this is bbc news. these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. scotland yard says it hasn't requested a delay to the publication of the sue gray report into lockdown gatherings in downing street and whitehall. uk prime minister borisjohnson is reportedly wavering on plans to raise national insurance to fund health and social care, as those inquries into party claims continue. on the bbc�*s question time programme, a uk ministeradmitted the move is unpopular. everybody in the room is against it, everybody in the room is feeling the squeeze. is that fair? are you all against it? yeah. how do you feel about the increase? are you willing to pay the extra to fund health and social care? we want to hear from you. get in touch at @benmboulos using

the hashtag bbc your questions. russia's foreign minister, sergei lavrov, says that moscow doesn't want war with ukraine. he appeared to strike a positive tone on us security proposals to ease tensions in europe. doubts over the timing of the positive covid test used by novak djokovic to enter australia. british sign language is on course to become a recognised language in england, making it more prominent in public service announcements. hello and welcome if you're watching in the uk or around the world. scotland yard has given more details about its contact with the cabinet office team preparing the report on lockdown gatherings at downing street.

the findings of sue gray's inquiry are yet to be published and the metropolitan police say they aren't responsible for the delay. but they've confirmed they want "minimal reference" in that report to events they're investigating themselves. more from our political correspondent nick eardley. it basically says that the met had been in contact with sue gray and asked her to only include minimal reference to the event that they themselves are investigating. we had expected to get the report from sue gray earlier this week, perhaps tuesday or wednesday, but the announcement from the met on tuesday about their own probe really threw a spanner in the works, one that is still being dealt with and i think this latest statement will throw another spanner into the works. because it suggests that some of the more serious allegations will not be able to be fully explored in sue gray's report. the language they use in the statement is they want

to avoid any prejudice to their investigation. it is not completely clear to me what that means but it does suggest that some of the more serious allegations will not be fully explored in the way that they might have been. my understanding this morning, speaking to people close to sue gray, is that she does still want to put out a report, if it was the option of a report or something redacted, she would rather put something into the public domain. but it will probably lead to accusations from opposition parties that this process, the cabinet office process, risks being a bit of a whitewash. in the past hour i have spoken to a government minister, the culture minister, who said that this process is independent, it is not one for the government to dictate but they do think that over the fullness of time, the sue gray report and the met investigation will get to the bottom of this, but that is but that is both reports together. the initial plan was for sue gray

to get all the facts into the open and it is not completely clear this morning if that will still happen. and meanwhile there is this wavering on the planned rise in national insurance contributions which is due to come in in april to help fund health and social but what is going on with that? the political context of the sue gray report is really important here because basically borisjohnson is on the ropes and he knows that his fate will be decided by conservative mps. he is seeing a lot of them regularly to try to win them over and a lot of them are telling him that they want the national insurance rise to be either cancelled or postponed for a year. there is a growing number of conservative mps who are saying exactly that, robert halfon, a senior tory backbencher, told the bbc this morning he wants the government to go back to the drawing board on this because it will have the biggest impact on low income families. is the government going to budge?

it's not totally clear, to be honest, borisjohnson said yesterday, the sort of answer that raises eyebrows in westminster, where he said we have to fund the nhs and find money for that and social care, but didn't categorically say the national insurance rise would go ahead in april. the word from downing street is there are no plans to change it but i think the pressure on borisjohnson for a rethink is only going to get more considerable in the next few days and weeks. nick eardley there. earlier i spoke to alex bailin qc and asked him what we should read into this development. there is a very sensitive political investigation being done by an independent civil servant and i can understand politically why everyone wants to see sue gray's report but the timing of it has cut right across a criminal investigation. a criminal investigation has the highest standards of procedural fairness.

the met will want to get uncontaminated individual accounts from witnesses and from suspects as to what happened and if sue gray were to publish her report warts and all, saying, for example, i've found such and such an account to be inconsistent or i found so and so to be unconvincing, that has a real potential to prejudice the criminal investigation and that's why, as i understand it, the met have asked her to make minimal reference to the incidents that they are investigating. i would have thought that if there were the possibility of a criminal trial, and not wanting to prejudice a jury, but for lockdown infringements, if indeed the police consider at the end there were any, it would normally result in a fixed penalty. surely professional investigators would know to disregard a civil service report

and conduct their own investigations and not be swayed one way or another by the publication of the report. that is a good question. you are right, the risk of contaminating a jury is not there for the fine—only offences but it may be that the met are investigating perverting the course ofjustice. there is some suggestion there was the instruction to clean up phones and the like. i have no idea if that is correct or not but the met will want to keep everything possible open. they might have that in mind. aside from prejudicing anyjury at a trial, as you say, that couldn't be an issue in a fine—only offence, but they will want uncontaminated individual accounts so if sue gray publishes what each person has said, different accounts and so forth, then everyone will know what everyone else has said so the met will not be able to conduct a clean investigation. so i understand why they are asking

effectively for a delay in publication of sue gray's report, even though politically everybody wants it. i don't think it is the met gagging sue gray. i think it's the met saying, hold off for now until we have conducted our investigation so you don't cross contaminate who we speak to. daniel sandford, our home affairs correspondent, joins me now. do we have any idea why the met have said this and now? the do we have any idea why the met have said this and now?— said this and now? the reason they have said it — said this and now? the reason they have said it now _ said this and now? the reason they have said it now is _ said this and now? the reason they have said it now is because - said this and now? the reason they have said it now is because of- said this and now? the reason they have said it now is because of a - have said it now is because of a number of articles in the papers overnight suggesting they were trying to seek a delay of the sue gray report which they categorically deny. from the moment it became clear that some of these events at downing street and whitehall were going to end up being investigated by police, as possible breaches of health protection regulations, it was always going to be the case that if a sue gray wanted to publish a detailed blow by blow by blow

account, it wasn't going to be possible for the reasons that you see what explaining their. my understanding is that that has not been the plan for sometime and actually the sue gray report that has been prepared for publication currently is actually not that, it is a summary of which events took place and a sort of overview of whether that was appropriate or not. i think the met, when asked, did you say that sue gray cannot publish very detailed accounts, they have said yes, we have asked for minimal accounts but i don't think they have intervened at the last minute saying you can't publish all that, don't do that. there is a discussion going on about wording but probably they will want to know that a detailed account wasn't possible. im’ith want to know that a detailed account wasn't possible.— wasn't possible. with that in mind, do we have — wasn't possible. with that in mind, do we have any _ wasn't possible. with that in mind, do we have any idea _ wasn't possible. with that in mind, do we have any idea of _ wasn't possible. with that in mind, do we have any idea of the - wasn't possible. with that in mind, l do we have any idea of the timescale of the met police investigation and when it might be ready? it’s

of the met police investigation and when it might be ready?— when it might be ready? it's very difficult, clearly _ when it might be ready? it's very difficult, clearly this _ when it might be ready? it's very difficult, clearly this is _ when it might be ready? it's very difficult, clearly this is a - difficult, clearly this is a politically enormously important story, and enormously significant police investigation because who might get these fines is very politically significant. but as crimes, they are, at the very, very low end, fixed penalty notices, arguably less than a speeding fine because with those you also get points on your licence, so it's very low end in terms of punishment involved so it not be proportionate for the met to conduct a massive and lengthy investigation lasting many months involving people being interviewed under caution with solicitors at police stations, that's not how it's going to be. i think each person that might or might not have been involved in one of these events that has been seen as a possible breach of regulation, it might be asked a simple set of questions, do you agree with their

uc. i think realistically it is a few weeks of a police investigation, not months —— what did you see point of no doubt we will speak again about it, thank you for now. there's increasing pressure on the government to delay a planned rise in national insurance. a number of conservative mps have joined calls to put off the increase for a year, to help relieve the cost of living crisis. under the plans, employees, employers and the self—employed will all pay 1.25p more in the pound for national insurance from april 2022. this extra tax is then collected as the new health and social care levy. the increase will see an employee on £20,000 a year pay an extra £130 in tax. someone on £50,000 will pay £505 more. critics have said the increase will have a higher impact on the lower—paid and could contribute to inflation at a time when household budgets are under pressure. the defence minister, james heappey,

has admitted that the government will need to do "a lot more" to help people struggling financially. he said the government is "in listening mode". helen catt reports. welcome to question time. speaking on the bbc�*s question time programme, the armed forces ministerjames heappey appeared to concede that raising national insurance from april to pay for the covid backlog in social care was unpopular, describing opposition among the audience in morecambe as absolute. everybody in the room is against it. everybody in the room is feeling the squeeze. is that fair? are you all against it? yeah. audience applauds. mr heappey also said that the government was in listening mode. you'll have noticed that the top of the government is in listening mode at the moment. and, erm... but the cabinet took the decision, and i think that it's important to recognise that actually as a tax, it will — i think sort of 50% of the revenue's raised by the top 14% of taxpayers, and there's six million people that pay nothing at all. so, arm, you know, it isn't the, eh,

the blunt instrument that some people have described it as. there are calls from some conservative backbenchers for the rise to be delayed for a year. mel stride, who chairs the treasury select committee, told newsnight that he believed there was wiggle room in the public finances to allow it. the economy is doing quite a lot better than the obr forecast at the time of the last budget, so we've got that additional fiscal headroom. and the question then becomes, how do you use that? asked yesterday if the rise would go ahead, the prime minister said it was absolutely vital that covid backlogs and social care were fixed. his official spokesman later said there were no plans to change what had previously been set out. a treasury source said there had not been any discussions about changing the policy. helen catt, bbc news, westminster. carl emmerson is the deputy director of the institute for fiscal studies, an economic research institute

based in london. this suggestion that the burden would fall disproportionately on people who earn less, what is your analysis of that? i people who earn less, what is your analysis of that?— analysis of that? i don't think that is really correct _ analysis of that? i don't think that is really correct pond _ analysis of that? i don't think that is really correct pond across - is really correct pond across working age earners, the more you earn, the more you will pay, both in cash terms and as a share of your earnings and clearly people can point out alternative ways of raising the money they might consider that fairer, for example a national insurance rise is a tax on earners, the employed and self—employed, it does not tax people who get their income from rental income, people who get their money from pension income and some might consider that a more appropriate way of raising the revenue, to include that. put across the working population, across their earnings, it is a progressive tax rise. ., ., ~' earnings, it is a progressive tax rise. ., , , rise. looking at the possible scenarios. — rise. looking at the possible scenarios, what _ rise. looking at the possible scenarios, what if _ rise. looking at the possible scenarios, what if they - rise. looking at the possiblej scenarios, what if they scrap rise. looking at the possible i scenarios, what if they scrap it altogether and it doesn't come in? i

think that is difficult, and the reason it appears we want to continue to increase the budget of the nhs, we do want to spend more on social care. i think the government is increasingly finding it difficult to find other areas of government spending to cut in order to increase those budgets which points to a tax rise being needed at some point so over the longer term, the desire to spend more on health and social, the pressures on those budgets, point to taxes going up rather than down so at some stage we will have to do a permanent tax rise if we are going to go ahead with those spending increases. . ~ , ., ., increases. picking up on that hrase, increases. picking up on that phrase. at — increases. picking up on that phrase, at some _ increases. picking up on that phrase, at some point, - increases. picking up on that phrase, at some point, let's| increases. picking up on that. phrase, at some point, let's say increases. picking up on that - phrase, at some point, let's say it doesn't happen in april, it is delayed by a year, what is the effect of that? i delayed by a year, what is the effect of that?— effect of that? i think that is erfectl effect of that? i think that is perfectly a _ effect of that? i think that is perfectly a plausible - effect of that? i think that is perfectly a plausible option, j effect of that? l think that is - perfectly a plausible option, the chancellor could choose to announce it to come in in april next year. you could still increase the nhs and social care budget in the coming year, you would just be borrowing an extra £12 billion or so over the 12

months so the trade—off you are making is we will live with a little extra debt and debt interest and thatis extra debt and debt interest and that is obviously a cost, and we get to enjoy a slightly lower taxes for one more year before the rise come in, that is a trade—off that i think people could choose to make. in terms of other options, could they do it in any other way, fund the increase some other way? the? do it in any other way, fund the increase some other way? they could but it is £12 — increase some other way? they could but it is £12 billion _ increase some other way? they could but it is £12 billion worth _ increase some other way? they could but it is £12 billion worth of _ but it is £12 billion worth of spending so if you want to raise that sum through a tax rise, it is natural to look at the big taxes we have, like income tax, national insurance or vat, and i guess it is not obvious they picked a particularly unpopular one, both conservative and labour chancellors obit many years have often chosen to increase national insurance when they want to raise revenue —— over they want to raise revenue —— over the years. you could increase income tax or vat instead if you wanted to forgive me if this is a niche point but we talked earlier about pressures on people in the health

care sector and in social care. there is a high vacancy rate especially in social care, people feel it is underpaid for the work done and the importance of it, and of course those same people will pay more in national insurance in april as things stand so is there any way of perhaps exempting them or relieving the burden of this national insurance rise on them or does that get so complicated that it is not worth considering? i does that get so complicated that it is not worth considering?— is not worth considering? i think it is not worth considering? i think it is really complicated _ is not worth considering? i think it is really complicated to _ is not worth considering? i think it is really complicated to start - is really complicated to start fiddling around with your tax system to sate certain types of employees should not have to pay the increase. if you feel the vacancies in those areas would be filled and need to be filled through higher take—home pay, the best thing to do probably is to go ahead with the tax rise but use some of the revenue to increase the salaries in those areas so those employees would enjoy a higher gross wage and pay the tax rise like everybody else point i think that is much simpler than trying to change the national insurance system so it

taxes different workers differently. an important issue but it can be very confusing so thank you for clearing it up for us, carl emmerson, deputy director of the ifs. chris wilkins is the former director of strategy and chief speechwriter to prime minister theresa may. what you make of the rumblings emerging about this planned national insurance rise and the ability of number 10 in insurance rise and the ability of number10 in the insurance rise and the ability of number 10 in the current climate to stick to its policy and push ahead with it? i stick to its policy and push ahead with it? ~' stick to its policy and push ahead with it? ~ ., stick to its policy and push ahead with it? ~ . ., , with it? i think all the indications ofthe with it? i think all the indications of the past _ with it? i think all the indications of the past couple _ with it? i think all the indications of the past couple of _ with it? i think all the indications of the past couple of days - with it? i think all the indications of the past couple of days in - of the past couple of days in particular are that this is something that is most likely to be postponed by 12 months, i would have thought, despite some fairly fierce denials yesterday from members of the cabinet. it is clear that this is something that has been brought up is something that has been brought up in the meetings the prime minister has had with his backbenchers and it is something that went down incurably badly when

first announced, that backbenchers were unclear why a tory government was proposing raising taxesjust were unclear why a tory government was proposing raising taxes just at the moment the cost of living was becoming a major issue for people and inflation was rising. so i don't think it will be postponed at this stage but i think all the indications are that a pause for a year, which takes us a year closer to a general election, it is possible that pause turns into a cancellation over the long—term. haifa cancellation over the long-term. how much of this — cancellation over the long—term. how much of this pressure around the national insurance rise you think will be attributed to let's say rivals near the top of the party, perhaps trying to position or turn up perhaps trying to position or turn up the heat on the prime minister at a time when he is under pressure? i think there is a lot of politics in this. i think the chancellor has tried to make it clear that is a tax that boris johnson tried to make it clear that is a tax that borisjohnson wanted to push through. it was interesting to me, as somebody who knows the characters

involved, that the chancellor has been labelled this sort of high tax chancellor within the party, which i think goes against his political instincts. looking into the future, i am sure he is keen to try and undo that tag a bit, and of course others in the cabinet as well are using it as an opportunity to stake out their own claims and positions. but i think it is more about the connection between downing street and the parliamentary party as a whole, and what we have seen throughout party gate and all the discussions in recent weeks is the chasm between downing street as an operation and the conservative backbenchers is really significant and the price many are looking for to support borisjohnson in the coming weeks is to say that you have to bridge that gap and that means making political changes to your operation and it also means making political changes to your policy agenda. what many are saying is you need to start being more conservative.—

need to start being more conservative. ., ., ., ., conservative. you are a former director of _ conservative. you are a former director of strategy, _ conservative. you are a former director of strategy, you - conservative. you are a former director of strategy, you have l conservative. you are a former- director of strategy, you have been inside number 10 in the days when theresa may was under pressure to resign as prime minister what would you be advising the current prime minister to do now? would you advise him to dig his heels in and hope things move on, or is it time to call it a day? i things move on, or is it time to call it a day?— things move on, or is it time to call it a day? i think he does have to do in many _ call it a day? i think he does have to do in many ways _ call it a day? i think he does have to do in many ways what - call it a day? i think he does have to do in many ways what he - call it a day? i think he does have to do in many ways what he has l call it a day? i think he does have - to do in many ways what he has been doing over the past week in particular. it was interesting, about two weeks ago we had one strategy which was to try to show contrition and how sorry he was for everything that had gone on and the impact that had was the conservative backbenchers looked around and said, this looks like a prime minister who is not for the fight, it doesn't look like he wants the job, where is not for the fight, it doesn't look like he wants thejob, where is the boris we used to know? then he had a clear change of strategy, much more fun footed, saying he would stay, talking about his agenda and

