this is bbc news — these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. a plan to tackle the record backlog of 6 million routine hospital appointments in england is put on hold. the uk's health secretary says the situation will get worse before it gets better french president emmanuel macron heads to moscow for talks with vladimir putin about the ongoing crisis in ukraine. students in england find out what a levels and gcses will look like this summer chinese tennis star peng shuai describes her allegations of sexual assault as a "huge misunderstanding" in herfirst western media interview since the accusations were made. the former head of britain's armed forces says it's time to work with the taliban to protect the afghan people. we'll bring you a special

report from the country. these people have been through so much in the past decades and they simply don't deserve it. and the scientific breakthrough that's allowed a paralysed man to walk once more — and become a father. hello and welcome if you're watching in the uk or around the world. a wide—ranging plan from nhs england to tackle the backlog of routine surgery has been delayed by a last—minute intervention in whitehall. a full announcement had been expected today. the health secretary, sajid javid, said this morning there was no issue around the money,

but dealing with the omicron variant had been a factor. the plan has been delayed but it was delayed by omicron. we were planning to originally publish the plan in early december but of course, with omicron and our concerns about that, we understandably changed focus onto the booster programme but now that hopefully, i think we are almost certainly the other side of omicron, things have massively improved, we are getting on with publishing that plan, we will publish it soon. national voices which represents more than 190 health and social care charities in england. their chief executive, charlotte augst, says delays in accessing care are having a real impact on millions of people. we hear from people like this, it's putting their lives on hold, it makes people anxious, it makes people despondent and it makes people lose hope that they themselves will recover. we talk a lot about system recovery but what we're really talking

about is people's ability to recover their lives and to remain working and to look after the people they love and to live an everyday life for themselves. joining me now is richard murray, the chief executive of health think tank, the king's fund. thank you for your time today, i know you are keen to talk about the clinical and health side of this rather than the politics, there does seem to be some disagreement between the treasury and the rest of government and this plan has been delayed. how shocking has this been, this last—minute delay, to the plan to deal with the huge backlog in the nhs? $5 to deal with the huge backlog in the nhs? �* , ., ., , to deal with the huge backlog in the nhs? a ., ,, to deal with the huge backlog in the nhs? ., ,,_ to deal with the huge backlog in the nhs? ., , nhs? as long as this is only a matter of— nhs? as long as this is only a matter of days, _ nhs? as long as this is only a matter of days, then - nhs? as long as this is only a matter of days, then i - nhs? as long as this is only a matter of days, then i don't . nhs? as long as this is only a . matter of days, then i don't think people will lose too much sleep over it. the original plan was due out

well before christmas and delayed then for omicron so the real delay has been the months that followed. that relies on it actually coming out quite soon. if this turns into another delay of weeks or months it becomes much more concerning. d0 another delay of weeks or months it becomes much more concerning. do you have any indication _ becomes much more concerning. do you have any indication to _ becomes much more concerning. do you have any indication to indicate _ becomes much more concerning. do you have any indication to indicate it - have any indication to indicate it could be assured is days rather than anything longer? the could be assured is days rather than anything longer?— anything longer? the secretary of state saying _ anything longer? the secretary of state saying it _ anything longer? the secretary of state saying it should _ anything longer? the secretary of state saying it should come - anything longer? the secretary of state saying it should come out i state saying it should come out soon. it has been a matter of debate between politicians and the nhs over the last few months during the omicron period. so quite what could be holding it up now, one hopes it is merely an issue of detail or a misunderstanding, not something more fundamental because this has been worked on for many months. obviously an dela is worked on for many months. obviously any delay is of— worked on for many months. obviously any delay is of huge — worked on for many months. obviously any delay is of huge concern _ worked on for many months. obviously any delay is of huge concern to - worked on for many months. obviously any delay is of huge concern to the - any delay is of huge concern to the people on those waiting lists and the health secretary saying that the numbers are likely to get worse before they get better. how high do you think the numbers on waiting

lists could go, we are talking about the nhs in england specifically. this is one of the reasons there has been a delay in the plan to begin with and that's really the huge degree of uncertainty around what's going to happen to demand for services in the nhs. so many patients either missed appointments, operations, through the two years we have had with covid. quite where they are in the system, are they going to reappear, are they unready a waiting list? have they got better, worse, that means it's very difficult both for the nhs and outsiders to really understand quite how big those waiting lists could get. but certainly, if all of those patients were to return, then you are looking at a very large, millions more are arriving on waiting lists. equally, the other side, the nhs is running as fast as it can to try and take people off waiting lists and give them certainty about when they will be

treated but also to try and get the sheer length of the waiting times and lists down and that goes back to the question about the nhs about its own capacity, ability to sort staff, that isn't clear at the moment. forgive me if i've misunderstood you but i'm trying to understand why patients who aren't in the system, he might not be in the system or not, we don't know why that would cause any further delay to getting under way with treatment for patients who are in the system? what patients who are in the system? what has happened — patients who are in the system? wisgt has happened during patients who are in the system? wist has happened during covid is many of the patients who would have been seeing their gp or referred by their gp so we would have seen them on waiting lists, there were interruptions to their care, equally, hospitals stopped seeing people, they switch their resources into dealing with covid and to some extent also with vaccination programmes. so normally you would see patients seeing their gp, arriving in hospital, getting put on arriving in hospital, getting put on a waiting list and that number

dropped very sharply through the covid period, particularly in the first wave of covid but also the second wave and there would have been some reduction although minor for omicron. so effectively they've almost disappeared, not being seen by their or hospital, and the expectation is if you needed a hip replacement, your cataract seem to, is that they will reappear, they will go to see their gp and they will go to see their gp and they will begin to refer them back into hospital and so at the moment, knowing quite how many of them will come through the system, that is uncertain but we have also seen through this period other interruptions to care where people would have had treatment from their gp for high blood pressure, lots of other conditions like diabetes. some of that care has been interrupted, those people might sooner or later begin to appear in hospital, that's the uncertainty and it's difficult to see into the future.- to see into the future. briefly, obviously _ to see into the future. briefly, obviously we _ to see into the future. briefly, obviously we are _ to see into the future. briefly, obviously we are still- to see into the future. briefly, obviously we are still in - to see into the future. briefly, obviously we are still in a - obviously we are still in a pandemic, there have been

pre—pandemic concerns about retention of staff in the nhs. once the nhs really starts to try to get to grips with this huge backlog what are your concerns about their ability to make real headway with those numbers of people waiting? if part of the delay there is about money i think that's a mistake. it's not really the money that is in question, it's exactly that issue of staff so before covid the nhs was struggling to stop waiting times going up, they'd been drifting up for many years. that went up during the covid period but the key thing remains, has the nhs at the stafford needs to be able to treat people and treat them quickly, that is the million—dollar question. treat them quickly, that is the million-dollar question. richard, thank you- _ our political correspondent chris mason told me earlier why the nhs backlog plans have been delayed. it was kiboshed by the treasury at the last minute with the document pretty much ready to go. the health secretary for england

was out and about this morning, the prime minister and chancellor will be out and about later and yet this document sits under a lever arch file somewhere in the bowels of whitehall and beyond the political machinations around funding and final sign off, as we heard there, this matters hugely because the backlog is huge. 6 million people in england are on a waiting list awaiting a routine operation or procedure and sajid javid acknowledges and he has done for some time that number will get higher before it gets lower. so precisely how they are going to deal with it and on what timeframe is absolutely crucial. this plan is expected shortly, we are told, some sources suggesting to me this morning within the next couple of days but not today when it was expected. let's talk about the week ahead in downing street more broadly. a lot of discussion over the weekend about carriejohnson, her role tied to the publication

of a new book, of course, and sajid javid was also saying in that same interview he thought a lot of this was to do with misogyny? that's right, let's bring you up—to—date with the noise and drama and machinations within government. guto hari, the new director of communications, former bbc journalist and adviser to borisjohnson when he was mayor of london, he arrived for his first day in his newjob at downing street, carrying a bulging carrier bag. he was asked what was in it, he said healthy snacks and mineral water, i suppose it's worth checking there was not wine in there! he has quite a job. steve barclay, cabinet office minister, mp, new chief of staff to the prime minister. he has so manyjobs you wonder if he might not need a chief of staff himself. we expect another permanent secretary, senior civil servant to be brought in to bolster the number ten operations, one of the promises from the prime minister last week and all of this discussion as you say about carriejohnson, the wife of the prime minister,

former conservative special adviser, she used to run and play a significant role in the conservative party press office. there are critics of her who have regularly said they think she has too much involvement in government decisions for somebody who is not elected to any particular office. there's this new book that has come out which carriejohnson has responded particularly strongly to. and this intervention on the subject of carriejohnson from the health secretary this morning. as a general rule, a politician's partner, any politician, any party, a politician's partner should be off limits. it's the politician that has chosen to have a public life, like me. you know, what my wife, for example, or anyone else's partner, you know, they should be off limits and i think this whole focus on carrie johnson in some of these reports, i think it's very undignified and very unfair. dan walker: is it misogynistic?

yes, i think it is. is it sexist? yes. sajid javid johnson in the statement particularly strong pushback against this book that is on its way. she says critics bitter ex officials who are critical of borisjohnson are targeting her as a way of getting at him. in the past few minutes — the football association have said they willl not bid to hold the 2030 world cup — and instead will focus on a joint uk bid with ireland to host the europeans champions in 2028. england last hosted a major tournament in 1996 — but did host games — including the final at euro 2020 in the summer. the fa did bid unsuccessfully to host the world cup in 2018. the decision this morning follows

a feasibility study by the fa. in a statement — the fa said... that was the statement just that was the statementjust in from the football association. gcse and a level pupils in england will be given more information today about the topics that will appear on their exam papers this summer. the government has confirmed that for the first time in three years, exams will go ahead — despite a high number of teacher absences due to covid. here's our education correspondent, elaine dunkley. can you line up as well, thank you. it's a busy timetable for the pupils at ellesmere port church of england college. how do you feel you did on that maths test this morning? i think i did 0k.

i did not do as great on my last |one, but i'm trying to improve. it's all about exam practice. the next few weeks will be serious revision for mocks and, for the first time in three years, this summer, they are expected to sit external exams. i had to be off with covid. i didn't get to sit my full mock exams. i was not mentally fully prepared. nicole is doing a—levels and wants to go to university. she is worried about exams because of the ongoing disruption. there are a lot of teachers off in this school due to like covid reasons. so they are finding it quite difficult to get supply for everyone. here, they welcome the return of exams. for the past two years, gcses and a—levels have been awarded using teacher—assessed grades. last year was difficult for teachers, as well. there was a huge amount of work to ensure that students were given the grades that were fair. huge amounts of work from students

and teachers in terms of gathering that evidence to begin with. numerous assessments taking place which then had to be marked. so i think everyone will welcome the opportunity to go back to exams, where a lot of that pressure and stress has been removed. today, exam boards will publish more details about the topics pupils can expect across different subjects and say marking will be generous, but it won't lead to further grade inflation. the government says these plans recognise the disruption caused. for those preparing to take exams, so much depends on the next few months. there are still challenges ahead and pupils are hoping today's guidance will bring them closer to getting the grades they need. elaine dunkley, bbc news. earlier our education correspondent sean dilley explained what we can expect from the exam boards. they will give pupils and students, they will give guidance in terms

of which particular areas they might be questioned about, others are going to be asked to study all of the course. the other thing we should say is that actually this is one of the adaptions that is being introduced to make things fairer after the disruptive pandemic and absences. because there is also, for example in maths and science, there are equation and formula sheets that people don't have to remember, complex equations, and critically, i think people are going to be quite pleased to hear if you are ready to take your exams, that examiners are being asked to take a rather generous approach, that midpoint between 2019 when it exam boards did mark exams back then, but maybe not quite as generous as last year when teachers were assessing. and just very briefly, if you would, are there advance notices for all four nations of the uk? all four nations are doing something slightly different. in wales, there is also advanced information about exams, in scotland, they are looking at a system where either exams or coursework can be used,

and in northern ireland, students who are sitting exams with one of the largest exam boards out there are able to say they don't want to take one unit, if you are taking exams this summer, let me know what you think about the guidance being issued, do you think it will help, you can get in touch with me on twitter. and of course you can get in touch about any of the other stories we are covering today. french president emmanuel macron has said ahead of talks in moscow that he thinks a deal to avoid war in ukraine is possible and that it is legitimate for russia to raise its own security concerns. russia has massed troops on ukraine's border but denies planning to invade. moscow has made a string of demands, including that the nato defence

alliance rule out ukraine becoming a member. our correspondent in kyiv, james waterhouse, explained the background to mr macron's comments. this is part of quite a sizeable diplomatic effort that is being staged in ukraine this week. today, there are fourforeign staged in ukraine this week. today, there are four foreign ministers arriving for talks with the government. president mccrone will arrive tomorrow, he is in a confident mood and says there is the chance of a deal that could avoid a full—scale war. he is the second world leader oblong with the turkish president to see themselves as a mediator in this crisis, to bring russia and the west and ukraine together in some kind of agreement. ukraine was open to previous proposals, it will be open to the suggestion as well but those demands you mention, this will always be the rub. russia does not want ukraine to everjoint nato and for the alliance to scale back its military

operations. president mccrone has said ukraine's sovereignty is not up for discussion software will there be any kind of concession? it could be any kind of concession? it could be around the deployment of nuclear weapons but we do not know at this stage. here at the foreign minister said yesterday do not listen to these apocalyptic predictions, kyiv is prepared for any kind of scenario whereas you have the usa in the window is now for an invasion, it could happen in the coming days or the following weeks. where there is some kind of consensus although the tone is different is that the us is saying russia is 70% ready for a potential invasion for as ukraine and its government has always said russia does not have the troops albeit it is an estimated 100,000 or so, that is not enough to scale a full—scale invasion. so, that is not enough to scale a full-scale invasion.— full-scale invasion. speaking of town, full-scale invasion. speaking of town. does _ full-scale invasion. speaking of town, does the _ full-scale invasion. speaking of town, does the fact _ full-scale invasion. speaking of town, does the fact that - full-scale invasion. speaking of. town, does the fact that someone like president mccrone is saying publicly that it is legitimate for russia to raise its own security

