,000, because it is a monday, but still we are not saying the kind of hospitalisations and deaths that we were sitting back before vaccination is really kicked in.— is really kicked in. gym, stay with us. i is really kicked in. gym, stay with us- i know — is really kicked in. gym, stay with us- i know you — is really kicked in. gym, stay with us. i know you will— is really kicked in. gym, stay with us. i know you will be _ is really kicked in. gym, stay with us. i know you will be staying - is really kicked in. gym, stay with us. i know you will be staying to i us. i know you will be staying to listening to the briefing as well, jim reed, our health correspondent. before that news conference gets under way, let's talk to our deputy political editor, vicki young, who will be following this from westminster. picking up from what jim was saying, vicki, we will be hearing from a prime minister in self isolation. it hearing from a prime minister in self isolation.— self isolation. it is going to be very unusual. _ self isolation. it is going to be very unusual. we _ self isolation. it is going to be very unusual. we got - self isolation. it is going to be very unusual. we got used - self isolation. it is going to be very unusual. we got used to | self isolation. it is going to be - very unusual. we got used to some remote interventions by the prime minister when he was a very sick with covid, and other occasions, but now he is doing this from chequers, a press conference on a day that some conservative mps have called freedom day. the government doesn't use that phrase, and you can see why, and that is the interesting aspect of this, that when boris johnson used to talk about this

fourth step on the so—called road map for england, it felt that that would be a moment of returning to normality, maybe even signalling the end of the pandemic. 0f normality, maybe even signalling the end of the pandemic. of course we are nowhere near that, and i think thatis are nowhere near that, and i think that is the point now, it is different because they are opening up different because they are opening up all this restrictions, they are all being lifted at a time when cases are going up because, as we were hearing there, they feel that they have managed to at least water down that link between cases, hospitalisations and deaths. but there are risks here, they will be some very anxious weeks ahead, there is a lot of anxiety around whitehall around exactly what might happen. yes, they have modelling, they have all sorts of tables and all the data, but they don't know how people are going to behave. they don't know really what the impact of this fourth step is going to be. when you are in this strange situation where you have the prime of saying, i'm lifting the legal restrictions, i'm not going to tell you what to do any more, but offering freedoms that they sort of partly how people are not going to use, because we are

going to hear time and again today about caution, because we are still going to worry about the impact on the nhs, the number of deaths pretty low, but those cases are going up, and you still end up in the situation where those on the front line in hospital are very concerned about what is going on over the summer, and concerned about the backlog of all the things they couldn't do before. staff will be on their summer holidays, they will want to have their holidays like it body else, and they will be concerned about what the future might hold. concerned about what the future might hold-— might hold. and it is different in wales and northern _ might hold. and it is different in wales and northern ireland, - might hold. and it is different in wales and northern ireland, of. wales and northern ireland, of course, in scotland, but in terms of mixed messaging, do you think he will still come under pressure on that topic on mixed messaging around face coverings? we saw the messaging from sadiq khan about public transport in london, and that started a domino effect with other public transport in other areas of the country. do you think he is

still vulnerable on that point? yes. still vulnerable on that point? yes, i think it still vulnerable on that point? yes, i think it was _ still vulnerable on that point? yes, i think it was about _ still vulnerable on that point? yes, i think it was about when _ still vulnerable on that point? we: i think it was about when he would wear a facemask now, chris whitty said he would wear one in confined space, and the prime minister seem to follow that, and you do sense that the language around facemasks has changed quite a bit from ministers. they are well aware now that we are in the middle of a moment where there are cases really rising, rocketing in some areas, and so i think they are being a little more cautious and this is something that labour have seized on, they say that labour have seized on, they say that it that labour have seized on, they say thatitis that labour have seized on, they say that it is far too early to lift those rules, those laws on facemasks. they think they should stay in place, and sir keir starmer has been incredibly critical of the prime minister in a very personal way about his decision making, saying that it has led to chaotic government, that it is one rule for them and anotherfor government, that it is one rule for them and another for everybody else. he says there is no clear leadership and it is bad government with deadly consequences, so i think that he is signalling that he wouldn't go so far in lifting all these

restrictions at the same time, and certainly they should be leaving in place things like facemasks. bud certainly they should be leaving in place things like facemasks. and did he also vulnerable on the political i he also vulnerable on the political conversation of the day, the fact that he is in chequers for the reasons we know about, and there are lots of politicians and journalists asking questions about what he knew and when and when he knew sajid javid was in the situation he was in, and that is going to come up in the questions as well, you would imagine. there was a meeting in downing street around lunchtime on friday. sajid dafydd left, feeling ill around then but by then the prime minister had already gone to chequers by then. and the health secretary did test positive on the saturday, by which time the prime minister was contacted by nhs test and trace and then decided he would rather stay where he was rather than travel back to downing street. so they have tried to clear it up, but

that doesn't get away from their parroting u—turn for her to perform on sunday morning by initially saying the chancellor and the prime minister would not be isolating because there is a special scheme that has been going on in downing street and in the cabinet office with a few other companies as well. they immediately realised that that looked bad, that it really fed into that narrative, the accusation from labour that it's one rule for ministers and another for everybody else, so they have, in the end, decided to isolate, which is why you are going to have this slightly strange press conference now where you are going to havejonathan van tam in patrick vallance in downing street in the normal press area, and then you will have the prime minister cut mag zooming in rather thanjust the minister cut mag zooming in rather than just the journalists. we will see how it's going to work. thanks for now, vicki. _ see how it's going to work. thanks for now, vicki. where _ see how it's going to work. thanks for now, vicki. where hearing - see how it's going to work. thanks for now, vicki. where hearing is i for now, vicki. where hearing is just a couple minutes' delay. no confirmation of whether that is just because people are on mute or

anything. we will be there as soon as it gets under way. our health correspondentjim reed is still with me. vicki was picking up on what you were saying about caution being the political watchword but equally, you have people on the conservative backbenches who really want today. we know about the damage it has done to business and that, as ever, that is the town and that is why these briefings are so fascinating when you have got the prime minister on two scientists whose job is just to look at the facts? two scientists whose 'ob is 'ust to look at the mafia two scientists whose 'ob is 'ust to look at the facts? there is no doubt that what england _ look at the facts? there is no doubt that what england is _ look at the facts? there is no doubt that what england is going - look at the facts? there is no doubt that what england is going through | that what england is going through is an experiment. no other country has such high levels of vaccination, that high levels of infection and is currently relaxing restrictions. it hasn't been done. the government's view is twofold. 0ne, if you don't do it now, when do you do it? you might end up putting the problem back to the autumn, when you have got windows closed and flew starting to kick in. some of the modelling on this does suggest that it could be

more of a problem if you delay at this point. but hearing from other reporters at the bbc who have spoken to people in other countries, they are, bemused is not the right word, but they are watching this intently because it is notjust the uk that will be going through this. if you look at what is going on in france and spain and other parts of europe at the moment, all of those countries are starting to see or are already seeing a sharp increase in cases, driven by this delta variant. the uk seems to have gone through this first for various reasons, so every other country is going to be watching to see what happens next. interestingly, in some other countries like the netherlands and parts of spain, they have had to withdraw some of the relaxations. the rules on nightclubs, the netherlands relaxed the rules and have had to reverse on that recently. same in some parts of catalonia. so it will be interesting to see what happens over the next couple of weeks as we see the political decisions that vicki was talking about reflected in the data.

for now, thank you. the prime minister is there. let's hope we can hear him and listening and see what there is happening.— there is happening. thank you for 'oininr sir there is happening. thank you for joining sir patrick _ there is happening. thank you for joining sir patrick and _ there is happening. thank you for joining sir patrick and jonathan i there is happening. thank you for i joining sir patrick and jonathan van tam in london and me here in isolation in buckinghamshire. today, we have reached the fourth step on our road map. with cases increasing steadily and with more and more people being asked to self—isolate, there will possibly be those who would rather that we had waited weeks or months longer and kept on social distancing and all the legal restrictions we have been placing on our lives. so i want to remind you all why i believe its right to take this step now, no matter how difficult it seems. the logic remains the same, that if we don't

open up now, then we face a risk of even tougher conditions in the colder months when the virus has a natural advantage and we lose that fabric of the school holidays. there comes a point after so many have been vaccinated when further restrictions no longer prevent hospitalisations and deaths, but simply delay the inevitable. so we have to ask ourselves the question, if not now, when? and although both deaths and hospitalisations are sadly rising, these numbers are well within the margins of what our scientists predicted at the outset of the road map. so it is right to proceed cautiously in the way we are. but it is also right to recognise that this pandemic is far from over. that's why i'm afraid it

is essential to keep up the system of test, trace and isolate. i know how frustrating it is for all those who have been affected or pinged, and i want to explain, therefore, that people identified as contacts of cases are at least five times more likely to be infected than others. and even if they have been vaccinated, there is a significant risk that they could still pass the disease on. so as we go forward, i'm afraid the continuing sacrifice of this large minority, those of us who are being asked to isolate, remains important to allow the rest of society to get back to something like normality. and i'm afraid that at this stage, it is a consequence of living with covid and of opening up of living with covid and of opening up when cases are high in the way

that they are. as you know, we will be moving on august the 16th to a system of testing rather than isolation for those who are double vaccinated, by which time, of course, we hope that the wall of immunity in our country will be even higher. in the meantime, i want to assure you that we will protect crucial services including the staffing of our hospitals and care homes and supplies of food, water, electricity and medicines, the running of our trains, the protection of our borders, the defence of our realm by making sure that a very small number of named, fully vaccinated critical workers are able to leave their isolation solely for the work that i have described. but for the majority of us, myself included, we do need to stick with the system for now. of

course, the only reason we are able to open up in this way at all is that we have vaccinated such a large proportion of the population and at such speed. it is phenomenal that every adult in this country has now been offered a first dose. but unfortunately, that does not mean that every person over 18 has yet had a first dose. so far 96% of over 50s, had a first dose. so far 96% of over 505, 83% had a first dose. so far 96% of over 50s, 83% of had a first dose. so far 96% of over 505, 83% of 30 to had a first dose. so far 96% of over 50s, 83% of 30 to 50—year—olds, have taken up the offer in england. but there are still 35% of 18 to 30—year—olds who are at the moment completely unvaccinated. and although we can all see the enthusiasm of millions of young people to get theirjabs, we need even more young adults to receive a protection that is immense benefit

to your family and friends and to yourselves. so i would remind everybody some of life? most important pleasures and opportunities are likely to be increasingly dependent on vaccination. there are already countries that require you to be double jabbed as a condition of quarantine free travel, and i'm afraid at least seems likely to grow. we are also concerned, as they are in other countries, by the continuing risk posed by nightclubs. i don't want to have to close nightclubs again, as they have elsewhere. but it does mean nightclubs need to do the socially responsible thing and make use of the nhs covid pass which shows before vaccination, a recent negative test or natural immunity as a means of entry. as we said last week, we do reserve the right to mandate certification at any point

if it is necessary to reduce transmission. by the end of september, when all over 18s will have had their chance to be double jabbed, we are planning to make full vaccination the condition of entry to nightclubs and other venues where large crowds gather. proof of a negative test will no longer be enough. let me stress, we want people to be able to take back their freedoms as they can today. we want this country to be able to enjoy the fruits of our massive efforts and of our enormous vaccination campaign. but to do that, we must remain cautious and we must continue to get vaccinated. that's why we are asking you to come forward and get your jabs now. thank you all very much. i

now ask sir patrick to do the science. ., now ask sir patrick to do the science. . , science. let me have the first slide, please. _ science. let me have the first slide, please. we _ science. let me have the first slide, please. we have - science. let me have the first slide, please. we have high i science. let me have the first - slide, please. we have high levels of covid _ slide, please. we have high levels of covid and they are increasing. this siide — of covid and they are increasing. this slide shows the number of people — this slide shows the number of people testing positive for covid in the uk _ people testing positive for covid in the uk in — people testing positive for covid in the uk in the 1st of september through— the uk in the 1st of september through to now, and you can see the size of— through to now, and you can see the size of the _ through to now, and you can see the size of the autumn wave, then the winter— size of the autumn wave, then the winter wave — size of the autumn wave, then the winter wave and on the right—hand side of— winter wave and on the right—hand side of the — winter wave and on the right—hand side of the slide, where we are now. so whereas— side of the slide, where we are now. so whereas in the winter wave, we were _ so whereas in the winter wave, we were up— so whereas in the winter wave, we were up to — so whereas in the winter wave, we were up to around 60,000 people testing _ were up to around 60,000 people testing positive per day, we are now somewhere — testing positive per day, we are now somewhere up towards 50,000. so we are quite _ somewhere up towards 50,000. so we are quite close to the size of the winter— are quite close to the size of the winter wave of infections. and this is going _ winter wave of infections. and this is going to — winter wave of infections. and this is going to increase. step four is a bigger— is going to increase. step four is a bigger inside mixing step, so it will increase further as we going into step — will increase further as we going into step four. the risks of high prevalence, high numbers of cases, are four— prevalence, high numbers of cases, are four major risks. the first is