record and all the things he wanted to do and being rather more bombastic. in a position where you have one audience, the conservative backbenchers, that's what they want to see, that you are going to fight and you are up for it and that you will make changes to what you have been doing. i think they have landed on the right strategy even if they didn't start with it in the first place and i think they will be happy with the delay happening this morning because it helps as well so they have got to the right place evenif they have got to the right place even if they didn't start there. chris, take us into that room in downing street, when a prime estate knows that some letters at least have gone in as a challenge to the leadership, you are there as an advisor —— the prime minister knows what conversations are happening? are they trying to bolster at the prime list, reassure him to give him the reality of the conversations. you have to be honest about what you know. but the truth is you don't

know. but the truth is you don't know that much. because you don't know that much. because you don't know how many letters have gone in, it is famously an incredibly secret process and nobody knows and famously, conservative mps don't always necessarily tell downing street the truth when confronted with these things because they have no incentive to do so. you have to be honest with what you do know and share the information you are picking up. but fundamentally, you have to layout your agenda and get on the front foot and decide what it is you want to get out there and say. so they will be dividing up the different groups who are the supporters, the people you will never win over, the people who are wavering, that you can win over with the right offer, and they're really targeting that middle group, the floating voters as it were, what they need, what kind of conversation they need, what kind of conversation they want. and things like, if they are asking for changes to tax policy, it something you have to take into account. you do your

analysis, find out who you can win over and then target them as much as you can. over and then target them as much as ou can. , over and then target them as much as ou can, , ., , . ., over and then target them as much as ou can. , . ,. ., , you can. chris, fascinating insight. chris wilkins, _ you can. chris, fascinating insight. chris wilkins, former director of i chris wilkins, former director of strategy from number 10 downing st. russia's foreign minister, sergei lavrov, says moscow does not want war with ukraine. and speaking to russian radio stations, he made positive comments about security proposals received from the united states in an attempt to head off a russian invasion of ukraine. the us has urged china to use its influence with moscow. washington has also called for a meeting of the un security council to discuss russian aggression towards ukraine. mark lobel has the latest. in belarus, to ukraine's north, russian arrivals for more training exercises, breathing life into fears they are not here just for that. begging the question — is this a taste of things to come? elsewhere, spotted to ukraine's south, it is russian vehicles,

possibly missile launchers, in annexed crimea. behaviour threatening enough to drive the us to advise its citizens to leave ukraine. it is also demanding germany walks away from this gas pipeline that would link it to russia if troops roll in. if russia invades ukraine, one way or another, nord stream 2 will not move forward. questions remain over how the us could stop it, but it is the kind of bullish talk one northern european nato ally thinks is their best bet at stopping an attack. putin understands and respects strength, and any sort of hesitancy is always viewed upon from putin's side as weakness so as we are speaking with putin, we are also in the process of strengthening nato's position in the eastern flank. america is also threatening russia

with heavy sanctions and is urging china to get behind efforts to stop an invasion, but some believe china will take any gas russia can't sell to europe. china should be interested in a clash over ukraine, i just because it would assure that russia would remain china's - ally almost forever. talks between russia and the west have warmed over arms controls in eastern europe, though that is seen as a secondary issue by russia, with diplomatic channels still open. as this threat of war drags on, it is leaving ukrainians, like the rest of us, guessing. translation: i'm even keeping a machine gun in the toilet now. | translation: it all depends on the big boss in moscow i but it is making us distressed. for ourselves, for our children, and grandchildren. further western efforts to engage with russia in the coming days

from the french president, emmanuel macron, and at the un security council, may offer some answers as to what happens next. mark lobel, bbc news. russian foreign minister sergei lavrov was speaking to journalists earlier today. he stressed once again that moscow does not want war with ukraine, and added that president putin was deciding how to respond to us security proposals to ease tensions in europe. translation: if it depends - on russia, there will be no war, but we will not let them undermine and ignore russian interests. i cannot say for sure if negotiations are over now. as you know, the us and nato have been studying our simple proposals for more than a month, and only the day before yesterday we received answers in western style, that are a bit confusing but rational in minor issues. this is better than nothing, but the main thing for us is to deal

with the basic concepts of european security. earlier, i spoke to christian molling, the director of the security and defense research program at the european council, to get his insight. i think it is one in a chain of events that take place, conversations that take place, and the hope is of course that at least we buy time and send a positive signal to moscow that their concerns are taken at least into account, not every time serious, but into account, that is the one thing that is a signal to moscow and the other signal from macron is to his domestic audience because he has an ongoing election campaign and in his last election campaign, he made europe a core figure in this election campaign. so he cannot back down on this, he has to put up the term

of european sovereignty and all these things into the public and now it is something where he has renewed this language so it is important for him also to show to his public audience that, on the international scene, he is leading european security. in terms of the sanctions threatened against russia, how realistic and how seriously do you think those will be resonating with president putin, given the current energy crisis and the fact that if you put sanctions on russia and then russia's exports of natural gas, for example, were to fall, the price would go up even more? and in a way, the sanctions would have a backlash effect on western europe and america as well? i think that is what moscow has taken into account, that we may be too coward to take the sanctions forward.

i guess there are more question marks as to whether this position that moscow holds is still true, because the americans have weighed in with plans for sanctions that are not only on energy but that are also on export controls for technology, etc, and that might hurt the russians as well but your point is still valid, there is a short—term effect and the question is, are we willing to pay the price, and this especially applies to berlin, where i am sitting. are we willing to pay for short—term higher gas prices, is the government willing to compensate for that? and by that, ensure that europe holds the line against the russians on these things? but i wouldn't start with the assumption that the europeans would back down anyway once the prices go up, because this is the calculation in russia, that it's too easy for us to say, ok, we will basically be able to undermine this assumption because that is part of political deterrents — you keep your adversary somewhat at risk

and or at uncertainty of what we are willing to throw into the game. doubts have emerged about the timing of a positive covid test novak djokovic used to enter australia, where he had been hoping to defend his australian open tennis title. the world number one was originally given an exemption to play, after providing evidence of having had the virus in december. his visa was later rejected. matt graveling has this report. this was novak djokovic's chance to win his tenth australian open, and with it, the most grand slams ever achieved in men's tennis. upon arrival in melbourne onjanuary 5, and confirming he was unvaccinated, his visa was revoked by the government. the serbian was given an exemption to play, having tested positive for coronavirus in mid—december. in an attempt to overturn the decision, djokovic's legal team presented two covid test

certificates to a federal court in australia. the first, shown to be taken on december 16th, shows a positive result. the second, taken six days later, shows a negative result. a german research company questioned why the unique confirmation code on the earlier test was higher than the later one. the bbc has investigated if codes on tests done in serbia are generated in a chronological order. a total of 56 test certificates were collected, and their unique confirmation codes plotted against the date of each result. in all cases studied, the earlier the result, the lower the unique code for the corresponding test. the only outlier of the codes plotted was novak djokovic's positive test on december 16th. according to the bbc�*s graph, this confirmation code would suggest a test sometime between the 25th

and december 28th. one data specialist said, "there is always the possibility for a glitch, but if this was the case, i don't know why the authorities would not say that." to try and explain this discrepancy, the bbc has approached novak djokovic's team, serbia's institute of public health, and its office of information technology, but has yet to have a response. matt graveling, bbc news. a group of more than 300 scientists and public health experts in britain has said it is reckless to allow 3 billion people in the developing world to go unvaccinated against covid. they want the british government to support moves to waive the intellectual property rights on vaccines so that developing countries can make their own. dr thomas house is one of those who have signed an open letter to borisjohnson and hejoins me now. in what sense has this conclusion

been reached, that it is reckless, explain that for us. i been reached, that it is reckless, explain that for us.— been reached, that it is reckless, explain that for us. i think we face the biggest _ explain that for us. i think we face the biggest public _ explain that for us. i think we face the biggest public health - explain that for us. i think we face the biggest public health and - the biggest public health and probably health challenge in our lifetimes with the pandemic. the intervention we have that works best against the virus is the vaccine. we have had two years of this really terrible disease spreading around the world, and if there is one thing the world, and if there is one thing the pandemic shows us, it is that we are one humanity against the disease. the virus does not respect national borders, and neither do new variants that have emerged. we have to ensure our best tool in fighting the vaccine is made available worldwide on that basis. where does action need to _ worldwide on that basis. where does action need to be _ worldwide on that basis. where does action need to be taken? _ worldwide on that basis. where does action need to be taken? is - worldwide on that basis. where does action need to be taken? is it - action need to be taken? is it money, politicalwill, action need to be taken? is it money, political will, availability of vaccines? what is it that needs to change to make that happen? it’s

to change to make that happen? it's an to change to make that happen? it�*s an extremely complex set of circumstances but those of us writing the letter decided to focus on what lower and middle income countries themselves asked for at the world trade organization, which is a temporary waiver of the trade —related intellectual property rights. basically this kind of thing does happen a lot when there are urgent public health crises, is the kind of thing that happens with certain hiv treatments or other things where the burden is being felt disproportionately in poorer countries, and pharmaceutical companies have had their return on investment sufficiently rewarded that we don't think they are being disincentivised from developing other future treatments. this disincentivised from developing otherfuture treatments. this is really a very kind of... no one can give you the exact answer, but that is one thing we focused on. i think it would be an easy thing for the uk to do at the world trade organization. but also just working with a lower and middle income countries to make sure they get more equitable vaccine access longer

term. this isn't the one the silver bullet but it is one immediate thing outward show a lot of willing. politicians and health care leaders might have concerns that if they were to go ahead and do this, make a lot more vaccines available elsewhere in the world, that if we were suddenly then hit with another wave out of the blue and they did not have enough vaccines here in britain for the population, people would turn to them and say, why did you give away those vaccines to the rest of the world when we now need them? ., �* , rest of the world when we now need them? . �* , , ., , them? that's the point, this particular— them? that's the point, this particular issue _ them? that's the point, this particular issue is _ them? that's the point, this particular issue is not - them? that's the point, this particular issue is not about| particular issue is not about fighting over a finite resource. it is about releasing the intellectual property. when india was going through a terrible wave of delta infection that ended up with us getting delta, my understanding is they were exporting more vaccines than they were able to distribute to their own population, under the kind of economic arrangements we have right now. the point is, no one can say we wouldn't have had delta and

omicron without more global vaccine justice, but it would have stacked the deck in our favour, stacking the deckin the deck in our favour, stacking the deck in humanity's favour against the virus. so we shouldn't be scrabbling around thinking in these narrow terms of narrow national interest. it is of international human interest to make sure these are distributed in the right way. most people will notjust be motivated by selfish interest, they will have seen the terrible scenes in india around the time of the delta wave and most britons would be motivated byjust their delta wave and most britons would be motivated by just their shared humanity with those people in saying we do not want to see scenes like that anywhere in the world again. is the release of intellectual property rights to other manufacturers to make vaccines the best way to go about it, when you think about quality control and robustness of vaccines? whereas if it is a limited number of manufacturers, it is easy to have oversight. if you make those available and you know they have met certain quality thresholds and

standards. certain quality thresholds and standards-— certain quality thresholds and standards. , �* , ., standards. there isn't 'ust one way of doinu standards. there isn't 'ust one way of doing it. — standards. there isn't 'ust one way of doing it. uh standards. there isn't 'ust one way of doing it. it is h standards. there isn't 'ust one way of doing it. it is very _ standards. there isn'tjust one way of doing it. it is very standard - standards. there isn'tjust one way of doing it. it is very standard in i of doing it. it is very standard in pharmaceuticals to have what's called generic manufacturing, and thatis called generic manufacturing, and that is generally not perceived as a problem. that is generally not perceived as a roblem. �* ., .,, that is generally not perceived as a roblem. �* ., ., , ., that is generally not perceived as a roblem. �* ., .,, ., i. problem. and how hopeful are you that this letter _ problem. and how hopeful are you that this letter will _ problem. and how hopeful are you that this letter will land, _ problem. and how hopeful are you that this letter will land, as - problem. and how hopeful are you that this letter will land, as it - that this letter will land, as it were? i that this letter will land, as it were? ~' ., ., ., were? i think the moral and practical— were? i think the moral and practical arguments - were? i think the moral and practical arguments are - were? i think the moral and practical arguments are so l were? i think the moral and - practical arguments are so strong. i think maybe, just maybe, politicians at the moment are looking for an opportunity to salve a guilty conscience or two and this would be a perfect way for them to do that. thank you for speaking to us. thank ou and thank you for speaking to us. thank you and good _ thank you for speaking to us. thank you and good morning. _ us—based pharmaceutical company moderna says it is on track for an omicron—specific coronavirus vaccine. there are questions about the extent of new shots needed in the two—year pandemic and if moderna, pfizer and astrazeneca among others can keep pace with mutations.

moderna's chief medical officer dr paul burton told us more about the new vaccine. this week, on wednesday, we announced two big pieces of information. the first was some data published in the new england journal of medicine, looking at how our vaccine holds up against omicron after a six—month booster, and the data are good. they're reassuring, that we do see waning. the other thing we announced, as you said, is that we started our phase ii study in about 600 people, testing our omicron—specific of keeping people safe and protected, even as omicron perhaps subsides as we go into the winter of this year, so from a full booster. look, i think the data say that we will be able to get out of the pandemic into the endemic phase. when that happens, i'm not sure. you know, we still see staggering caseloads of omicron here in the united states, in europe, around the world. death rates remain very high.

hospitalisation rates again here in the united states are really at an all—time high today. but i think we can get through this. spring will come, we should get a period of stability as case counts go down, but i think we are going to need a regular yearly booster that will keep people protected as they prepare for winter, and that's what we're planning to do and what we are aiming to do with the study that we've launched now. social distancing rules and the rule of six in pubs and restaurants are being scrapped in wales from today. nightclubs, which have been closed since boxing day to curb omicron cases, can now re—open. the legal requirement to work from home also comes to an end, but mask wearing rules will remain in shops, hospitals and on public transport. in scotland, social distancing measures are changing today, with the recommended space reduced from two metres to one for some

settings including church services. face coverings will also no longer be required for adults taking part in organised indoor activities with children under five. a court in the us has overturned the convictions of two former traders for rigging a key interest rate — libor — in a ruling which directly contradicts courts in the uk. the us judges fully acquitted matthew connolly and gavin black, finding that their conduct while working at deutsche bank had not been against the rules. it means that interest rate "rigging" — as it's been defined by the courts — is not regarded as a crime in the us. nine other traders have beenjailed after a series of rulings in the british courts. the us coast guard has suspended its search for dozens of people lost at sea after their boat capsized off the coast of florida. a lone survivor was found clinging to the hull of the boat on tuesday. five bodies have so far been recovered.

in a press conference, the coast guard said that it was unlikely that there would be more survivors. our north america correspondent, david willis, has more details. 3a people are still missing. a short while ago, the local coast guard announced that it had suspended the search for them at sunset tonight. one man, as you mentioned, did survive. he was pictured perched precariously on the upturned hull of that stricken vessel. local reports have named him asjuan esteban montoya, a 22—year—old colombian man whose younger sister maria is thought to have perished in that incident. he was spotted on tuesday morning by a passing commercial vessel, badly dehydrated, very hungry, but no doubt extremely relieved to be alive after two days at sea. the boat left the bimini islands

in the bahamas on saturday evening. but swiftly encountered problems and sank in storm force winds. the lone survivor told the coast guard that there were a0 people on board that vessel when it left the bahamas, none of whom was wearing a life jacket. he also said that around 20 of his fellow passengers spent some time drifting in the ocean before disappearing into it. the coast guard launched a massive air and sea rescue operation and that encompassed an area of more than 10,000 square miles. but after rescuing, or recovering, i should say, the bodies of five people, that operation has now been abandoned. it has been four weeks since new post—brexit border rules came into force for trade between britain and the eu, and many companies — especially smaller ones — are struggling to cope. the added bureaucracy

is being blamed — at least in part — for long queues of trucks outside the port of dover, which is the main trading hub between britain and europe. our global trade correspondent, chris morris, has been finding out more. driving into dover, past queues of lorries stretching for miles. they're being held here to avoid congesting the town. queues are not uncommon in these parts, but they've been particularly bad in recent weeks. drivers are fed up waiting for hours and sometimes days. when we are waiting, it's no money. they blame cancelled ferry crossings and post—brexit bureaucracy. john shirley has run a freight—forwarding company in dover for 25 years, but this is new territory. customs documents now have to be completed in full before thousands of lorries can board ferries heading for europe every day. that's caused all sorts of headaches for people. people don't know the paperwork properly, haven't prepared themselves.

and so that's why there's delays here. i mean, we found a driver here four days — four days! — with a load from germany. won't it get better with time as people get used to a new system? i don't know. i suspect it won't do. and it's notjust exporters. people bringing goods into the country from europe have also been dealing with new bureaucracy since january the 1st. david pavon runs this small deli in bristol. each individual consignment he imports now needs separate customs forms — where there used to be none. and later in the year, some of these products will need to be physically inspected when they arrive in the uk. we will need to do more paperwork. we will need to pay more money. we might need to increase the prices, but at the end of the day, that's what we do. it's certainly more difficult, but unless we close the doors and shut the business, we need to do it. so what happens in places like dover will have a wider impact.