concerns, does that help i guess smooth the progress of any talks? without a doubt. this is the first western leader to acknowledge the legitimacy, some are saying, fair enough, rustic and have security concerns over what it sees as the aggressive actions of nato, nita has always said its whole premise a defensive union but this is very much a shift in language. he's saying, fair enough, we hear you and the stocks are very carefully coordinated so he's in moscow today, it's being overseen by german and us allies as well so there is a bit of buy in there so he will take whatever is discussed today with vladimir putin here to kyiv tomorrow where he will speak with president zelensky, there will be that familiar stage where both leaders will stand at a podium and share their thoughts. what we have always seen as a kind of recommitment to working together, to ukraine's

sovereignty, to solving this diplomatically, to accepting military aid. could this be a week where there is something substantive to hold two politically on the basis that president emmanuel macron at least recognises russia's frustrations, we will have to wait and see. australia is reopening its border to vaccinated tourists and other visa holders for the first time in almost two years. the prime minister scott morrison said he looked forward to welcoming those double jabbed from 21st february. australia has had some of the world's strictest border controls during the pandemic. in march 2020 it barred all non—australians and limited the flow of returning citizens. our correspondent in sydney is phil mercer. borders will come down for those international tourists who are double vaccinated and want to travel to australia, something they haven't been able

to do for some considerable time. fortress australia has been gradually dismantled. we saw december last year, for example, backpackers, some skilled workers and international students be allowed to enter australia, if they were also fully inoculated. the government is of the belief that in two weeks' time, it is the right time for australia to fully reconnect with the rest of the world. you're absolutely right, in march 2020, australia closed its borders to most foreign nationals, and also restricted the travel of australians wanting to go overseas. we needed official permission to go abroad, so now that isolation is finally coming to an end. australia clearly feels the time is right, but how will the country try to ensure, even if they're welcoming double vaccinated tourists and other people, that it won't lead to an increase in covid or are they accepting that that

might be an inevitable consequence? i think now is the time that australia realises that trying to live as best it can with covid is the only way forward. more than 93% of eligible australians are fully vaccinated and it was interesting to listen to the prime minister scott morrison when he made this announcement earlier today, here in australia, he did dig at novak djokovic, the serbian tennis champion who we all remember was deported from australia after he arrived, not being vaccinated. mr morrison, the pm, saying that that episode deserved to show and send a very clear message to the rest of the world australia's uncompromising stance on vaccinations saying australia's high rate of vaccinations is giving the government as much confidence

as it really can gain from that, that now is the time to reopen those international borders and to end australia's international isolation. its ambition was to be a vaccine for the world — 2.5 billion doses of the oxford—astrazeneca jab were delivered across the globe during the pandemic and nearly half of all adults in the uk received two doses of the jab. its use in the rest of europe, however, was far from plain sailing. there was a row with the eu about supply shortages and restrictions were put on the vaccine's use over the risk of rare blood clots. so did politics get in the way? our medical editor fergus walsh reports. the roll—out of the oxford astrazeneca vaccine in the uk is widely regarded as a great success, but, in the eu, it was beset by hurdles. in late january 2021, with vaccines in desperately short supply, president macron described the astrazeneca jab as quasi—ineffective in the elderly. france and germany said they would not use it for older adults, but both reversed that decision weeks later when it was

shown to be highly protective. many eu countries briefly suspended its use completely over the risk of rare blood clots. a few never used it again. sirjohn bell, of oxford university, who helped bring astrazeneca on board, is scathing about what he sees as missteps by decision—makers in the eu. bad behaviourfrom both scientists and from politicians will have killed probably hundreds of thousands of people. and that they cannot be proud of. they have damaged the reputation of the vaccine in a way that echoes throughout the rest of the world. then there is the issue of vaccine equity. six in ten of the world's population have received at least one dose of a covid vaccine. but across africa, just one in 20 people are double—jabbed. global health experts say that is not only unfair, it is dangerous.

we are giving this virus the opportunity to evolve, to mutate, to present in more rapidly transmissible or deadly forms. we are going to be deep into 2022 before we have this pandemic under control in a best—case scenario. because that is how long it is going to take to get vaccines rolled out equitably around the world. billions of vaccine doses have now been pledged for low—income countries. but the logistics of getting them to those who need them is a major problem. nigeria destroyed 1 million astrazeneca doses in december, which had a shelf life ofjust a few weeks — too little time to use them. the scientist who created the jab wants vaccine production scaled up well before the next deadly virus emerges. i would like to see more vaccines manufactured in africa. for the next pandemic, we need to increase our manufacturing capacity across the world.

if the vaccines don't exist, then they can't be shared. despite the setbacks, the oxford astrazeneca vaccine has played a major role in curbing the pandemic. easy to store and transport and sold at no profit, it has had a truly global reach. from the antarctic to the amazon, it has been used in over 180 countries — more than any other covid vaccine — and will have saved countless lives. fergus walsh, bbc news. the documentary: "astrazeneca: a vaccine for the world?" is on bbc2 at 9pm tomorrow night, and will also be on bbc iplayer. with up to eight million people at risk of starvation — including one million children — afghanistan is facing a grave humanitarian crisis. that's the warning from aid agencies on the ground, who say sanctions imposed on the taliban by western countries, have helped accelerate economic collapse. now, the former head of britain's armed forces has called on countries

to formally recognise the new taliban administration — as john simpson reports. just under six months after the taliban took power, afghanistan is facing the worst humanitarian crisis in the world. in cities like kabul, there's no actual shortage of food, but people don't have the cash to buy it. as a result, up to eight million people are facing starvation. the economy has simply collapsed. the west has frozen afghanistan's financial assets — nearly $10 billion worth. and because the taliban are still classed as a terrorist organisation, sanctions have been imposed, which mean the country has run out of cash.

it's a very difficult and challenging time for the people of afghanistan, but the core need is to help them revive their own economy, their own livelihood, and that is not possible without the state. nazir kabiri was a minister in the previous government, but he felt it was his duty to stay on and work with the country's new masters. one senior british military figure believes it's time to work with britain's former enemies in order to protect the afghan people. i think the west is going to end up recognising the taliban government. if that's the case, then we'd better get on with it sooner rather than later. there's a great phrase — "be magnanimous in victory". i think this is an occasion for us to be magnanimous in defeat. this is kohsan, outside the city of herat. on top of everything else, over the past four years,

afghanistan has suffered from a devastating drought. people here can't grow their own food any longer — now they have to queue for hand—outs. i feel terrible for my people. it's so sad to see how dependent people are and how desperate people are. it's one of the most difficult times i've ever seen in my life. the uk government says it's providing £286 million in aid, but the situation is increasingly desperate — famine added to economic collapse. i've been reporting on afghanistan for more than a0 years, but i don't think i've ever felt before that i might be watching the destruction of a nation. and, do you know what? these people have been through so much in the past decades and they simply don't deserve it. john simpson, bbc news, kohsan, afghanistan.

a 19—year—old man has admitted killing his 15—year—old sister at a welsh caravan park last summer. matthew selby from ashton—under—lyne, greater manchester, denied murdering his sister amanda in conwy county but admitted an alternative charge of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility. the headlines on bbc news: a plan to tackle the record backlog of six million routine hospital appointments in england is put on hold. the uk's health secretary says the situation will get worse before it gets better. french president emmanuel macron heads to moscow for talks with vladimir putin about the ongoing crisis in ukraine. students in england find out what a levels and gcses will look like this summer.

chinese tennis star peng shuai describes her allegations of sexual assault as a huge misunderstanding in herfirst western media interview since the accusations were made. and the former head of britain's armed forces says it's time to work with the taliban to protect the afghan people. in canada a state of emergency has been declared in the capital ottawa, in response to the ongoing truckers' protests against covid restrictions. the mayorjim watson said the city was outnumbered and losing the battle against the self—styled freedom convoy. the truckers have paralysed the centre of ottawa with vehicles and tents blocking roads. aru na iyengar reports. horns blare. honking horns at a blockade of streets around parliament hill in

the capital ottowa. protests dubbed the "freedom convoy" began over a week ago, its aim to reverse the government's vaccine requirement for cross—border truckers. but it's turned into a rallying point against all covid measures and prime ministerjustin trudeau's government. the city's mayorjim watson said the city was completely out of control with protesters outnumbering police. many ottawa residents object to the demonstrations. patience is definitely running out for the folks who actually live in the downtown core, who have been absolutely fed up with the behaviour of the protesters, the constant noise. just this evening, there was a raucous dance party with djs taking place just in the shadow of parliament hill. protests here might be loud but canadians are broadly supportive of the vaccine mandate. nearly 83% of canadians are fully vaccinated. the prime minister has said

the convoy represents a small fringe minority. it's not clear yet what emergency measures will be brought in. police say they are concerned the convoy has attracted far right and extremist elements. the fundraising site gofundme said on friday it would withhold millions of dollars raised for the truckers, citing police reports of violence. there's also criticism that support has come from outside canada. on friday, former us president donald trump gave his backing. i'm here to denounce that the unvaccinated for two years have been shamed and thrown under the bus and on the public�*s place, it goes against freedom of speech in canada. meanwhile the protesters have dug in, the convoys organised, well funded and committed. they have promised to protest peacefully and respect the law but also to stay for as long as it takes. dance music plays. aruna iyengar, bbc news.

the chinese tennis star peng shuai has given herfirst western media interview since she accused a former senior communist party official of sexual assault. there's been global concern for her safety since november, when she made the allegation and disappeared from the public eye for three weeks. she's now told a french newspaper she didn't accuse anyone of sexual assault and that it was all a huge misunderstanding. the story started on the second of november with a post on the chinese social media site, weibo, which was very quickly deleted. in it, peng shuai accused a former vice premier of the communist party of sexual assault. she then disappeared from the public eye and by the middle of november several high—profile tennis players, including naomi osaka and serena williams, were tweeting about the situation using the hashtag #whereispengshuai. chinese state—run media then posted an email which it said was written by peng shuai, saying, "i'm not missing

nor am i unsafe. i've just been resting at home and everything is fine." but it did little to quell concerns and the un and the white house called for an investigation and verifiable proof of her whereabouts. two days later, the international olympic committee president thomas bach said he held a video call with peng shuai and she said she was safe and well but there were chinese officials on the call. then in december, the women's tennis association announced it was suspending all of its tournaments in china, including in hong kong, until there was a full and transparent investigation, without censorship or coercion. now, peng shuai has confirmed her retirement from the sport in an interview with a french sport newspaper, on the sidelines of the beijing winter olympics. she also said she had a dinner

with the ioc president over the weekend and they had a nice discussion. an ioc statement gave few details of the conversation. peng shuai was accompanied by the chinese olympic committee chief of staff during the interview, raising further questions about whether she was able to speak freely. courtney bembridge, bbc news. there is "still a long way to go" on children's mental health, with only a third of those with a probable mental health disorder able to access treatment, according to the children's commissioner for england. dame rachel de souza said increased investment is making a difference to children who are struggling, but the coronavirus pandemic has made the challenge "greater". anisa kadri reports. counting the cost of the covid pandemic. this report says more children are struggling with their mental health. up from one in nine to one in six, according to data. but the number in england referred to nhs mental health services by the likes of gps and teachers fell sharply at the start of covid—19.

children around the country really have suffered with this isolation and being away from school. so i think it is a very important issue. although overall referrals have dropped, what you can see is it was during the lockdown that referrals really dropped and then they sharply went up. the commissioner's report says between 2020 and 2021 around 497,000 children were referred, compared to 539,000 a year before. it also says only around a third of children with a probable mental health disorder are able to access treatment. for those accepted into children's mental health treatment services, average waiting times fell from 43 days to 32 days. but there are big regional differences. just one in three young people are able to get the help and support they need. and the numbers of young people with growing mental—health problems, it is increasing significantly as a result of the pandemic. the commissioner's report, it is quite simple.

it tells us there is a need to act and a need to act urgently if we are not going to lose a generation to poor mental health. the department of health says it recognises the impact the pandemic has had on people and that is why it is committing extra money this year for those most affected, including £79 million for children's mental health services. tinnitus sufferers are calling for renewed efforts to research and find cures for the hearing condition after a survey revealed almost one in ten people living with it have experienced suicidal thoughts or self—harm in the past two years. our health correspondent anna collinson has more — and a warning that the sounds used at the start of her report may trigger some people's tinnitus. sharp whistling. for the millions living with tinnitus, the perception

of noises like hissing or buzzing can cause serious distress. but, currently, there is no cure. kirsty has lived with the constant ringing sound three years. i was stuck in a real stress cycle. i've got tinnitus, it is stressing me out, the stress made my tinnitus worse, so i am in this vicious cycle. that ijust couldn't break. it was affecting every area of my life. when i hit rock bottom, i have been quite open and honest about this, i actually said to my mum i didn't want to be here any more, because you become so desperate. and you just think the only way to get away from it is to leave the earth. as part of new research, the british tinnitus association surveyed 2600 people with the condition and found one in three thought about it every hour, causing them anxiety and sadness. and nearly one in ten had thoughts about suicide or self—harm. the majority were dissatisfied with current treatments. experts say there is now an urgent need for a tinnitus biobank where thousands of people with the condition would be

encouraged to undergo basic tests. that data would then be shared with scientists around the world to help improve treatments faster. i think what i'm very confident it'll do is really make a major step forward in our understanding of tinnitus and providing this resource that will go on, really assisting and enabling further scientific studies. so i think it is a big step in the journey towards a cure and will help accelerate a cure. for now, kirsty says counselling and reflexology has helped her adjust. i think one of the main things we could probably give tinnitus sufferers right now is hope that one day there will be a cure, because i think every human needs hope to keep living, keep going. former employees of instagram have warned that the way the social media platform is designed can lead vulnerable users to see more and more potentially harmful content. they make the claims in a new documentary —

called the instagram effect — which is on bbc three tonight. the programme features abby, who says she was encouraged to self—harm on instagram, as cristina criddle reports. end of year ten, year 11, i started really wanting to hurt myself and i would, but i think apart from that, then, like, before i didn't really want to and i was just doing it because on instagram it's glamourised and it's meant to be like... people make it look good. like, everything on instagram's glamourised whether it's the positive life and going shopping and having loads of money or self harm. 17—year—old abbyjoined instagram in 2016. she became involved in what's known as the anti recovery community on instagram. groups of accounts that promote self—harm. you got added in the groups and people were telling us to go and kill myself and they'd