that— are four major risks. the first is that that — are four major risks. the first is that that translates to some extent into hospitalisations and deaths, which _ into hospitalisations and deaths, which i _ into hospitalisations and deaths, which i will talk about more. that is protected by the vaccine, but not completely. the second is that there will he _ completely. the second is that there wiii he an— completely. the second is that there will be an increased risk of long—term complications, so—called lon- long—term complications, so—called iong covid — long—term complications, so—called long covid. the third is that the high _ long covid. the third is that the high levels of infection, as the virus _ high levels of infection, as the virus replicates, it makes mistakes, and those _ virus replicates, it makes mistakes, and those mistakes are what cause variants _ and those mistakes are what cause variants to — and those mistakes are what cause variants to occur. the fourth is because — variants to occur. the fourth is because of— variants to occur. the fourth is because of high levels of infection, you have _ because of high levels of infection, you have a — because of high levels of infection, you have a high number of people who are deaf— you have a high number of people who are deaf or— you have a high number of people who are deaf or pinged and off work and it affects— are deaf or pinged and off work and it affects the workforce. so there are four — it affects the workforce. so there are four strong reasons for worrying about _ are four strong reasons for worrying about high— are four strong reasons for worrying about high infection rates. and a fifth is _ about high infection rates. and a fifth is that the testing process of course _ fifth is that the testing process of course becomes very stretched at hi-h course becomes very stretched at high levels of infection. so we have hi-h high levels of infection. so we have high levels — high levels of infection. so we have high levels of infection. so we have high levels of infection. so we have high levels of infection that are rising _ high levels of infection that are rising and — high levels of infection that are rising and will be expected to continue _ rising and will be expected to continue to rise. next slide, please _ continue to rise. next slide, please. when we look at the number of people _ please. when we look at the number of people in— please. when we look at the number of people in hospital with covid, it is a somewhat different picture. the

first peak, _ is a somewhat different picture. the first peak, second pic you can see clearly, _ first peak, second pic you can see clearly, and — first peak, second pic you can see clearly, and then on the right hand side you _ clearly, and then on the right hand side you can — clearly, and then on the right hand side you can see that the number of people _ side you can see that the number of people in— side you can see that the number of people in hospital is increasing. and it _ people in hospital is increasing. and it wiii— people in hospital is increasing. and it will increase because of the infections, — and it will increase because of the infections, but not as far as it did before _ infections, but not as far as it did before. that is because of the protection of the vaccines. so we do expect— protection of the vaccines. so we do expect this — protection of the vaccines. so we do expect this number to increase. we expect— expect this number to increase. we expect there to be over 1000 people per day— expect there to be over 1000 people per day being hospitalised with covid _ per day being hospitalised with covid because of the increase in infections, _ covid because of the increase in infections, but the rates should be lower— infections, but the rates should be lower than— infections, but the rates should be lower than they had been previously because _ lower than they had been previously because of— lower than they had been previously because of the protective effects of vaccination and the importance of making _ vaccination and the importance of making sure everybody gets vaccinated. next slide, please. if you look— vaccinated. next slide, please. if you lookat— vaccinated. next slide, please. if you look at the curves of death, that is— you look at the curves of death, that is even— you look at the curves of death, that is even lower and you can see again. _ that is even lower and you can see again. the — that is even lower and you can see again, the autumn wave and the winter— again, the autumn wave and the winter wave with unfortunately large numbers _ winter wave with unfortunately large numbers of people who have succumbed to covid _ numbers of people who have succumbed to covid infection. and you can see in the _ to covid infection. and you can see in the dotted line size of the first peek— in the dotted line size of the first peek back— in the dotted line size of the first peek back to last year. we are

seeing — peek back to last year. we are seeing an— peek back to last year. we are seeing an increase in the number of deaths. _ seeing an increase in the number of deaths. but — seeing an increase in the number of deaths, but at a much lower level stuff _ deaths, but at a much lower level stuff but — deaths, but at a much lower level stuff but they again will continue to increase as infections increase and would — to increase as infections increase and would be expected to reach over 100, possibly a lot over 100, but we will see _ 100, possibly a lot over 100, but we will see an _ 100, possibly a lot over 100, but we will see an increase in deaths over the next _ will see an increase in deaths over the next few weeks as the infections rise, the next few weeks as the infections rise. but— the next few weeks as the infections rise. but at— the next few weeks as the infections rise, but at a much lower level again— rise, but at a much lower level again because of the protection of vaccination. the questions as well, you would imagine. this tries to lay that out in a slightly— this tries to lay that out in a slightly different way, so the autumn _ slightly different way, so the autumn wave is in orange and the covent _ autumn wave is in orange and the covent wave is in blue, and the curves — covent wave is in blue, and the curves have _ covent wave is in blue, and the curves have just been overlaid, and the axis _ curves have just been overlaid, and the axis that goes up is showing you the axis that goes up is showing you the number— the axis that goes up is showing you the number of increasing cases, or the number of increasing cases, or the number— the number of increasing cases, or the number of increasing cases, or the number of increases in admissions and deaths, and that line along _ admissions and deaths, and that line along the _ admissions and deaths, and that line along the bottom is the number of days since — along the bottom is the number of days since the start of the wave, and you — days since the start of the wave, and you can _ days since the start of the wave, and you can see a very close increase. _ and you can see a very close increase, overlap of cases increasing, very similar between the autumn— increasing, very similar between the autumn wave under the current wave, and you _

autumn wave under the current wave, and you can _ autumn wave under the current wave, and you can see the autumn wave topped _ and you can see the autumn wave topped out— and you can see the autumn wave topped out at slightly lower levels. when _ topped out at slightly lower levels. when you — topped out at slightly lower levels. when you look at admissions, the number— when you look at admissions, the number of— when you look at admissions, the number of admissions was higher in the autumn— number of admissions was higher in the autumn wave, and went up sooner, and with— the autumn wave, and went up sooner, and with deaths, it went up sooner, is much _ and with deaths, it went up sooner, is much steeper and went to much higher— is much steeper and went to much higher levels than we are seeing now. _ higher levels than we are seeing now. so— higher levels than we are seeing now, so this again confirms the crucial— now, so this again confirms the crucial importance of vaccination in protecting — crucial importance of vaccination in protecting against the effects of the infection as well as reducing amongst — the infection as well as reducing amongst the population the chance of becoming _ amongst the population the chance of becoming infected. even with this more _ becoming infected. even with this more transmissible variant that we have now — more transmissible variant that we have now. next slide, please. in terms— have now. next slide, please. in terms of— have now. next slide, please. in terms of the vaccination profile, the prime — terms of the vaccination profile, the prime minister has mentioned this. something like 88% of the adult _ this. something like 88% of the adult population has had one dose, and 68%_ adult population has had one dose, and 68% to doses, but this also

means— and 68% to doses, but this also means large numbers of people have not been _ means large numbers of people have not been vaccinated, there are people — not been vaccinated, there are people in— not been vaccinated, there are people in their 205 and 305 who have not yet _ people in their 205 and 305 who have not yet been vaccinated and we need to make _ not yet been vaccinated and we need to make sure that happens. so the messages — to make sure that happens. so the messages are first that the number of me55age5 are first that the number of cases— me55age5 are first that the number of cases is— messages are first that the number of cases is high and increasing, so that is— of cases is high and increasing, so that is a _ of cases is high and increasing, so that is a risk— of cases is high and increasing, so that is a risk and we need to be aware _ that is a risk and we need to be aware of— that is a risk and we need to be aware of it _ that is a risk and we need to be aware of it. secondly, in order to try to _ aware of it. secondly, in order to try to reduce the chance spreading infection. — try to reduce the chance spreading infection, it is important that we stay cautious, we go very slowly with the — stay cautious, we go very slowly with the opening up, and that people retain— with the opening up, and that people retain that _ with the opening up, and that people retain that distance and risk appetite _ retain that distance and risk appetite not to go into places where you wiii— appetite not to go into places where you will have a high risk of infection— you will have a high risk of infection so that we try and keep the levels — infection so that we try and keep the levels down, and third that vaccination i5 the levels down, and third that vaccination is crucial and that the vaccination — vaccination is crucial and that the vaccination of course is crucial for all the _ vaccination of course is crucial for all the age — vaccination of course is crucial for all the age groups who are eligible, and it— all the age groups who are eligible, and it is— all the age groups who are eligible, and it is important that we see the uptake _ and it is important that we see the uptake in— and it is important that we see the uptake in the younger age groups as well as— uptake in the younger age groups as well as continued presence of giving vaccines— well as continued presence of giving vaccines to — well as continued presence of giving vaccines to people who are older who have not— vaccines to people who are older who have not yet— vaccines to people who are older who have not yet been vaccinated. thank you, have not yet been vaccinated. thank you. prime — have not yet been vaccinated. thank you, prime minister. thank— you, prime minister. thank you very much, patrick. questions to the public first. toby

from sutton coldfield. i questions to the public first. toby from sutton coldfield.— questions to the public first. toby from sutton coldfield. i have been stud int from sutton coldfield. i have been studying abroad _ from sutton coldfield. i have been studying abroad for _ from sutton coldfield. i have been studying abroad for much - from sutton coldfield. i have been studying abroad for much of - from sutton coldfield. i have been studying abroad for much of this i studying abroad for much of this last year. — studying abroad for much of this last year, which _ studying abroad for much of this last year, which has _ studying abroad for much of this last year, which has meant- studying abroad for much of this last year, which has meant that| studying abroad for much of thi5| last year, which has meant that i have _ last year, which has meant that i have been— last year, which has meant that i have been fully _ last year, which has meant that i have been fully vaccinated - last year, which has meant that i have been fully vaccinated in - last year, which has meant that ii have been fully vaccinated in italy rather _ have been fully vaccinated in italy rather than — have been fully vaccinated in italy rather than the _ have been fully vaccinated in italy rather than the uk. _ have been fully vaccinated in italy rather than the uk. while - have been fully vaccinated in italy ratherthan the uk. while i- have been fully vaccinated in italy rather than the uk. while i have i rather than the uk. while i have proof— rather than the uk. while i have proof of— rather than the uk. while i have proof of vaccination _ rather than the uk. while i have proof of vaccination and - rather than the uk. while i have proof of vaccination and an - rather than the uk. while i have proof of vaccination and an eu i rather than the uk. while i have - proof of vaccination and an eu green pass. _ proof of vaccination and an eu green pass. i_ proof of vaccination and an eu green pass. ican't— proof of vaccination and an eu green pass. ican't get— proof of vaccination and an eu green pass, i can't get the _ proof of vaccination and an eu green pass, i can't get the nhs_ proof of vaccination and an eu green pass, i can't get the nhs covid - proof of vaccination and an eu green pass, i can't get the nhs covid pa55| pass, i can't get the nhs covid pass for events. — pass, ican't get the nhs covid pass for events. nor— pass, i can't get the nhs covid pass for events, nor can _ pass, i can't get the nhs covid pass for events, nor can i _ pass, ican't get the nhs covid pass for events, nor can i travel- pass, i can't get the nhs covid pass for events, nor can i travel abroad i for events, nor can i travel abroad to amber— for events, nor can i travel abroad to amber countries— for events, nor can i travel abroad to amber countries who _ for events, nor can i travel abroad to amber countries who have - to amber countries who have quarantine _ to amber countries who have quarantine. what— to amber countries who have quarantine. what is- to amber countries who have quarantine. what is being. to amber countries who have i quarantine. what is being done to amber countries who have - quarantine. what is being done to help recognise _ quarantine. what is being done to help recognise the _ quarantine. what is being done to help recognise the vaccinated - quarantine. what is being done to. help recognise the vaccinated status of people _ help recognise the vaccinated status of people like — help recognise the vaccinated status of people like me? _ help recognise the vaccinated status of people like me?— help recognise the vaccinated status of people like me? toby, i am going to askjvt. — of people like me? toby, i am going to ask jvt, jonathan _ of people like me? toby, i am going to ask jvt, jonathan van-tam, - of people like me? toby, i am going to ask jvt, jonathan van-tam, to i to askjvt, jonathan van—tam, to address this as well, but honestly we are working with partners around the world to make sure that we understand the efficacy of their vaccines, and that we have mutual recognition for all efficacious vaccines as fast as possible. jvt, perhaps you could say a bit more. thank you, prime minister. so, the point you are making is a perfectly reasonable one, that if you have had a good vaccine in another country