many companies are changing the way they do business across the channel in order to cope with new bureaucracy and delays. but others have simply stopped trading between britain and the eu altogether. while global trade in general rebounded pretty well last year from the covid hits of 2020, trade between the uk and the eu did not — and it's almost certainly going to stay that way. the government says traders need to get used to new rules and focus on new trade deals — on the other side of the world. but two years after britain left the eu, the idea of seamless trade across this narrow stretch of water — that ship has already sailed. chris morris, bbc news, dover. british businesses are being urged to boost their digital defences amid fears of cyber attacks linked to the conflict in ukraine. the national cyber security centre —

a branch of gchq - the headlines on bbc news... scotland yard says it hasn't requested a delay to the publication of the sue gray report into lockdown gatherings in downing street. russia's foreign minister, sergei lavrov, has appeared to strike a positive tone on us proposals to help resolve the crisis in ukraine. doubts have emerged over the timing of the positive covid test used by novak djokovic to enter australia. british sign language is on course to becoming a legally recognised language in england, after the government said it will back a new bill which will be debated in the house of commons later today. campaigners, including rose ayling—ellis — the first deaf contestant on strictly come dancing — hope the change will see it more widely used and promoted. our political correspondent,

jonathan blake, has this report. for centuries, british sign language has been used by deaf people in the uk as an essential tool to communicate. but while it's recognised as a language, it has no legal status. campaigners, including the strictly winner rose ayling—ellis, are calling for a change in the law to ensure bsl becomes more widely used, improving accessibility for deaf people. if i go to the doctor and there's no interpreter, it means i have to bring a family member with me. but i don't want that, i want privacy. the labour mp rosie cooper, whose parents are both deaf, has proposed new laws, which the government is now backing. mps will debate the proposals later and, once passed into law, government departments will be required to report their use of bsl, and a panel of bsl users will be set up to advise ministers and officials. it's hoped this will lead to bsl being more widely used in public settings,

like this monthly signed service at manchester cathedral, and more interpreters being employed as a result. scotland already has a law promoting the use of bsl. there are campaigns for similar changes in wales and northern ireland. the new law in england is being described as a watershed moment for the deaf community, and the hope is that the estimated quarter of a million people who use bsl in some form every day will be able to play a more prominent role in society. jonathan blake, bbc news. a carrier bag may not mean much to most people — you chuck it in the car on the way to the shop, you may have a few stuffed in a cupboard somewhere that you scarcely ever think about. but, one woman in aberdare, south wales, is known as the bag lady. angela clarke has collected 10,000 of them and these aren't just any carrier bags — they're historical artefacts, some worth hundreds of pounds as our wales correspondent tomos morgan reports.

where is the first one that started your collection? one of the first will be thejubilee's. from 1977. so at that point, did you think, yes... yeah. ..i'm going to keep them? i'm going to keep them. you knew at that point? yeah, i did. for almost half a century now, angela clarke has been collecting carrier bags. my top five. i love these. they're so unique. i've got quite an affinity with these. her 10,000—strong collection is thought to be the largest in the world. that's the actual bag. and here you are with noel edmonds, the man that never ages. he doesn't age. he looks no different. and it all spiralled as a 10—year—old, after an appearance on the �*70's children's tv show the multi—coloured swap shop. i only had about 200 at that point. and then, after that programme, you basically doubled your collection? yeah, i did, literally just doubled it. i had to go back on the show again two weeks after. how do you keep them?

i keep them in plastic bags. they originally were in suitcases, which are now disintegrating because they're so old. the suitcases, but not the bags? well, the bags are old as well, aren't they? now, these haven't been disturbed for a while. and what's the long term plan? what do you want to do with them? what would you like to see done with this collection down the line? ijoke to my sons, it's their inheritance. one of these is going for £10 on ebay. another one is £30. some of them are going up to £300 because people are using the prada, etc, making bags out of them. so would you sell them? no. what i would love to see is these to be displayed somewhere, because everybody�*s connected with them. they go, "oh, look at that!" you know, it's a piece of their history, their childhood. so i'd love to see them displayed. can i ask you, just to play devil's advocate? have you had anyone say to you, "why are you collecting plastic bags?" yeah, all the time. what do you say to them?

all the time. because it's interesting. and then when you show them, they'll go, "oh yeah, i rememberthat! i remember that. i remember that place." 10,000 collected, and probably a few more thousand still to go. i do get bags, eh, arrive at my property here too, you know, "bag lady, aberdare" and they get to me! it's quite funny! tomos morgan, bbc news, aberdare. a line of breaking news coming into us. a spokesperson for the royal and ancient golf club of st andrews has said they can confirm that the club has received notification that the duke of york will relinquish his honorary membership. they say they respect and appreciate his decision. he has been an honorary member of the club, prince andrew, since 1992. he is currently facing a civil lawsuit in the united states.

they started filming their first sci—fi films on borrowed smartphones and handmade tripods. now they are a nigerian sci—fi film sensation. nine teenagers in the nigerian city of kaduna started experimenting with film—making in 2016. theirfirst short film came a few years later, and it drew the attention of millions of people, including hollywood stars. damilola oduolowu went to meet the young film—makers. what if i told you this is a special effect and i am not at a factory for real, see? see? right. a group of teenage film—makers here in kaduna are responsible for this after gaining global attention in 2019 with their sci—fi films made with a broken smartphone, the critics are still waxing strong, and creating fascinating short films. let's meet them. we wanted to tell nigerian stories in the western. we wanted to be hollywood in our neighbourhood. we are the critics company,

a group of teenage based in kaduna notable for making sci—fi films. using makeshift tripods and borrowed smartphones, nine teenagers in nigeria shot their first sci—fi film. the first short film was called redemption and released in 2016, we did not know much about film—making so we were just kids, filming what we could film and just piecing it together to make a story that makes sense. fame came soon afterwards. chase went viral and in a short time we got one million views. we shot this film on raymond's dad's phone. and when the attention came, it went around the world. it made us go numb. it got noticed by a popular film—maker who helped raise money for more equipment. she had seen what we had done

already, theyjumped on it and jj abrams, the director of star wars, ava duvernay were sharing our work and excited that kids in africa are doing something they never thought african kids would ever do. now, these teenagers are taking part in top end films in nigeria. we recently worked on king of boys which is arguably the biggest film in nigeria at the moment. the first netflix originalfrom nigeria. it is surpassing expectations. we are where we never thought we would be at this time in our lives. my message to young children out there is if you can't do what you want with what you have now, you cannot do it even if you have it later. so make use of what you have now so you can start now and get to where you want to go. take one. damilola oduolowu, bbc news.

you can find more on the stories we have covered whenever you want on the website and on the bbc news app. you're watching bbc news. a man stopped by police in nottingham told officers he had been driving with no licence or insurance for more than 70 years. officers said the driver — born in 1938 — said he had been driving with no licence or insurance since he was 12 and had never been stopped by police. he told them he had never had an accident, caused anyone an injury, and never made anyone lose out financially by hitting them whilst uninsured. now it's time for a look at the weather with matt taylor. hello. it was a fairly bright but chilly start to the day for many of you. cloudier now and continuing to turn grey as we go through the day across northern and western areas especially. here's the cloud piling in off the atlantic. and it's to the south of that we're dragging up air from the azores around this area of high pressure

so temperatures actually for some of you will rise today and into tonight. probably tonight and tomorrow especially. out there at the moment, it is still pretty chilly across some southern and eastern areas where we will see some spells of hazy sunshine. thick cloud to the north and west. rain at times in northern scotland, most persistent in orkney and shetland. western scotland, patchy rain and drizzle. could see some down into the borders, around these western fringes of england and wales where temperatures lift into double figures. but a cooler day than yesterday towards the south—east where we stay dry and reasonably bright. into tonight, further rain at times in scotland. heaviest though with windier conditions pushing in towards dawn. most other parts will stay dry but with plenty of cloud in place, very different night to last night across england and wales. and if anything, for some of you, temperatures actually rising through the night into tomorrow morning. a very mild start to your weekend. that's because to begin with we have our air coming in off the atlantic from the south and west. then this area of low pressure zips across the north as we head through the day and as it goes, throws the weather front southwards and opens the door to chillier air. so tomorrow starts mild and actually turns colder through the day for many. the exception being some parts

of england and wales, particularly in the south where it will be a fairly cloudy day, the odd glimmer of brightness. this is the dividing line here, cloud, outbreaks of rain, starts around the borders of scotland, england, down towards south wales, south midlands, south and southern parts of east anglia by the end of the afternoon. some rain on that. blustery round it as well. but the strongest winds will be further north. we could see winds gusting at 60, 70 miles an hour across parts of scotland as we see the day out, making it feel colder than these temperatures would suggest, already they will have fallen through the day. that cooler air gets into all parts then through saturday evening. the strongest of the winds over shetland, initially, clearing away. then with lighter winds, patchy and misty fog, a bit of frost around as well to start sunday morning. sunday, a dry and bright start. the best part of the day, the morning, for most, especially in parts of scotland and northern ireland, but it turns wetter and windier through the day. that rain preceded by some snow on the hills in northern scotland. a few showers to the north and west of england, southern and eastern areas will stay dry and bright. a pretty chilly feeling day, but into the evening, the big story will be the strength of the wind. the potential for some damaging winds across parts of scotland.

we'll keep you updated.

this is bbc news. i'm joanna gosling. the headlines at 11. scotland yard says it hasn't requested a delay to the publication of the sue gray report into lockdown gatherings in downing street. borisjohnson is reportedly wavering on plans to raise national insurance in april to fund health and social care. on the bbc�*s question time programme a minister admitted the move is unpopular. everybody in the room is against it. is that fair? are you all against it? applause but another minister says that rise is needed to help fund vital provision. to change, it was approved by the cabinet, it was approved by

parliament, we need to make sure the nhs is properly funded, and social care. russia's foreign minister sergei lavrov says that moscow doesn't want war with ukraine. he appeared to strike a positive tone on us security proposals to ease tensions in europe. doubts have emerged over the timing of the positive covid test used by novak djokovic to enter australia. driving for seven decades without a license, or insurance. that is what an elderly man told police who stopped him in nottingham. good morning. scotland yard has given more details about its contact with the cabinet office team preparing the report on lockdown gatherings at downing street. the findings of sue gray's inquiry

are yet to be published — and the metropolitan police say they aren't responsible for the delay. but they've confirmed they want "minimal reference" in that report to events they're investigating themselves. ican i can understand why everyone wants to see sue gray's report but the timing of it has cut right across a criminal investigation and obviously a criminal investigation has the highest standards of procedural events. the met will want to get uncontaminated individual accounts from witnesses and suspects, as to what happened, and if sue gray were to publish her report warts and all saying for example, i found such and such an account to be inconsistent i found so—and—so to be unconvincing, that has a real potential to

prejudice the investigation and that is why as i understand it the met have asked her to make minimal reference to the incidents that they are investigating. alex bailin qc. daniel sandford, our home affairs correspondent told me more about the timing of the report. from the moment that it became clear that some of these events in downing street and whitehall were going to end up being investigated by police as possible breaches of health protection regulations it was all was going to be the case that sue gray would want to publish a detailed blow by blow account, that wasn't going to be possible for the reasons that qc was explaining there. my understanding is that that hasn't anyway been a plan for some time, that actually the sue gray report that is being prepared for publication currently is actually not that, it is a summary of which

events took place and a sort of overview of whether that was appropriate or not. i think the met, when asked, did you say that sue gray can't publish very, very detailed accounts, then they said, yes, we have asked for minimal accounts, but i don't think they have intervened at the last minute saying well, you cannot publish all that, there is a discussion going on about wording, but i think this week everyone has learned that a very detailed account was not possible. our political correspondent ione wells is in westminster. this our political correspondent lone wells is in westminster. this has thrown things _ wells is in westminster. this has thrown things into _ wells is in westminster. this has thrown things into disarray - wells is in westminster. this has thrown things into disarray in - thrown things into disarray in westminster. there is doubt about whether sue gray's report can be published at all in any form. there has been this ongoing discussion between the cabinet office and the

met about what can and can't be included in that report about whether there is any risk of it prejudicing the police investigation thatis prejudicing the police investigation that is ongoing. there are also a couple of other factors behind the delay in sue gray publishing a report. there has been some internal wrangling within the cabinet office as well, discussions with hr teams and legal teams about the details of what exactly can be concluded. the cabinet office and number ten have been pretty clear all along about their desire to publish the report in full as it is received, and that is why the fact that the met police have intervened in this way to say that they only want certain limited details of the investigations regarding parties that they are also looking at means there is now a big? over whether sue gray will actually publish anything at all rather than just publishing something that would perhaps have to be heavily redacted. it is an extraordinary turn of events. we went into this week anticipating the full publication,

and the way that the week has turned out means that events are very different. does it put borisjohnson in a stronger position now? i different. does it put boris johnson in a stronger position now?- in a stronger position now? i think there is a mixed _ in a stronger position now? i think there is a mixed view _ in a stronger position now? i think there is a mixed view about - in a stronger position now? i think there is a mixed view about this. | in a stronger position now? i think. there is a mixed view about this. as you say we were expecting the report earlier this week. we were expecting, there were preparations going on in westminsterfor the prime minister to make a statement off the back of its publication with mps given the chance to respond to that as well and, for many mps, that was going to be the moment where they made up their mind exactly what they made up their mind exactly what they felt about all of this, what action they might take next, whether they thought the prime minister should remain leader of the conservative party so there was a lot at stake earlier this week on that, and the fact that this has now all been delayed has caused a bit of all been delayed has caused a bit of a mixed reaction amongst some allies of the prime minister there are people hoping this may buy a little bit more time and the mood has somewhat changed a little bit over the last few days, while the report has still yet to be released and

people are yet to have the clarity they were looking for. however, opposition parties have made pretty clear that anything other than the full report, they will see some kind of cover—up and that sort of attack line is one that the government is going to be pretty aware is coming down the road. hence why i think there is this confusion at the moment about what may be able to be published if anything at all. labour have already said the report must be published in full and if it isn't they will be the first to accuse the government of some kind of cover—up on this issue. government of some kind of cover-up on this issue-— on this issue. thank you very much, lone. there's increasing pressure on the government to delay a planned rise in national insurance. under the plans, employees, employers and the self—employed will all pay 1.25p more in the pound for national insurance from april. this extra tax is then collected as the new health and social care levy.

it will specifically be called that on your payslip. the increase will see an employee on £20,000 a year pay an extra £130 in tax. someone on £50,000 will pay £505 more. critics have said the increase will have a higher impact on the lower—paid and could contribute to inflation at a time when household budgets are under pressure. the defence minister, james heappey, has admitted that the government will need to do "a lot more" to help people struggling financially. he said the government is "in listening mode". helen catt reports. welcome to question time. speaking on the bbc�*s question time programme, the armed forces ministerjames heappey appeared to concede that raising national insurance from april to pay for the covid backlog in social care was unpopular, describing opposition among the audience in morecambe as absolute. everybody in the room is against it. everybody in the room is feeling the squeeze. is that fair? are you all against it? yeah. audience applauds mr heappey also said that the government

was in listening mode. you'll have noticed that the top of the government is in listening mode at the moment. and, erm... but the cabinet took the decision, and i think that it's important to recognise that actually as a tax, it will — i think sort of 50% of the revenue's raised by the top 14% of taxpayers, and there's six million people that pay nothing at all. so, arm, you know, it isn't the, eh, the blunt instrument that some people have described it as. there are calls from some conservative backbenchers for the rise to be delayed for a year. mel stride, who chairs the treasury select committee, told newsnight that he believed there was wiggle room in the public finances to allow it. the economy is doing quite a lot better than the obr forecast at the time of the last budget, so we've got that additional fiscal headroom. and the question then becomes, how do you use that? asked yesterday if the rise would go ahead, the prime minister said it was absolutely vital that covid backlogs and social care were fixed. his official spokesman later said

there were no plans to change what had previously been set out. a treasury source said there had not been any discussions about changing the policy. helen catt, bbc news, westminster. culture minister chris philp has told the bbc that it is "important that we proceed with...plans" to increase national insurance contributions to fund health and social care. asked about the sue gray report and the police investigation, he said that between them, everything will be fully covered. clearly in any way with the way that sue gray would conduct a report or the way the met conduct their investigation. they are completely independent and separate from government, as it should be. what is clear is that between sue gray's report and the police investigation everything will be fully covered and that will give parliament and indeed the public all of the information they need about these incidents. horne they need about these incidents. how confident are — they need about these incidents. how confident are you that your conservative colleagues who want