want to do it together, and they would want a video call to self—harm together, which is just corrupt. instagram's algorithm, how it uses technology to order its content, can lead vulnerable users down dangerous paths. former facebook staff told the bbc... you might have a low day, a single, low day and you might go and search for something on instagram you might not otherwise search for. suddenly, the algorithm has a little seed. it can start to grow a little tiny glimmer and instagram will pull. algorithms in particular, they predict behavior. like, think about the risk of using prediction to rank things in terms of physical, public square and when you come into the square, the first thing that happens is you're handed a particular leaflet and then how you react to that leaflet determines which leaflet you're handed next. once you start down a particular

route through that square, the leaflets that you see are going to be more and more related to each other. and that might be a good thing. it might be that you get shown a cat leaflet and you really like that cat leaflet. so then you get shown more cat leaflets. but it might also be a dangerous thing. what that means is that you have to have the determination to give the ranking model the same signals consistently over time that you are not in fact interested in that thing that you were interested before, and it'll test to see if you're still not interested in them. so it takes real will and resolve to break the self—reinforcing dynamic of using prediction to rank things. it's not impossible, but it asks a real life test of human psychology. abby was hospitalized for self—harm and had her phone taken off her. she remains in supervised accommodation. i think there must be a way that instagram can monitor things that are happening on there. they must know and possibly turn a blind eye. it's happening every

day to everyday kids, and we are very lucky abby is still here. i think people need to take responsibility for what they're posting and acknowledge how it can impact others. instagram could try and monitor this a lot more closely and try and tackle this problem as soon as possible. cristina criddle, bbc news. when david m'zee was paralysed following a gymnastics accident, he was told he would never be able to have children. but now, thanks to an electrical implant in his spine, he has not only regained the ability to walk, he has also become a father. our science correspondent pallab ghosh has travelled

to switzerland to meet him. let's race. david m'zee is about to have a race with his one—year—old daughter zoe. ready, set, go! yes, you are fast. david is paralysed, but he can walk because of an electrical implant using a control panel on his walker, he can send signals to his spine. it enables him to stand and to walk slowly. but he cannot keep up with his daughter. it has changed his life. david, how is it going? it is great. it is a good feeling, especially walking with my daughter. she with her walker, i with mine. nice. david has continued to improve since he first had his implant. he can now do things he could only imagine when he first had his accident. the hope is that many more people can benefit. david had a gymnastics accident 12 years ago when he was just 22. he was paralysed, unable to walk

and unable to have a child. the implant has changed his life. he now has a family life he always wanted. it is beautiful. it is a lot of work, it is even less sleep than before, but it is nice. what are some of the things you can do now, particularly in the home, you could not do before? when i park my car somewhere, and another car gets too close, i cannot get in between with my wheelchair. now i can stand up, walk, get into the car and get the chair back into the car. this is david when he first had his implant in 2017. stim on means electrical stimulation on. when it is turned off, he cannot move. back on, and he is able to walk again. nerves in the spinal cord send signals from the brain to the legs. some people are paralysed when the nerves are damaged through injury. in most cases, there is still a small signal to the legs, but it is too weak

to create movement. the implant boosts the signal, enabling david to walk. it has also improved david's kite surfing. he can make slight movements with his feet to control the surfboard. even with his implant turned off. that is the wrong leg. the technology was developed by a team led by gregoire courtine. so far, nine people have successfully received the implant, but none of them use it to help them walk in their everyday lives. instead they use it to practise walking, which exercises their muscles, improves their health and often restores a little bit of movement. this is not the cure for spinal—cord injury. but it is a critical step to improve people's quality of life. we are going to empower them with the ability to stand, maybe to make steps. it is not enough, it is not a cure, but it is a significant improvement for the future.

researchers are using the implant to treat other conditions. mark has parkinson's and has difficulty walking. let's turn on the stimulation. see what happens now. we are going to turn around. not too fast. the technology has helped david to have a better quality of life and to have a family. it will take many more years before it can be used routinely to help paralysed people walk again. but it is a new way forward for researchers. science and medicine, amazing stuff. the british curling duo jen dodds and bruce mouat are though to the semifinals at the winter olympic games. this comes as they beat usa 8—1; in their final group match. the pair will face the norwegians

again in the semifinal whilst italy will compete with sweden for the other spot in the final. team gb and norway's fixture is set to take place at midday today and a win would guarantee at least a silver medal. our sports correspondentjohn watson has been curling this morning in edinburgh. i am just about managing to stay on my feet this morning, that is the danger of being out on the ice but it's great to be here on the very ice that bruce and jen honed their skills and craft as youngsters, when they started playing here, at eight and ten years old respectively. and here they are potentially to challenge for an olympic medal and it really is all about these stones. made of solid granite. they weigh some 20 kilograms and the main aim is to try and score as many points as you can by getting these stones all the way down the other end of the rink and settling as many as you can in the house behind me, not an easy task when you consider the size and weight of these. someone who knows bruce and jen very well is david akin, the performance director

from british curling, and you have worked with them many times. did you ever envisage one day they would be challenging for a medal in the games? honestly, not really! when they started, they were just regular kids who did a lot of sport and they had a lot of fun curling which was great to see. then they started to go to some events and play in different venues in scotland and you started to see they had a competitive edge and a technical excellence with their abilities. we started to see there was potential. then i think with the funding that came into the sport, the national lottery and other sources, there was a big step up in terms of what the athletes could achieve and they became much more professional with their attitude. it's amazing. it kind of feels when the winter olympics rolls around, once every four years, curling is just thrust into the spotlight. i suppose this year when you consider the amount

of action that bruce and jen have played, because they started before the opening ceremony began, so they have been on the ice for a while. yeah, that's right. it is a long sport in terms of olympics. what they have achieved is great, but they have been really well—prepared for this for the last few seasons, this has been their goal. it is great. all the support we have had through funding and all the external, all the non—isolated —— non—ice related things that we have to do, have been exceptional. and we have some curlers from another curling club. amy, what is it that kind of made you want to take up curling? my dad curled, so i thought, i i'll go along and try it one day and i found it really fun- and exciting, so i kept playing and ijust enjoyed it. you are going to give us a hand in a minute with some sweeping.

we are going to give it a go. jamie, you have a great story, you have a great run of curling in the family, like we were just talking about, you have that, don't you? your mum won gold in salt lake city back in 2002. yeah, it was a massive family sport for us. - curling... my grandparents all curl, my dad curls, all my- brothers and sisters curl. so it's a big family sport. we enjoy playing it all together. lots of dinner time conversation is all about curling! _ but my mum really proud of her. a greatjob. a bit of an unconventional way to do it, going to the play—offs to get - to the semifinals and things. but she went out there and she's just my mum, after all. - yes, and i bet you are trying to tap into the experience. now, it is interesting, talking about bruce, he could win a medal, he did not come from a curling family. is it in yourfamily? yes, it is in my family as well. my mum and dad both curled so i went along and tried it. i first time, i was like, _ it was the same as every beginner,

it'sjust granite on ice, but the second time, i i absolutely loved it. you just knew what you're expecting this time, - so as soon as i tried it, i was like, this- is the sport for me. and what's the biggest skill? is the toughest part sweeping or is it the releasing of the stone? the timing, the weight, the distance, getting it spot on, so it settles in the house? i think all of it. it is just an all—round sport, each player has a role - to make every shot the best - as they can, so obviously the person delivering the stone has to play the right weight in line, - the sweepers canjudge it well for the skip. - so they can sweep it if it's lightj and judge it if it's heavy or not, so they can tell the skip - where to finish in the house. ok, thank you. let's see that. here we go. what could possibly go wrong, david, you can cast your experienced eye over us. amy? a bit of sweeping. ok, come on then, carl. let's do it. here we go. ok, we need to get the terminology right,

so depending on the weight, what are we doing, are we...? sweep! it's a bit light, so there we go. sweep harder. oh, that's a good weight! this is our stone of destiny. studio: broadcasting on ice, a whole new show. salt lake city moment, isn't it? 0h! sorry, carl, we let you down. probably not quite enough. amy, greatjob. that was my olympic moment right there. an old german motorway bridge has been blown up in a controlled detonation. dozens of spectators cheered as demolition crews destroyed the rinsdorf viaduct on germany's a45 autobahn. the collapse was orchestrated so the debris would land safely and cause no damage to the replacement bridge located right next to it. and finally, bolivians have taken to the streets to mark

the return of carnival celebrations after they were paused during the pandemic. the festivities in bolivia's capital la paz were full of colourful outfits, dancing and music. now it's time for a look at the weather with carol. hello again. although many of us started off on a sunny note this morning, it's not necessarily how we're going to end the day because there's more cloud coming our way. courtesy of this weather front here, it's a warm front. it's moving from the west to the east, and it's taking its cloud and rain with it. but heavier rain will come in on this cold front later on. now behind the warm front note the colour. the yellow, indicating that it's going to turn that bit milder, certainly than it was yesterday. so as we go through the rest of the day, you expect the milder conditions and the cloud building with some patchy rain.

so through the course of the rest of this morning and into the afternoon, we do have the weather front pushing over towards the east. some drizzle in the west. then we've got this next system coming in across the northwest, bringing in some heavier rain and strengthening winds. breezy wherever you are, though, with temperatures between seven and about 12 degrees. now, through this evening and overnight, what you'll find is this weather front sinks southwards. it still is going to be breezy. there'll be a few showers coming in across scotland, but ahead of the front we are looking at a mild night, milder across england and wales than last night, but cooler across parts of scotland. so through tomorrow we've got our weather front more or less ensconced across parts of northern england. a few wintry showers coming in on the hills across scotland with some sunshine in between. and as we push ahead of our weather front, there'll be a fair bit of cloud around at times, but still we should see some sunny spells. temperatures through the course of tomorrow mild across much of england and wales and northern ireland,

but that bit cooler across scotland, where we're looking at five to nine degrees but 1a degrees likely to be our top temperature. as we head through the middle of the week, here's our weather front, eventually making it to the south. note we are looking at some snow, especially so in scotland during the course of wednesday, and that will be at quite low levels too. so here's our weather front, the cold front, sinking with this cloud and its rain ahead of it, some sunshine behind it. we've got those wintry showers and some of them, as i mentioned, down to quite low levels and it will be quite chilly as well. temperatures four to seven degrees, whereas as we come further south we're looking at ten to 12 and then the outlook shows that it is going to turn colder as we go to the latter part of the week with some nighttime frosts.

this is bbc news. i'm geeta guru—murthy. the headlines at 11... a plan to tackle the record backlog of 6 million routine hospital appointments in england is put on hold. the health secretary says the situation will get worse before it gets better. students in england find out what a levels and gcses will look like this summer. chinese tennis star peng shuai describes her allegations of sexual assault as a "huge misunderstanding" in herfirst western media interview since the accusations were made. the great british curling duo jen dodds and bruce mouat are though to the semi finals at the winter olympics. and the scientific breakthrough that's allowed a paralysed man to walk once more — and become a father. we'll be speaking to him.

hello. a wide—ranging plan from nhs england to tackle the backlog of routine surgery has been delayed by a last—minute intervention in whitehall. a full announcement had been expected today. the health secretary, sajid javid said this morning there was no issue around the money, but dealing with the omicron variant had been a factor. the nhs cannot say and i cannot say whether list will get to before it starts coming down because we simply do not know how many people will come back. the bit the nhs can make a difference on, and the are doing a phenomenaljob, is as many elective procedures, scans, diagnostics and tests as possible. we are already

seeing activity returning slowly back towards pre—pandemic levels. joining me now isjonathan ashworth, former shadow health secretary and now shadow secretary of state for work and pensions. thank you forjoining us. have you been told officially or otherwise why there is this delay in this announcement?— why there is this delay in this announcement? ., ., ., , announcement? no, i have not been told. i announcement? no, i have not been told- i have — announcement? no, i have not been told- i have got _ announcement? no, i have not been told. i have got a _ announcement? no, i have not been told. i have got a pretty _ announcement? no, i have not been told. i have got a pretty good - told. i have got a pretty good inkling. we have got a government in utter chaos, the tory party is divided from top to bottom and we have got a prime minister more focused on saving his own skin because of the scandals and rule breaking that he has been involved in. and the tragedy is this focus on borisjohnson means there is no focus on families, working people and pensioners, there was waiting on and pensioners, there was waiting on a waiting list for an operation such as a knee replacement or a cataract removal, some of them waiting over a year, and at the same time, families facing this devastating cost of

living crisis were today tory mps are going to be voting for a real terms cut in the value of the state pension at a time when pensioner poverty is rising and the prices in the shops are going up, and many pensioners are any desperate situation and not sure how they are going to pay these rocketing heating bills. the going to pay these rocketing heating bills. ., , going to pay these rocketing heating bills. . , , , , bills. the telegraph newspaper is re ortin . bills. the telegraph newspaper is reporting questions _ bills. the telegraph newspaper is reporting questions around - bills. the telegraph newspaper is reporting questions around the i reporting questions around the treasury blocking us, whetherfor political reasons by rishi sunak given the position of the prime minister, it is a little bit unstable at the moment. nevertheless, it is likely we are going to get something from this soon, we are told. that is the main thing, that we get a plan. we soon, we are told. that is the main thing, that we get a plan.— soon, we are told. that is the main thing, that we get a plan. we need a [an and thing, that we get a plan. we need a plan and the — thing, that we get a plan. we need a plan and the nhs — thing, that we get a plan. we need a plan and the nhs is _ thing, that we get a plan. we need a plan and the nhs is in _ thing, that we get a plan. we need a plan and the nhs is in a _ thing, that we get a plan. we need a plan and the nhs is in a desperate . plan and the nhs is in a desperate crisis because of years of underfunding and tory failure to recruit the doctors and nurses we need. years of tory cuts, the infrastructure budgets, which has meant we have lost thousands of beds in the nhs. but i think it reveals a bigger problem, that while you have