then that vaccine is going to be just as good for you and give you just as good for you and give you just as good for you and give you just as much protection as the vaccines we are giving people here in the uk, and there is a great deal of awareness amongst my policy colleagues in government about this, and there is a lot of work going on to sort this out. but it has to be donein to sort this out. but it has to be done in a rational, careful way, and it has to be fair for all, done in a rational, careful way, and it has to be fairfor all, and we are working as hard as we can to get there. ., .. are working as hard as we can to get there. ., ~' ,, . are working as hard as we can to get there. . «i i. . ., there. thank you, jvt. david from wiltshire. out _ there. thank you, jvt. david from wiltshire. out of— there. thank you, jvt. david from wiltshire. out of all— there. thank you, jvt. david from wiltshire. out of all the _ there. thank you, jvt. david from | wiltshire. out of all the announced dail covid wiltshire. out of all the announced daily covid cases, _ wiltshire. out of all the announced daily covid cases, what _ wiltshire. out of all the announced daily covid cases, what percentage j daily covid cases, what percentage of these _ daily covid cases, what percentage of these have had none, one or both of these have had none, one or both of their— of these have had none, one or both of their vaccination injections? that— of their vaccination injections? that is— of their vaccination injections? that is a — of their vaccination injections? that is a very good question, and i think sadly the number of covid cases that have involved somebody who has had two vaccinations has been rising, although clearly the results of the vaccines remain very

goodin results of the vaccines remain very good in a sense that they protect those people very largely against a serious illness and death even if they contract it. but on the exact figures, i wonder whether patrick, you have something to add. in figures, i wonder whether patrick, you have something to add. in terms ofthe you have something to add. in terms of the number— you have something to add. in terms of the number of _ you have something to add. in terms of the number of people _ you have something to add. in terms of the number of people in _ you have something to add. in terms of the number of people in hospital i of the number of people in hospital who have _ of the number of people in hospital who have been double vaccinated, we know it _ who have been double vaccinated, we know it is _ who have been double vaccinated, we know it is around 16% of the people admitted _ know it is around 16% of the people admitted to hospital who have been double _ admitted to hospital who have been double vaccinated, and that is not surprising — double vaccinated, and that is not surprising because the vaccines are not 100% _ surprising because the vaccines are not 100% effective, and i5 surprising because the vaccines are not 100% effective, and is a higher not100% effective, and is a higher proportion— not 100% effective, and is a higher proportion of the population is double — proportion of the population is double vaccinated, it is inevitable that those — double vaccinated, it is inevitable that those 10% of that very large number— that those 10% of that very large number remain at risk, and therefore will be _ number remain at risk, and therefore will be amongst the people who both catch the _ will be amongst the people who both catch the infection and end up in hospital — catch the infection and end up in hospital. so whilst vaccines are very _ hospital. so whilst vaccines are very effective at reducing severe disease. — very effective at reducing severe disease, they are also effective at reducing — disease, they are also effective at reducing the chance of catching it and reducing the chance of passing it on. _ and reducing the chance of passing it on. but— and reducing the chance of passing it on, but they are slightly less

effective — it on, but they are slightly less effective at doing that than they are at— effective at doing that than they are at preventing severe disease, and so _ are at preventing severe disease, and so what we will see as we get everybody — and so what we will see as we get everybody over 18 to take up the vaccine. — everybody over 18 to take up the vaccine, then of course anybody who caught _ vaccine, then of course anybody who caught it _ vaccine, then of course anybody who caught it would then be double vaccinated. so the answer is that we should _ vaccinated. so the answer is that we should expect to see a higher proportion of people in hospital and catching _ proportion of people in hospital and catching the infection who are double — catching the infection who are double vaccinated, that is inevitable that we will see that because — inevitable that we will see that because of the less than 100% efficacy— because of the less than 100% efficacy of the vaccines overall. thank — efficacy of the vaccines overall. thank you _ efficacy of the vaccines overall. thank you very much, patrick. let's go to fergus walsh, bbc news. prime minister, go to fergus walsh, bbc news. prime minister. are — go to fergus walsh, bbc news. prime minister. are you _ go to fergus walsh, bbc news. prime minister, are you effectively _ go to fergus walsh, bbc news. prime minister, are you effectively giving people _ minister, are you effectively giving people an — minister, are you effectively giving people an ultimatum, _ minister, are you effectively giving people an ultimatum, get- minister, are you effectively giving i people an ultimatum, get vaccinated soon or— people an ultimatum, get vaccinated soon or you — people an ultimatum, get vaccinated soon or you will _ people an ultimatum, get vaccinated soon or you will be _ people an ultimatum, get vaccinated soon or you will be denied _ people an ultimatum, get vaccinated soon or you will be denied entry- people an ultimatum, get vaccinated soon or you will be denied entry to i soon or you will be denied entry to crowded _ soon or you will be denied entry to crowded venues? _ soon or you will be denied entry to crowded venues? and _ soon or you will be denied entry to crowded venues? and to _ soon or you will be denied entry to crowded venues? and to the - crowded venues? and to the scientist. _ crowded venues? and to the scientist, how— crowded venues? and to the scientist, how concerned - crowded venues? and to thej scientist, how concerned are crowded venues? and to the - scientist, how concerned are you for the potential— 5cienti5t, how concerned are you for the potential of— scientist, how concerned are you for

the potential of supersprint - scientist, how concerned are you for the potential of supersprint events i the potential of supersprint events in nightclubs— the potential of supersprint events in nightclubs and _ the potential of supersprint events in nightclubs and pubs _ the potential of supersprint events in nightclubs and pubs where - the potential of supersprint event5| in nightclubs and pubs where there is no _ in nightclubs and pubs where there is no social— in nightclubs and pubs where there is no social distancing _ in nightclubs and pubs where there is no social distancing now? - in nightclubs and pubs where there is no social distancing now? fergus, i want to is no social distancing now? fergus, i want to make _ is no social distancing now? fergus, i want to make one _ is no social distancing now? fergus, i want to make one thing _ is no social distancing now? fergus, i want to make one thing absolutely| i want to make one thing absolutely clear. young people have been heroic throughout this pandemic they have made enormous sacrifices in their lives, largely to protect the vulnerable, to protect the older generation, to protect the nhs. they faced huge restrictions on their liberties, and i have got boundless admiration for what they have done, the character they have shown. and we have got to make sure that we allow that younger generation to bounce back as quickly and as fast as we possibly can. i think one thing that would really help would be if we can continue to reduce the time that we are all living under this pandemic, and the best way to do that is if we all get vaccinated as fast as possible, and the offer

is there, by today, july the 19th, everybody has had an offer, over 18, to get a vaccine. 3 million of the 18 to 30—year—old group have yet to take it up, and we are saying, come on folks, this is it, you won't regret it, it is the right thing to do for you, for yourfamily regret it, it is the right thing to do for you, for your family and for everybody else, but above all it is the right thing to help get back the freedoms you love. i the right thing to help get back the freedoms you love.— the right thing to help get back the freedoms you love. i think in terms ofthe freedoms you love. i think in terms of the question _ freedoms you love. i think in terms of the question about _ freedoms you love. i think in terms of the question about super - of the question about super spreading events, i will have a go and jonathan may want to add to this. right the way across the world we have seen that night clubs and venues where you have got lots of people indoors crowded together, are a focus for potential super spreading events, and that has also been seen in terms of what has happened in holland and israel were nightclubs opened a new saw a big increase in cases. so i think there

is no question that that is an environment in which spreading is easier. you have got lots of people quite close together, you have got an environment in which spreading becomes easier, and i would expect that with opening of nightclubs we will continue to see an increase in cases, and we will see outbreaks related to specific nightclubs as well, and that is again why it is so important that everybody comes and gets a vaccine so that we can reduce the chance of spread and reduce the chance of consequences of that spread. chance of consequences of that sread. ., .. chance of consequences of that sread. ., ,, i. chance of consequences of that sread. ., ,, ., ., spread. thank you, patrick, and i will to spread. thank you, patrick, and i will go back— spread. thank you, patrick, and i will go back to — spread. thank you, patrick, and i will go back to what _ spread. thank you, patrick, and i will go back to what i _ spread. thank you, patrick, and i will go back to what i have - spread. thank you, patrick, and i will go back to what i have said i spread. thank you, patrick, and i| will go back to what i have said at this podium more than once before, that the _ this podium more than once before, that the principles of how covid and other— that the principles of how covid and other respiratory viruses spread follows — other respiratory viruses spread follows the japanese three seas which _ follows the japanese three seas which the japanese government have used to— which the japanese government have used to advise their populations throughout this pandemic. the first,

crowded _ throughout this pandemic. the first, crowded settings where there are a lot of— crowded settings where there are a lot of people per square metre, and close _ lot of people per square metre, and close social — lot of people per square metre, and close social contact if that is the purpose — close social contact if that is the purpose of — close social contact if that is the purpose of being there, particularly, particularly if it is strangers— particularly, particularly if it is strangers or people you don't normally— strangers or people you don't normally mix with. i don't particularly think it is helpful to pick out — particularly think it is helpful to pick out a — particularly think it is helpful to pick out a particular type of building _ pick out a particular type of building or a particular type of business _ building or a particular type of business. i could create the japanese _ business. i could create the japanese three c5 by inviting a load of strangers into a garden shed and sitting _ of strangers into a garden shed and sitting around having a beer with the 5itting around having a beer with the door— sitting around having a beer with the door shut. that would do it. the door 5hut. that would do it. that— the door shut. that would do it. that is— the door shut. that would do it. that is the — the door shut. that would do it. that is the japanese three c5 are encapsulated, so those are the things— encapsulated, so those are the things that as scientists we are concerned about, wherever they occur and i concerned about, wherever they occur and i am _ concerned about, wherever they occur and i am under whatever circumstances.— and i am under whatever circumstances. ., ,, , ., , and i am under whatever circumstances. ., ,, , . circumstances. thank you very much. prime minister, _ circumstances. thank you very much. prime minister, you _ circumstances. thank you very much. prime minister, you always _ circumstances. thank you very much. prime minister, you always said - circumstances. thank you very much. prime minister, you always said the i prime minister, you always said the road map— prime minister, you always said the road map was— prime minister, you always said the road map was cautious _ prime minister, you always said the road map was cautious but - road map was cautious but irreversible. _ road map was cautious but irreversible. with - road map was cautious but irreversible. with so - road map was cautious but irreversible. with so much| irreversible. with so much uncertainty _ irreversible. with so much uncertainty over _

irreversible. with so much uncertainty over how - irreversible. with so much uncertainty over how highl irreversible. with so much - uncertainty over how high infection rates _ uncertainty over how high infection rates and _ uncertainty over how high infection rates and hospitalisations - uncertainty over how high infection rates and hospitalisations could . rates and hospitalisations could -et, rates and hospitalisations could get. do — rates and hospitalisations could get. do you _ rates and hospitalisations could get, do you concede _ rates and hospitalisations could get, do you concede that - rates and hospitalisations could get, do you concede that that l rates and hospitalisations could | get, do you concede that that is rates and hospitalisations could i get, do you concede that that is a promise _ get, do you concede that that is a promise you — get, do you concede that that is a promise you can— get, do you concede that that is a promise you can no— get, do you concede that that is a promise you can no longer- get, do you concede that that is a promise you can no longer keep i get, do you concede that that is a j promise you can no longer keep it you may— promise you can no longer keep it you may have _ promise you can no longer keep it you may have to _ promise you can no longer keep it you may have to re—impose - you may have to re—impose restrictions— you may have to re—impose restrictions later _ you may have to re—impose restrictions later this - you may have to re—impose restrictions later this year? | you may have to re-impose restrictions later this year? thank ou, and restrictions later this year? thank you. and thanks _ restrictions later this year? thank you, and thanks for _ restrictions later this year? thank you, and thanks for asking - restrictions later this year? thank you, and thanks for asking that, i you, and thanks for asking that, because i want to repeat what i said last week and perhaps the week before about this. the road map is, we hope, irreversible, buti before about this. the road map is, we hope, irreversible, but i think i said that from the get go. but we can't guarantee that. think it obviously happened that changes our calculations. we have got to be humble in the face of nature. there could be some new variant of the virus that we have to respond to on a particular way, and i have always been very clear about that. the only way we can make the road map irreversible is by continuing to be cautious, and that i'm afraid is why we have got to continue with the measures that we are and continue with the routines that we have, test, trace and isolate but above