some closure to this issue will get it from the sue gray report? i think the sue gray _ it from the sue gray report? i think the sue gray report _ it from the sue gray report? i think the sue gray report is _ it from the sue gray report? i think| the sue gray report is independent, the sue gray report is independent, the government are not interfering with it, which is exactly as it should be and i am confident that between the sue gray report and a police investigation everything will be covered. there are very important thing is that the government is working on like creating jobs, for example, we have got 400,000 more payrolljobs example, we have got 400,000 more payroll jobs that you example, we have got 400,000 more payrolljobs that you had before the pandemic. youth unemployment is at a record low. the imf forecasts our economy will grow this year faster than any other g7 country, so we have got to focus on making sure we are delivering those things for the british people. that is what ministers and mps across government are focusing on. do ministers and mps across government are focusing on-_ are focusing on. do you have any information _ are focusing on. do you have any information on _ are focusing on. do you have any information on when _ are focusing on. do you have any information on when we - are focusing on. do you have any information on when we will- are focusing on. do you have any information on when we will see | are focusing on. do you have any i information on when we will see the prime list are responding to the sue gray report �*s it has not been handed over or made public as far as i'm aware so i cannot speculate about when it may be handed over and responded to. she is independent, as she should be. the prime minister

has promised to address mps soon after publication and that still stands? , ., , after publication and that still stands?_ can - after publication and that still stands?_ can i i after publication and that still. stands?_ can i ask after publication and that still - stands?_ can i ask you stands? yes, it does. can i ask you on national— stands? yes, it does. can i ask you on national insurance, _ stands? yes, it does. can i ask you on national insurance, a _ stands? yes, it does. can i ask you on national insurance, a number. stands? yes, it does. can i ask you on national insurance, a number ofj on national insurance, a number of conservative mps are lobbying the prime minister to rethink the april national insurance rise. is there any plan to change that �*s there is no plan to change it, it was approved by the cabinet and by parliament. indie approved by the cabinet and by parliament.— approved by the cabinet and by parliament. ~ ., ., ,, , parliament. we need to make sure the nhs is properly — parliament. we need to make sure the nhs is properly funded, _ parliament. we need to make sure the nhs is properly funded, and _ parliament. we need to make sure the nhs is properly funded, and social - nhs is properly funded, and social care, and this £36 billion over three years for the nhs and social care will make sure the health service can recover from the pandemic and fix the social care problems which successive governments of both colours failed to do, and the labour party coincidentally voted against this extra money and do not have a costed plan to properly fund our nhs, so it is important we proceed with his plans to make sure the nhs and social care have the resources they need. �* ., , social care have the resources they need. 1, _., social care have the resources they need. ~ .,, ., , need. boris johnson knows that his fate will be — need. boris johnson knows that his fate will be in _

need. boris johnson knows that his fate will be in the _ need. boris johnson knows that his fate will be in the hands _ need. boris johnson knows that his fate will be in the hands of - fate will be in the hands of conservative mps in the next few weeks. is it not a sign of weakness that he is not prepared to categorically say that that national insurance rise will go ahead in april? insurance rise will go ahead in aril? ., , ., insurance rise will go ahead in aril? ., ,, insurance rise will go ahead in aril? .,, ., ,, ., insurance rise will go ahead in aril? ., ,, ., ., april? no sign of weakness at all. the prime — april? no sign of weakness at all. the prime minister _ april? no sign of weakness at all. the prime minister is _ april? no sign of weakness at all. the prime minister is getting - april? no sign of weakness at all. the prime minister is getting on l the prime minister is getting on with thejob of the prime minister is getting on with the job of governing, dim developing europe's leading vaccine booster programme, ensuring that jobs recovery is very strong and as i said according to the imf, we will have the highest growth of any g7 country. the prime minister is getting on with that, showing global leadership on ukraine, on free trade negotiations with india, we are powering on with the job and that there is a sign of strength and resolve. ., ., ., , ,., , resolve. you are absolutely convinced _ resolve. you are absolutely convinced that _ resolve. you are absolutely convinced that boris - resolve. you are absolutely. convinced that boris johnson resolve. you are absolutely - convinced that boris johnson bulb convinced that borisjohnson bulb still be prime minister come the may elections? �* ., , still be prime minister come the may elections? 1, _ ., , elections? boris johnson is continuing _ elections? boris johnson is continuing to _ elections? boris johnson is continuing to do _ elections? boris johnson is continuing to do work- elections? boris johnson is continuing to do work on i elections? boris johnson is. continuing to do work on the elections? boris johnson is - continuing to do work on the half of the country, he got brexit done, he won a landslide majority, he has guided the country through covid in difficult circumstances, he made the rightjudgments on the omicron

variant renderfor rightjudgments on the omicron variant render for christmas various experts and the labour party were calling us to lockdown over christmas, took the difficult decision to keep things open which turned out to be the right decision, so he is continuing as he should. the prime minister is continuing, should continue, will continue and is doing a greatjob.— is doing a great 'ob. culture minister. h is doing a great 'ob. culture minister, chris _ is doing a great job. culture minister, chris philp. - earlier i spoke with carl emmerson who is the deputy director of the institute for fiscal studies, an economic research institute based in london. he said he didn't think the burden of national insurance would fall on those who earn less. the of national insurance would fall on those who earn less.— of national insurance would fall on those who earn less. the more you earn the more _ those who earn less. the more you earn the more you _ those who earn less. the more you earn the more you pay _ those who earn less. the more you earn the more you pay in _ those who earn less. the more you earn the more you pay in cash - those who earn less. the more you . earn the more you pay in cash terms and as a share of your earnings. people could fall into alternative ways of raising the money and may consider that ferer so the national insurance rise is a tax or an earnest, employed and the self—employed. it doesn't for example tax people who get their income from rental income, from

pension income, and some might consider that a more appropriate way of raising the revenue to include that, but across the working population, cross their earnings, it is a progressive tax rise. the duke of york will relinquish his honorary membership of st andrews. he had been an honorary member of the club since 1992. the royal patron of the club as the queen. the headlines on bbc news... scotland yard says it hasn't requested a delay to the publication of the sue gray report into lockdown gatherings in downing street. russia's foreign minister, sergei lavrov, has appeared to strike a positive tone on us proposals to help resolve the crisis in ukraine. doubts have emerged over the timing of the positive covid test used by novak djokovic

to enter australia. russia's foreign minister sergei lavrov says moscow does not want war with ukraine. and speaking to russian radio stations he made positive comments about security proposals received from the united states in an attempt to head off a russian invasion of ukraine. the us has urged china to use its influence with moscow. washington has also called for a meeting of the un security council to discuss russian aggression towards ukraine. mark lobel has the latest. in belarus, to ukraine's north, russian arrivals for more training exercises, breathing life into fears they are not here just for that. begging the question — is this a taste of things to come? elsewhere, spotted to ukraine's south, it is russian vehicles, possibly missile launchers, in annexed crimea. behaviour threatening enough to drive the us to advise its citizens

to leave ukraine. it is also demanding germany walks away from this gas pipeline that would link it to russia if troops roll in. if russia invades ukraine, one way or another, nord stream 2 will not move forward. if russia invades ukraine, one way or another, nord stream 2 questions remain over how the us could stop it, but it is the kind of bullish talk one northern european nato ally thinks is their best bet at stopping an attack. putin understands and respects strength, and any sort of hesitancy is always viewed upon from putin's side as weakness so as we are speaking with putin, we are also in the process of strengthening nato's position in the eastern flank. america is also threatening russia with heavy sanctions and is urging china to get behind efforts to stop

an invasion, but some believe china will take any gas russia can't sell to europe. china should be interested in a clash over ukraine, i just because it would assure that russia would remain _ china's ally almost forever. talks between russia and the west have warmed over arms controls in eastern europe, though that is seen as a secondary issue by russia, with diplomatic channels still open. as this threat of war drags on, it is leaving ukrainians, like the rest of us, guessing. translation: i'm even keeping a machine gun in the toilet now. | translation: it all depends on the big boss in moscow i but it is making us distressed. for ourselves, for our children, and grandchildren. further western efforts to engage with russia in the coming days from the french president, emmanuel macron, and at the un security council, may offer some

answers as to what happens next. mark lobel, bbc news. russian foreign minister sergei lavrov was speaking earlier today. translation: i cannot say for sure if negotiations are over now. as you know, the us and nato have been studying our simple proposals for more than a month, and only the day before yesterday we received answers in western style, that are a bit confusing but rational in minor issues. this is better than nothing, but the main thing for us is to deal with the basic concepts of european security. sergei lavrov. doubts have emerged about the timing of a positive covid test novak djokovic used to enter australia, where he had been hoping to defend his australian open tennis title. the world number one was originally given an exemption to play — after providing evidence of having had the virus in december.

his visa was later rejected. matt graveling has this report. this was novak djokovic's chance to win his tenth australian open, and with it, the most grand slams ever achieved in men's tennis. upon arrival in melbourne onjanuary 5, and confirming he was unvaccinated, his visa was revoked by the government. the serbian was given an exemption to play, having tested positive for coronavirus in mid—december. in an attempt to overturn the decision, djokovic's legal team presented two covid test certificates to a federal court in australia. the first, shown to be taken on december 16th, shows a positive result. the second, taken six days later, shows a negative result. a german research company questioned why the unique confirmation code on the earlier test was higher than the later one. the bbc has investigated if codes on tests done in serbia are generated

in a chronological order. a total of 56 test certificates were collected, and their unique confirmation codes plotted against the date of each result. in all cases studied, the earlier the result, the lower the unique code for the corresponding test. the only outlier of the codes plotted was novak djokovic's positive test on december 16th. according to the bbc�*s graph, this confirmation code would suggest a test sometime between the 25th and december 28th. one data specialist said, "there is always the possibility for a glitch, but if this was the case, i don't know why the authorities would not say that." to try and explain this discrepancy, the bbc has approached novak djokovic's team, serbia's institute of public health, and its office of information technology, but has yet to have a response.

matt graveling, bbc news. british sign language is on course to becoming a legally recognised language in england — after the government said it will back a new bill which will be debated in the house of commons later today. campaigners, including the first deaf contestant on strictly come dancing, rose ayling—ellis, say they hope the change will see it more widely used and promoted. jonathan blake has this report. for centuries, british sign language has been used by deaf people in the uk as an essential tool to communicate. but while it's recognised as a language, it has no legal status. campaigners, including the strictly winner rose ayling—ellis, are calling for a change in the law to ensure bsl becomes more widely used, improving accessibility for deaf people. if i go to the doctor and there's no interpreter, it means i have to bring a family member with me. but i don't want that, i want privacy. the labour mp rosie cooper, whose parents are both deaf, has proposed new laws, which the government is now backing. mps will debate the proposals later

and, once passed into law, government departments will be required to report their use of bsl, and a panel of bsl users will be set up to advise ministers and officials. it's hoped this will lead to bsl being more widely used in public settings, like this monthly signed service at manchester cathedral, and more interpreters being employed as a result. scotland already has a law promoting the use of bsl. there are campaigns for similar changes in wales and northern ireland. the new law in england is being described as a watershed moment for the deaf community, and the hope is that the estimated quarter of a million people who use bsl in some form every day will be able to play a more prominent role in society. jonathan blake, bbc news. rosie cooper, the labour mp for west lancashire, has brought forward this bill and says it will have a significant impact on the lives of deaf people.

they will not you and i wouldn't turn up at any of these places, and not expect to be understood, to be able to communicate, understand what's being said to us, and yet, up to now, that is not always the case. in fact it is more often than not that there isn't an interpreter. so in fact the government actually directing each department to promote, protect and use bsl and to report on that at a minimum every three years, i'm sure it will be sooner than that, and soon you will be able to see which departments are doing well, whether there are any lag guards, but the truth is, once you start to get dsl into the

mainstream, then deaf people require it, you have more bsl interpreters, and i'm absolutely sure that it will become commonplace, we will build it into what is a fair culture where everybody�*s valued. the into what is a fair culture where everybody's valued.— into what is a fair culture where everybody's valued. the mp, rosie coo er. the us coast guard has suspended its search for dozens of people lost at sea after their boat capsized off the coast of florida. a lone survivor was found clinging to the hull of the boat on tuesday. five bodies have so far been recovered. in a press conference, the coast guard said that it was unlikely that there would be more survivors. our north america correspondent, david willis, has more details. 34 people are still missing. a short while ago, the local coast guard announced that it had suspended the search for them at sunset tonight. one man, as you mentioned, did survive. he was pictured perched precariously on the upturned hull of that stricken vessel. local reports have named him

asjuan esteban montoya, a 22—year—old colombian man whose younger sister maria is thought to have perished in that incident. he was spotted on tuesday morning by a passing commercial vessel, badly dehydrated, very hungry, but no doubt extremely relieved to be alive after two days at sea. the boat left the bimini islands in the bahamas on saturday evening. but swiftly encountered problems and sank in storm force winds. the lone survivor told the coast guard that there were 40 people on board that vessel when it left the bahamas, none of whom was wearing a life jacket. he also said that around 20 of his fellow passengers spent some time drifting in the ocean before disappearing into it. the coast guard launched a massive air and sea rescue operation

and that encompassed an area of more than 10,000 square miles. but after rescuing, or recovering, i should say, the bodies of five people, that operation has now been abandoned. 38 million birds have disappeared from british skies over the last 50 years. this weekend we're all being encouraged to join the rspb's annual big garden birdwatch. it's the biggest wildlife survey of its kind on the planet, and it's invaluable in the fight to stop the decline in bird populations. our climate editor justin rowlatt reports. for over 40 years, the rspb's big garden birdwatch has highlighted the winners and losers in the garden bird world. so let's take a look at last year's rundown. in at number three, it was the blue tit, and a non—member holding down

the second spot once more was the starling, but the pick of the pops last year was the house sparrow, which held on to the top spot in the big garden birdwatch rankings as the most commonly seen garden bird of 2021. while house sparrows and starlings may be the uk's most commonly sighted birds a closer look at the data shows that numbers have dropped dramatically since the bird watch began in 1979. last year house sparrows were down 53%, while starlings were down a whopping 80%, and they are not the only ones. two more garden favourites, blackbirds and robins are down 46% and 32%, respectively. so the big question now is how are britain's birds doing this year? and the rspb is hoping you will help find out by taking part in the big garden birdwatch. now it's time for a look

at the weather with matt taylor. hello. there will still be a bit of hazy sunshine here and there this afternoon but a lot more cloud around and to the north and west, greyer conditions with some patchy light rain and drizzle possible. but it is into the north of scotland where we see the heaviest rain, most persistent around orkney and shetland. a blustery wind coming in from the south—west which will lift temperatures up into double figures in western areas. a degree or so down on yesterday towards the south and east but still it is reasonably mild for this stage injanuary. into tonight, more rain across northern scotland, plenty of cloud elsewhere, the odd spot of light rain, many will be dry. but with those winds coming in from a south—westerly and strengthening, for most of you temperatures actually climb a bit through the night rather than drop. it will be a mild start to saturday but colder air will be pushing southwards behind this narrowing band of heavy rain and gusty winds. staying cloudy across the far south into the afternoon with temperatures in the teens but with sunshine developing more widely across the north, it is going to feel colder, especially in the wind, which will touch 60—70 mph across parts of scotland later. see you later.

hello, this is bbc news. the headlines... scotland yard says it hasn't requested a delay to the publication of the sue gray report into lockdown gatherings in downing street. pressure on the government to delay a planned rise in national insurance to fund health and social care. russia's foreign minister sergei lavrov says that moscow doesn't want war with ukraine. he appeared to strike a positive tone on us security proposals to ease tensions in europe. doubts have emerged over the timing of the positive covid test used by novak djokovic to enter australia. and — he's been getting away with it for seven decades, but police in nottingham finally catch up with the elderly man driving without a licence or insurance.

sport and for a full round—up from the bbc sport centre, here's jane dougall. rafael nadal said he felt as though he was back to his best after beating the italian matteo berretini to get through to the final of the australian open. he now has a chance of winning a record—breaking 21st grand slam title. thunderstorms in melbournne meant the roof was closed throughout the match, but that didn't put nadal off, who looked as though he was back on form in the first two sets of the semifinal. but he then had to dig deep against berretini, after losing the third set. however, nadal showed his experience and fought to take control again, winning the fourth set 6—3 and, with it, the match. it clearly meant so much to him after issues with his foot put him out of action for much of last year. at 35, nadal could now go on to make history in the final on sunday. as i said, a couple of days ago, i have been a little bit unlucky

in my career with injuries. in all the time i have played amazing finals with good chances, against novak in 2012, roger in 2017. i feel lucky i won once in my career in 2009 but i never thought about another chance in 2022. it means a lot to be in the final again here. well, nadalwill face the russian daniil medvedev, who's just beaten stefanos tsitsipas. it was a tight match with medvedev winning the opening set after a tie—break. he then directed an angry tirade towards the umpire. accusing tsitsipas's father of coaching from the crowd — but although the greek levelled the match, medvedev composed himself to wrestle back control, and he won in four sets. he's going for a second grand slam title in a row, after winning the us open last summer. captain heather knight came to the rescue for england on day two of the women's ashes test in

canberra. katherine brunt got the day off to a good start, taking her tally to five wickets, before australia declared on 337—9. however, england's openers put onjust nine runs between them. and, as the batting line—up crumbled around her, knight hit an unbeaten century, to keep her side in the match. they closed on 235—8 — that's 102 runs behind. tyrrell hatton has stormed up the leaderboard in the second round of the duba desert classic. he opened with a bogey, but then produced four birdies in a row to move to six—under par. he's in a large group including lee westwood and paul casey, with richard bland a shot in front. south africa'sjustin harding leads on 11—under. that's all the sport for now.