a government preoccupied by weather borisjohnson a government preoccupied by weather boris johnson survives a government preoccupied by weather borisjohnson survives or not, preoccupied by bothered basic by —— whether they stick by boris johnson, it means the needs of the british people are not met. whether it is the people on the waiting list or the people on the waiting list or the social care system that needs reform or the cost of living crisis, where an average owner on around £30,000 is set to be £400 worse off because of the 10% increase in national insurance. these are the issues that we need a prime minister focused on, but instead he is focused on, but instead he is focused on, but instead he is focused on saving his own skin. what focused on saving his own skin. what would the labour _ focused on saving his own skin. what would the labour plan _ focused on saving his own skin. what would the labour plan b? inevitably, there has been a backlog because of covid. i there has been a backlog because of covid. .,, , ~ covid. i lost either, but i think... you are asking _ covid. i lost either, but i think... you are asking what _ covid. i lost either, but i think... you are asking what labour's - you are asking what labour's approach would be. festival, we would have a plan to recruit staff neededin would have a plan to recruit staff needed in the nhs, to make the most of modern technology and the advancesin of modern technology and the advances in medical science which is coming down the track but we would

also get better at helping people stay well in the community so they don't need to be nhs in the first place. one of the ways in which you keep people well is making sure they have sufficient income to live off, but again not only has a government cut universal credit by £1000 for families, today they are cutting other support for 10 million families by £290 and pensioners. in real terms cut in the value of their state pension. if poverty goes up, it means illness and sickness will go it means illness and sickness will 9° up it means illness and sickness will go up which means more pressure on the national health service. can i ask ou, the national health service. can i ask you. on _ the national health service. can i ask you. on the — the national health service. can i ask you, on the wider _ the national health service. can i ask you, on the wider political front, we have seen a book coming out about carriejohnson, the prime minister's wife and some people pushing back, including her, that they feel this is an unfair assault on a political partner. what would you say to that? is it unfair to target her when the criticism should be laid all at the door of boris johnson himself?—

be laid all at the door of boris johnson himself? yes, it is unfair, it is sexist — johnson himself? yes, it is unfair, it is sexist and _ johnson himself? yes, it is unfair, it is sexist and misogynistic. - johnson himself? yes, it is unfair, it is sexist and misogynistic. it - johnson himself? yes, it is unfair, it is sexist and misogynistic. it is l it is sexist and misogynistic. it is borisjohnson it is sexist and misogynistic. it is boris johnson whose it is sexist and misogynistic. it is borisjohnson whose increasing national shows contributions by 10% and hammering working people, it is borisjohnson who is cutting the value of the state pension today at a time of pensioner poverty, it is borisjohnson who is supporting underfunding in the national health service for years under a six people on the waiting list. these issues should be directed at borisjohnson, not his wife. i think he should resign, i think he is as great as office and it is in the national issue that —— it is in the national interest that he goes. it is boris johnson who is feeling hard—working people, not his way. johnson who is feeling hard-working people, not his way.— johnson who is feeling hard-working people, not his way. people who have criticised her — people, not his way. people who have criticised her saying _ people, not his way. people who have criticised her saying she _ people, not his way. people who have criticised her saying she was - criticised her saying she was photographed in the downing street garden which downing street said it was a work meeting. she apparently brought in the cake to the party inside downing street. is it some

scrutiny of all political spouses, if they are going to be active, isn't that needed and justified across the political spectrum? it is boris across the political spectrum? it is itoris johnson _ across the political spectrum? it 3 borisjohnson who broke across the political spectrum? it 3 boris johnson who broke the across the political spectrum? it 3 borisjohnson who broke the rules and why this is so devastating is that it and why this is so devastating is thatitis and why this is so devastating is that it is borisjohnson who makes the rules, it is borisjohnson who instructed us all not to mix with others, to stay in our homes, to only meet in family groups, and at the same time he was blatantly breaking the rules. not because he made a mistake here and there, when the rules were changing every day you can understand people made an error by accident. this was systematic will breaking by boris johnson himself. the buck stops with him, not his wife or his advisers, who he has sacked. the buck stops with him. he has disgraced his office and light to the british people. the tory mps say he will change, they are kidding themselves. a leopard doesn't change its spots. throughout his career he has lied and deceived, but in the end the jokeis and deceived, but in the end the joke is not funny any more and so

many people are getting hammered for this cost of living crisis and we have got a government unable to get a grip. have got a government unable to get a uri -. , �* .,. have got a government unable to get aari-. n ., a grip. isn't it the fact that he has now clearly _ a grip. isn't it the fact that he has now clearly try _ a grip. isn't it the fact that he has now clearly try to - a grip. isn't it the fact that he has now clearly try to have i a grip. isn't it the fact that he has now clearly try to have a l a grip. isn't it the fact that he - has now clearly try to have a reset and is bringing in some fresh faces after some have left or announced their departure not last week? and given the huge pressures facing the country domestically and internationally, doesn't the prime minister and his supporters have a point when they say people have got to move on because that is just too much at stake here? the prime minister needs to be able to govern, he was elected with a huge majority only two years ago. you he was elected with a huge ma'ority only two years agmfi he was elected with a huge ma'ority only two years agofi only two years ago. you are right, and what is _ only two years ago. you are right, and what is he _ only two years ago. you are right, and what is he doing _ only two years ago. you are right, and what is he doing that - only two years ago. you are right, and what is he doing that huge . and what is he doing that huge majority? today he is cutting the value of the state pension at a time when there is a 2 million pensioners in poverty and rising. he is cutting other support for 10 million households by £290 and is imposing a 10% national insurance rise in working people, which means if you are on average earnings at £30,000, you will lose £400. that is his

reset, that is what he is doing with that big majority. i do not believe that big majority. i do not believe thatis that big majority. i do not believe that is in the national interest. he is hammering working people, families and pensioners and it is not fair, there has to be a better way. labourwould not fair, there has to be a better way. labour would cut vat on fuel bills and extend the discount scheme sapporo people and those struggling would get £600 off their fuel bills. that is a sort of action boris johnson should be taking. if labour has lost so — johnson should be taking. if labour has lost so much _ johnson should be taking. if labour has lost so much confidence - johnson should be taking. if labour has lost so much confidence in - johnson should be taking. if labour has lost so much confidence in the | has lost so much confidence in the prime minister, why you not calling for a vote on that in the house of commons yourself? it is for a vote on that in the house of commons yourself?— for a vote on that in the house of commons yourself? it is up to tory mps because _ commons yourself? it is up to tory mps because he _ commons yourself? it is up to tory mps because he has _ commons yourself? it is up to tory mps because he has got _ commons yourself? it is up to tory mps because he has got a - commons yourself? it is up to tory mps because he has got a great. mps because he has got a great thumping majority. he has got an 80 seat majority. it is tory mps that have got to get rid of him. he is using his majority to impose a 10% tax rise of working people. to cut the value of the basic state pension and to cut or support such as £1000 on universal credit. he is using his majority to hammer working people, this isn't in the national interest

but in the end it is tory mps have to get rid of him because they are the one you decide to the leader of this conservative party is. —— they are the ones who decide who the leader is. let's talk to our political correspondent chris mason. on this delay to the nhs backlog announcement, do you know why there has been this delay? in announcement, do you know why there has been this delay?— has been this delay? in whitehall, my understanding _ has been this delay? in whitehall, my understanding is _ has been this delay? in whitehall, my understanding is the _ has been this delay? in whitehall, i my understanding is the department of health thought it was pretty much there and we were ready to go and they were happy with it, but it wasn't then signed off by the treasury and by number ten. there are still discussions going on between them and the department of health. the argument that is made by amounts of money and therefore there needs to be scrutiny around where that money goes and how you measure the extent to which that money has been well spent in terms of targets

and timeframes, and that kind of thing. a lot of this is looked at through the prism of the disagreements, public disagreements we have seen between the prime minister and the chancellor, and all of the noise and circus and drama around borisjohnson and his future, and whether or not rishi sunak might fancy being prime minister himself. he was pretty coy about that in his interview with our political editor the other day. but separate from the soap opera involving two senior figures in the government, there is also the operation that exists strictly within whitehall when this kind of stuff gets kicked around, which is the treasury performing its rule of scrutiny around the numbers and spending departments, departments like the department of health wanted to see as much money as they can persuade the treasury to give them, to fund the kind of things they want to achieve. the reality of it this morning as you have a health secretary out and about doing his thing without much

of an announcement to make because he had barely anything to enhance and we will see within the next hour the prime minister and the chancellor out and about together, again with a limited amount, to actually say on this particular topic because the actual document hasn't seen the light of day yet. it means still come within the next couple of days. i means still come within the next couple of days-— means still come within the next couple of days. i spoke to jonathan ashworth who _ couple of days. i spoke to jonathan ashworth who interestingly - couple of days. i spoke to jonathan ashworth who interestingly agreed | couple of days. i spoke to jonathan i ashworth who interestingly agreed to some of those in the tory party, that the attacks on the prime minister's wife is sexist. they say responsibility lies with the prime minister and he is the one who should be held accountable, not her. that is interesting given the level of scrutiny she has come under and attack she is commanded this weekend. ., , , , . ., attack she is commanded this weekend. ., , ,, . ., ., , weekend. from the perspective of any o- oosition weekend. from the perspective of any opposition party _ weekend. from the perspective of any opposition party or — weekend. from the perspective of any opposition party or political _ weekend. from the perspective of any opposition party or political party, - opposition party or political party, they would always focus their irritation and anger, their political arrows, irritation and anger, their politicalarrows, in irritation and anger, their political arrows, in the direction of the principal political opponents rather than more broadly their spouse or whoever else it might be. i think the intriguing thing around

all of this, because there are critics have long said privately they feel that mrs johnson has far too big an influence on the outlook of the government than she should have,is of the government than she should have, is that you are someone in carriejohnson who was a senior political figure carriejohnson who was a senior politicalfigure behind carriejohnson who was a senior political figure behind the scenes in her own right before she got together with the prime minister, she was a special adviser working for ministers, she worked at conservative party headquarters as well. along comes this book that was serialised over the weekend in the mail on sunday, and then last night a very striking response from kerry johnson seen the revelations in this book about her suggested meddling in government were the work of better former officials who really wanted to attack her husband rather than her. and marrying the language we had just there from jonathan ashford from the labour side, here is the health secretary sajid javad on breakfast earlier on answering a question a little akin to the one you picked to mr ashford that his

response. as a general rule, a politician's partner, any politician, any party, a politician's partner should be off limits. it's the politician that has chosen to have a public life, like me. you know, what my wife, for example, or anyone else's partner, you know, they should be off limits and i think this whole focus on carrie johnson in some of these reports, i think it's very undignified and very unfair. dan walker: is it misogynistic? yes, i think it is. is it sexist? yes. interestingly kerryjohnson interestingly kerry johnson is allegedly interestingly kerryjohnson is allegedly friends with advisers like henry newman and that the centre of the two of the allegations about what went on in downing street —— carriejohnson. there are moves that are being announced, but there's going to be a lot of scrutiny about

whether this new reorganised downing street is actually going to be up to the task of change that so many within the conservatives want. i think that is right, we have seen that begin to play out in the last couple of days, indeed this morning. a former bbcjournalist couple of days, indeed this morning. a former bbc journalist and couple of days, indeed this morning. a former bbcjournalist and adviser to borisjohnson when he was mayor of london, appointed over the weekend is the new downing street director of communications, he turned up to work carrying a bulging carrier bag. he was asked what his priority would be on the first day and he said something along the lines of nutritious snacks and mineral water. lines of nutritious snacks and mineralwater. i lines of nutritious snacks and mineral water. i suppose he needs to rule out there isn't anything stronger in that carrier bag given the lines of recent weeks. we expect a new secretary to use the white angle to be appointed in the next couple of days, a senior civil servant as part of this plan to bolster and reorganise the centre of government and make it a bigger and more centralised unit, to manage what is going on more broadly in

whitehall. there was a downing street make the argument that is what the prime minister promised a week ago and that is what he is in the process of delivering, there are plenty of others including conservative sceptics about the prime minister to say look, structural changes are very well but it is the character of the prime minister at the centre of everything thatis minister at the centre of everything that is perhaps not likely to change and conservative mps will reflect it was that character that contributed to the conservatives winning that almighty majority and take in the uk out of the european union as they promised, and what many people see as boris johnson's promised, and what many people see as borisjohnson's great capacity as as borisjohnson's great capacity as a container colliding with the reality of that character, as his critics see it, increasingly, including on his own side, where they raise an eyebrow about whether that character is suited to the business of government. liter? business of government. very ouickl , business of government. very quickly. we — business of government. very quickly, we still _ business of government. very quickly, we still have - business of government. very quickly, we still have no - business of government. very quickly, we still have no idea about numbers? we quickly, we still have no idea about numbers? ~ ~' .,

quickly, we still have no idea about numbers? ~ ~ ., ., ' ., quickly, we still have no idea about numbers? ~ ., ., ' ., ., numbers? we know of 15 who have oublicl numbers? we know of 15 who have publicly declared _ numbers? we know of 15 who have publicly declared and _ numbers? we know of 15 who have publicly declared and to _ numbers? we know of 15 who have publicly declared and to handle - numbers? we know of 15 who have i publicly declared and to handle more who have privately submitted letters but haven't said so publicly —— a handful more. there are a million and one rumours that sweep around, most of them are baseless, ultimately all that matters is 154 is reached, and we are not there yet, and those who want to see the end of borisjohnson, they have got to find another 130 of their colleagues to mathematically ensure the removal of the prime minister. thanks very much indeed. sir keir starmer has been cleared of an allegation he broke lockdown rules after he was filmed drinking a beer in an office. the labour leader was pictured drinking indoors with colleagues in the run—up to the hartlepool by—election. he has previously insisted he did nothing wrong, despite comparisons by his opponents to the partygate allegations at 10 downing street. durham police have now confirmed they did not believe any offence was committed. gcse and a level pupils in england are being given more information

today about the topics that will appear on their exam papers this summer. the government has confirmed that for the first time in three years, exams will go ahead — despite a high number of teacher absences due to covid. here's our education correspondent, elaine dunkley. can you line up as well, thank you. it's a busy timetable for the pupils at ellesmere port church of england college. how do you feel you did on that maths test this morning? i think i did 0k. i did not do as great on my last |one, but i'm trying to improve. it's all about exam practice. the next few weeks will be serious revision for mocks and, for the first time in three years, this summer, they are expected to sit external exams. i had to be off with covid. i didn't get to sit my full mock exams. i was not mentally fully prepared. nicole is doing a—levels and wants to go to university. she is worried about exams because of the ongoing disruption. there are a lot of teachers

off in this school due to like covid reasons. so they are finding it quite difficult to get supply for everyone. here, they welcome the return of exams. for the past two years, gcses and a—levels have been awarded using teacher—assessed grades. last year was difficult for teachers, as well. there was a huge amount of work to ensure that students were given the grades that were fair. huge amounts of work from students and teachers in terms of gathering that evidence to begin with. numerous assessments taking place which then had to be marked. so i think everyone will welcome the opportunity to go back to exams, where a lot of that pressure and stress has been removed. today, exam boards will publish more details about the topics pupils can expect across different subjects and say marking will be generous, but it won't lead to further grade inflation. the government says these plans recognise the disruption caused. for those preparing to take exams, so much depends on the next few months.