all why we have got to continue to focus as jvt and patrick have said, on that vaccination campaign and get the jab. on that vaccination campaign and get the 'ab. ., .. on that vaccination campaign and get the 'ab. ., ~' , ., on that vaccination campaign and get the 'ab. ., ,, i. ~ , the jab. thank you, prime minister. the question _ the jab. thank you, prime minister. the question to _ the jab. thank you, prime minister. the question to sir _ the jab. thank you, prime minister. the question to sir patrick- the jab. thank you, prime minister. the question to sir patrick and - the question to sir patrick and jonathan — the question to sir patrick and jonathan van—tam _ the question to sir patrick and jonathan van—tam first. - the question to sir patrick and jonathan van—tam first. the i the question to sir patrick and - jonathan van—tam first. the success of step— jonathan van—tam first. the success of step four— jonathan van—tam first. the success of step four would _ jonathan van—tam first. the success of step four would seem _ jonathan van—tam first. the success of step four would seem to - jonathan van—tam first. the success of step four would seem to depend i jonathan van—tam first. the success. of step four would seem to depend on when the _ of step four would seem to depend on when the peak— of step four would seem to depend on when the peak arrives, _ of step four would seem to depend on when the peak arrives, and _ of step four would seem to depend on when the peak arrives, and they- of step four would seem to depend on when the peak arrives, and they have | when the peak arrives, and they have been estimates — when the peak arrives, and they have been estimates of— when the peak arrives, and they have been estimates of mid _ when the peak arrives, and they have been estimates of mid august, - when the peak arrives, and they have been estimates of mid august, end i when the peak arrives, and they have | been estimates of mid august, end of august _ been estimates of mid august, end of august is— been estimates of mid august, end of august is it— been estimates of mid august, end of august is it right— been estimates of mid august, end of august. is it right to _ been estimates of mid august, end of august. is it right to say— been estimates of mid august, end of august. is it right to say that - been estimates of mid august, end of august. is it right to say that the - august. is it right to say that the next _ august. is it right to say that the next crucial _ august. is it right to say that the next crucial date _ august. is it right to say that the next crucial date we _ august. is it right to say that the next crucial date we should - august. is it right to say that the next crucial date we should all. august. is it right to say that the i next crucial date we should all look out for _ next crucial date we should all look out for is _ next crucial date we should all look out for is the — next crucial date we should all look out for is the beginning _ next crucial date we should all look out for is the beginning of- out for is the beginning of september— out for is the beginning of septemberwhen- out for is the beginning of september when schoolsl out for is the beginning of- september when schools start to out for is the beginning of— september when schools start to come back? _ september when schools start to come back? because — september when schools start to come back? because if— september when schools start to come back? because if cases _ september when schools start to come back? because if cases haven't - back? because if cases haven't started — back? because if cases haven't started to _ back? because if cases haven't started to decrease _ back? because if cases haven't started to decrease by- back? because if cases haven't started to decrease by then - back? because if cases haven'tl started to decrease by then and back? because if cases haven't - started to decrease by then and are still rising. — started to decrease by then and are still rising, then _ started to decrease by then and are still rising, then that _ started to decrease by then and are still rising, then that would - started to decrease by then and are still rising, then that would have i still rising, then that would have to be _ still rising, then that would have to be the — still rising, then that would have to be the moment _ 5till rising, then that would have to be the moment that- still rising, then that would have to be the moment that you - still rising, then that would have i to be the moment that you would still rising, then that would have - to be the moment that you would need to be the moment that you would need to step _ to be the moment that you would need to step in _ to be the moment that you would need to step in and — to be the moment that you would need to step in and reduce _ to be the moment that you would need to step in and reduce transmission - to step in and reduce transmission by imposing — to step in and reduce transmission by imposing restrictions _ to step in and reduce transmission by imposing restrictions again. - to step in and reduce transmissionl by imposing restrictions again. and to the _ by imposing restrictions again. and to the prime — by imposing restrictions again. and to the prime minister, _ by imposing restrictions again. and to the prime minister, your- to the prime minister, your announcement _ to the prime minister, your announcementjust- to the prime minister, your announcementjust now- to the prime minister, your announcement just now on| to the prime minister, your- announcementjust now on mass events. _ announcementjust now on mass events, vaccination— announcementjust now on mass events, vaccination passports. announcementjust now on mass events, vaccination passports isl events, vaccination passports is mandatory _ events, vaccination passports is mandatory for _ events, vaccination passports is mandatory for mass _ events, vaccination passports is mandatory for mass events, - events, vaccination passports is. mandatory for mass events, what events, vaccination passports is- mandatory for mass events, what are the events _ mandatory for mass events, what are the events you — mandatory for mass events, what are the events you are _ mandatory for mass events, what are the events you are thinking _ mandatory for mass events, what are the events you are thinking about? i

the events you are thinking about? what _ the events you are thinking about? what about — the events you are thinking about? what about football _ the events you are thinking about? what about football stadiums? - the events you are thinking about? what about football stadiums? a i the events you are thinking about? i what about football stadiums? a lot of enclosed — what about football stadiums? a lot of enclosed spaces _ what about football stadiums? a lot of enclosed spaces at _ what about football stadiums? a lot of enclosed spaces at half _ what about football stadiums? a lot of enclosed spaces at half time, - of enclosed spaces at half time, getting — of enclosed spaces at half time, getting a — of enclosed spaces at half time, getting a burget _ of enclosed spaces at half time, getting a burger. at— of enclosed spaces at half time, getting a burger. at the - of enclosed spaces at half time, i getting a burger. at the emirates you are _ getting a burger. at the emirates you are very— getting a burger. at the emirates you are very packed _ getting a burger. at the emirates you are very packed in, _ getting a burger. at the emirates you are very packed in, for- getting a burger. at the emirates- you are very packed in, for example. and if— you are very packed in, for example. and if you _ you are very packed in, for example. and if you are — you are very packed in, for example. and if you are going _ you are very packed in, for example. and if you are going to— you are very packed in, for example. and if you are going to do— you are very packed in, for example. and if you are going to do this, - you are very packed in, for example. and if you are going to do this, why. and if you are going to do this, why not do _ and if you are going to do this, why not do it— and if you are going to do this, why not do it now? _ and if you are going to do this, why not do it now? why— and if you are going to do this, why not do it now? why wait— and if you are going to do this, why not do it now? why wait until- not do it now? why wait until september? _ not do it now? why wait until september? why— not do it now? why wait until september? why give - not do it now? why wait until september? why give ten- not do it now? why wait until. september? why give ten weeks not do it now? why wait until- september? why give ten weeks for mass _ september? why give ten weeks for mass spreading. _ september? why give ten weeks for mass spreading, because _ september? why give ten weeks for mass spreading, because nightclubs have already — mass spreading, because nightclubs have already told _ mass spreading, because nightclubs have already told you _ mass spreading, because nightclubs have already told you they - mass spreading, because nightclubs have already told you they are - mass spreading, because nightclubs have already told you they are not i have already told you they are not going _ have already told you they are not going to _ have already told you they are not going to do — have already told you they are not going to do this _ have already told you they are not going to do this.— going to do this. thank you, is it chris or patrick _ going to do this. thank you, is it chris or patrick who _ going to do this. thank you, is it chris or patrick who will - going to do this. thank you, is it chris or patrick who will go - going to do this. thank you, is it chris or patrick who will go first, j chris or patrick who will go first, please? i chris or patrick who will go first, lease? ., chris or patrick who will go first, lease? . ., ., ., please? i will have a go and jonathan — please? i will have a go and jonathan may _ please? i will have a go and jonathan may want - please? i will have a go and jonathan may want to - please? i will have a go and jonathan may want to come j please? i will have a go and i jonathan may want to come in please? i will have a go and - jonathan may want to come in as well. the timing of the peak is uncertain, as you rightly say. and it varies in the models over august at different times, and it could even beat you get the peak and then it goes down and comes back up again as the step four effects kick in, so thatis as the step four effects kick in, so that is really quite uncertain. but most of the models are suggesting that they should be a peek and start to see some sort of either plateau or decrease over august. and at that point, if things continue to

increase at the rate that they are, and i said at the outset there is something like 50,000 or near 50,000 cases, positives per day at the moment being detected, with a doubling time of 11 days, you can see that that gets to pretty high numbers very quickly, and another doubling time will take you to even higher numbers of course that would be really quite worrying. so we would like to see some flattening of this, some decrease in the trajectory. and ideally, as you would rightly say, you would like to see this coming down by september as return of schools would add another pressure on top of that.— pressure on top of that. thank you, patrick. what _ pressure on top of that. thank you, patrick. what | — pressure on top of that. thank you, patrick. what i would _ pressure on top of that. thank you, patrick. what i would really - pressure on top of that. thank you, patrick. what i would really add - pressure on top of that. thank you, patrick. what i would really add to l patrick. what i would really add to that is _ patrick. what i would really add to that is this — patrick. what i would really add to that is this huge uncertainty about how high— that is this huge uncertainty about how high the peak will be, and how lon- how high the peak will be, and how long it _ how high the peak will be, and how long it is _ how high the peak will be, and how long it is going to take us to get there _ long it is going to take us to get there but — long it is going to take us to get there. but the reason why the models tell us— there. but the reason why the models tell us there is this uncertainty at the moment is because so much of it

is going _ the moment is because so much of it is going to _ the moment is because so much of it is going to be driven by human behaviour— is going to be driven by human behaviour over the next 4—6 weeks. so really— behaviour over the next 4—6 weeks. so really it— behaviour over the next 4—6 weeks. so really it is— behaviour over the next 4—6 weeks. so really it is kind of in everybody's hands, yours and mine, if we _ everybody's hands, yours and mine, if we are _ everybody's hands, yours and mine, if we are gradual and cautious and we don't _ if we are gradual and cautious and we don't tear the pants out of this 'ust we don't tear the pants out of this just because we are glad to have our full freedom is back, then we will materially— full freedom is back, then we will materially affect the size and shape of the _ materially affect the size and shape of the remainder of this epidemic curve _ of the remainder of this epidemic curve and — of the remainder of this epidemic curve and where the peak occurs, and how big _ curve and where the peak occurs, and how big it— curve and where the peak occurs, and how big it is — curve and where the peak occurs, and how big it is. it is literally in the — how big it is. it is literally in the hands _ how big it is. it is literally in the hands of the public in terms of the hands of the public in terms of the behaviours, and i would just urge _ the behaviours, and i would just urge people to be gradual and people to be cautious to the extent possible. that doesn't mean you can't _ possible. that doesn't mean you can't have — possible. that doesn't mean you can't have fun. i was back at the boston— can't have fun. i was back at the boston united stadium on saturday having _ boston united stadium on saturday having a _ boston united stadium on saturday having a bit of fun. it can be done, but gradually and cautiously, please — i would echo that completely. jvt

has totally summed it up. just on the point about nightclubs, i don't particularly want to single out any central business cause. there is evidence of some countries that have had an issue with nightclubs, so what we are repeating today is that we want nightclubs to behave responsibly. use the nhs covid up. we reserve the right to go to mandate and for that if we have to —— use the nhs covid app. we may want to change to a certification regime for that kind of setting for nightclubs once everybody over 18 has had the opportunity to get two jabs, which will be by the end of september. i do think that is a sensible approach. but on the other hand, we don't want to now, as you suggested, simply to close nightclubs or to keep them close. i

don't think that would be the right thing to do. to go back to what i said earlier in the argument, you have to ask yourself, if not now, when? we have the opportunity now, the fabric of the school holidays, plus we have the risk of opening up in the colder months. the point of the epidemic at this stage, now that so many people have been vaccinated, is that if you keep on restrictions, all you are really doing, in a way, is not preventing hospitalisations, but simply postponing them. cou are back to the if not now, when argument, tom. it is a difficult judgment, but we to proceed cautiously in the way that jvt has perfectly laid out. harry cole of the sun. !