it's time to have our monthly catch up with what happening in coventry�*s city of culture — the year—long festival of events. to mark the 60th anniversary of coventry cathedral, nitin sawhney, recipient of the ivor novello lifetime achievement, created a new site—specific performance in response to benjamin britten's masterpiece war requiem, which had its premier yesterday. let's go to coventry now, where our corrrespondent trish adudu has been keeping across what the city has to offer. nice to see you, over to you. lovely to speak to you. it was brilliant. i am outside coventry cathedral, the heartbeat of the city. we are halfway through the city of culture, it finishes for us in may but what a performance yesterday, it was called ghost in the ruins and it was a spectacular event of music, choirs, poetry, projections, it was marvellous. it was almost night, it

is on tonight and tomorrow. unfortunately it is soldered because it's that good but it is well worth talking to the brainchild behind it, nitin sawhney. you had me in tears last night. i nitin sawhney. you had me in tears last niuht. .,, nitin sawhney. you had me in tears last niuht. ., ., , nitin sawhney. you had me in tears last niuht. ., , ., , _ last night. i was really happy with how it all went. _ last night. i was really happy with how it all went. it _ last night. i was really happy with how it all went. it was _ last night. i was really happy with how it all went. it was amazing i last night. i was really happy withj how it all went. it was amazing to see how everyone came together. it has been incredible coming up to coventry and working with the community choir and cathedral choir and the poets, everyone put in so much so it felt like a great team effort. it much so it felt like a great team effort. , ., much so it felt like a great team effort. , . .. ., effort. it started in the cathedral and then came _ effort. it started in the cathedral and then came here _ effort. it started in the cathedral and then came here to _ effort. it started in the cathedral and then came here to be - effort. it started in the cathedral and then came here to be ruins. | effort. it started in the cathedral- and then came here to be ruins. the images of how the blitzed destroyed where we are standing was so emotional. where we are standing was so emotional-— where we are standing was so emotional. .,, ., ., emotional. those are the wonderful projections. — emotional. those are the wonderful projections. very — emotional. those are the wonderful projections, very powerful- projections, very powerful projections, very powerful projections of marc murphy all spread across the cathedral. it was very moving and powerful and it was great to work with mark as well as nigel edwards who did incredible lighting and it was amazing to see the migration of all the audience

from over there in the cathedral, the new cathedral built in 1962, not that new, but then bring everyone over into the old ruins which was from the bombing of world war ii and to come in here and actually see the choir performing, there were community choir is joining together with the music i had written, it was so rewarding for me. find with the music i had written, it was so rewarding for me.— so rewarding for me. and it was a “ourne so rewarding for me. and it was a journey through — so rewarding for me. and it was a journey through the _ so rewarding for me. and it was a journey through the years, - so rewarding for me. and it was a journey through the years, 60 - so rewarding for me. and it was a i journey through the years, 60 years of coventry, starting with the blitz and seeing how immigrants came over to coventry. i was trying to spot my friends on the projections, i did see an ex—boyfriend so i'm not happy about that! how important is it for you to be involved in city of culture? i you to be involved in city of culture?— you to be involved in city of culture? ., ., , ., ., , culture? i love that it is not only the city of _ culture? i love that it is not only the city of culture _ culture? i love that it is not only the city of culture here - culture? i love that it is not only the city of culture here in - culture? i love that it is not only i the city of culture here in coventry but also a city of sanctuary and i really love that we had changed the word collective poets and that they are representing asylum seekers, refugees and also we had the choir with no name who are from lived experience, homelessness, all these

people who come from quite vulnerable backgrounds were able to have a great voice and a huge voice on this stage and also in the cathedral. on this stage and also in the cathedral-— on this stage and also in the cathedral. ., .,, , ., , ., cathedral. one of those people who took centre — cathedral. one of those people who took centre stage _ cathedral. one of those people who took centre stage was _ cathedral. one of those people who took centre stage was you, - cathedral. one of those people who took centre stage was you, luke . took centre stage was you, luke fitzgerald. what an amazing night and great for coventry. yes. and great for coventry. yes, particularly _ and great for coventry. yes, particularly exciting - and great for coventry. yes, particularly exciting for - and great for coventry. yes, particularly exciting for us i and great for coventry. yes, j particularly exciting for us at and great for coventry. yes, - particularly exciting for us at the cathedrai— particularly exciting for us at the cathedral and require to be able to involved _ cathedral and require to be able to involved with this performance at a sweet _ involved with this performance at a sweet spot — involved with this performance at a sweet spot not only within the city of culture — sweet spot not only within the city of culture year but also kick—starting that 60 year anniversary of the cathedral so that it started _ anniversary of the cathedral so that it started great for us. like the music— it started great for us. like the music is— it started great for us. like the music is really haunting and very emotive. — music is really haunting and very emotive. what was it like being in an attack— emotive. what was it like being in an attack was your? having only arrived — an attack was your? having only arrived in — an attack was your? having only arrived in country it was entitled may but — arrived in country it was entitled may but only for some of our choir who have — may but only for some of our choir who have lived here for longer than i who have lived here for longer than i have. _ who have lived here for longer than i have, singing the music and watching _ i have, singing the music and watching the projections from mark murphy— watching the projections from mark murphy with the history of their story— murphy with the history of their story i— murphy with the history of their story i know was very moving. of story i know was very moving. course, we story i know was very moving. of course, we are open story i know was very moving. oi course, we are open for business now, coventry, which is great and the more people coming through, how

important is it for artists like you to be involved in the city now? istate to be involved in the city now? we have come — to be involved in the city now? - have come through a great period of isolation as we all know. everybody has been separate and what is lovely about a project like this is it is about a project like this is it is about connectivity, the fact we are all connected and as the dean here john wickham said yesterday he actually said that it was looking at coming from a fractured pass to a shared future and i loved that the project is all about that.— project is all about that. well, like i project is all about that. well, like i say. _ project is all about that. well, like i say. it— project is all about that. well, like i say, it may _ project is all about that. well, like i say, it may not - project is all about that. well, like i say, it may not be - project is all about that. well, like i say, it may not be open | project is all about that. well, i like i say, it may not be open for you to see the performance last night but there are so many city of culture activities, so do check out the city of culture website to find out more. coventry is well and truly open for business. back to you. it has been four weeks since new post—brexit border rules came into force for trade between britain and the eu, and many companies — especially smaller ones — are struggling to cope. the added bureaucracy is being blamed — at least in part — for long queues of trucks outside the port of dover — which is the main trading hub between britain and europe.

our global trade correspondent, chris morris, has been finding out more. driving into dover, past queues of lorries stretching for miles. they're being held here to avoid congesting the town. queues are not uncommon in these parts, but they've been particularly bad in recent weeks. drivers are fed up waiting for hours and sometimes days. when we are waiting, it's no money. they blame cancelled ferry crossings and post—brexit bureaucracy. john shirley has run a freight—forwarding company in dover for 25 years, but this is new territory. customs documents now have to be completed in full before thousands of lorries can board ferries heading for europe every day. that's caused all sorts of headaches for people. people don't know the paperwork properly, haven't prepared themselves. and so that's why there's delays here. i mean, we found a driver

here four days — four days! — with a load from germany. won't it get better with time as people get used to a new system? i don't know. i suspect it won't do. and it's notjust exporters. people bringing goods into the country from europe have also been dealing with new bureaucracy since january the 1st. david pavon runs this small deli in bristol. each individual consignment he imports now needs separate customs forms — where there used to be none. and later in the year, some of these products will need to be physically inspected when they arrive in the uk. we will need to do more paperwork. we will need to pay more money. we might need to increase the prices, but at the end of the day, that's what we do. it's certainly more difficult, but unless we close the doors and shut the business, we need to do it. so what happens in places like dover will have a wider impact. many companies are changing the way they do business across the channel in order to cope with new bureaucracy and delays.

but others have simply stopped trading between britain and the eu altogether. while global trade in general rebounded pretty well last year from the covid hits of 2020, trade between the uk and the eu did not — and it's almost certainly going to stay that way. the government says traders need to get used to new rules and focus on new trade deals — on the other side of the world. but two years after britain left the eu, the idea of seamless trade across this narrow stretch of water — that ship has already sailed. chris morris, bbc news, dover. they started filming their first sci—fi films on borrowed smartphones and handmade tripods. now they are a nigerian sci—fi film sensation. nine teenagers in the nigerian city of kaduna started experimenting with film—making in 2016. theirfirst short film came a few years later, and it drew the attention of millions of people, including hollywood stars. damilola oduolowu went to meet

the young film—makers. what if i told you this is a special effect and i am not at a factory for real, see? see? right. a group of teenage film—makers here in kaduna are responsible for this. after gaining global attention in 2019 with their science—fiction films made with a broken smartphone, the critics are still waxing strong, and creating fascinating short films. let's meet them. we wanted to tell nigerian stories in the western. we basically wanted to be hollywood in our neighbourhood. we are the critics company, a group of teenage film—makers based in kaduna notable for making sci—fi films. using makeshift tripods and borrowed smartphones, nine teenagers in nigeria shot their first sci—fi film. the first short film we made is called redemption

and was released in 2016. we did not even know so much about film—making so we were just kids, filming whatever we could film and just piecing it together to make a story that makes sense. fame came soon afterwards. chase was our short film that made us go viral and in a short time we already got one million views. we shot this film using a mobile phone that doesn't even belong to us — it belonged to raymond's dad. and when the attention came, it went around the world. it made us go numb. they got noticed by the film—maker kemi adetiba, who helped them raise more money for equipment. seeing what we had done already, a lot of them jumped on it. franklin leonard, jj abrams, the director of star wars, ava duvernay, naomi campbell. people like that were sharing our work and just excited that kids in africa are doing something they never thought african kids would ever do. now, these teenagers are taking part in top end films in nigeria.

we recently worked with kemi adetiba on king of boys which is arguably the biggest film right now in nigeria. the first netflix originalfrom nigeria. we've surpassed our expectations. we are where we never thought we would be by this time in our lives. my message to young critics out there is that if you cannot do with what you have now, you cannot do even if you have more. so make use of what you have now, so start where you are, so that you get to where you want to go. scene one, take one. damilola oduolowu, bbc news, kaduna. the headlines on bbc news... scotland yard says it hasn't requested a delay to the publication of the sue gray report into lockdown gatherings in downing street. russia's foreign minister, sergei lavrov, has appeared to strike a positive tone on us proposals to help resolve the crisis in ukraine. doubts have emerged over the timing of the positive covid test used

by novak djokovic to enter australia. the olympic games are normally a huge marketing opportunity for sponsors — a showcase for global brands. however, beijing 2022 is causing a huge headache for the 13 official corporate partners of the olympics. the us, uk, australia and canada are among the countries that have announced a diplomatic boycott of the games due to accusations of human rights abuses — though their athletes will still participate. and many sponsors are deciding it's saferjust to keep quiet — as our silicon valley correspondent james clayton has been finding out. china's winter olympics may have a shortage of snow, but there's been something else missing too. many of the olympics' big sponsors have been unusually quiet. in december, presidentjoe biden announced a diplomatic boycott of the games,

just a few weeks after discussions with the chinese president. us diplomatic or official representation would treat these games as business as usual in the face of the prc's egregious human rights abuses and atrocities in xinjiang. the criticism — china's treatment of its minority uygur population. the boycott has left multinational companies that have sponsored the games in the middle of a diplomatic spat between the us and china. bbc analysis of the olympics' 13 official partners' social media feeds has found that many sponsors have barely posted about the beijing winter olympics compared with last summer's games in tokyo. french giant atos, for example, tweeted about the olympics last year dozens of times on its twitter accounts, yet has posted almost nothing in the lead—up to the games in beijing. i don't think that any of them as global brands can afford or are willing to insult the chinese government or the chinese people, they feel they're walking on a tightrope.

the problem that many of these companies face that do business in both china and here in the us is actually pretty simple. they don't want to offend either side. so best not to say very much. that's what zumretay arkin from the world uyghur congress found when she approached the olympic partners. some of these companies, you know, always promote their own company and values, saying that they're aiming for inclusivity and human rights and all these beautiful values. but when it comes to china, it'sjust, it's crazy how silent they become. the bbc invited all 13 official olympic partners to comment on china's treatment of uyghurs. none took up the bbc�*s offer. the beijing winter olympics will be a showcase for athletes competing at the highest level. but a showcase for global brands? well, that's a more complex story. james clayton, bbc news. a man stopped by police in nottingham told officers he had

been driving with no licence or insurance for more than 70 years. officers said the driver — born in 1938 — said he had been driving with no licence or insurance since he was 12 and had never been stopped by police. he told them he had never had an accident, caused anyone an injury, and never made anyone lose out financially, by hitting them whilst uninsured. a minature, model home meant for horses, created by the anonymous artist banksy, has sold for more than a million pounds at auction. it was sold to a telephone bidder in under two minutes and our reporterjoanne carter was there. the big lot of the day, you can't fail to have missed it, it's been all over the news nationally and locally. it's banksy�*s merrivale stable, which we're delighted to bring to the north—east and great thanks to the vendors. there it is. merrivale stable. this model stable was found last summer at the merrivale model

village in great yarmouth. the owner had wanted to keep it, but soon realised it was a big responsibility looking after a banksy. originally from the north—east, he wanted it auctioned up here. and back at the auction, bidding had started. 600,000. 600, 620, 650. and itjust went up... 680, 680 i have. 680. and up... 700, fred, thank you. and up. i've got 720. 750, 780. i've got £800,000. two minutes, 120 seconds, and a banksy merrivale stable was sold. 800,000, 800,000. and sold, ladies and gentlemen, at £800,000. thank you. they'd been expecting it to fetch a seven—figure sum. so with fees and commission, it went forjust over £1 million.

the most expensive thing we've ever sold here at amg. so it's record breaking for us, and it was a fantastic piece to bring into the north—east. i believe it's only the second original banksy to come up here, so it's absolutely marvellous that we've managed to move it off. a private collector has bought it forjust a shade over a million and it'll be pride of place of his collection, i'm sure. the seller says the money will be reinvested. a letter written to a 12—year—old girl in lithuania from her pen pal in poland has been delivered — 51 years late. the letter — along with 17 others — fell out of a venitilation hole in the wall of an old post office that was being refurbished into apartments. it's thought the letters were stolen and hidden. the owner of the building decided to contact the postal service to arrange their delivery. one hand, they were emotional because it's like, you know, a letter from 50 years ago, like, one lady said it's like receiving a message

in a bottle from the sea. so it's like a historical, small historical moment, some small piece or small document of those days, how they lived, how they felt, what was important for them 50 years ago. most of us would probably admit to having too many carrier bags taking up space around our homes — many stuffed into the back of cupboards or buried deep in boxes. for one woman in south wales, collecting carrier bags has become her hobby. she's been building her collection for more than four decades, and is now the proud owner of 10,000 of them. tomos morgan has been to meet her. where is the first one that started your collection? one of the first will be thejubilee's. from 1977. so at that point, did you think, yes... yeah. ..i'm going to keep them? i'm going to keep them. you knew at that point? yeah, idid. for almost half a century now, angela clarke has been collecting carrier bags.

my top five. i love these. they're so unique. i've got quite an affinity with these. her 10,000—strong collection is thought to be the largest in the world. that's the actual bag. and here you are with noel edmonds, the man that never ages. he doesn't age. he looks no different. and it all spiralled as a 10—year—old, after an appearance on the �*70's children's tv show the multi—coloured swap shop. i only had about 200 at that point. and then, after that programme, you basically doubled your collection? yeah, i did, literally just doubled it. i had to go back on the show again two weeks after. how do you keep them? i keep them in plastic bags. they originally were in suitcases, which are now disintegrating because they're so old. the suitcases, but not the bags? well, the bags are old as well, aren't they? now, these haven't been disturbed for a while. and what's the long term plan? what do you want to do with them?

what would you like to see done with this collection down the line? ijoke to my sons, it's their inheritance. one of these is going for £10 on ebay. another one is £30. some of them are going up to £300 because people are using the prada, etc, making bags out of them. so would you sell them? no. what i would love to see is these to be displayed somewhere, because everybody's connected with them. they go, "oh, look at that!" you know, it's a piece of their history, their childhood. so i'd love to see them displayed. can i ask you, just to play devil's advocate? have you had anyone say to you, "why are you collecting plastic bags?" yeah, all the time. what do you say to them? all the time. because it's interesting. and then when you show them, they'll go, "oh yeah, i rememberthat! i remember that. i remember that place." 10,000 collected, and probably a few more thousand still to go. i do get bags, eh, arrive at my property here too, you know, "bag lady, aberdare" and they get to me! it's quite funny! tomos morgan, bbc news, aberdare.