there are still challenges ahead and pupils are hoping today's guidance will bring them closer to getting the grades they need. elaine dunkley, bbc news. joining me now is sarah hannafin a senior policy adviser for the school leaders union the naht. i don't know whether all the details are out across all the different exam boards yet, but do you think it has come in time, this advice from the government?— has come in time, this advice from the government? good morning, the advance information _ the government? good morning, the advance information is _ the government? good morning, the advance information is being - advance information is being published over the course of the day, so it will all be out by the end of the day, our members were calling for this to be published backin calling for this to be published back in the autumn term. for us, this is coming a bit too late but what we have got, hopefully, as teachers and students have got some help in knowing what to prioritise, in terms of their revision and exam preparation for the summer. what

preparation for the summer. what oro oortion preparation for the summer. what proportion of— preparation for the summer. what proportion of the _ preparation for the summer. what proportion of the syllabus is cut down, because that is what they are talking about? it is down, because that is what they are talking about?— talking about? it is interesting. this is not _ talking about? it is interesting. this is not a — talking about? it is interesting. this is not a simple _ talking about? it is interesting. this is not a simple list - talking about? it is interesting. this is not a simple list of- talking about? it is interesting. this is not a simple list of whatj talking about? it is interesting. i this is not a simple list of what is in the exam and what is not, it is a lot more complex than that. and actually it doesn't really reduce the amount of content that needed to be taught. what it does do is, it might cover certain questions or particular papers or sections of the papers. the advance information will look different for different subjects. look different for different sub'ects. ., , ., ., _ subjects. that sounds enormously com . lex subjects. that sounds enormously complex and _ subjects. that sounds enormously complex and i _ subjects. that sounds enormously complex and i have _ subjects. that sounds enormously complex and i have to _ subjects. that sounds enormously complex and i have to say, - subjects. that sounds enormously complex and i have to say, with i subjects. that sounds enormously complex and i have to say, with a | complex and i have to say, with a bit of a vested interest, my children are doing their gcses and a—levels, it has been tough on this year group because they have had a lot of missed lessons and teachers are still off sick, yet the government are saying they want the exam grades to be higher than they have been in the last two years but

not as high as 2019. there is a lot of confusion in that gap. brute not as high as 2019. there is a lot of confusion in that gap.— of confusion in that gap. we know the impact _ of confusion in that gap. we know the impact of _ of confusion in that gap. we know the impact of the _ of confusion in that gap. we know the impact of the pandemic - of confusion in that gap. we knowj the impact of the pandemic hasn't been even, some schools and some students have been affected a lot more than others, so some teaching and learning has been disrupted for some students a lot more and that is over the course of the whole two years of their exams. we are worried about those students that have suffered most disruption because they need a fair shot at their exams this summer. we need to see that everything that is being put in place, whether that is this advance information, the approach to grading, that that package is going to make things there for them. what to make things there for them. what we heard on — to make things there for them. what we heard on the _ to make things there for them. what we heard on the bbc— to make things there for them. what we heard on the bbc earlier today was the way questions will be marked to be the same but it would be about where the grade boundaries would set. has that information come out yet in terms of what the difference will be? , ., .,

will be? the line is that grading will be? the line is that grading will be? the line is that grading will be more — will be? the line is that grading will be more generous, - will be? the line is that grading will be more generous, but- will be? the line is that grading will be more generous, but the| will be? the line is that grading - will be more generous, but the grade boundaries are not actually set until after the exams have been set and marking starts taking place, so that will be something that the exam boards and senior examiners will be looking at, the quality of students working the exam and that process will be seen by ofcom, but we would expect the grade boundaries to be slightly lower. then they were back in 2019, the last year we had exams. he thinks those grade boundaries will be midway through 2019 versus the last two years or do not know where they were set yet? we don't actually know _ where they were set yet? we don't actually know where _ where they were set yet? we don't actually know where they - where they were set yet? we don't actually know where they will - where they were set yet? we don't actually know where they will set. | actually know where they will set. they are decided after the exams are sat. i think what we need to remember is that this package and grading looks at the cohorts so the results for each subject and for the year group as a whole will set in

that sort of midpoint between 2019 and 2021. but that sort of midpoint between 2019 and 2021. �* , ., ,., ., . ,, that sort of midpoint between 2019 and 2021. �* , ., ., and 2021. but it is about lack of trade and 2021. but it is about lack of grade inflation. _ and 2021. but it is about lack of grade inflation. again, - and 2021. but it is about lack of grade inflation. again, children| and 2021. but it is about lack of i grade inflation. again, children do not know now in terms of whether they can mistake the foot of a little bit, in terms of not being completely panicked must dust —— whilst still working as hard as possible. whilst still working as hard as oossible. ., . whilst still working as hard as oossible. . . ., , ., possible. the advice would be to re oare possible. the advice would be to prepare for _ possible. the advice would be to prepare for exams _ possible. the advice would be to prepare for exams just _ possible. the advice would be to prepare for exams just as - possible. the advice would be to prepare for exams just as you i possible. the advice would be to - prepare for examsjust as you would prepare for exams just as you would normally and be able to do your very best. i sure what you can do. i think there is quite a lot of stress and anxiety amongst students at the moment, those doing the a—levels that it set their gcses so this is the first set of public examinations they are going to set. there is a lot of pressure on young people. bond lot of pressure on young people. and their parents, i mightjust add. and | their parents, i might 'ust add. and their parents, i mightjust add. jifyc their parents, i mightjust add. fific their parents, yes. their parents, i might 'ust add. and their parents, yes. i_ their parents, i mightjust add. and their parents, yes. i am _ their parents, i mightjust add. and their parents, yes. i am not- their parents, i mightjust add. andj their parents, yes. i am not looking for it to the — their parents, yes. i am not looking for it to the easter _ their parents, yes. i am not looking for it to the easter holidays. - their parents, yes. i am not looking for it to the easter holidays. thank| for it to the easter holidays. thank you very much indeed.

in the past few minutes — the football association have said they will not bid to hold the 2030 world cup — and instead will focus on a joint uk bid with ireland to host the european championship in 2028. england last hosted a major tournament in 1996 — but did host games — including the final — at euro 2020 in the summer. the fa did bid unsuccessfully to host the world cup in 2018. the decision this morning follows a feasibility study by the fa. in a statement — the fa said: on balance, the five associations have decided to focus solely on an official bid to host uefa euro 2028, and have agreed not to bid for the 2030 fifa world cup. hosting a uefa euro offers a similar return on investment, with the european tournament carrying a far lower delivery cost and the potential of the benefits being realised sooner. a 19—year—old man has admitted killing his 15—year—old sister at a welsh caravan park last summer. matthew selby from

ashton—under—lyne, greater manchester, denied murdering his sister amanda in conwy county but admitted an alternative charge of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility. french president emmanuel macron has said ahead of talks in moscow that he thinks a deal to avoid war in ukraine is possible and that it is legitimate for russia to raise its own security concerns. caroline davies is in moscow for us. we have heard consistently that france and germany are less worried about a huge russian invasion than the fears we have heard coming out of the uk and us. we the fears we have heard coming out of the uk and us.— the fears we have heard coming out of the uk and us. we have seen some indications of — of the uk and us. we have seen some indications of that, _ of the uk and us. we have seen some indications of that, when _ of the uk and us. we have seen some indications of that, when the - of the uk and us. we have seen some indications of that, when the us - of the uk and us. we have seen some indications of that, when the us and i indications of that, when the us and uk decided they were going to withdraw some members of their embassies based in kyiv, that other countries decided they were not going to follow suit despite also

being part of nato. in terms of what we are expecting to hear later today, i don't think either side are expecting some resolution that means all of this will disappear overnight. however, we heard from the kremlin earlier saying they consider these talks to be substantial but also reiterating they don't expect them to be resolved during the course of one meeting. from president mccrum's side, we had some relatively optimistic thinking. he seems to think there is definitely the possibility of a deal still been done with russia, he talked about the fact it is legitimate for russia to raise the question of its own security, but he also emphasised, again, that it is important to keep the sovereignty and security of ukraine at before most of his mind as well and said that could not be compromised. in terms of exactly what president macron is bernede to the table with president putin, the only indications of what we know of what the us offered to russia in

response to russian demands, including things like missile deployments and checks, but we don't have an official response back from russia on those at the moment. in terms of understanding russia's security concerns, that is really about the fact that the ukraine russian border is fast anita has expanded much more closely. some have asked, whether nato has been insensitive to russian fears, which might be seen as very legitimate. i think on the site you are hearing both the question analyst and the russian analyst talking about why the situation has arisen and from the situation has arisen and from the russian perspective they have been adamant that they say they see nato as an aggressive force and the fact that it has expanded over the course of the last 30 years as being a worrying sign. from the us and nato point of view, they are very adamant this is a defensive force are not an aggressive force and this is not something that russia should be concerned about. america is also consistently said that given this

side of russia's army by comparison to ukraine, russia should not feel it is intimidated by ukraine. it should be the other way around. thank you very much indeed. now it's time for a look at the weather. hello again. for some of us it was quite a sunny but cold start to the day but we are looking at this cloud, moving from the west towards the east. some rain attached and a breezy day wherever you are. through the latter part of the afternoon you can see rain gathering across the north west of scotland and the wind will pick up year, temperatures widely 7 to about 12 degrees. through this evening and overnight quite a cloudy night across england and wales, the band of rain in scotland sinking southwards. behind it we see colder conditions return and also some showers but ahead of it, for england and wales, we will have a milder night than last night. tomorrow the rain becomes ensconced across northern england, for northern ireland and scotland we are looking at sunshine and showers, breezy,

for southern england and wales, there will be a fair bit of cloud around, it should be dry and still mild with highs of up to 14 degrees in the south—east.

hello, this is bbc news. the headlines... a plan to tackle the record backlog of 6 million routine hospital appointments in england is put on hold. the health secretary says the situation will get worse before it gets better. students in england find out what a levels and gcses will look like this summer. chinese tennis star peng shuai describes her allegations of sexual assault as a "huge misunderstanding" in herfirst western media interview since the accusations were made. the scientific breakthrough that's allowed a paralysed man to walk once more — and become a father.

we'll be speaking to him within the hour. sport and for a full round up from the bbc sport centre, here's hugh ferris. good morning. paul collingwood has said he can't wait to get started after being appointed as england's interim men's head coach. he'll take charge for the three—match test series against west indies next month. chris silverwood left the role following england's 4—0 ashes defeat in australia. collingwood took charge of england's 3—2 t20 series defeat in the caribbean last month. the test squad will be announced later this week. the uk and republic of ireland football associations will not bid to host the 2030 world cup. but instead focus on a joint bid for euro 2028. it comes after a feasibility study into the bid, looking at the economic impact and costs of hosting the two tournaments.

the republic of ireland, england, northern ireland, wales and scotland have decided to make an official bid for the continental tournament. this is just months after england hosted the euro 2020 final at wembley stadium, where there was serious issues with fan trouble as england lost to italy. it was a dramatic weekend of fa cup action culminating in the the biggest shock of the competition so far. borehamwood beat bournemouth 1—0. the game's only goal came from their captain mark ricketts in the first half, finding the net from the edge of the box. 1,400 fans had travelled — that's 500 more than their average home attendance — and they were all squeezed into the away end. the first time they've qualified for the fifth round fo the fa cup, with a trip to everton next. i was content if we had lost four or 5-1. the

i was content if we had lost four or 5—1. the scenes afterwards, the hair on the back of my neck went up. just remembering it is unlivable. huge respect for frank lampard. we have yet to concede a goal in the fa cup. if we clean a —— if we keep a clean sheet, who knows? that wasn't the only shock of the weekend — the holders were knocked out... leicester city were well beaten by nottingham forest, who are currently 8th in the championship. it finished 4—1. and not only a fifth round tie against huddersfield for the forest fans to savour. but also a victory over their east midlands rivals. liverpool will play norwich in the last 16, after they beat cardiff 3—1. this was the pick of liverpool's goals. a great way for teenage substitute harvey elliott to celebrate making his comeback, five months after dislocating his ankle. there was a dramatic end to the final of the africa cup of nations with senegal beating egypt on penalties.

it was an eventful day for liverpool's sadio mane who scored the winning penalty, after he missed from the spot in normal time. so disappointment for his club team mate mo salah. it's the first time senegal have won the competition in their history. day 3 of the winter olympics is well underway. bruce mouat and jen dodds are in the curling mixed doubles semi finals in the next half an hour. they're up against norway — who actually beat them yesterday. here they are earlier this morning, with victory over the usa in theirfinal round robin game. a morale booster ahead of the semifinal. still no british medals at the winter olympics yet but some good news to report this morning. teenager kirsty muir has qualifed for the final of the women's big air competition — being held at a former steel mill in beijing. muir's first run was her best... however katie summerhayes just missed out — finishing 13th. only the top 12 went through to tomorrow's final. james woods also failed to make the men's final.