perfectly laid out. harry cole of the sun. ., ., perfectly laid out. harry cole of the sun. . ., , ., ., the sun. i have a question for professor _ the sun. i have a question for professor van _ the sun. i have a question for professor van tam. _ the sun. i have a question for professor van tam. you - the sun. i have a question for - professor van tam. you repeated your famous _ professor van tam. you repeated your famous plea _ professor van tam. you repeated your famous plea not — professor van tam. you repeated your famous plea not the _ professor van tam. you repeated your famous plea not the taliban _ professor van tam. you repeated your famous plea not the taliban '5- professor van tam. you repeated your famous plea not the taliban '5 out - famous plea not the taliban '5 out of lockdown — famous plea not the taliban '5 out of lockdown lifting. _ famous plea not the taliban '5 out of lockdown lifting. what - famous plea not the taliban '5 out of lockdown lifting. what is - famous plea not the taliban '5 out of lockdown lifting. what is your i of lockdown lifting. what is your response — of lockdown lifting. what is your response to _ of lockdown lifting. what is your response to the _ of lockdown lifting. what is your response to the —— _ of lockdown lifting. what is your response to the —— not - of lockdown lifting. what is your response to the —— not to - of lockdown lifting. what is your response to the —— not to tear i of lockdown lifting. what is your. response to the —— not to tear their pants— response to the —— not to tear their pants out— response to the —— not to tear their pants out of— response to the —— not to tear their pants out of lockdown _ response to the —— not to tear their pants out of lockdown lifting. - response to the —— not to tear their pants out of lockdown lifting. what| pants out of lockdown lifting. what is your— pants out of lockdown lifting. what is your response _ pants out of lockdown lifting. what is your response to _ pants out of lockdown lifting. what is your response to the _ pants out of lockdown lifting. what is your response to the images - pants out of lockdown lifting. what is your response to the images of. is your response to the images of crowded — is your response to the images of crowded beaches _ is your response to the images of crowded beaches and _ is your response to the images of crowded beaches and parks - is your response to the images of crowded beaches and parks in - is your response to the images of| crowded beaches and parks in the scenes— crowded beaches and parks in the scenes we — crowded beaches and parks in the scenes we saw _ crowded beaches and parks in the scenes we saw around _ crowded beaches and parks in the scenes we saw around the - crowded beaches and parks in the scenes we saw around the euros i scenes we saw around the euros finals? — scenes we saw around the euros finals? are _ scenes we saw around the euros finals? are we _ scenes we 5aw around the euros finals? are we already— scenes we saw around the euros finals? are we already tearing i scenes we saw around the euros i finals? are we already tearing the pants _ finals? are we already tearing the pants of— finals? are we already tearing the pants of it — finals? are we already tearing the pants of it and _ finals? are we already tearing the pants of it and are _ finals? are we already tearing the pants of it and are you _ finals? are we already tearing the pants of it and are you worried - finals? are we already tearing the i pants of it and are you worried yet? prime _ pants of it and are you worried yet? prime minister, _ pants of it and are you worried yet? prime minister, a _ pants of it and are you worried yet? prime minister, a couple _ pants of it and are you worried yet? prime minister, a couple of- pants of it and are you worried yet? prime minister, a couple of things. prime minister, a couple of things if i prime minister, a couple of things if i may _ prime minister, a couple of things if i may you _ prime minister, a couple of things if i may. you have _ prime minister, a couple of things if i may. you have spoken - prime minister, a couple of things if i may. you have spoken today. if i may. you have spoken today about— if i may. you have spoken today about the — if i may. you have spoken today about the importance _ if i may. you have spoken today about the importance of - if i may. you have spoken today. about the importance of everybody playing _ about the importance of everybody playing their — about the importance of everybody playing their part. _ about the importance of everybody playing their part, sticking - about the importance of everybody playing their part, sticking with - playing their part, sticking with the system _ playing their part, sticking with the system and _ playing their part, sticking with the system and isolating. - playing their part, sticking with the system and isolating. so. playing their part, sticking with l the system and isolating. so why playing their part, sticking with - the system and isolating. so why on earth _ the system and isolating. so why on earth did _ the system and isolating. so why on earth did you — the system and isolating. so why on earth did you think— the system and isolating. so why on earth did you think you _ the system and isolating. so why on earth did you think you were - the system and isolating. so why on earth did you think you were above. earth did you think you were above the rules— earth did you think you were above the rules on— earth did you think you were above the rules on saturday, _ earth did you think you were above the rules on saturday, what - earth did you think you were above the rules on saturday, what was i the rules on saturday, what was going _ the rules on saturday, what was going on— the rules on saturday, what was going on there? _ the rules on saturday, what was going on there? and _ the rules on saturday, what was going on there? and on- the rules on saturday, what was going on there? and on vaccinel going on there? and on vaccine passports. _ going on there? and on vaccine passports. is— going on there? and on vaccine passports, is this _ going on there? and on vaccine passports, is this just - going on there? and on vaccine passports, is this just the - going on there? and on vaccine passports, is this just the thin i going on there? and on vaccine i passports, is this just the thin end of the _ passports, is this just the thin end of the wedge? _ passports, is this just the thin end of the wedge? you _ passports, is this just the thin end of the wedge? you have _ passports, is this just the thin end | of the wedge? you have previously ruled _ of the wedge? you have previously ruled out _ of the wedge? you have previously ruled out vaccine _ of the wedge? you have previously ruled out vaccine passports - of the wedge? you have previously ruled out vaccine passports for- ruled out vaccine passports for pubs — ruled out vaccine passports for pubs can _ ruled out vaccine passports for pubs can you _ ruled out vaccine passports for pubs. can you definitively- ruled out vaccine passports for pubs. can you definitively sayi ruled out vaccine passports for. pubs. can you definitively say you will never — pubs. can you definitively say you will never be _ pubs. can you definitively say you will never be asked _ pubs. can you definitively say you will never be asked to _ pubs. can you definitively say you will never be asked to show - pubs. can you definitively say you will never be asked to show youri will never be asked to show your paper— will never be asked to show your paper to — will never be asked to show your paper to get _ will never be asked to show your paper to get a _ will never be asked to show your paperto get a pint— will never be asked to show your paper to get a pint in— will never be asked to show your paper to get a pint in a - will never be asked to show your paper to get a pint in a pub - will never be asked to show your paper to get a pint in a pub thisi paper to get a pint in a pub this year? _ paper to get a pint in a pub this year? on— paper to get a pint in a pub this year? 0na— paper to get a pint in a pub this year? on a slightly— paper to get a pint in a pub this year? on a slightly different. year? on a slightly different subject— year? on a slightly different subject while _ year? on a slightly different subject while we _ year? on a slightly different subject while we have - year? on a slightly different subject while we have got i year? on a slightly different i subject while we have got you year? on a slightly different - subject while we have got you on the record. _ 5ubject while we have got you on the record. very— subject while we have got you on the record, very simply, _ subject while we have got you on the record, very simply, does _ subject while we have got you on the record, very simply, does your- subject while we have got you on the record, very simply, does your 2019| record, very simply, does your 2019 manifesto _ record, very simply, does your 2019 manifesto commitment _ record, very simply, does your 2019 manifesto commitment not - record, very simply, does your 2019 manifesto commitment not to - record, very simply, does your 2019 manifesto commitment not to rai5e|

manifesto commitment not to raise national— manifesto commitment not to raise national insurance _ manifesto commitment not to raise national insurance or— manifesto commitment not to raise national insurance or income - manifesto commitment not to raise national insurance or income tax i national insurance or income tax still stand? _ national insurance or income tax still stand?— national insurance or income tax stillstand? ., ., ., , , still stand? ok, a lot of good stuff for me there- _ still stand? ok, a lot of good stuff for me there. jvt, _ still stand? ok, a lot of good stuff for me there. jvt, you _ still stand? ok, a lot of good stuff for me there. jvt, you go - still stand? ok, a lot of good stuff for me there. jvt, you go first. i still stand? ok, a lot of good stuff| for me there. jvt, you go first. my ruestion for me there. jvt, you go first. my question was about beaches, parks and nightclubs and some of the scenes— and nightclubs and some of the scenes of— and nightclubs and some of the scenes of crowding we have seen in the last— scenes of crowding we have seen in the last few — scenes of crowding we have seen in the last few days. two of the settings _ the last few days. two of the settings you have mentioned are outdoors. — settings you have mentioned are outdoors, with lots of ventilation, with lots — outdoors, with lots of ventilation, with lots of— outdoors, with lots of ventilation, with lots of ultraviolet light and therefore a much safer environment in terms _ therefore a much safer environment in terms of— therefore a much safer environment in terms of the aero biology of covid-t9 — in terms of the aero biology of covid—19 and indeed other respiratory viruses. the other one you mentioned is a closed indoor setting _ you mentioned is a closed indoor setting very strongly associated with deliberate close social contact. _ with deliberate close social contact, the consumption of alcohol guite _ contact, the consumption of alcohol quite often — contact, the consumption of alcohol quite often late in the evening. so they are _ quite often late in the evening. so they are rather different. am i worried — they are rather different. am i worried about it? i want everybody

to go _ worried about it? i want everybody to go cautiously and gradually, and ithink— to go cautiously and gradually, and i think a _ to go cautiously and gradually, and i think a lot — to go cautiously and gradually, and i think a lot of people in the uk, a lot of— i think a lot of people in the uk, a lot of ordinary citizens see the case _ lot of ordinary citizens see the case rates _ lot of ordinary citizens see the case rates high, see that at the moment. — case rates high, see that at the moment, although hospitalisations are increasing and there are significant parts of the north—west and north—east of the nhs that would tell you _ and north—east of the nhs that would tell you now they are under quite a bit of— tell you now they are under quite a bit of pressure again from covid, so citizens— bit of pressure again from covid, so citizens are — bit of pressure again from covid, so citizens are worried about this and ithink— citizens are worried about this and i think they— citizens are worried about this and i think they get it. by and large, it is important to go slowly and gradually— it is important to go slowly and gradually at this. our destiny i5 gradually at this. our destiny is likely— gradually at this. our destiny is likely in— gradually at this. our destiny is likely in our hands and two racing sync— likely in our hands and two racing sync at— likely in our hands and two racing sync at how— likely in our hands and two racing sync at how gradual and cautious we are, sync at how gradual and cautious we are. and _ sync at how gradual and cautious we are. and how— sync at how gradual and cautious we are, and how well we can finish the 'ob are, and how well we can finish the job of— are, and how well we can finish the job of the _ are, and how well we can finish the job of the vaccination programme in adults _ job of the vaccination programme in adults. simple as that. a job of the vaccination programme in adults. simple as that. a lot job of the vaccination programme in adults. simple as that.— adults. simple as that. a lot of --eole adults. simple as that. a lot of people already _ adults. simple as that. a lot of people already have _ adults. simple as that. a lot of people already have said, - adults. simple as that. a lot of people already have said, the i people already have said, the majority have said they intend to

continue wearing masks and indoor spaces where they might come into contact with people. so the caution is there in the way people intend to behave. ., in is there in the way people intend to behave. ., , is there in the way people intend to behave. . , . ., , ., behave. thanks very much. harry, on our first behave. thanks very much. harry, on your first point. _ behave. thanks very much. harry, on yourfirst point. i— behave. thanks very much. harry, on your first point, i have _ behave. thanks very much. harry, on your first point, i have because - yourfirst point, i have because absolutely didn't think that and here i am today on zoo more teams or whatever brilliant system it is that we are using. secondly, you asked about pubs. as i have said many times before in this pandemic, i don't want to go to a situation where people are asked to produce papers to go anywhere and enjoy the pleasures that they do. but we have got to make sure... i certainly don't want to see passports for pubs, but where there are the settings that jvt describes as conforming to the three cs closed,