the cbeebies bedtime stories programme has made another big—name signing. reese witherspoon will become the first best actress oscar winner to fill the seat, as she reads extraordinary! by penny harrison. hello, my name is rees. sometimes when we are busy it can be hard to find time to notice the world around us. the things we see every day can seem a bit ordinary. the hollywood star says she hopes her telling of the story will encourage children to take the time to seek out the magic in ordinary things. it airs this evening at 6:50pm on cbeebies. time to bring you some reaction to the main news today, the delay in the main news today, the delay in the sue gray report. it has been in the sue gray report. it has been in the news pretty much all week at the

metropolitan police announced that they are investigating downing street and it has led to confusion around exactly when the sue gray report will be released and how much she will be able to include in it. the covid—19 bereaved families for justice have put out a statement with their reaction to these developments, accusing the metropolitan police of having broken the trust of the public. a spokesperson ho said the met had first refused to investigate fragrant lawbreaking and art denying any other investigations to hide the most serious illegalities happening at downstate. the statement also says the sue gray investigation has turned into a circus and i are repeating their call for the prime minister to resign despite they say in the statement that quite clearly is not going to happen. that is reaction from the covid—19 bereaved families forjustice to the political developments on the sue gray report. we will have all the

very latest for you at the top of the hour but first they were there. hello. for some of us, a very windy weekend on the way, but there'll be some good weather around too with some sunshine, but i think overall we'll call it a mixed bag. so yeah, a bit of everything thrown in. let's have a look at the picture right nowjust to the west of our neighbourhood in the north atlantic. a storm is forming right now and it is heading for scotland. but to the south we have a high pressure. so that means settled conditions for most of england, wales, really much of the country through today, but it is quite cloudy. these are the evening temperatures, around eight to 11 degrees and then off the west coast of scotland, this storm forms tonight. the gales start to develop in the western isles. the rain spreads in, but with this also mild air overnight, so temperatures first thing on saturday morning, around double figures in some areas. really quite a mild start to the morning and day.

so here's that very stormy weather across the north. you can see a lot of isobars here. i think the worst of the weather will be around the middle of the day on saturday. now, in terms of the winds, the met office warns gusts of 80 miles an hour in some northern parts of scotland, 70 a little bit further south and the gales will be felt around the irish sea and also to an extent around northern england. but in the south, not quite so windy, although a bit of a breeze. 13 in london, seven degrees in aberdeen, six in stornoway with a rash of showers and i think overall a relatively bright, if not sunny day for many of us on saturday, despite the strong wind. now, another low pressure comes our way, so this is round two of gale force winds for sunday. this next one you can see again forms to the west of the hebrides here, again vicious gusts of wind, heavy rain, some mountain snow there. we could see those gales strengthening through the day into sunday evening. south of that, it should be much drier, brighter. in fact, some sunshine

for london and norwich. but sunday night into monday, gale force winds with some rain across northern england and again those winds 70 to 80 miles an hour in the west. the weekend looks pretty rough for folks in scotland, but the further south you are, the better it'll be. the next week we'll see rounds of low pressures with wind and rain sweeping our way. so i think unsettled weather for next week. bye bye.

this is bbc news. the headlines at noon. scotland yard says it hasn't requested a delay to the publication of the sue gray report into lockdown gatherings in downing street. pressure on borisjohnson to delay april's planned rise in national insurance — but the government says it's needed to help pay for vital services: there is no plan to change the approach on national insurance. it was approved by the cabinet, it approved by parliament. we need to make sure the nhs is properly funded, and social care. russia's foreign minister sergei lavrov says that moscow doesn't want war with ukraine. he appeared to strike a positive tone on us security proposals to ease tensions in europe. doubts have emerged over the timing of the positive covid test used by novak djokovic

to enter australia. lockdown visit by a former downing street adviser dominic cummings, arnold castle has enjoyed its best ever year for tourism. arnold castle has enjoyed its best everyearfortourism. —— barnard ever year for tourism. —— barnard castle. and — he's been getting away with it for seven decades — but police in nottingham finally catch up with the elderly man driving without a licence or insurance since he was 12. good afternoon. scotland yard has given more details about its contact with the cabinet office team preparing the report on lockdown gatherings at downing street. the findings of sue gray's inquiry are yet to be published — and the metropolitan police say they aren't responsible for the delay. but they've confirmed they want "minimal reference" in that report to events they�* re

investigating themselves. alex bailin is a qc, and has has been telling us what we should read into this development. there is a very sensitive political investigation being done by an independent civil servant. i can understand, politically, why everyone wants to see sue gray's report but the timing of it has cut right across a criminal investigation and obviously a criminal investigation has the highest standards of procedural fairness. the met will want to get uncontaminated individual accounts from witnesses and suspects, as to what happened, and if sue gray were to publish her report, warts and all, saying for example, i found such and such an account to be inconsistent or i found so—and—so to be unconvincing, that has a real potential to prejudice the criminal investigation and that is why as i understand it the met have asked her to make

minimal reference to the incidents that they are investigating. daniel sandford, our home affairs correspondent, explains more about the timing of the report. from the moment that it became clear that some of these events in downing street and whitehall were going to end up being investigated by police as possible breaches of health protection regulations, it was all was going to be the case that sue gray would want to publish a detailed blow by blow account, that wasn't going to be possible for the reasons that the qc was explaining there. my understanding is that that hasn't anyway been the plan for some time, that actually the sue gray report that is being prepared for publication currently is actually not that, it is a summary of which events took place and a sort of overview of whether that was appropriate or not.

i think the met, when asked, did you say that sue gray can't publish very, very detailed accounts, then they said, yes, we have asked for minimal accounts, but i don't think they have intervened at the last minute saying "well, you cannot publish all that," there is a discussion going on about wording, but i think this week everyone has known that a very detailed account was not possible. our political correspondent says that opposition parties view this as a cover—up. that opposition parties view this as a cover-up— a cover-up. thus has throwing everything _ a cover-up. thus has throwing everything into _ a cover-up. thus has throwing everything into disarray - a cover-up. thus has throwing everything into disarray in - everything into disarray in westminster. there is uncertainty about whether sue gray's reports can be published in any form. there has been this ongoing discussion between the cabinet office and the met police about what can and can't be included in that report, whether there was any risk of it prejudicing there was any risk of it prejudicing the police investigation that is ongoing. there have been a couple of

other factors behind the delay in sue gray publishing the report, some internal wrangling going on within the cabinet office, discussions with hr teams and legal teams, again, about the details of what exactly can be concluded. the cabinet office have been clear about the desire to publish the report in full as it is received. that is why the fact that the met police have intervened in this way to say that they only want certain limited details of the investigations regarding parties that they are also looking at, means there is now some doubt over whether sue gray will publish anything at all, ratherthanjust sue gray will publish anything at all, rather than just publishing something that would have to be heavily redacted. i5 something that would have to be heavily redacted.— heavily redacted. is an extraordinary - heavily redacted. is an extraordinary turn - heavily redacted. is an extraordinary turn of l heavily redacted. is an - extraordinary turn of events. we went this week anticipating the full publication, and the way that the week has turned out means that events are very different. does it put borisjohnson in a stronger

position now? i put boris johnson in a stronger position now?— put boris johnson in a stronger position now? i think there is a mixed view _ position now? i think there is a mixed view about _ position now? i think there is a mixed view about this. - position now? i think there is a mixed view about this. we - position now? i think there is a | mixed view about this. we were expecting a report earlier this week. we were expecting preparations that were going on in westminster for the prime minister to make a statement off the back of its publication, with mps given the chance to respond to that as well and for many mps that was going to be the moment where they made up their mind exactly what they felt about all of this, what might happen next, whether they thought the prime minister should remain leader of the conservative party, even, so there was lots at stake earlier this week on that. the fact that this has now all been delayed has caused a bit of all been delayed has caused a bit of a mixed reaction. among some allies of the prime minister there are people hoping this may buy a little bit more time, but the mood has changed a little bit over the last few days while the report has still yet to be released and people are yet to be released and people are yet to be released and people are yet to have the clarity they were looking for. however, opposition parties made pretty clear that anything other than the full report, they will see as some kind of

cover—up, and that sort of attack line is one that the government is going to be pretty aware is coming down the road for them. hence why there is this confusion about what exactly may be able to be published, if anything at all. what —— iahe if anything at all. what -- lone wells. the covid—19 bereaved families forjustice have accused the metropolitan police of having "broken the trust of the public" spokesperson fran hall said that the met had first refused "to investigate flagrant law breaking" and are now "demanding any other investigations hide the most serious illegalities happening at downing street". they also say the sue gray investigation has now "turned into a circus" and repeated their call for the prime minister to resign despite feeling that "quite clearly isn't going to happen". that is the statement through from the covid—19 breed families group. —— bereaved families group.

as we've been hearing, there's increasing pressure on the government to delay a planned rise in national insurance. under the plans, employees, employers and the self—employed will pay 1.25p more in the pound for national insurance from april 2022. there are figures within the conservative party and elsewhere who don't want that tax increase they came in, particularly at this time of a huge squeeze on living standards, the cost of living. there are energy price increases due to come in in april as well. we heard from one government minister last night who said that number ten is listening to the concerns of people around that national insurance tax increase. this morning the culture minister, chris philp, has told the bbc that it is important that the government proceeds with the plans

do increase national insurance contributions to fund health and social care. this will fix the social care problems which successive governments of both colours have failed to do. and the labour party, coincidentally, voted against this extra money and do not have a costed plan to properly fund our nhs. so it is important we proceed with his plans to make sure the nhs and social care have the resources which they need. we have had comments through from the prime minister's spokesman this morning to political correspondence, saying that the prime minister and rishi sunak are fully committed to

introducing the health and social care levy in april. the prime minister and the chancellor fully committed to introducing that, is the quote, what was said to reporters. he said we have spoken before about why we are doing that, to give the nhs the funds it needs to give the nhs the funds it needs to tackle the backlog that has built up to tackle the backlog that has built up as well as tackling the long—term issue of social care. let's talk to the liberal democrat mp sarah olney. thank you forjoining us. do you take that as confirmation that it is going to go ahead, and what is your reaction to that? i going to go ahead, and what is your reaction to that?— reaction to that? i don't know what to believe any _ reaction to that? i don't know what to believe any more. _ reaction to that? i don't know what to believe any more. we _ reaction to that? i don't know what to believe any more. we hear - reaction to that? i don't know what. to believe any more. we hear things from the government all the time that turn out not to be true. there is clearly a big discussion going on within government about whether to go ahead with the increase in national insurance or not. it seems to me the decision will hinge upon what borisjohnson needs to offer his backbenchers in order to keep

his backbenchers in order to keep hisjob. it is not a decision that will be made in the best interests of the country. d0 will be made in the best interests of the country-— of the country. do you think it should go _ of the country. do you think it should go ahead? _ of the country. do you think it should go ahead? we - of the country. do you think it should go ahead? we have i of the country. do you think it - should go ahead? we have always been o- osed to should go ahead? we have always been opposed to this — should go ahead? we have always been opposed to this particular _ should go ahead? we have always been opposed to this particular tax _ should go ahead? we have always been opposed to this particular tax rise. - opposed to this particular tax rise. we think it is the wrong tax. because it is a tax on working households. it is also a tax on jobs. as we come out of the pandemic, and also in the wake of brexit, we need economic growth, so taxing working people and taxing business is just that i'm when the future is looking really uncertain, we need to stimulate investment and growth, and to encourage entrepreneurs. it is the wrong time and it is the wrong tax. you entrepreneurs. it is the wrong time and it is the wrong tax.— and it is the wrong tax. you are sa in: and it is the wrong tax. you are saying almost _ and it is the wrong tax. you are saying almost exactly _ and it is the wrong tax. you are saying almost exactly what - and it is the wrong tax. you are saying almost exactly what the | saying almost exactly what the labour party are saying. rachel reeves this morning saying exactly the same thing, describing the labour party as the party of business. it feels like a weird time in politics, when both of you are basically saying that you are

standing up for business, and the government is patronising, and you don't want it, you don't want the tax rises. obviously the tax rises are there to fund something that has been looked at for a long time as being absolutely in the interests of the people, which is to sort out social care so that people don't have to sell their homes to pay for social care at the end of their lives. there is also that enormous backlog in the nhs, so, with your new pro—business hat on and anti tax raising, how would you pay for that? we have always been clear that the problems with funding social care, we have always been supportive of the proposals by andrew dilnot that he made over a decade ago now, to have the cap so that people would know how much they were liable for, then so that the cost of social care could be put against an estate, so

people don't have to worry about how they are going to find those costs during their lifetimes, because the problem with social care costs is that they are not shared equally amongst the population in the same but way that health care costs are. we all contribute to the nhs and we all get roughly what we need at the time we need it, but social care, they come down very heavily with a few families, and many families don't have any cost at all. it is about giving people certainty over the liability they are likely to have an cotton is that they will not lose their home in order to pay for it. ., lose their home in order to pay for it. so, what about paying for the nhs backlog? — it. so, what about paying for the nhs backlog? finding _ it. so, what about paying for the nhs backlog? finding money - it. so, what about paying for the nhs backlog? finding money for it. so, what about paying for the - nhs backlog? finding money for the nhs. it nhs backlog? finding money for the nhs. , ., ., ., ., ,, nhs. it turns out we have a massive roblem nhs. it turns out we have a massive problem in — nhs. it turns out we have a massive problem in the _ nhs. it turns out we have a massive problem in the nhs _ nhs. it turns out we have a massive problem in the nhs at _ nhs. it turns out we have a massive problem in the nhs at the _ nhs. it turns out we have a massive problem in the nhs at the moment, j problem in the nhs at the moment, and that we need to pay particular attention to how we get rid of the backlog, how we deliver the health care that people have been waiting for, for a long time. as we said before, what we need to do is invest

in our economy, seek out opportunities for growth and then see general taxation increase, then we should find the money we need. istate we should find the money we need. we just need to say goodbye to viewers on bbc two. please stay with us, sarah olney. back to the point you're making about investing in growth. again, are you basically going down what would have previously been seen as a tory route, supra note economic growth do you cut taxes for businesses? ilat you cut taxes for businesses? not ro osina you cut taxes for businesses? not proposing to _ you cut taxes for businesses? ijrrt proposing to cut tax were businesses, but to ensure the fundamentals of the economy are supported. especially after brexit it is really urgent that we find new areas of economic growth. but it is really urgent that we find new areas of economic growth. but how do ou do areas of economic growth. but how do you do that? — areas of economic growth. but how do you do that? how _ areas of economic growth. but how do you do that? how do _ areas of economic growth. but how do you do that? how do you _ areas of economic growth. but how do you do that? how do you encourage i you do that? how do you encourage businesses to grow, without

providing incentives to change what is the status quo? istate providing incentives to change what is the status quo?_ providing incentives to change what is the status quo? we are very clear that what we _ is the status quo? we are very clear that what we need _ is the status quo? we are very clear that what we need to _ is the status quo? we are very clear that what we need to see _ is the status quo? we are very clear that what we need to see is - is the status quo? we are very clear| that what we need to see is massive investment in the green economy. we are proposing huge investment in greenjobs, in renewable energy, in insulating homes, and we think that kind of investment is absolutely essential, firstly, obviously, to achieve net zero targets, but also, we think there are huge possibilities for entrepreneurship and innovation. but possibilities for entrepreneurship and innovation.— and innovation. but that is more spending- _ and innovation. but that is more spending- how— and innovation. but that is more spending. how do _ and innovation. but that is more spending. how do you _ and innovation. but that is more spending. how do you find - and innovation. but that is more spending. how do you find the l and innovation. but that is more - spending. how do you find the money for that? spending. how do you find the money forthat? it spending. how do you find the money for that? it is spending. how do you find the money for that? , ., , ., for that? it is not 'ust about spending. h for that? it is not 'ust about spending. it_ for that? it is not 'ust about spending. it is _ for that? it is notjust about spending. it is about - for that? it is notjust about - spending. it is about investment, transitioning the economy to a new economy. we cannot go on as a carbon emitting economy. we know we need to make the investment now, but it is about setting up a sustainable green economy with newjobs. it about setting up a sustainable green economy with newjobs.— economy with new “obs. it sounds like what economy with new “obs. it sounds iike wnat you — economy with new “obs. it sounds like what you are — economy with new jobs. it sounds like what you are talking - economy with new jobs. it sounds like what you are talking about. economy with new jobs. it sounds like what you are talking about is | economy with new jobs. it sounds | like what you are talking about is a lot of front—loaded spending with the ultimate goal, as you say, to

joe —— grow the economy so that increased tax receipts can then pay for extra spending on health and social care where needed, but how does it get funded in the meantime? that growing economy is going to take however long it takes, so would you borrow in the meantime to pay for what, where you want the money invested? ., ., , invested? there would need to be borini but invested? there would need to be boring but it _ invested? there would need to be boring but it is _ invested? there would need to be boring but it is about _ invested? there would need to be boring but it is about investing - invested? there would need to be| boring but it is about investing and we have to do this, we have to transition from a carbon emitting economy to a net zero economy. the government itself has said that. just because they have not given clear indications of how they plan to actually do that doesn't mean that it won't happen. it really does need to happen, and that is what needs to be achieved.— need to happen, and that is what needs to be achieved. thank you very much forjoining _ needs to be achieved. thank you very much forjoining us, _ needs to be achieved. thank you very much forjoining us, sarah _ needs to be achieved. thank you very much forjoining us, sarah olney. - carl emmerson is the deputy director of the institute for fiscal studies, an economic research institute based in london. he said that he didn't think the burden of a rise in national insurance would fall on people who earn less.