that's all the sport for now. i'll have more for you in the next hour. the chinese tennis star, peng shuai, has given herfirst interview to western media since she accused a former senior communist party official of sexual assault. there has been global concern for her safety since november, when she made the allegation and disappeared from the public eye for three weeks. she has now told a french newspaper, she didn't accuse anyone of sexual assault — and said the outcry was a huge misunderstanding. but there were chinese olympic officials present when she gave the interview. our china correspondent, stephen mcdonel, is following developments. every time the communist party, or tries some way of dampening down this issue, more questions are left unanswered. in this case, the french

newspaper did not ask her the crucial questions, like, for example, she says in the interview i never accused anyone of sexual assault. well, what did you mean then? this is the crucial thing. what did you mean? she wrote in a post on social media, directly addressing the former member of the standing committee not less, she said to him in chinese... that to a chinese person means you took me to your house and he raped me, or you took me to your house and you force me to your house —— make you take me to your house and you force me to have sexual relations. they are very serious allegations. what did she mean by them? we do not know because she was not asked the crucial

question. she was not asked about these ridiculous proof of life videos when she was appearing with her friends at restaurants when they were, for some bizarre reason, mentioning the date and the time like it was so real. something you really would do with your friends when you are sitting around and having dinner. i suppose somebody in the party thinks this interview or another dinner is going to come this whole thing down. itjust inflames it. it has once again driven the issue to the forefront of people's minds. a paralysed man in switzerland who was unable to have children after his accident — has become a father. five years ago, david m'zee took part in a clinical trial and had an electrical device inserted into his spine to boost signals from his brains to his legs. now, he enjoys playing sports and has become a father. we've got david on the phone now. thank you very much forjoining us

today. congratulations. can we go back a little bit, can you tell us what happened to you with the accident? ~ . ., . ., what happened to you with the accident? ~ _, . ., , what happened to you with the accident? ~ . ., , ., accident? well, the connection is a bit bad. i accident? well, the connection is a bit bad- i did _ accident? well, the connection is a bit bad. i did not — accident? well, the connection is a bit bad. i did not hear _ accident? well, the connection is a bit bad. i did not hear the - accident? well, the connection is a bit bad. i did not hear the end - accident? well, the connection is a bit bad. i did not hear the end of. bit bad. i did not hear the end of the question but it was about my accident, back in 2010. i was about to become a sports teacher and we were training. i tripped and i broke my six and seven vertebrae. hagar were training. i tripped and i broke my six and seven vertebrae. how did that leave you? _ my six and seven vertebrae. how did that leave you? what _ my six and seven vertebrae. how did that leave you? what state - my six and seven vertebrae. how did that leave you? what state where i my six and seven vertebrae. how did l that leave you? what state where you end when that happened? that that leave you? what state where you end when that happened?— end when that happened? that was a s-ecial end when that happened? that was a special moment _ end when that happened? that was a special moment because _ end when that happened? that was a special moment because at _ end when that happened? that was a special moment because at first i i special moment because at first i hit my head may be on the ground of the pit and i thought, i was hoping to not have a concussion and then i realised i could not move anything at all and it was absolute panic that kicked in. i concentrated on my breathing, i tried to calm myself down and it felt like that saved my

life. ~ ., down and it felt like that saved my life. . . . ,, down and it felt like that saved my life. . . ., , , ., down and it felt like that saved my life. ~ . ., ,, ., ., down and it felt like that saved my life. . . ., ,, ., ., ., life. what happened after that? that sounds extraordinary. _ life. what happened after that? that sounds extraordinary. there - life. what happened after that? that sounds extraordinary. there was i life. what happened after that? that sounds extraordinary. there was an l sounds extraordinary. there was an 0 oeration. sounds extraordinary. there was an operation- they _ sounds extraordinary. there was an operation. they tried _ sounds extraordinary. there was an operation. they tried to _ sounds extraordinary. there was an operation. they tried to fix - sounds extraordinary. there was an operation. they tried to fix the i operation. they tried to fix the neck again, i did seven months of rehab and another two and a half years. after that, i regained a lot of function again. it is an incomplete spinal—cord injury that i have on my neck level. i could not even with my arms are my hands. i recovered quite a bit but i did not have a lot of function in my legs. that is why i was happy to participate in the study that you talked about in 2016. tell participate in the study that you talked about in 2016.— participate in the study that you talked about in 2016. tell us about the implant- _ talked about in 2016. tell us about the implant. we _ talked about in 2016. tell us about the implant. we did _ talked about in 2016. tell us about the implant. we did it _ talked about in 2016. tell us about the implant. we did it go - talked about in 2016. tell us about the implant. we did it go and i talked about in 2016. tell us about the implant. we did it go and what does it do? it is the implant. we did it go and what does it do?— does it do? it is only spinal-cord. it was a does it do? it is only spinal-cord. it was a long _ does it do? it is only spinal-cord. it was a long operation _ does it do? it is only spinal-cord. it was a long operation and i does it do? it is only spinal-cord. it was a long operation and it i does it do? it is only spinal-cord. it was a long operation and it had j it was a long operation and it had to be really precise because we are trying to boost the signals that are coming from the brain and it is only spinal—cord so my injury is up here

but the electrode is lower, that is where the legs are represented on the spinal—cord, and through this electrical impulse we got the legs moving again. you electrical impulse we got the legs moving again-— electrical impulse we got the legs moving again. you are now able to take art moving again. you are now able to take part in _ moving again. you are now able to take part in sport _ moving again. you are now able to take part in sport and, _ moving again. you are now able to take part in sport and, of- moving again. you are now able to take part in sport and, of course, i take part in sport and, of course, you have had a family, you have got a child. , ., , , you have had a family, you have got achild. , , . ., ., a child. yes, absolutely. we are not sure how much _ a child. yes, absolutely. we are not sure how much stimulation - a child. yes, absolutely. we are not sure how much stimulation is i sure how much stimulation is involved in it. we did not take measurements before and afterwards but i am really happy to be a father now and go walking with my child. amazing. do you have a full recovery in your legs or is it partial? ida. in your legs or is it partial? no, it is absolutely _ in your legs or is it partial? iirr, it is absolutely partial. with the electrode i can walk a few steps with a walker or as you can see in the background, that is my support system but for everyday life it is not helping to walk within my flat,

for example, because i am much faster in my wheelchair but it is a big step and a good direction and we hope we can continue it. bond big step and a good direction and we hope we can continue it.— hope we can continue it. and 'ust havin: a hope we can continue it. and 'ust having a ohuo �* hope we can continue it. and 'ust having a child is i hope we can continue it. and 'ust having a child is a i hope we can continue it. and 'ust having a child is a blessing i hope we can continue it. and just having a child is a blessing for. hope we can continue it. and just having a child is a blessing for allj having a child is a blessing for all of us, how did it feel for you when your baby was born? it must have been quite a moment. it your baby was born? it must have been quite a moment.— your baby was born? it must have been quite a moment. it was quite a moment. been quite a moment. it was quite a moment- it — been quite a moment. it was quite a moment. it was _ been quite a moment. it was quite a moment. it was really _ been quite a moment. it was quite a moment. it was really special i been quite a moment. it was quite a moment. it was really special for i moment. it was really special for me. i was super excited. it was long and i was tired as well, so was my girlfriend, we're really happy that our child is here. i girlfriend, we're really happy that our child is here.— our child is here. i bet you cannot believe you _ our child is here. i bet you cannot believe you have _ our child is here. i bet you cannot believe you have made _ our child is here. i bet you cannot believe you have made this i believe you have made this incredible recovery. we wish you all the best and we hope it all continues. thank you very much for telling us about it.— in canada a state of emergency has been declared in the capital ottawa, in response to the ongoing truckers' protests against covid restrictions. the mayorjim watson said the city was outnumbered and losing the battle against the freedom convoy.

the truckers have paralysed the centre of ottawa with vehicles and tents blocking roads. horns blare. honking horns at a blockade of streets around parliament hill in the capital ottowa. protests dubbed the "freedom convoy" began over a week ago, its aim to reverse the government's vaccine requirement for cross—border truckers. but it's turned into a rallying point against all covid measures and prime ministerjustin trudeau's government. the city's mayorjim watson said the city was completely out of control with protesters outnumbering police. he said... many ottawa residents object to the demonstrations. patience is definitely running out for the folks who actually live in the downtown core, who have been absolutely fed up with the behaviour of the protesters, the constant noise. jst this evening,

there was a raucous just this evening, there was a raucous dance party with djs taking place just in the shadow of parliament hill. protests here might be loud but canadians are broadly supportive of the vaccine mandate. nearly 83% of canadians are fully vaccinated. the prime minister has said the convoy represents a small fringe minority. it's not clear yet what emergency measures will be brought in. police say they are concerned the convoy has attracted far right and extremist elements. the fundraising site gofundme said on friday it would withhold millions of dollars raised for the truckers, citing police reports of violence. there's also criticism that support has come from outside canada. on friday, former us president donald trump gave his backing. i'm here to denounce that the unvaccinated for two years have been shamed and thrown under the bus and on the public�*s place, it goes

against freedom of speech in canada. meanwhile, the protesters have dug in, the convoys organised, well funded and committed. they have promised to protest peacefully and respect the law but also to stay for as long as it takes. dance music plays. aruna iyengar, bbc news. the headlines on bbc news... a plan to tackle the record backlog of 6 million routine hospital appointments in england is put on hold. the health secretary says the situation will get worse before it gets better students in england find out what a levels and gcses will look like this summer. and the great british curling duo jen dodds and bruce mouat are though to the semi finals at the winter olympics. its ambition was to be a vaccine for the world — two and a half billion doses of the oxford—astrazeneca jab were delivered across the globe

during the pandemic and nearly half of all adults in the uk received two doses of the jab. its use in the rest of europe, however, was far from plain sailing. there was a row with the eu about supply shortages and restrictions were put on the vaccine's use over the risk of rare blood clots. so did politics get in the way? our medical editor fergus walsh reports. the roll—out of the oxford astrazeneca vaccine in the uk is widely regarded as a great success. but in the eu, it was beset by hurdles. in late january 2021, with vaccines in desperately short supply, president macron described the astrazeneca jab as �*quasi ineffective' in the elderly. france and germany said they wouldn't use it for older adults, but both reversed that decision weeks later, when it was shown to be highly protective. many eu countries briefly suspended its use completely over the risk of rare blood clots, a few never

used it again. sirjohn bell of oxford university who helped bring astrazeneca on—board is scathing about what he sees as missteps by decision—makers in the eu. bad behaviourfrom both scientists and politicians, will have killed, probably hundreds of thousands of people, and that they cannot be proud of. they have damaged the reputation of the vaccine in a way that echoes through the rest of the world. then there's the issue of vaccine inequity. six in ten of the world's population have received at least one dose of a covid vaccine, but across africa, just one in 20 people are double jabbed. global health experts say that's not only unfair, it's dangerous. we're giving this virus the opportunity to evolve, to mutate, to present in more rapidly transmissible and deadly forms, we're going to be deep into 2022

before we have this pandemic under control in a best case scenario because that's how long it's going to take to get vaccine rolled out equitably around the world. billions of vaccine doses have now been pledged for low income countries. but the logistics of getting them to those who need them is a major problem. nigeria destroyed a million astrazeneca doses in december, which had a shelf ofjust a few weeks — too little time to use them. the scientist who created the jab wants vaccine production scaled up well before the next deadly virus emerges. i would like to see more vaccines manufactured in africa. for the next pandemic, we need to increase our manufacturing capacity across the world, if the vaccines don't exist, then they can't be shared. despite the setbacks, the oxford astrazeneca vaccine has played a major role in curbing the pandemic.

easy to store and transport and sold at no profit, it's had a truly global reach. from the antarctic... ..to the amazon, it's been used in over 180 countries, more than any other covid vaccines and will have saved countless lives. fergus walsh, bbc news. the documentary: astrazeneca: a vaccine for the world? is on bbc2 at 9pm tomorrow night, and will also be on bbc iplayer. in the next hour, the british curling dquen dodds and bruce mouat will compete in the semi finals at the winter olympic games. the pair will face the norwegians again in the semi final. a win would guarantee at least a silver medal. our sport correspondent john watson has spent the morning curling — in edinburgh — he spoke to my colleague annita mcveigh. i am just about managing to stay on my feet this morning, that is the danger of being out on the ice but it's great to be here on the very ice that bruce

and jen honed their skills and craft as youngsters, when they started playing here, at eight and ten years old respectively. and here they are potentially to challenge for an olympic medal and it really is all about these stones. they are made of solid granite. they weigh some 20 kilograms and the main aim is to try and score as many points as you can by getting these stones all the way down the other end of the rink and settling as many as you can in the house behind me, not an easy task when you consider the size and weight of these. someone who knows bruce and jen very well is david akin, the performance director for british curling. you have worked with them many times. did you ever envisage one day they would be challenging for a medal in the games? honestly, not really! when they started, they were just regular kids who did a lot of sport and they had a lot of fun curling which was great to see. then they started to go to some events and play in different venues

in scotland and you started to see they had a competitive edge and a technical excellence with their abilities. we started to see there was potential. then i think with the funding that came into the sport, the national lottery and other sources, there was a big step up in terms of what the athletes could achieve and they became much more professional with their attitude. it's amazing. it kind of feels when the winter olympics rolls around, once every four years, curling is just thrust into the spotlight. i suppose this year when you consider the amount of action that bruce and jen have played, because they started before the opening ceremony began, so they have been on the ice for a while. yeah, that's right. it is a long sport in terms of olympics. what they have achieved is great, but they have been really well—prepared for this for the last few seasons, this has been their goal. it is great. all the support we have

had through funding and all the external, all the non—ice related things that we have to do, have been exceptional. and we have some curlers from another curling club. amy, what is it that kind of made you want to take up curling? my dad curled, so i thought, i'll go along and try it one day and i found it really fun and exciting, so i kept playing and ijust enjoyed it. you are going to give us a hand in a minute with some sweeping. we are going to give it a go. jamie, you have a great story, you have a great run of curling in the family, like we were just talking about, you have that, don't you? your mum won gold in salt lake city back in 2002. yeah, it was a massive family sport for us. i curling... my grandparents all curl, my dad curls, all my- brothers and sisters curl. so it's a big family sport. we enjoy playing it all together. lots of dinner time conversation is all about curling! _

but my mum — really proud of her. can't say much else. a greatjob. a bit of an unconventional way to do it, going to the play—offs to get i to the semifinals and things. but she went out there and she's just my mum, after all. - yes, and i bet you are trying to tap into the experience. now, it is interesting, talking about bruce, he could win a medal, he did not come from a curling family. is it in yourfamily? yes, it is in my family as well. my mum and dad both curled so i went along and tried it. first time, i was like, i was the same as every beginner, it'sjust granite on ice, but the second time, i absolutely loved it. you just knew what you're expecting this time, so as soon as i tried it, i was like, this is the sport for me. and what's the biggest skill? is the toughest part sweeping or is it the releasing of the stone? the timing, the weight, the distance, getting it spot on, so it settles in the house? i think all of it. it is just an all—round sport, each player has a role to make every shot the best

as they can, so obviously the person delivering the stone has to play the right weight in line, the sweepers canjudge it well for the skip. so they can sweep it if it's light and judge it if it's heavy or not, so they can tell the skip where to finish in the house. ok, thank you. let's see that. here we go. what could possibly go wrong, david, you can cast your experienced eye over us. amy? a bit of sweeping. ok, come on then, carl. let's do it. here we go. ok, we need to get the terminology right, so depending on the weight, what are we doing, are we...? sweep! it's a bit light, so there we go. sweep harder. oh, that's a good weight! this is our stone of destiny. studio: broadcasting on ice, a whole new show. our salt lake city moment, isn't it? 0h! studio: 0h! sorry, carl, we let you down. probably not quite enough.