powdered and with close social contact, we reserve the right to do what is necessary to protect the public. 0n what is necessary to protect the public. on your what is necessary to protect the public. 0n yourfinal what is necessary to protect the public. on your final point about fiscal measures, which i think may be a brilliantly veiled question on the long—awaited plans to deal with the long—awaited plans to deal with the problem of social care, how to cover all that and health care as well, a problem that has bedevilled governments for at least three decades, all i can say, harry, is that we waited three decades. you are just going to have to wait a bit longer was that i am sorry about that, but it won't be too long now, i assure you. george of the financial times. i assure you. george of the financialtimes. i i assure you. george of the financial times.— i assure you. george of the financialtimes. . ., , ., financial times. i have a question for all three _ financial times. i have a question for all three of _ financial times. i have a question for all three of the _ financial times. i have a question for all three of the speakers. - financial times. i have a question for all three of the speakers. the | for all three of the speakers. the first question _ for all three of the speakers. the first question is _ for all three of the speakers. the first question is to _ for all three of the speakers. the first question is to patrick - first question is to patrick vallance _ first question is to patrick vallance. you _ first question is to patrick vallance. you mentionedl first question is to patrick - vallance. you mentioned earlier first question is to patrick _ vallance. you mentioned earlier that in an instance — vallance. you mentioned earlier that in an instance where _ vallance. you mentioned earlier that in an instance where there _ vallance. you mentioned earlier that in an instance where there are - vallance. you mentioned earlier that in an instance where there are a - in an instance where there are a high— in an instance where there are a high number—

in an instance where there are a high numberof— in an instance where there are a high number of cases, - in an instance where there are a high number of cases, the - in an instance where there are a i high number of cases, the testing becomes— high number of cases, the testing becomes stretched. _ high number of cases, the testing becomes stretched. i— high number of cases, the testing becomes stretched. iwonder- high number of cases, the testing becomes stretched. i wonder if i high number of cases, the testing i becomes stretched. i wonder if you could _ becomes stretched. i wonder if you could elaborate _ becomes stretched. ! wonder if you could elaborate on— becomes stretched. i wonder if you could elaborate on that. _ becomes stretched. ! wonder if you could elaborate on that. do- becomes stretched. i wonder if you could elaborate on that. do we - becomes stretched. i wonder if youl could elaborate on that. do we have enough _ could elaborate on that. do we have enough lateral— could elaborate on that. do we have enough lateral flow _ could elaborate on that. do we have enough lateral flow tests _ could elaborate on that. do we have enough lateral flow tests and - could elaborate on that. do we have enough lateral flow tests and do - could elaborate on that. do we have enough lateral flow tests and do we| enough lateral flow tests and do we have enough— enough lateral flow tests and do we have enough pcr _ enough lateral flow tests and do we have enough pcr tests _ enough lateral flow tests and do we have enough pcr tests to _ enough lateral flow tests and do we have enough pcr tests to see - enough lateral flow tests and do we have enough pcr tests to see us i have enough pcr tests to see us through— have enough pcr tests to see us through this _ have enough pcr tests to see us through this difficult _ have enough pcr tests to see us through this difficult period - have enough pcr tests to see us i through this difficult period ahead? a question — through this difficult period ahead? a question for _ through this difficult period ahead? a question forjonathan _ through this difficult period ahead? a question forjonathan van - through this difficult period ahead? a question forjonathan van tam i through this difficult period ahead? a question forjonathan van tam — i a question forjonathan van tam — back— a question forjonathan van tam — back on— a question forjonathan van tam — back on the — a question forjonathan van tam — back on the nightclubs _ a question forjonathan van tam — back on the nightclubs question, i a question forjonathan van tam — i back on the nightclubs question, you will know— back on the nightclubs question, you will know that — back on the nightclubs question, you will know that in _ back on the nightclubs question, you will know that in the _ back on the nightclubs question, you will know that in the netherlands, i will know that in the netherlands, they allowed — will know that in the netherlands, they allowed nightclubs _ will know that in the netherlands, they allowed nightclubs to - will know that in the netherlands, they allowed nightclubs to reopenj they allowed nightclubs to reopen and then— they allowed nightclubs to reopen and then a — they allowed nightclubs to reopen and then a few— they allowed nightclubs to reopen and then a few weeks _ they allowed nightclubs to reopen and then a few weeks later, - they allowed nightclubs to reopen and then a few weeks later, theyl they allowed nightclubs to reopen i and then a few weeks later, they had to close _ and then a few weeks later, they had to close them — and then a few weeks later, they had to close them was _ and then a few weeks later, they had to close them was that _ and then a few weeks later, they had to close them was that the _ and then a few weeks later, they had to close them was that the prime - to close them was that the prime minister. — to close them was that the prime minister, mark— to close them was that the prime minister, mark rutte, _ to close them was that the primei minister, mark rutte, apologised, saying _ minister, mark rutte, apologised, saying the — minister, mark rutte, apologised, saying the government _ minister, mark rutte, apologised, saying the government had - minister, mark rutte, apologised, saying the government had madel minister, mark rutte, apologised, i saying the government had made a mistake _ saying the government had made a mistake it — 5aying the government had made a mistake it is— saying the government had made a mistake it is a _ saying the government had made a mistake. it is a very— saying the government had made a mistake. it is a very straight - mi5take. it is a very straight question— mistake. it is a very straight question for— mistake. it is a very straight question for you _ mistake. it is a very straight question for you bearing - mistake. it is a very straight question for you bearing in. mistake. it is a very straight - question for you bearing in mind what _ question for you bearing in mind what you — question for you bearing in mind what you are _ question for you bearing in mind what you are saying _ question for you bearing in mind what you are saying earlier - question for you bearing in mindl what you are saying earlier about the three — what you are saying earlier about the three cs _ what you are saying earlier about the three cs - _ what you are saying earlier about the three c5 — do— what you are saying earlier about the three c5 — do you _ what you are saying earlier about the three c5 — do you think- what you are saying earlier about the three c5 — do you think the i the three c5 — do you think the nightclubs— the three c5 — do you think the nightclubs should _ the three c5 — do you think the nightclubs should be _ the three c5 — do you think the| nightclubs should be reopening the three c5 — do you think the i nightclubs should be reopening in this country— nightclubs should be reopening in this country now? _ nightclubs should be reopening in this country now? finally, - nightclubs should be reopening in this country now? finally, a - this country now? finally, a question— this country now? finally, a question to _ this country now? finally, a question to the _ this country now? finally, a question to the prime - this country now? finally, a - question to the prime minister. i wanted _ question to the prime minister. i wanted to— question to the prime minister. i wanted to ask _ question to the prime minister. i wanted to ask more _ question to the prime minister. i wanted to ask more about - question to the prime minister. i wanted to ask more about the i wanted to ask more about the exemptions— wanted to ask more about the exemptions you _ wanted to ask more about the exemptions you have - wanted to ask more about the i exemptions you have announced wanted to ask more about the - exemptions you have announced to the self-isolation _ exemptions you have announced to the self—isolation policy. _ exemptions you have announced to the self—isolation policy. you _ exemptions you have announced to the self—isolation policy. you will— exemptions you have announced to the self—isolation policy. you will have - self—isolation policy. you will have heard _ self—isolation policy. you will have heard the — self—isolation policy. you will have heard the cbi _ self—isolation policy. you will have heard the cbi president— self—isolation policy. you will have heard the cbi president saying - self—isolation policy. you will have i heard the cbi president saying today that the _ heard the cbi president saying today that the exemptions _ heard the cbi president saying today that the exemptions were _ heard the cbi president saying today that the exemptions were crippling i that the exemptions were crippling the economy— that the exemptions were crippling the economy in— that the exemptions were crippling the economy in every— that the exemptions were crippling the economy in every sector. - that the exemptions were crippling the economy in every sector. can i that the exemptions were crippling i the economy in every sector. can you describe _ the economy in every sector. can you describe in _ the economy in every sector. can you describe in more _ the economy in every sector. can you describe in more detail— the economy in every sector. can you describe in more detail which- describe in more detail which sectors — describe in more detail which sectors you _ describe in more detail which sectors you think _ describe in more detail which sectors you think should - describe in more detail which sectors you think should be i describe in more detail which- 5ector5 you think should be exempt, sectors you think should be exempt, and would _ sectors you think should be exempt, and would you — sectors you think should be exempt, and would you hesitate _ sectors you think should be exempt, and would you hesitate to _ sectors you think should be exempt, and would you hesitate to extend - and would you hesitate to extend that list _ and would you hesitate to extend that list of— and would you hesitate to extend that list of exemptions _ and would you hesitate to extend that list of exemptions if - and would you hesitate to extend that list of exemptions if 5eriou5| that list of exemptions if serious economic—

that list of exemptions if serious economic disruption— that list of exemptions if serious economic disruption was - that list of exemptions if serious economic disruption was being i economic disruption was being caused? — economic disruption was being caused? l— economic disruption was being caused? ., ., , ., ., economic disruption was being caused? ., ., ., the caused? i will go last, go on. the oint caused? ! will go last, go on. the point about— caused? i will go last, go on. the point about testing _ caused? i will go last, go on. the point about testing is _ caused? i will go last, go on. the point about testing is twofold. i caused? i will go last, go on. the. point about testing is twofold. one is just the number of tests and the ability to use them, but the second is that the whole system comes under strain. the larger the numbers, the more difficult it is to make sure everybody does get tested. i have said before that things like test, trace and isolate our most effective when numbers are low, and they become increasingly difficult operationally when cases are high. the combination of those things is what puts testing under pressure as numbers go up, and it depends how high they go as to how much pressure it ultimately comes under. that is what we need to watch out for as numbers continue to increase. thanks for the question. _ numbers continue to increase. thanks for the question. i _ numbers continue to increase. thanks for the question. i have _ numbers continue to increase. thanks for the question. i have young - for the question. i have young adults— for the question. i have young adults who are my friends and parts of my— adults who are my friends and parts of my family. and they like

socialising and they like parting, that's— socialising and they like parting, that's clear. —— they like partying. in that's clear. —— they like partying. in some _ that's clear. —— they like partying. in some cases, i am not referring now to _ in some cases, i am not referring now to my— in some cases, i am not referring now to my family, i am referring to young _ now to my family, i am referring to young people in general, because of the sacrifices they have made for the sacrifices they have made for the older— the sacrifices they have made for the older populations in the uk to look down — the older populations in the uk to look down and prevent those catastrophic levels of hospitalisation and dying in the other— hospitalisation and dying in the other lee, they have made sacrifices in terms _ other lee, they have made sacrifices in terms of— other lee, they have made sacrifices in terms of the kind of social interactions they can have and in terms _ interactions they can have and in terms of— interactions they can have and in terms of the relationships they can be building at a time when young people _ be building at a time when young people want to they have the absolute right to build relationships for the future. sol completely sympathise with that. on the science side, however, it is a case _ the science side, however, it is a case in _ the science side, however, it is a case in point _ the science side, however, it is a case in point that if you pack my garden — case in point that if you pack my garden shed full of people and they are unvaccinated, the likelihood of

transmission is going to be far greater— transmission is going to be far greater than if you pack my garden shed full— greater than if you pack my garden shed full of people who have been fully vaccinated and have come 14 days out — fully vaccinated and have come 14 days out of— fully vaccinated and have come 14 days out of the other side of their second _ days out of the other side of their second dose. it will not reduce the risks— second dose. it will not reduce the risks to _ second dose. it will not reduce the risks to zero. nothing reduces the risks— risks to zero. nothing reduces the risks to _ risks to zero. nothing reduces the risks to zero. nothing reduces the risks to zero other than standing in a meadow— risks to zero other than standing in a meadow completely on your own add-in— a meadow completely on your own add-in for— a meadow completely on your own add—in for with nobody coming within three _ add—in for with nobody coming within three metres of you —— ad infinitum. but it— three metres of you —— ad infinitum. but it is— three metres of you —— ad infinitum. but it is a _ three metres of you —— ad infinitum. but it is a case — three metres of you —— ad infinitum. but it is a case in point that epidemiologically and scientifically, rest on the policy side is — scientifically, rest on the policy side is for— scientifically, rest on the policy side is for ministers, but epidemiologically, vaccinated groups of people _ epidemiologically, vaccinated groups of people are generally safer on transmission terms than unvaccinated people _ transmission terms than unvaccinated people and _ transmission terms than unvaccinated people and i'm sure patrick would agree _ people and i'm sure patrick would agree with — people and i'm sure patrick would agree with that.— agree with that. thanks, jvt. on our agree with that. thanks, jvt. on your point _ agree with that. thanks, jvt. on your point about _ agree with that. thanks, jvt. on

your point about the _ agree with that. thanks, jvt. on your point about the cbi, - agree with that. thanks, jvt. on your point about the cbi, karen i agree with that. thanks, jvt. on | your point about the cbi, karen is right to draw attention to the disruption businesses are facing. everybody�*s being inundated with appeals for us to end the test, trace and i selected them and i understand that. the list i read out of the sectors that are crucial to our country that will be able to use different arrangements, that is not a negligible list. there are some important sectors there. but we don't want to extend it to widely, obviously, george, because this is one of the few shots we have got left in our locker, one of the only shots left to stop the chain reaction of the spread of covid. you have heard the statistics. you are five times more likely to catch it if you are a contact of someone who has it and even if you have been