it's i don't think that is really correct. across working age earners, the more you earn the more you pay in cash terms and as a share of your earnings. people could point out alternative ways of raising the money and may consider that fairer so the national insurance rise is a tax on earners, the employed and the self—employed. it doesn't for example tax people who get their income from rental income, from pension income, and some might consider that a more appropriate way of raising the revenue to include that, but across the working population, across their earnings, it is a progressive tax rise. ryan shorthouse is the chief executive of bright blue, an independent think tank for promoting liberal conservatism. thank you forjoining us. just to add into the picture. we have had the prime minister was much statement this morning telling reporters that the prime minister and chancellor stand foursquare

behind the plan for introducing the health and social care levy in april, so is any debate around it now a waste of time? i april, so is any debate around it now a waste of time?— april, so is any debate around it now a waste of time? i 'ust don't think it is credible _ now a waste of time? i 'ust don't think it is credible as _ now a waste of time? i just don't think it is credible as some - think it is credible as some conservative mps are calling for to abolish this tax. a 12 billion is needed for the backlog caused by covid in the nhs and finally to inject the money which is necessary into social care. to get 12 billion, you need tax, and you can only really get that amount of money through one of the three big taxes, national insurance, income tax or vat, and the government has chosen national insurance. the labour party is talking about maybe we should be applying it to wealth taxes like capital gains and inheritance tax. no way would you be able to raise 12 billion from that. so i don't think it is credible to abolish it. i think the treasury is right to insist that. some people have said let's postpone it. the problem with postponing it is that we know that

interest rates are rising. the government's debt and servicing that debt is becoming more expensive, so the government, to postpone it and require more borrowing is something that the treasury wanted. and politically the chancellor will want to take the pain now so that he can give more giveaways nearer an election. ., ., ., election. you have said that the government _ election. you have said that the government should _ election. you have said that the government should widen - election. you have said that the government should widen the i election. you have said that the i government should widen the base election. you have said that the - government should widen the base of the levy, to bring in rental income and pensions. can you explain how much more that would bring into the pot, but it would do to the overall picture? pot, but it would do to the overall -icture? ., , , pot, but it would do to the overall -icture? . , , , pot, but it would do to the overall -icture? ., , , ., picture? the treasury is right to resist abolish _ picture? the treasury is right to resist abolish your _ picture? the treasury is right to resist abolish your postponing i picture? the treasury is right to resist abolish your postponing it but you don't have to continue with the status quo. you can go for a reform option, which would add more to the base, so you apply this to pension income and rental income. at the moment it applies only to

earnings and dividends, so we will broaden the base, bringing in more money and, if you do that, you will then be able to cut the rate of 1.25% which is applied to both employees, self—employed and employers as national insurance so you would use that headline rate, and therefore the twin fold effect of that, is that it would share the burden of this taxation across a wider loop of people, both older people and wealthier people. the other effect is that we would then see some of the sting of employment effects on household income by reducing the headline rate. igtgthat reducing the headline rate. what headfine reducing the headline rate. what headline rate _ reducing the headline rate. what headline rate would _ reducing the headline rate. what headline rate would you - reducing the headline rate. what headline rate would you be able to reduce to two raise the same 12 billion? ~ ., ., ., ~ reduce to two raise the same 12 billion? ~ ., ., billion? we need to look at, i cannot give — billion? we need to look at, i cannot give you _ billion? we need to look at, i cannot give you an _ billion? we need to look at, i cannot give you an exact - billion? we need to look at, i . cannot give you an exact figure because you need to look very carefully at what the revenue raising implications would be on

pensions and benefit income and then you could see how much you would have to raise the health and social care levy buyer, and if i was going to prioritise i would start with the employers aspect of the health and social care levy, as opposed to employees and self—employed, the reason for that is because there is so much upward pressure on wages at the moment and it is likely that that would allow companies, employers would allow companies to service those higher wages and at the same time is that the tax take from employees and self—employed is continuing to rise and there are all sorts of perverse incentives for people to go into self—employment as a result of that so actually focusing on the employers bit of health and social care would be the right thing to do in terms of reducing the rate.— right thing to do in terms of reducing the rate. right thing to do in terms of reducini the rate. ,~ ,, ., ., , reducing the rate. ryan short house from briiht reducing the rate. ryan short house from bright blue, _ reducing the rate. ryan short house from bright blue, thank— reducing the rate. ryan short house from bright blue, thank you. -

the russian foreign minister sergei lavrov has stressed that moscow doesn't want war with ukraine. amid all the heightened tension and predictions of imminent war mr lavrov said america's written response to moscow's demands for a nato pull—back in eastern eaurope contained "grains of rationality". interviewed by russian journalists, mr lavrov said president putin was deciding how to respond. his comments have come as washington has called for a meeting of the un security council to discuss russian aggression towards ukraine. translation: if it depends - on russia, there will be no war, but we will not let them undermine and ignore russian interests. i cannot say for sure if negotiations are over now. as you know, the us and nato have been studying our simple proposals for more than a month, and only the day before yesterday we received answers in western style, that are a bit confusing but rational in minor issues. this is better than nothing, but the main thing for us is to deal with the basic concepts of european security.

more people than ever visited barnard castle in county durham last year, in the wake of the notorious lockdown trip by the prime minister's then chief adviser dominic cummings. figures released by english heritage show that the castle attracted 20% more visitors than usual. it was among a number of �*hidden local gems' which saw a boom in visitor numbers compared to pre—pandemic levels. joining me now is kate mavor, english heritage's chief executive. thank you forjoining us. so is the increase in visitors to barnard castle the dominic cummings effect? it is to do with the high profile. people have all gone to explore county durham which they might not have done before. overall we found that lots of our smaller sites have had a real boost in the last year. i think that's because so many people have joined think that's because so many people havejoined english heritage. 180,000 peoplejoined last year, which means you have got over a

million members. and when you are a member you just go along to local heritage sites are known to you for just on your doorstep. it has been lovely for people when it has been difficult for them to travel to go out and about with their families into outdoor sites where it is perfectly safe, and that has been really enjoyable.— really en'oyable. before we talk more really enjoyable. before we talk more widely _ really enjoyable. before we talk more widely about _ really enjoyable. before we talk more widely about all _ really enjoyable. before we talk more widely about all of - really enjoyable. before we talk more widely about all of the - really enjoyable. before we talk i more widely about all of the other places that have seen an increase, does this now mean that dominic cummings is effectively part of the history of barnard castle? i cummings is effectively part of the history of barnard castle?- history of barnard castle? i think that is absolutely _ history of barnard castle? i think that is absolutely right. - history of barnard castle? i think that is absolutely right. history l history of barnard castle? i think| that is absolutely right. history is about layer after layer of experience. when year on top of another. and every single site we have, whether it is stonehenge or mine —— one of the more recent ones, has layers and layers of history so i absolutely agree that matt —— barnard castle has a new layer of history, over the pandemic. barnard castle has a new layer of history, overthe pandemic. let’s history, over the pandemic. let's talk about— history, over the pandemic. let's talk about all _ history, over the pandemic. let's talk about all of _ history, over the pandemic. let's talk about all of the _ history, over the pandemic. let's talk about all of the other - history, overthe pandemic. let's

talk about all of the other places. why do you think there is this growing interest, you mentioned membership has gone up dramatically, what is behind that? is it the fact that we haven't been able to travel abroad for holidays so people are looking closer to home? it is partly that. if looking closer to home? it is partly that- if you — looking closer to home? it is partly that. if you have _ looking closer to home? it is partly that. if you have ever _ looking closer to home? it is partly that. if you have ever been - looking closer to home? it is partly that. if you have ever been to - looking closer to home? it is partly that. if you have ever been to a - that. if you have ever been to a fantastic secluded priory room, for example in north yorkshire kirkham priory, you are standing in the ruins of a building that has stood for 900 years, and there is something really calming about that. and if you think of those castle ruins that have stood there through the plagues, the battles, the wars, and they are still standing today, and they are still standing today, and that gives you a real sense of rootedness and that life goes on and i think at times of uncertainty people do seek solace in local heritage as well as the discovery of somewhere around the corner that we never got round to going to, then you discover there was a fantastic

story, like that charles ii you discover there was a fantastic story, like that charles i! head in an oak tree in shropshire, and that is a great day out to find out about so across the land, on the isle of wight, as well, we have 400 places that you can discover that something has gone on there, that is part of the story of britain. $5 has gone on there, that is part of the story of britain.— the story of britain. as you say, amazini the story of britain. as you say, amazing stories, _ the story of britain. as you say, amazing stories, amazing - the story of britain. as you say, i amazing stories, amazing history. how do you bring it to life? i'm sure that we all have memories of being kids or taking kids to places where it is ruins, it doesn't sort of immediately grab the imagination. that is where we have so much opportunity these days. we have the background you can follow before you go on your phone. we have got audiovisual, you can bring your phone and the audio guide is on your phone. we have got costumed characters who will bring the story to life and we have all of the usual

events like knights clashing, jousts, re—enactments, the adrian sporle anniversary this year, we have romans up on the wall. all kind of fun things that bring things to life —— the hadrian is wall anniversary. now it's time for a look at the weather with tomasz. hello. a little bit of bright weather out there today. not an awful lot. and the weekend is looking quite mixed. it really will be quite windy, stormy, in fact, across the north of scotland into tomorrow. and that's because just off the west coast of scotland later tonight, a storm will be developing. you can see this circulation here. a lot of isobars, very strong winds. south of that, it should be much calmer. and also with this storm approaching, very mild weather, first thing in the morning, temperatures will be into double figures in many parts of the country. let's focus on those winds through tomorrow. so the north of scotland,

the met office warns 80 mile an hour gusts, really rough weather, 70 a little bit further south and gale force winds also expected around the irish sea and northern parts of england. not so windy in the south. and the weather? well, i think, generally speaking, a bright day for many of us tomorrow with some showers in the north.

hello, this is bbc news. the headlines... scotland yard says it hasn't requested a delay to the publication of the sue gray report into lockdown gatherings in downing street. pressure on borisjohnson within his party to delay april's planned rise in national insurance — but the government says it's needed to help pay for health and social care. russia's foreign minister sergei lavrov says that moscow doesn't want war with ukraine. he appeared to strike a positive tone on us security proposals

to ease tensions in europe. doubts have emerged over the timing of the positive covid test used by novak djokovic to enter australia. made famous by a notorious lockown visit by the pm's adviser dominic cummings — barnard castle has just enjoyed its "best ever" year for tourism. a group of more than 300 scientists and public health experts in britain has said it is reckless to allow three billion people in the developing world to go unvaccinated against covid. they want the british government to support moves to waive the intellectual property rights on vaccines so that developing countries can make their own. dr maryam shahmanesh is professor of global health at the ucl institute for global health. she has signed the letter and joins us now. thank you very much indeed for joining us. just explain how the proposal would work. $5

joining us. just explain how the proposal would work.— joining us. just explain how the proposal would work. as you have 'ust proposal would work. as you have just described _ proposal would work. as you have just described we _ proposal would work. as you have just described we have _ proposal would work. as you have just described we have an - proposal would work. as you have | just described we have an amazing gift with the covid vaccines which prevent death and serious illness and yet as you just described 3 billion people remain totally unvaccinated and only 5% of the world population are fully vaccinated. this is obviously extremely precarious both in terms of undesirable and unwanted and preventable deaths but also allowing a petri dish for new variants to arise. we know that we can transfer the recipe, the patented if you want to call it, the recipe for developing these vaccines to developing these vaccines to developing countries, lower middle income countries and they can produce vaccines and massively scaled the vaccine and delivery and get rid of this incredible inequality. get rid of this incredible inequality-— get rid of this incredible ineiuali . ., ., ,, inequality. how would the process work, inequality. how would the process work. because _ inequality. how would the process work, because the _ inequality. how would the process work, because the united - inequality. how would the process work, because the united states . inequality. how would the process i work, because the united states and the who support this. the united

kingdom and eu oppose it. in the end whose decision is it to take? this is the world _ whose decision is it to take? this is the world trade _ whose decision is it to take? try 3 is the world trade organization. as you know about a year ago, india and south africa proposed the world trade organization waving the patented, temporarily, as in the recipe of the technologies for covid because it is an emergency. since then usa and australia have come on board and it needs all the countries at 130 have approved and three are very strong in terms of not approving that and the uk is one of those countries, the eu is the other and switzerland as the third. unless these three countries also agreed this won't happen. this is one of the steps needed. the other is sharing the technology, so we as a country which have a very strong pharmaceutical industry presence can also put pressure on them to share the technologies. these are

technologies that we must remember were developed through taxpayers' money. $80 billion of taxpayer money went into developing these technologies. it was our nhs clinics, universities that supported many of these trials. it was our volunteers that went and did these trials and all of us are really saying this should translate into public good, to reduce the development of new variants, to help stop preventable deaths and that is all we are asking, a waving of the patented. but all we are asking, a waving of the -atented. �* ., ,., all we are asking, a waving of the -atented. �* ., ., ., ., , patented. but about donations because that _ patented. but about donations because that is _ patented. but about donations because that is the _ patented. but about donations because that is the uk - patented. but about donations - because that is the uk government strategy and it has pledged to donate 100 million doses by the middle of this year. so far 23 million doses have been donated to poorer countries.— poorer countries. donating doses is a very good — poorer countries. donating doses is a very good thing — poorer countries. donating doses is a very good thing and _ poorer countries. donating doses is a very good thing and absolutely i a very good thing and absolutely laudable but this is a very charitable approach and we know this hasn't worked over the past year. covax has received less than half of the amount of vaccines it required over the past year and so this

hasn't worked. we saw in the case of hiv that the waiving of the patient massively increase the manufacturing and distribution of treatment and saved millions of deaths that are still ongoing now, but hasn't affected the ability of the pharmaceutical industry to make profit but have saved my life so donations are not enough. it is a good thing but not enough for a pandemic of the scale of this and the number of vaccine doses we need to be distributed to really envious pandemic and stop preventable deaths and stop new variants arising. igiigiheh and stop new variants arising. when ou look and stop new variants arising. when you look at — and stop new variants arising. when you look at the _ and stop new variants arising. when you look at the scale _ and stop new variants arising. when you look at the scale of _ and stop new variants arising. when you look at the scale of the - you look at the scale of the production, the british pharmaceutical industry's chief executive says the issue isn't about production constraints, it's about how we effectively distribute and administer the doses. there are 11.2 billion doses of the vaccine reduced last year and now 1.1 billion doses are being produced every month. how

do you respond to that? i are being produced every month. how do you respond to that?— do you respond to that? i think that has been disputed _ do you respond to that? i think that has been disputed and _ do you respond to that? i think that has been disputed and i _ do you respond to that? i think that has been disputed and i think - do you respond to that? i think that has been disputed and i think the i has been disputed and i think the issueis has been disputed and i think the issue is the distribution is important and we also absolutely agree we should be contributing and supporting distribution, that is what many of our global health activities do, production is one of the bottlenecks and it is a big bottleneck. so we both need to up production and distribution. we can't rely on charity alone. if charity had worked we would not be in the position we are today, where as i said, only 3 billion people haven't received even one dose and only 5% of the world's population are fully vaccinated so the proof is in the pudding. we haven't seen that happen so far and we think all aspects should be explored and one of those is increasing manufacturing capacity by saying your recipe with factories that are lying idle in low and middle income countries that could increase when you factoring in a setting where they are going to be

used. ., ~ a setting where they are going to be used. . «i i. ., ., , used. thank you for “oining us. thank used. thank you for “oining us. inank you t used. thank you for “oining us. inank you very _ used. thank you forjoining us. thank you very much _ used. thank you forjoining us. thank you very much for - used. thank you forjoining us. | thank you very much for having used. thank you forjoining us. - thank you very much for having me. labour's leader sir keir starmer has been reacting to the latest development with the investigations into downing street parties and the debate that appears to be taking place in government or among conservative mps at least about the raise in national insurance — lets hear what he had to say lets hear what he had to say. the prime minister has to act. inflation, going up to 6%, the worst it has been sincejohn major years and at that very moment boris johnson government want to impose a tax hike on people in april. it was the wrong thing to do and we argued strongly at end of happened, so i am glad if anybody has reconsidered this but it should never have happened in the first place. share this but it should never have happened in the first place. are the metropolitan _