amy, greatjob. john watson there in edinburgh talking to my colleague. now — to celebrate — the queen's 70th year on the throne at the top of the hour we are going to be hearing 41 gun royal salute. it is led by the king's horse artillery. they are gathered in central london for this moment of celebration and tribute to her majesty. we will be back there soon. tinnitus sufferers are calling for renewed efforts to research and find cures for the hearing

condition after a survey revealed almost one in 10 people living with it have experienced suicidal thoughts or self—harm in the past two years. our health correspondent anna collinson has more — and a warning that the sounds used at the start of her report may trigger some people's tinnitus. this is my silence. sharp whistling. for the millions living with tinnitus, the perception of like hissing or buzzing can cause serious distress. but, currently, there is no cure. kirsty has lived with the constant ringing sound three years. i was stuck in a real stress cycle. i've got tinnitus, it is stressing me out, the stress made my tinnitus worse, so i am in this vicious cycle. that ijust couldn't break. it was affecting every area of my life. when i hit rock bottom, i have been quite open and honest about this, i actually said to my mum and i didn't want to be here any more, because you become so desperate. and you just think the only way to get away from it is to leave the earth. as part of new research,

the british tinnitus association surveyed 2600 people with the condition and found one in three thought about it every hour, causing them anxiety and sadness. and nearly one in ten had thoughts about suicide or self—harm. the majority were dissatisfied with current treatments. experts say there is now an urgent need for a tinnitus biobank where thousands of people with the condition would be encouraged to undergo basic tests. that data would then be shared with scientists around the world to help improve treatments faster. i think what i'm very confident it'll do is really make a major step forward in our understanding of tinnitus and providing this resource that will go on, really assisting and enabling further scientific studies. so i think it is a big step in the journey towards a cure and will help accelerate a cure. for now, kirsty says counselling and reflexology has helped her adjust. i think one of the main things

we could probably give tinnitus sufferers right now is hope that one day there will be a cure, because i think every human needs hope to keep living, keep going. very important research work there. now it's time for a look at the weather with carol. hello. for some of us it was a sunny but cold start to the day. we are looking at the cloud moving from the west to the east. rain attached to that cloud. a rainy day whenever you are. rain gathering across the north—west of scotland and the wind will pick up. seven to 10 celsius. overnight, a cloudy night across england and wales with rain fizzling. a band of rain in scotland will sink southwards. behind it, colder conditions return and some showers. ahead of it, england and

wales, a milder night than last night. tomorrow, the rain becomes ensconced across northern england. we are looking at sunshine and showers for scotland. for southern england and wales, if a bit of cloud around. it should be dry and it will still be mailed with highs up to 14 celsius in the south—east. carol with the weather. now — to celebrate — the queen's 70th year on the throne — let's bring you a 41 gun royal salute — the king's troop royal horse artillery. we are also watching events in edinburgh at the castle, we are again a gun salute will be held to celebrate the platinum jubilee. of course, the day in question yesterday was a sunday and that is why a gun salute is being held today. we are going to watch these

events unfold as a mark of respect to her majesty, after 70 years on the throne. as she became monarch of the throne. as she became monarch of the uk and the commonwealth.

studio: we are watching these 41 gun salutes, both in green park and in edinburgh, marking 70 years since her majesty queen elizabeth became monarch. it was in february the 6th 1952 on the death of her father george vi. princess elizabeth, as she was then, was just 25 years old,

a long way from home on a commonwealth tour with the duke of edinburgh when she heard her father passed away after suffering from lung cancer. she acceded to the throne as its tradition immediately and she has been on the throne for 70 years. she celebrates her platinum jubilee with a number of celebrations announced for this year. and this is a key part of them. 41 gun salute —— 21 gun salute in edinburgh, 41 gun salute in london in green park. held by the king's troop royal horse artillery, which apparently has half the gunners

being female, a very diverse unit within the army. it is something they have been practising for for some time. it is a mark of respect across the uk and of celebration, of the queen plus migraine. —— the clean's rain. those celebratory gun salutes being held in london and edinburgh. we will bring you further tributes to her majesty within the next hour as we see those unfold here across the uk and especially in london. let's move onto one of our stories today. a wide—ranging plan from nhs england to tackle the backlog of routine surgery has been delayed by a last—minute intervention in whitehall. a full announcement had been expected today. the health secretary,

sajid javid said this morning there was no issue around the money, but dealing with the omicron variant had been a factor. the nhs cannot say and i cannot say where the list will get to before it starts coming down because we simply do not know how many people will come back. the bit the nhs can make a difference on, and they are doing a phenomenal job, is doing as many elective procedures, scans, diagnostics and tests as possible. we are already seeing activity returning slowly back towards pre—pandemic levels. labour's shadow work and pensions minister, jonathan ashworth, said the delay was evidence of the disarray in downing street. we have got a government in utter chaos, the tory party is divided from top to bottom and we have got a prime minister more focused on saving his own skin because of the scandals and rule breaking that he has been involved in. and the tragedy is this focus on borisjohnson means

there is no focus on families, working people and pensioners, those waiting on a waiting list for operations, such as a knee replacement or a hernia or a cataract removal, some of them waiting over a year. and at the same time, of course, families facing this devastating cost of living crisis work today tory mps are going to be voting for a real terms cut in the value of the state pension, at a time when pensioner poverty is rising and the prices in shops are going up, and many pensioners are any desperate situation, not sure how they are going to pay these rocketing heating bills. joining me now is rachel power, chief executive of the patients' association — a charity which campaigns for improvements for health and social care patients. thank you forjoining us, what do you make of the delay? we were expecting this big announcement today. we expecting this big announcement toda . ~ , expecting this big announcement toda. , today. we were very disappointed with the delay _ today. we were very disappointed with the delay because _ today. we were very disappointed with the delay because we - today. we were very disappointed i with the delay because we understand that the nhs have been working for a

long time on the plan and it is ambitious, it is really important for patients that this plan is now published. for patients that this plan is now oublished. ., ., , , published. how bad has been the disruption? _ published. how bad has been the disruption? we _ published. how bad has been the disruption? we ran _ published. how bad has been the disruption? we ran a _ published. how bad has been the disruption? we ran a survey i published. how bad has been the i disruption? we ran a survey during december which _ disruption? we ran a survey during december which we _ disruption? we ran a survey during december which we just _ disruption? we ran a survey during december which we just reported l disruption? we ran a survey during. december which we just reported on last week. over half the survey respondents told us they had not been able to access the services they require it and those patients whose condition affect their day—to—day living, over 77% of those said they are not been kept up—to—date with what was happening with their care. pond up-to-date with what was happening with their care.— with their care. and where i'd be most acute _ with their care. and where i'd be most acute pressure _ with their care. and where i'd be most acute pressure points? is i with their care. and where i'd be i most acute pressure points? is this about getting gp appointments are specialist appointments? is it routine care that has suffered or emergency care or is it across the board? i emergency care or is it across the board? ~ , .. .,,, board? i think it is across the board. board? i think it is across the board- the — board? i think it is across the board. the survey _ board? i think it is across the board. the survey did - board? i think it is across the i board. the survey did highlight that patients are having trouble accessing face—to—face gp appointments, but definitely it is across the board from diagnostic to

continuing care which was referred to earlier in your programme. halos to earlier in your programme. how should the — to earlier in your programme. how should the government be tackling this, in your view, should the government be tackling this, in yourview, and how should the government be tackling this, in your view, and how quickly? you slightly broke up on me there. what do you think it was crucial to try and find a solution here? we need to try and find a solution here? - need to remember that behind those huge waiting numbers, there are people whose lives have been affected while they wait to get treatment and their lives and their loved ones lives are being waited on the patients are the one suffering, we really need to get this plan out so that local systems can implement the plan, but also that patients can get more information because we hear a lot from patients about a lack of communication and needing to know what is happening with their care. and also needing to know what they should do and what they can do to stay well while waiting. i think they are the key things that need to happen now, communication with

patients. happen now, communication with -atients. ., happen now, communication with -atients. . , , ., patients. either a simple solution is ouick patients. either a simple solution is quick measures _ patients. either a simple solution is quick measures the _ patients. either a simple solution l is quick measures the government patients. either a simple solution i is quick measures the government can do in your view? for example, there is a lack of staff, we know that. the plan needs to come along with a workforce plan as well because they needs to be enough doctors and nurses to be able to deal with this backlog and there is no magic solution to dealing with this backlog. other than making sure we do have enough staff in place and that staff are working in partnership with patients to make sure we are getting the best option for those patients and i think the government need to make sure that everything is done in partnership with patients in both the individual care and the design and delivery of health care services. obs care and the design and delivery of health care services. as immigration art of the health care services. as immigration part of the solution, _ health care services. as immigration part of the solution, these _ health care services. as immigration part of the solution, these is - health care services. as immigration part of the solution, these is to i part of the solution, these is to get people in from the eu orfurther afield, to bring in expertise? every country is having a health crisis. yeah, i don't know the answer to that, and i think it is for the government to work out how we are

going to have enough doctors and nurses and how there is going to be enough funding for that amount of staff. ., . ., enough funding for that amount of staff. .. ., ., ,, , ., staff. ok, rachel power, thank you very much- — staff. ok, rachel power, thank you very much. thank _ staff. ok, rachel power, thank you very much. thank you. _ let's talk to our political correspondent chris mason. i know we spoke an hour ago about what the government is saying for the reason of this delay. speculation in some of the papers about whether this is political, whether the treasury is holding back because johnson is whether the treasury is holding back becausejohnson is in a precarious position and rishi sunak are seen as a key rival, or if this is about the inner workings of getting a deal signed off. it inner workings of getting a deal sinned off. ,, .,, inner workings of getting a deal sinnedoff. ,, signed off. it is squashed somewhere under a lever— signed off. it is squashed somewhere under a lever arch _ signed off. it is squashed somewhere under a lever arch file _ signed off. it is squashed somewhere under a lever arch file in _ under a lever arch file in whitehall. we will probably see it in the next few days. there is a temptation in the current context to look at this through the prism of what we know will be disagreements between the chancellor and the prime minister, the chancellor publicly answering the prime minister the

other day around boris johnson's comments about keir other day around borisjohnson's comments about keir starmer and jimmy savile. there is the drama and the emotion and the intrigue and the rumour around the prime minister because my future and whether the chancellor might be a potential successor, whether he would be keen on that job. successor, whether he would be keen on thatjob. he was coy about that in a conversation with our political editor the other day. speaking to people in whitehall around government, as far as this health announcement is concerned, the choreography doesn't seem to have worked because we have seen the health secretary at this morning, the prime minister and chancellor on a joint visit around about now. we should hearfrom a joint visit around about now. we should hear from them shortly. joint visits only tend to happen between senior ministers when they have been reported tension between them in the previous days or weeks. i am told number ten and the treasury and the department of health are still chewing over the numbers around all of this, potentially trying to ensure the nhs is committed to particular targets for achieving is

driving down of waiting times, connected to the additional money they might get. the choreography hasn't quite worked around the visits and the announcements because they didn't have much of an announcement to make. it is coming within a couple of days. we shouldn't look at it entirely through the prism of the tensions that have existed between number ten and the treasury, nonetheless detention is either unreal. bond and the treasury, nonetheless detention is either unreal. and in ooli detention is either unreal. and in policy terms _ detention is either unreal. and in policy terms about _ detention is either unreal. and in policy terms about how _ detention is either unreal. and in policy terms about how much i detention is either unreal. and in j policy terms about how much you spend, which has been a big question. on terms of downing street, the operation over the weekend, revelations that guto harri, a former bbcjournalist, is going to bejoining the downing street operation in terms of communications. also steve barclay is going to be running number ten, a lot of questions from former civil servants and other chiefs of staff about whether that works and where responsibility lies.— responsibility lies. indeed, lets talk about steve _ responsibility lies. indeed, lets talk about steve backley i responsibility lies. indeed, lets talk about steve backley first, | responsibility lies. indeed, lets. talk about steve backley first, he is an mp and minister. one wonders

whether he might need his own chief of staff given the number ofjobs he is doing and there are critics saying exactly how is that going to work in terms of the management of his workload, doing three jobs at once? mp, ministerand chief his workload, doing three jobs at once? mp, minister and chief of staff. and then what about the lines of accountability. to whom is he responsible? does it pop up in the commons as a minister? he has got his constituency obligations in cambridgeshire and then a role that would often be done by an appointee who doesn't have a public facing role. eitheras who doesn't have a public facing role. either as a civil servant or a special adviser. the big questions there. as far as mr berkeley's appointment is concerned. then there is guto harri, appointed as director of clinic agents. i think we can show you some pictures of him arriving for work for the first time. ~ ., , , , ., time. what is the first thing you are oooin time. what is the first thing you are going to _ time. what is the first thing you are going to do _ time. what is the first thing you are going to do today? - time. what is the first thing you l are going to do today? nutritious snacks and _