vaccinated, you're still capable of spreading it. so there are sound epidemiological reasons now for keeping cautious and i'm afraid that is what we have got to do. i know how frustrating it is for people, but once we have got more people vaccinated, we will be moving on august the 16th to a different regime based on testing rather than isolation. i know that is a welterweight, but this was never going to be —— i know it is a while to wait, but it was never going to be easy. we can only open up because we have vaccinated so many people. the answer is, please follow the recommendations of the nhs test and trace and please get a chat. paul. 50 professor van tam. last week chris— 50 professor van tam. last week chris whitty — 50 professor van tam. last week chris whitty said _ 50 professor van tam. last week chris whitty said the _ 50 professor van tam. last week chris whitty said the number - 50 professor van tam. last week chris whitty said the number of l chris whitty said the number of people — chris whitty said the number of people hospitalised _ chris whitty said the number of people hospitalised could - chris whitty said the number of people hospitalised could hit. chris whitty said the number of - people hospitalised could hit pretty scary numbers _ people hospitalised could hit pretty scary numbers if—

people hospitalised could hit pretty scary numbers if the _ people hospitalised could hit pretty scary numbers if the trend - scary numbers if the trend continues _ scary numbers if the trend continues. if— scary numbers if the trend continues. if rising - continues. if rising hospitalisations. continues. if rising hospitalisations do continues. if rising - hospitalisations do pose a continues. if rising _ hospitalisations do pose a risk at the nhs. — hospitalisations do pose a risk at the nhs. what _ hospitalisations do pose a risk at the nhs, what would _ hospitalisations do pose a risk at the nhs, what would be - hospitalisations do pose a risk at the nhs, what would be the - hospitalisations do pose a risk at the nhs, what would be the first restrictions— the nhs, what would be the first restrictions you _ the nhs, what would be the first restrictions you would _ the nhs, what would be the first restrictions you would be - the nhs, what would be the first. restrictions you would be tempted the nhs, what would be the first- restrictions you would be tempted to reapply _ restrictions you would be tempted to reapply that — restrictions you would be tempted to reapply that would _ restrictions you would be tempted to reapply that would have _ restrictions you would be tempted to reapply that would have the - restrictions you would be tempted to reapply that would have the most. reapply that would have the most proportionate _ reapply that would have the most proportionate and _ reapply that would have the most proportionate and immediate - reapply that would have the most - proportionate and immediate impact? and to _ proportionate and immediate impact? and to sir— proportionate and immediate impact? and to sir patrick, _ proportionate and immediate impact? and to sir patrick, no _ proportionate and immediate impact? and to sir patrick, no country- proportionate and immediate impact? and to sir patrick, no country has - and to sir patrick, no country has relaxed _ and to sir patrick, no country has relaxed restrictions _ and to sir patrick, no country has relaxed restrictions as _ and to sir patrick, no country has relaxed restrictions as cases - and to sir patrick, no country has relaxed restrictions as cases are. relaxed restrictions as cases are rising _ relaxed restrictions as cases are rising so— relaxed restrictions as cases are rising so rapidly— relaxed restrictions as cases are rising so rapidly as _ relaxed restrictions as cases are rising so rapidly as they- relaxed restrictions as cases are rising so rapidly as they are - relaxed restrictions as cases are. rising so rapidly as they are here. do you _ rising so rapidly as they are here. do you think— rising so rapidly as they are here. do you think we _ rising so rapidly as they are here. do you think we should _ rising so rapidly as they are here. do you think we should level - rising so rapidly as they are here. do you think we should level withj do you think we should level with the public— do you think we should level with the public that— do you think we should level with the public that this _ do you think we should level with the public that this is _ do you think we should level with the public that this is essentiallyl the public that this is essentially a huge _ the public that this is essentially a huge experiment _ the public that this is essentially a huge experiment and - the public that this is essentially a huge experiment and that- the public that this is essentiallyj a huge experiment and that they the public that this is essentially- a huge experiment and that they are the guinea _ a huge experiment and that they are the guinea pigs? _ a huge experiment and that they are the guinea pigs? prime _ a huge experiment and that they are the guinea pigs? prime minister, - the guinea pigs? prime minister, finally. _ the guinea pigs? prime minister, finally. sir— the guinea pigs? prime minister, finally, sirjeremy_ the guinea pigs? prime minister, finally, sirjeremy farrar, - the guinea pigs? prime minister, finally, sirjeremy farrar, a - the guinea pigs? prime minister, i finally, sirjeremy farrar, a member of sage. _ finally, sirjeremy farrar, a member of sage. has— finally, sirjeremy farrar, a member of sage. has said _ finally, sirjeremy farrar, a member of sage, has said today— finally, sirjeremy farrar, a member of sage, has said today it _ finally, sirjeremy farrar, a member of sage, has said today it is - finally, sirjeremy farrar, a member of sage, has said today it is a - of sage, has said today it is a disgrace _ of sage, has said today it is a disgrace that _ of sage, has said today it is a disgrace that the _ of sage, has said today it is a disgrace that the public - of sage, has said today it is a i disgrace that the public inquiry into the — disgrace that the public inquiry into the pandemic _ disgrace that the public inquiry into the pandemic won't - disgrace that the public inquiry into the pandemic won't start i disgrace that the public inquiry - into the pandemic won't start until next year— into the pandemic won't start until next year at — into the pandemic won't start until next year at the _ into the pandemic won't start until next year at the earliest. - into the pandemic won't start until next year at the earliest. he - into the pandemic won't start until next year at the earliest. he said i next year at the earliest. he said there _ next year at the earliest. he said there is— next year at the earliest. he said there is no— next year at the earliest. he said there is no reason— next year at the earliest. he said there is no reason for— next year at the earliest. he said there is no reason for the - next year at the earliest. he said there is no reason for the delay. there is no reason for the delay other— there is no reason for the delay other than— there is no reason for the delay other than political— there is no reason for the delay. other than political manoeuvring. there is no reason for the delay- other than political manoeuvring. i5 other than political manoeuvring. is he right? _ other than political manoeuvring. is he rirht? ., other than political manoeuvring. is he rirht? . ., . other than political manoeuvring. is he rirht? . . . . he right? patrick and jvt, and then i will he right? patrick and jvt, and then i will come — he right? patrick and jvt, and then i will come in. _ he right? patrick and jvt, and then iwill come in. i— he right? patrick and jvt, and then i will come in. i think— he right? patrick and jvt, and then i will come in. i think for _ he right? patrick and jvt, and then i will come in. i think for once, - he right? patrick and jvt, and then i will come in. i think for once, i i i will come in. i think for once, i robabl i will come in. i think for once, i probably got _ i will come in. i think for once, i probably got the _ i will come in. i think for once, i probably got the easy _ i will come in. i think for once, i probably got the easy question. | i will come in. i think for once, i i probably got the easy question. on probably got the easy question. 0n hospitalisations, we are in a situation _ hospitalisations, we are in a situation now where the nhs is not,

at the _ situation now where the nhs is not, at the moment, and anything like the pressure _ at the moment, and anything like the pressure that it was injanuary at the moment, and anything like the pressure that it was in january and february — pressure that it was in january and february. but today is the day when society— february. but today is the day when society opens up. the knock—on effect _ society opens up. the knock—on effect on — society opens up. the knock—on effect on infections will be seven to ten— effect on infections will be seven to ten days from now before we can even _ to ten days from now before we can even see _ to ten days from now before we can even see much of a flicker of the impact _ even see much of a flicker of the impact of— even see much of a flicker of the impact of that. and then we will have _ impact of that. and then we will have to — impact of that. and then we will have to wait another seven to ten days _ have to wait another seven to ten days after — have to wait another seven to ten days after the to see the impact on hospitalisations. but all the predictions are that if cases continue _ predictions are that if cases continue to rise, there will be increased _ continue to rise, there will be increased pressure on hospitals. and what the _ increased pressure on hospitals. and what the nhs has in front of it now is not _ what the nhs has in front of it now is not only— what the nhs has in front of it now is not only dealing with these new hospitalisations, but also dealing with the — hospitalisations, but also dealing with the catch up of other care that it needs _ with the catch up of other care that it needs to— with the catch up of other care that it needs to now provide that it couldn't— it needs to now provide that it couldn't when, frankly, there were times— couldn't when, frankly, there were times when— couldn't when, frankly, there were times when the nhs could do very little other than care for patients with covid — little other than care for patients

with covid because it was so overworked. 0n with covid because it was so overworked. on top of that, hospital staff. _ overworked. on top of that, hospital staff, health care staff and primary carer _ staff, health care staff and primary care. across — staff, health care staff and primary care, across the whole gamut, these heroes _ care, across the whole gamut, these heroes have — care, across the whole gamut, these heroes have been flat out for 18 months — heroes have been flat out for 18 months and then retired people. i know— months and then retired people. i know that —— they are tired people. and in— know that —— they are tired people. and in terms— know that —— they are tired people. and in terms of what we would do if we got _ and in terms of what we would do if we got into— and in terms of what we would do if we got into a position where we were in that— we got into a position where we were in that situation, that is something that would — in that situation, that is something that would go back to sage for consideration. but i think we know that what— consideration. but i think we know that what puts the pressure back on r is a _ that what puts the pressure back on r is a close — that what puts the pressure back on r is a close contact indoors. it is indoor— r is a close contact indoors. it is indoor things that are the worst, and that— indoor things that are the worst, and that is— indoor things that are the worst, and that is one of the reasons why right— and that is one of the reasons why right now. — and that is one of the reasons why right now, with the weather as it is and summer— right now, with the weather as it is and summerahead of right now, with the weather as it is and summer ahead of us, if there is and summer ahead of us, if there is a good— and summer ahead of us, if there is a good time. — and summer ahead of us, if there is a good time, there is no such thing as a sweet—

a good time, there is no such thing as a sweet spot, i'm afraid, with a5 a sweet spot, i'm afraid, with covid-19. — a5 a sweet spot, i'm afraid, with covid—19, but if there is a sweet spot. _ covid—19, but if there is a sweet spot. going _ covid—19, but if there is a sweet spot, going into the summer, when 5pot, going into the summer, when many— 5pot, going into the summer, when many of— spot, going into the summer, when many of the — spot, going into the summer, when many of the things we like doing can be done _ many of the things we like doing can be done outdoors, is a good place to be. be done outdoors, is a good place to be it— be done outdoors, is a good place to be. . be done outdoors, is a good place to be. , ., , ., , , , be done outdoors, is a good place to be. , ., ., be done outdoors, is a good place to be. , ., , ., be done outdoors, is a good place to be. , ., , be. it is not possible to open up without cases _ be. it is not possible to open up without cases going _ be. it is not possible to open up without cases going up, - be. it is not possible to open up without cases going up, so - be. it is not possible to open up without cases going up, so that| be. it is not possible to open up i without cases going up, so that is an inevitable consequence, and if you look back at the road map right from february and the modelling predicted that levels would go up following step three, and they would go following step three, and they would 9° up following step three, and they would go up further following step four. so where we are is where you would expect to be as you begin to open up, even with a heavily vaccinated population. and that has of course been amplified by the presence of the delta variant which is much more transmissible. so we are now in a situation as we said earlier with high case levels that will increase further, and opening up will increase that again because of the big indoor step associated with step

four. the models or show that if you go more slowly, and it comes back to the point we have said repeatedly, go very cautiously, slowly, change behaviours slowly, avoid the sorts of environments where you will get more spread and be careful, then the size of the peak will be lower. but the opening up into an increasing wave does carry specific risks of increased infection which is then mitigated by the presence of vaccinations, and the sorts of numbers that the models are saying, it is very likely that we will get above a thousand hospitalisations a day, it could be higher than that, and there will be deaths of course associated with that. so it is laid out very clearly in the papers as to what the risks are associated with that, and opening up into an increasing wave as predicted will lead to a further increase. i think thatis lead to a further increase. i think that is very clear.— that is very clear. thanks very much, that is very clear. thanks very much. and — that is very clear. thanks very much. and l — that is very clear. thanks very much, and i would _ that is very clear. thanks very much, and i would really - that is very clear. thanks very i much, and i would really answer that is very clear. thanks very - much, and i would really answer the

point made byjeremy harris, a brilliant public scientist, with the observation of another brilliant public scientist, jonathan van—tam, which is that we are working flat out, the nhs is working absolutely flat out, we are in the middle of a third not insignificant wave of covid, and ijust don't think third not insignificant wave of covid, and i just don't think that this is the right time to ask so many leading public officials to concentrate so much of their energy and mental space to a public inquiry, but i do think that next spring there will be as far as i can tell, i think they're almost certainly will be at the right time, and we will go ahead, they will be a full, proper public inquiry, but i want to stress to you and to all our view is that we continue to learn lessons the whole time. 0k, everybody, thank you to patrick and to jonathan everybody, thank you to patrick and tojonathan van—tam, and thank you all very much for watching.