happened in the first place. are the metropolitan police _ happened in the first place. are the metropolitan police right _ happened in the first place. are the metropolitan police right to - happened in the first place. are the metropolitan police right to ask- happened in the first place. are the metropolitan police right to ask for| metropolitan police right to ask for minimal references in this cabinet office report and should sue gray's report be held back if it can be published in full?— report be held back if it can be published in full? what i want to sa is sue published in full? what i want to say is sue gray's _ published in full? what i want to say is sue gray's report - published in full? what i want to say is sue gray's report in - published in full? what i want to say is sue gray's report in full i published in full? what i want to. say is sue gray's report in full and the investigation finished as quickly as possible because we are in this situation where the whole of government is paralysed because the police are now looking at what the prime minister was getting update in downing street. on the one hand you have got people really worried about this and investigations are going into what the primers there was up to. he has paralysed government so the sooner we get both people report on the investigation completed the better. share on the investigation completed the better. �* ~ ., . ., better. are the met police right to ask for it let's _ better. are the met police right to ask for it let's take _ better. are the met police right to ask for it let's take a _ better. are the met police right to ask for it let's take a step - better. are the met police right to ask for it let's take a step back. i ask for it let's take a step back. we have a _ ask for it let's take a step back. we have a criminal _ ask for it let's take a step back. | we have a criminal investigation into the edge of the prime minister and went on in downing street. there are bound to be process issues along the way. but it is caused by one thing and that is the behaviour of the prime minister. the net effect is that whilst people are struggling with their bills, he and his

government are paralysed with these investigations and allegations of what they have been up to an breach of the rules of. $5 what they have been up to an breach of the rules of.— of the rules of. as a lawyer can you see any conceivable _ of the rules of. as a lawyer can you see any conceivable prejudice - of the rules of. as a lawyer can you see any conceivable prejudice in . see any conceivable prejudice in publishing this report in full? than? publishing this report in full? any issues of publishing this report in full? jiffy} issues of prejudice have got to publishing this report in full? fifuy issues of prejudice have got to be worth three but this whole mess and this whole paralysing politics has been caused by the prime minister and his wrongdoing and you have mixed emotions, people are angry, in grief about what they have been through any last two years was the prime minister is breaking the rules. but now is added frustration and whilst they are struggling with their... we are stuck with arguments about the investigation. all because this trimester is fit for office. i5 this trimester is fit for office. is there any resident for the met police making this kind of request orfor police making this kind of request or for government police making this kind of request orfor government to police making this kind of request or for government to hold police making this kind of request orfor government to hold up police making this kind of request or for government to hold up the report in the pleas? igiigie or for government to hold up the report in the pleas?— or for government to hold up the report in the pleas? we will always iet report in the pleas? we will always get difficulties _ report in the pleas? we will always get difficulties where _ report in the pleas? we will always get difficulties where there - report in the pleas? we will always get difficulties where there a - get difficulties where there a criminal investigation into the prime minister and downing street,

here we are talking about the report being published in full with the met police investigation, the very idea that after this pandemic we should be concentrating on the really big issues facing this country, we are having discussions about the prime minister on what he was up to in breach of the rules. i think most people find it completely offensive. can we see any explanation from the met police taking this action this morning? met police taking this action this mornini ? , ., ., ., morning? they have to get on with their investigation. _ morning? they have to get on with their investigation. what _ morning? they have to get on with their investigation. what i - morning? they have to get on with their investigation. what i would i their investigation. what i would say to sue great as let's have that report in full, just as quickly as possible, no reductions or edits or bits left out. site limit above the police lets get on with that investigation and come to the findings and then we can absolutely focus on the issues that matter most to people who are really struggling now with their energy bills and problems they have got and the idea that that is not being addressed because a spy master has been misbehaving i think it was very

deep. the russian foreign minister sergei lavrov has stressed that moscow doesn't want war with ukraine. amid all the heightened tension and predictions of imminent war mr lavrov said america's written response to moscow's demands for a nato pull—back in eastern eaurope contained �*grains of rationality�*. interviewed by russian journalists, mr lavrov said president putin was deciding how to respond. his comments have come as washington has called for a meeting of the un security council to discuss russian aggression towards ukraine. our chief international correspondent lyse doucet is in kyiv. how to read these comments? it is a -ical how to read these comments? it is a typical phrase _ how to read these comments? it is a typical phrase of— how to read these comments? it is a typical phrase of his, _ how to read these comments? it is a typical phrase of his, grains - how to read these comments? it is a typical phrase of his, grains of - typical phrase of his, grains of rationality, leaving all of us to say what does he mean by that, is it positive or negative? it is widely seen here is the strongest signal yet from moscow that they may be

willing to engage with these new security proposals that were handed from president biden to the russians yesterday. the russians' immediate response was sort of don't call us, we will call you. we will take our time before we respond. but then you we are less than 24 hours later hearing from surrogate lover of the veteran foreign minister of russia speaking to russian media. but of course words are not enough and there are a lot of words going on, telephone calls between president macron of france and president zelenskiy of ukraine, president biden spoke to president zelenskiy yesterday, a lot of different forums are meeting about what is happening. but the pentagon says they have seen in the last 24 hours more troop movements along the ukrainian border with russia, so i think it is a step—by—step process and a long way from being resolved. $5 step-by-step process and a long way from being resolved.— from being resolved. as you sort of indicatini from being resolved. as you sort of indicating they _ from being resolved. as you sort of indicating they are, _ from being resolved. as you sort of indicating they are, there _ from being resolved. as you sort of indicating they are, there is - from being resolved. as you sort of indicating they are, there is the - indicating they are, there is the sort of two—pronged approach i suppose on both sides. one is the

physical manoeuvres from the russian side, while the talks are going on, and obviously from the other side there is the talk of sanctions and in particular section possibly against vladimir putin himself. yes. against vladimir putin himself. yes, president biden _ against vladimir putin himself. yes, president biden has _ against vladimir putin himself. “a: president biden has said that repeatedly they will respond decisively, there has been talk among lawmakers in the united states on both sides of the house, the kind of removing russia from the swift financial transactions which would be a crippling blow, but of course if you listen or watch russian media, you get a completely different picture. they say that ukraine is planning an invasion into russia, but it is ukraine which is destabilising the region. and of course russia has been very critical about all the way that western embassies including britain have drawn down there nonessential staff, creating this sort of aura of something imminent going to happen,

that doesn't leave the ukrainians it has to be said, because i understand more than most in this crisis that a war of words, a war of one action over another, war of words, a war of one action overanother, can war of words, a war of one action over another, can lead not to a full—blown invasion but an accidental tumbling towards an escalation of what is for ukraine a very long—running conflict. escalation of what is for ukraine a very long-running conflict.- very long-running conflict. thank ou. doubts have emerged about the timing of a positive covid test novak djokovic used to enter australia, where he had been hoping to defend his australian open tennis title. the world number one was originally given an exemption to play — after providing evidence of having had the virus in december. his visa was later rejected. matt graveling has this report. this was novak djokovic's chance to win his tenth australian open, and with it the most grand slams ever achieved in men's tennis. upon arrival in melbourne onjanuary 5, and confirming he was unvaccinated, his visa was revoked by the government.

the serbian was given an exemption to play, having tested positive for coronavirus in mid—december. in an attempt to overturn the decision, djokovic's legal team presented two covid test certificates to a federal court in australia. the first, shown to be taken on december 16th, shows a positive result. the second, taken six days later, shows a negative result. a german research company questioned why the unique confirmation code on the earlier test was higher than the later one. the bbc has investigated if codes on tests done in serbia are generated in a chronological order. a total of 56 test certificates were collected, and their unique confirmation codes plotted against the date of each result. in all cases studied, the earlier the result, the lower the unique code for the corresponding test. the only outlier of the codes

plotted was novak djokovic's positive test on december 16th. according to the bbc�*s graph, this confirmation code would suggest a test sometime between the 25th and december 28th. one data specialist said, "there is always the possibility for a glitch, but if this was the case, i don't know why the authorities would not say that." to try and explain this discrepancy, the bbc has approached novak djokovic's team, serbia's institute of public health, and its office of information technology, but has yet to have a response. matt graveling, bbc news. it has been four weeks since new post—brexit border rules came into force for trade between britain and the eu, and many companies — especially smaller ones — are struggling to cope. the added bureaucracy is being blamed — at least in part — for long queues of trucks outside the port of dover, which is the main trading hub between britain and europe. our global trade correspondent, chris morris, has been finding out more.

driving into dover, past queues of lorries stretching for miles. they're being held here to avoid congesting the town. queues are not uncommon in these parts, but they've been particularly bad in recent weeks. drivers are fed up waiting for hours and sometimes days. when we are waiting, it's no money. they blame cancelled ferry crossings and post—brexit bureaucracy. john shirley has run a freight—forwarding company in dover for 25 years, but this is new territory. customs documents now have to be completed in full before thousands of lorries can board ferries heading for europe every day. that's caused all sorts of headaches for people. people don't know the paperwork properly, haven't prepared themselves. and so that's why there's delays here. i mean, we found a driver here four days — four days! — with a load from germany.

won't it get better with time as people get used to a new system? i don't know. i suspect it won't do. and it's notjust exporters. people bringing goods into the country from europe have also been dealing with new bureaucracy since january the 1st. david pavon runs this small deli in bristol. each individual consignment he imports now needs separate customs forms — where there used to be none. and later in the year, some of these products will need to be physically inspected when they arrive in the uk. we will need to do more paperwork. we will need to pay more money. we might need to increase the prices, but at the end of the day, that's what we do. it's certainly more difficult, but unless we close the doors and shut the business, we need to do it. so what happens in places like dover will have a wider impact. many companies are changing the way they do business across the channel in order to cope with new bureaucracy and delays. but others have simply stopped trading between britain

and the eu altogether. while global trade in general rebounded pretty well last year from the covid hits of 2020, trade between the uk and the eu did not — and it's almost certainly going to stay that way. the government says traders need to get used to new rules and focus on new trade deals — on the other side of the world. but two years after britain left the eu, the idea of seamless trade across this narrow stretch of water — that ship has already sailed. chris morris, bbc news, dover. the olympic games are normally a huge marketing opportunity for sponsors — a showcase for global brands. however, beijing 2022 is causing a huge headache for the 13 official corporate partners of the olympics. the us, uk, australia and canada are among the countries that have announced a diplomatic boycott of the games due to accusations of human rights abuses — though their athletes will still participate. and many sponsors are deciding it's

saferjust to keep quiet — as our silicon valley correspondent james clayton has been finding out. china's winter olympics may have a shortage of snow, but there's been something else missing too. many of the olympics' big sponsors have been unusually quiet. in december, presidentjoe biden announced a diplomatic boycott of the games, just a few weeks after discussions with the chinese president. us diplomatic or official representation would treat these games as business as usual in the face of the prc's egregious human rights abuses and atrocities in xinjiang. the criticism — china's treatment of its minority uygur population. the boycott has left multinational companies that have sponsored the games in the middle of a diplomatic spat between the us and china. bbc analysis of the olympics' 13 official partners' social media feeds has found that many sponsors have barely posted about the beijing winter olympics compared with last summer's games in tokyo.

french giant atos, for example, tweeted about the olympics last year dozens of times on its twitter accounts, yet has posted almost nothing in the lead—up to the games in beijing. i don't think that any of them as global brands can afford or are willing to insult the chinese government or the chinese people, they feel they're walking on a tightrope. the problem that many of these companies face that do business in both china and here in the us is actually pretty simple. they don't want to offend either side. so best not to say very much. that's what zumretay arkin from the world uyghur congress found when she approached the olympic partners. some of these companies, you know, always promote their own company and values, saying that they're aiming for inclusivity and human rights and all these beautiful values. but when it comes to china, it'sjust, it's crazy how silent they become. the bbc invited all 13 official

olympic partners to comment on china's treatment of uyghurs. none took up the bbc�*s offer. the beijing winter olympics will be a showcase for athletes competing at the highest level. but a showcase for global brands? well, that's a more complex story. james clayton, bbc news. british sign language is on course to becoming a legally recognised language in england — after the government said it will back a new bill which will be debated in the house of commons later today. campaigners, including the first deaf contestant on strictly come dancing, rose ayling—ellis, say they hope the change will see it more widely used and promoted. jonathan blake has this report. for centuries, british sign language has been used by deaf people in the uk as an essential tool to communicate. but while it's recognised as a language, it has no legal status. campaigners, including the strictly winner rose ayling—ellis, are calling for a change in the law to ensure bsl becomes more widely used, improving

accessibility for deaf people. if i go to the doctor and there's no interpreter, it means i have to bring a family member with me. but i don't want that, i want privacy. the labour mp rosie cooper, whose parents are both deaf, has proposed new laws, which the government is now backing. mps will debate the proposals later and, once passed into law, government departments will be required to report their use of bsl, and a panel of bsl users will be set up to advise ministers and officials. it's hoped this will lead to bsl being more widely used in public settings, like this monthly signed service at manchester cathedral, and more interpreters being employed as a result. scotland already has a law promoting the use of bsl. there are campaigns for similar changes in wales and northern ireland. the new law in england is being described as a watershed moment for the deaf community, and the hope is that the estimated quarter of a million people who use

bsl in some form every day will be able to play a more prominent role in society. jonathan blake, bbc news. most of us would probably admit to having too many carrier bags taking up space around our homes — many stuffed into the back of cupboards or buried deep in boxes. for one woman in south wales, collecting carrier bags has become her hobby. she's been building her collection for more than four decades, and is now the proud owner of 10,000 of them. tomos morgan has been to meet her. where is the first one that started your collection? one of the first will be thejubilee's. from 1977. so at that point, did you think, yes... yeah. ..i'm going to keep them? i'm going to keep them. you knew at that point? yeah, idid. for almost half a century now, angela clarke has been collecting carrier bags. my top five. i love these. they're so unique. i've got quite an affinity with these.

her 10,000—strong collection is thought to be the largest in the world. that's the actual bag. and here you are with noel edmonds, the man that never ages. he doesn't age. he looks no different. and it all spiralled as a 10—year—old, after an appearance on the �*70's children's tv show the multi—coloured swap shop. i only had about 200 at that point. and then, after that programme, you basically doubled your collection? yeah, i did, literally just doubled it. i had to go back on the show again two weeks after. how do you keep them? i keep them in plastic bags. they originally were in suitcases, which are now disintegrating because they're so old. the suitcases, but not the bags? well, the bags are old as well, aren't they? now, these haven't been disturbed for a while. and what's the long term plan? what do you want to do with them? what would you like to see done with this collection down the line? ijoke to my sons, it's their inheritance. one of these is going for £10 on ebay.

another one is £30. some of them are going up to £300 because people are using the prada, etc, making bags out of them. so would you sell them? no. what i would love to see is these to be displayed somewhere, because everybody's connected with them. they go, "oh, look at that!" you know, it's a piece of their history, their childhood. so i'd love to see them displayed. can i ask you, just to play devil's advocate? have you had anyone say to you, "why are you collecting plastic bags?" yeah, all the time. what do you say to them? all the time. because it's interesting. and then when you show them, they'll go, "oh yeah, i rememberthat! i remember that. i remember that place." 10,000 collected, and probably a few more thousand still to go. i do get bags, eh, arrive at my property here too, you know, "bag lady, aberdare" and they get to me! it's quite funny! tomos morgan, bbc news, aberdare. in a moment, the bbc news at one with reeta chakrabarti. now it's time for a look at the weather with tomasz.

hello. for some of us, a very windy weekend on the way, but there'll be some good weather around too with some sunshine, but i think overall we'll call it a mixed bag. so yeah, a bit of everything thrown in. let's have a look at the picture right nowjust to the west of our neighbourhood in the north atlantic. a storm is forming right now and it is heading for scotland. but to the south we have a high pressure. so that means settled conditions for most of england, wales, really much of the country through today, but it is quite cloudy. these are the evening temperatures, around eight to 11 degrees and then off the west coast of scotland, this storm forms tonight. the gales start to develop in the western isles. the rain spreads in, but with this also mild air overnight, so temperatures first thing on saturday morning, around double figures in some areas. really quite a mild start to the morning and day. so here's that very stormy weather across the north. you can see a lot of isobars here.

i think the worst of the weather will be around the middle of the day on saturday. now, in terms of the winds, the met office warns gusts of 80 miles an hour in some northern parts of scotland, 70 a little bit further south and the gales will be felt around the irish sea and also to an extent around northern england. but in the south, not quite so windy, although a bit of a breeze. 13 in london, seven degrees in aberdeen, six in stornoway with a rash of showers and i think overall a relatively bright, if not sunny day for many of us on saturday, despite the strong wind. now, another low pressure comes our way, so this is round two of gale force winds for sunday. this next one you can see again forms to the west of the hebrides here, again vicious gusts of wind, heavy rain, some mountain snow there. we could see those gales strengthening through the day into sunday evening. south of that, it should be much drier, brighter. in fact, some sunshine for london and norwich. but sunday night into monday, gale force winds with some rain

across northern england and again those winds 70 to 80 miles an hour in the west. the weekend looks pretty rough for folks in scotland, but the further south you are, the better it'll be. the next week we'll see rounds of low pressures with wind and rain sweeping our way. so i think unsettled weather for next week. bye bye.

confusion about the fate of the report on lockdown gatherings at downing street, after the police say key details should be left out. releasing the full report by sue gray into events at number 10 could prejudice the police investigation, say the met. the government says both inquiries will get to the truth, but labour attacked borisjohnson. he has paralysed government so the sooner we get both the full report and the investigation complete, the better. i think what is clear is that, between sue gray's report and the police investigation, everything will be fully covered and that will give parliament and indeed the public all of the information they need about these incidents. we'll be asking why the police have intervened at this stage to stop details of the report being published. also this lunchtime... russia and the us continue a war of words over ukraine, amid a warning about possible cyber attacks in the uk.