studio: my goodness, there is a lot to chew over with that news conference, borisjohnson, sir conference, boris johnson, sir patrick conference, borisjohnson, sir patrick vallance, professorjonathan patrick vallance, professor jonathan van—tam. patrick vallance, professorjonathan van—tam. in our last few remaining minutes we have a lot of reaction to fit in. our health correspondentjim reed has been watching all of that alongside me. there is so much in that. let's start with one thing that. let's start with one thing thatis that. let's start with one thing that is clearly exercising one particular part of the economy, because some dramatic observations about nightclubs. do explain, because some restrictions are coming in. ~ ., , . , , in. we were not expecting this, this is new stuff — in. we were not expecting this, this is new stuff today. _ in. we were not expecting this, this is new stuff today. they _ in. we were not expecting this, this is new stuff today. they have - in. we were not expecting this, this is new stuff today. they have said i is new stuff today. they have said today, this is the first use of domestic vaccine passports in the uk. from the end of september in england, it will be mandatory to show a double jab vaccine passports before getting into a nightclub. the prime minister there saying proof of a negative test will no longer be

enough. that is important because there is a loophole in the system at there is a loophole in the system at the moment where even if you show a vaccine passports, and you don't have to until the end of september, then you can take a lateral flow test and get in. the prime minister is going to say, no, it will have to be two doses of the vaccine by then. and the big reason for that is he said today 35% of 18 to 30—year—olds have not had a single dose of the vaccine yet, despite being offered one, and that is what they are trying to stop. they are trying to get that younger age group signed up, and one obvious way to do that is to make vaccine passports mandatory for nightclubs, which is what we are going to see from the end of september. bud what we are going to see from the end of september.— what we are going to see from the end of september. and there has been reaction already _ end of september. and there has been reaction already from _ end of september. and there has been reaction already from the _ end of september. and there has been reaction already from the night-time i reaction already from the night—time industry, and you can almost feel the steam coming off this statement. not happy at all. let's get some reaction from labour as well, because the labour mpjustin madders joins me, the shadow minister for health and social careful stop your thoughts about that, first of all. i appreciate that is not entirely at your brief, but it was not expected,

and the night—time industry that has suffered so much in the last 16 months not happy at all. know, and i think we can — months not happy at all. know, and i think we can forgive _ months not happy at all. know, and i think we can forgive them _ months not happy at all. know, and i think we can forgive them for - months not happy at all. know, and i think we can forgive them for not - think we can forgive them for not knowing — think we can forgive them for not knowing where they stand from one week— knowing where they stand from one week to _ knowing where they stand from one week to the next. this is about the fourth _ week to the next. this is about the fourth u—turn on vaccine passports, and i_ fourth u—turn on vaccine passports, and i really— fourth u—turn on vaccine passports, and i really have to say i don't understand the logic of saying at the moment when we have got probably the moment when we have got probably the highest _ the moment when we have got probably the highest case rate that we have this year— the highest case rate that we have this year that it is ok for people to go— this year that it is ok for people to go into — this year that it is ok for people to go into nightclubs without any kind of— to go into nightclubs without any kind of vaccine passports, but in two months, they will need it. does that suggest we will have a higher level of— that suggest we will have a higher level of cases in september? if that is where _ level of cases in september? if that is where we — level of cases in september? if that is where we are, we will be a lot more _ is where we are, we will be a lot more than — is where we are, we will be a lot more than vaccine passports to get a -rip more than vaccine passports to get a grip of— more than vaccine passports to get a grip of the _ more than vaccine passports to get a grip of the virus. itjust doesn't make _ grip of the virus. itjust doesn't make any— grip of the virus. itjust doesn't make any sense at all. in grip of the virus. itjust doesn't make any sense at all. in terms of toda 's make any sense at all. in terms of today's easing _ make any sense at all. in terms of today's easing in _ make any sense at all. in terms of today's easing in england, - make any sense at all. in terms of today's easing in england, the - make any sense at all. in terms of. today's easing in england, the prime minister again made the point that if we don't do it now, he said, it will be harder in a few months when the virus has what he described as a natural advantage, when we get into those winter months and we know

about the impact of that, and we know about everyone being indoors. that is still a valid point, isn't it? it that is still a valid point, isn't it? ., , ., ., , , it? it goes against everything he has had for _ it? it goes against everything he has had for the _ it? it goes against everything he has had for the last _ it? it goes against everything he has had for the last six - it? it goes against everything he has had for the last six months, | has had for the last six months, which _ has had for the last six months, which is — has had for the last six months, which is when he talked about the road map. — which is when he talked about the road map, he said will be but driven by data _ road map, he said will be but driven by data not— road map, he said will be but driven by data not dates, and now he is saying. — by data not dates, and now he is saying. we — by data not dates, and now he is saying, we are in the summer, that is the _ saying, we are in the summer, that is the time — saying, we are in the summer, that is the time of— saying, we are in the summer, that is the time of year when hopefully they will— is the time of year when hopefully they will be less cases. but actually _ they will be less cases. but actually a5 they will be less cases. but actually as we know we are at as many— actually as we know we are at as many as— actually as we know we are at as many as we _ actually as we know we are at as many as we have ever had, and i think— many as we have ever had, and i think our— many as we have ever had, and i think our position is still one of great _ think our position is still one of great concern, to throw out every single — great concern, to throw out every single measure all at the same time as a huge _ single measure all at the same time as a huge gamble, and we heard from a5 a huge gamble, and we heard from the scientist _ a5 a huge gamble, and we heard from the scientist that they also think that this — the scientist that they also think that this is a step into the unknown. that this is a step into the unknown-— that this is a step into the unknown. �* ,, ., , unknown. and in terms of essentially t int to unknown. and in terms of essentially trying to compel _ unknown. and in terms of essentially trying to compel people _ unknown. and in terms of essentially trying to compel people and - trying to compel people and particularly young people in relation to nightclubs, i guess, but others more broadly to compel people to go and get a vaccine, if we are starting to go down that route of vaccine passports, how do you feel about that as a general principle in

society? late about that as a general principle in socie ? ~ ., about that as a general principle in socie ? . . ., , society? we have always felt the element of _ society? we have always felt the element of compulsion - society? we have always felt the element of compulsion was - society? we have always felt the - element of compulsion was probably counter—productive, and we have to say actually — counter—productive, and we have to say actually for young people in particular, most of them who haven't had the _ particular, most of them who haven't had the opportunity to get their vaccine — had the opportunity to get their vaccine doses yet, so actually let's try and _ vaccine doses yet, so actually let's try and work— vaccine doses yet, so actually let's try and work on an education programme, or on an availability programme, or on an availability programme as well, so that people understand the importance of getting the jab _ understand the importance of getting the jab. going down the road of compulsion will bring some pushback, and compulsion will bring 5ome pushback, and that— compulsion will bring some pushback, and that will be ultimately counter—productive. and that will be ultimately counter-productive.- and that will be ultimately counter- roductive. , . n, , counter-productive. justin madders, thank ou counter-productive. justin madders, thank you so — counter-productive. justin madders, thank you so much. _ counter-productive. justin madders, thank you so much. i'm _ counter-productive. justin madders, thank you so much. i'm sorry - counter-productive. justin madders, i thank you so much. i'm sorry because obviously there is an awful lot more there that i would like to talk to about, but we are edging up to the six clock news. let's get some quick thoughts. 0ur deputy political editor vicki young is in westminster. there was a lot in that briefing, what stood out for you? i there was a lot in that briefing, what stood out for you?- there was a lot in that briefing, what stood out for you? i think what this does, what stood out for you? i think what this does. i — what stood out for you? i think what this does, i keep _ what stood out for you? i think what this does, i keep thinking _ what stood out for you? i think what this does, i keep thinking about - this does, i keep thinking about when we first talked about step four of the road map, the unlocking in england, and to ministers and the

prime minister you to talk about it as a day where we might return to normality, and it doesn't feel like that, notjust because the prime minister himself is in isolation along with his health secretary on the chancellor as well, but immediately having just opened nightclubs, he is already talking about more restrictions that they are planning on september, and i think the interesting thing about that, the possible use of covert passports, if you want to say that, vaccination status to be used on entry, i think he is not ruling out applying to other venues. he is not necessary just talking about nightclubs here, other crowded venues, he suggested he doesn't want it to apply to pubs but already we are hearing from mps who are concerned about this. this is not the day they expected it to be, this is when they think think should be returning to normal rather than threats about more restrictions coming later on in the autumn. ititeri,�*r coming later on in the autumn. very interesting- — coming later on in the autumn. very interesting. all _ coming later on in the autumn. very interesting. all right, _ coming later on in the autumn. very interesting. all right, vicki, we will let you go and get more reaction to that. our deputy political editor at vicki young with

her initial thoughts. so, a very striking news briefing from the prime minister. the rising numbers of covid, it is of course going up, but the numbers are within the margins of what was predicted, said borisjohnson, but in terms of that issue that you can see dominating in certain quarters, the reaction already very hostile from the night—time industry, and boris johnson asked about pubs is a knock—on, and he said i don't want to see passports for pubs, but we reserve the right to do what is necessary. much more on all of that coming up in the next few minutes on the six o'clock news with fiona bruce. we will leave you right now with a quick look at the weather prospects, that is an important story right now as well. here is susan powell. hello. in response to the ongoing heat across the uk, the met office has now issued an extreme heat warning for parts of england and wales. it's the first time we've seen one of these warnings issued, but this part of our warnings suite only came into force from the 1st of

june. it essentially indicates elevated temperatures both by day and by night. you can get more details on what that warning means and how it fits in with the other warnings by taking a look on our website. 0vernight there will be a lot of heat hanging around over the uk with the core of it across england and wales, and some areas, the bulk of the sleeping hours, temperature sitting close to 20 degrees. this is the weather pattern thatis degrees. this is the weather pattern that is bringing all of the heat. a lot of sunshine across much of the uk, but underneath that area of high pressure, tuesday afternoon, a little like we saw on monday, the possibility of some very localised clusters of thunderstorms breaking out, a little more cloud for northern scotland, cooler here but heat creeping into southern scotland and northern ireland, temperatures around the 30 mark for many inland spots across england and wales. a closer look certainly worthy for

those showers, heading later on into the afternoon on tuesday into the small hours of wednesday. could locally be inundated with rain, some thunder certainly and some large hail. forwednesday, thunder certainly and some large hail. for wednesday, we still have the high with us, again an indicator that for the east of england, just enough instability sits in the atmosphere of the sea thunderstorms breaking out, perhaps earlier in the day, midday into the afternoon on wednesday. more cloud across the north—east of england, and that will lingerfor north sea north—east of england, and that will linger for north sea coast, north—east of england, and that will lingerfor north sea coast, so cooler for the likes of newcastle and hull, still plenty of places that are mid to high 20s, and the extreme heat warning stands for those parts of wales on into thursday. friday a different story, the temperatures eased back, fresher air is arriving, and where is it coming from? getting pulled in around an area of low pressure, starting to approach the south—west of the uk. 0vernight friday it may start to throw out some showers and it looks like they will be plenty of

those circulating around in time for the weekend.

as all social distancing restrictions are lifted in england — the government announces plans for covid passports from september and urges caution. three, two, one... cheering. but for clubbers hitting the dance floor for the first time in over a year, it's a moment of pure elation. i'm buzzing, i'm buzzing, me. because i'm a massive, massive social person, me. and this lockdown, i've found it really tough. people are dancing, we're all drinking again, no social distancing. this is what life's about. absolutely. butjust hours after the clubs reopen, the prime minister warns people of plans to prove they're fully vaccinated by september if they want to go to crowded indoor places in england. we're are planning to make full vaccination the condition of entry to night clubs and other venues where large crowds gather. proof of a negative test will no longer be enough.