are going to do today? nutritious snacks and mineral _ are going to do today? nutritious snacks and mineral water. - are going to do today? nutritious snacks and mineral water. you i are going to do today? nutritious i snacks and mineralwater. you may 'ust have snacks and mineralwater. you may just have heard _ snacks and mineralwater. you may just have heard he _ snacks and mineralwater. you may just have heard he was _ snacks and mineralwater. you may just have heard he was asked i snacks and mineralwater. you may just have heard he was asked about priorities for the first day and he gesticulated towards his tesco carrier bag staying healthy snacks and mineral water and then smacked. clearly needed to rule out there is nothing stronger in the carrier bag given recent headlines. i noticed it said to reuse and recycle on the side of that carrier bag, guto harri a former adviser to the prime minister when he was mayor of london being reused and recycled himself, brought in as director of commune occasions. i will bring you this as well which is some words that he has given to a welsh language magazine, guto harri a proud welshman and welsh speaker. in this interview he is given with this smash magazine, he has described his new boss is not a complete clown and went on to say when he went in to see the prime minister on friday, to finalise taking on thejob, one of the minister on friday, to finalise taking on the job, one of the first questions he asked if borisjohnson

is are you going to survive? and what followed was something of a singalong between the two of them of the gloria gaynor song of exactly that theme. he went on to say, i walked in, i gave him a salute and said to be prime minister guto harri reporting for duty. and he stood up from behind his desk and started doing a salute back and then said what am i doing? agitate the knee for you. that is a reference to guto harri previously being an employee of gb news where he took the knee live on television and wasn't in the job at that tv station for much longer afterwards. job at that tv station for much longerafterwards. on job at that tv station for much longer afterwards. on goes the conversation about gloria gaynor and then he says he is not a complete clown, he is a very likeable character. 90% of our discussion was very serious, he goes on to say, but he is a character and there is fun to be had. he is not the devil like some have mischaracterised him. there is guto harri reflecting on his newjob. it used to be one of

the rules of spin doctoring not to become the story. there are already two stories involving him. lots become the story. there are already two stories involving him.— two stories involving him. lots of us know him _ two stories involving him. lots of us know him from _ two stories involving him. lots of us know him from his _ two stories involving him. lots of us know him from his days - two stories involving him. lots of us know him from his days at - two stories involving him. lots of us know him from his days at the i two stories involving him. lots of- us know him from his days at the bbc and he has worked in other big communicationsjobs as and he has worked in other big communications jobs as well. the key question is some people are welcoming the fact he has had a close relationship with the prime minister, other people are being brought in, this is what many people called for, can they rescue that downing street operation, or does trouble still stem from here boris johnson surrounds herself with? that is the question from many tory mps to decide the fate of the prime minister. he to decide the fate of the prime minister. . , to decide the fate of the prime minister. ., , ., ., , ., minister. he was on a podcast not many days — minister. he was on a podcast not many days ago — minister. he was on a podcast not many days ago and _ minister. he was on a podcast not many days ago and he _ minister. he was on a podcast not many days ago and he said - minister. he was on a podcast not many days ago and he said boris i many days ago and he said boris johnson often underestimated the importance of having good people around him, he didn't quite say give

us a job that is what it sounded like and then a few days later he is in thejob. the big question for those looking in and for conservative mps who prime minister's fate in theirhands, what is this about structures? he promised he would change the structures are downing street and that are starting to happen, some by design and some by accident, his long serving adviser leaving the other day. and even his most loyal attendant to try and spin that await so bad attendant to try and spin that await so had from the minister at�*s perspective. to what extent do structures make a difference or is it about his character? plenty of conservative mps acknowledge it as borisjohnson was a character that helped propel them to that stonking majority they secured over two years ago in the general election. the technology is a very good campaigner. but plenty, including on his own side, have started to ponder in the light of what has emerged in the last couple of months whether that exact same character isn't well

suited to governing, however good those around him, that borisjohnson might choose to hire. plenty of big questions that were there last week for conservative mps are still there this week, whoever might be turning up this week, whoever might be turning up in downing street and whatever is on the carrier bag. he up in downing street and whatever is on the carrier bag.— on the carrier bag. he is not a complete _ on the carrier bag. he is not a complete clown, _ on the carrier bag. he is not a complete clown, is _ on the carrier bag. he is not a complete clown, is that - on the carrier bag. he is not a complete clown, is that the i on the carrier bag. he is not a i complete clown, is that the right headline you want on your first day? there are interesting days ahead. the headlines on bbc news... a plan to tackle the record backlog of 6 million routine hospital appointments in england is put on hold. the health secretary says the situation will get worse before it gets better students in england find out what a levels and gcses will look like this summer. a scientific breakthrough that's allowed a paralysed man to walk once more — and become a father.

exams coverage coming up. but first of all, let's have a quick look at the sport. a pretty stern test for team gb at the winter olympics. taking on norway at the krilling semifinals, they are only to their second end but there has not been much to speak of but the action that has taken place is pretty good for the british team because in that first end, with the norwegians having the hammer, which is the final stone, it was set “p which is the final stone, it was set up rather nicely by bruce mullett to claim a i—o lead. it is the finest on that matters and that is the one that britain have got. so far, that is going well. earlier today teenager christy moore qualified for the final of the woman's big air

competition, held any steel mill in beijing. herfirst run was competition, held any steel mill in beijing. her first run was the best, however it summersjust beijing. her first run was the best, however it summers just missed out. she only the top 12 went through to the final tomorrow. james would also failed to make the men's final. team gb's failed to make the men's final. team gb�*s first long track speed skater at the game in some 42 years, she finished back in 27th place. the ship became the first athlete to an individual goal at five different olympics. here is the moment is—year—olds camilla became the first figure skater to land that. a quadruplejump at the first figure skater to land that. a quadruple jump at the winter olympics, the russian olympic committee won the team gold medal. the uk and republic of ireland football associations will not bid to host the 2013 world cup. but instead focus on a joint bid for euro 2028.

it comes after a feasibility study into the bid, looking at the economic impact and costs of hosting the two tournaments. the republic of ireland, england, northern ireland, wales and scotland have decided to make an official bid for the continental tournament. this is just months after england hosted the euro 2020 final at wembley stadium, where there was serious issues with fan trouble as england lost to italy. paul collingwood has said he can't wait to get started after being appointed as england's interim men's head coach. he'll take charge for the three—match test series against west indies next month. chris silverwood left the role following england's 4—0 ashes defeat in australia. collingwood took charge of england's 3—2 t20 series defeat in the caribbean last month. the test squad will be announced later this week. that is all your support for now. you can follow the hurling semifinal, it is in the second end, team gb leading norway 1—0.

gcse and a level pupils in england are being given more information today about the topics that will appear on their exam papers this summer. the government has confirmed that for the first time in three years, exams will go ahead — despite a high number of teacher absences due to covid. here's our education correspondent, elaine dunkley. can you line up as well, thank you. it's a busy timetable for the pupils at ellesmere port church of england college. how do you feel you did on that maths test this morning? i think i did 0k. i did not do as great on my last |one, but i'm trying to improve. it's all about exam practice. the next few weeks will be serious revision for mocks and, for the first time in three years, this summer, they are expected to sit external exams. i had to be off with covid. i didn't get to sit my full mock exams. i was not mentally fully prepared. nicole is doing a—levels and wants to go to university. she is worried about exams because of the ongoing disruption. there are a lot of teachers off in this school due to like covid reasons.

so they are finding it quite difficult to get supply for everyone. here, they welcome the return of exams. for the past two years, gcses and a—levels have been awarded using teacher—assessed grades. last year was difficult for teachers, as well. there was a huge amount of work to ensure that students were given the grades that were fair. huge amounts of work from students and teachers in terms of gathering that evidence to begin with. numerous assessments taking place which then had to be marked. so i think everyone will welcome the opportunity to go back to exams, where a lot of that pressure and stress has been removed. today, exam boards will publish more details about the topics pupils can expect across different subjects and say marking will be generous, but it won't lead to further grade inflation. the government says these plans recognise the disruption caused. for those preparing to take exams, so much depends on the next few months.

there are still challenges ahead and pupils are hoping today's guidance will bring them closer to getting the grades they need. elaine dunkley, bbc news. let's talk to our education correspondent sean dilley. we have got much of the new guidance now, can you give us an idea of what it says? we now, can you give us an idea of what it sa s? ~ , ., now, can you give us an idea of what itsa s? ~ ,., now, can you give us an idea of what itsas? ,., ., it says? we should say the exam board in england _ it says? we should say the exam board in england have _ it says? we should say the exam board in england have now- it says? we should say the exam - board in england have now published, and we know in some exams, such as science and maths for gcse, a—level and a.s. students in england, they are going to be told not the precise questions that are going to be on the exam paper. how good would that be first in students and parents to know exactly what they are going to get as? but that what they are going to have to compensate and make more fear the disruption they have had as a result of covid disruption and absence, they are going to be pointed in the direction of areas they might be examined on which

gives schools, pupils and parents time to explore that. it gives schools, pupils and parents time to explore that.— time to explore that. it doesn't uive time to explore that. it doesn't give much _ time to explore that. it doesn't give much time, _ time to explore that. it doesn't give much time, there - time to explore that. it doesn't give much time, there is - time to explore that. it doesn't give much time, there is only | time to explore that. it doesn't - give much time, there is only about five or six weeks of teaching time left. lots of schools are teaching right through the curriculum, and his children have had, especially in the first year of the syllabus, which is the key time, they have had totally disrupted education. the? totally disrupted education. they are t in: totally disrupted education. they are trying to _ totally disrupted education. they are trying to dance _ totally disrupted education. the: are trying to dance upon the totally disrupted education. ti9:1 are trying to dance upon the head totally disrupted education. t1991 are trying to dance upon the head of are trying to dance upon the head of a pin here. trying to deal with the situation that last year's exams, and hugely disruptive students, there were some grade inflation compared to pre—pandemic levels and this is one of the key points of this is one of the key points of this adaptation, there are others, were pupils will be able to take formula papers into science exams, formula papers into science exams, for instance, in some cases and maths. if you like, compared to the 2019 exams, and that is the last time these last traditional national exams took place, the idea is that they are going to be more generous boundaries for marking this year,

but less generous than last year, so it is that sweet midpoint, they would help. it is that sweet midpoint, they would help-— it is that sweet midpoint, they would hel. :, ~' ,, , : would help. thank you very much indeed. the prime minister has been speaking about the nhs plan during a visit to a hospital in kent. we have got a situation now which the uk is coming out of covid very fast and as a result of the booster programme that we put in, we got the fastest economic growth in the g7 and so on, lots of things are going well, but the problem is there has been a huge backlog in the nhs. one in nine of us is on an nhs waiting list in this country. 6 million people or more. huge numbers. unfortunately that number is going to keep going up, so we are doing also is of things to clear the covid backlogs and we have bringing about

£8 billion more into electives, as you know, we are hiring 50,000 more nurses, we have got about 115,000 more people working in the nhs now banned their work last year, and on top of that, we are now working with the nhs to set some tough targets so that we are able to deliver for patients and also for the taxpayer. as you know, we are putting huge sums in. ~ ., , , sums in. where the treasury concerned — sums in. where the treasury concerned about _ sums in. where the treasury concerned about those - sums in. where the treasury| concerned about those target sums in. where the treasury . concerned about those target so sums in. where the treasury - concerned about those target so they were not announced today? his. concerned about those target so they were not announced today? no, what were not announced today? no, what we have got — were not announced today? no, what we have got is _ were not announced today? no, what we have got is something _ were not announced today? no, what we have got is something we - were not announced today? no, what we have got is something we can - were not announced today? no, what we have got is something we can say| we have got is something we can say today. we are going to be producing more in the course of the week. well we can see already is that we want to make sure that when it comes to cancer, i am to make sure that when it comes to cancer, iam hearing to make sure that when it comes to cancer, i am hearing the kent and medway oncology centre, where they have done an amazing job, and it kept going really very fast throughout the pandemic, and they

have kept the levels of treatment up virtually the same as they were before covid, but we want everywhere in the country to match that success. what we are saying is we want the vast majority of people who think they may have cancer to have a diagnosis either confirming they do or don't have cancer within 28 days. we want three in four to have that, and we are also saying that by march of 23, by spring next year, we want nobody to be waiting more than two months. there was a very tough targets, we have got to make sure the nhs delivers them. to help us do that and help the whole system, we are introducing today in advance, called my planned care. it means if you are due for an operation or any

other treatment and you look around and you can see that you could get that treatment and operation faster somewhere like this place for instance, which has no waiting lists and does things fast, then you can take advantage of it and have that, you can use patient choice to try and drive down waiting lists as well. :, , , ., , ., well. the treasury said that plan wasn't ready _ well. the treasury said that plan wasn't ready to _ well. the treasury said that plan wasn't ready to go _ well. the treasury said that plan wasn't ready to go and _ well. the treasury said that plan wasn't ready to go and on - well. the treasury said that plan wasn't ready to go and on top i well. the treasury said that plan wasn't ready to go and on top of| wasn't ready to go and on top of that the chancellor notably didn't back... the chancellor might be at job? i back... the chancellor might be at “ob? ~ :, back... the chancellor might be at 'ob? ~' ., ., back... the chancellor might be at “ob? ~ :, ., :, back... the chancellor might be at 'ob? ~' ., ., :, , job? i think what we are doing is workin: job? i think what we are doing is working together _ job? i think what we are doing is working together across - job? i think what we are doing is working together across the - job? i think what we are doing is i working together across the whole job? i think what we are doing is - working together across the whole of government to fix the covid backlog, which believe me is a massive priority for us, for everybody in the country. absolutely not. what i would say is it is thanks to the investment that we are able to put in, thanks to the sound management

of the economy, everything that we did, if you think about it, looking at a business throughout the pandemic that has enabled our economy to bounce back so well, that in turn enables us to put the investment we need is now in the nhs. ., investment we need is now in the nhs. :, ,:, . ., , investment we need is now in the nhs. :, . ., , :, , nhs. he made some changes to staff. where any of — nhs. he made some changes to staff. where any of the _ nhs. he made some changes to staff. where any of the people _ nhs. he made some changes to staff. where any of the people you - nhs. he made some changes to staff. where any of the people you let - nhs. he made some changes to staff. where any of the people you let go . where any of the people you let go last week responsible for organising or attending rule breaking parties? if you will forgive me, i am focused completely on what we are doing now. i know people are interested on stuff going on at westminster, i am interested in what we at westminster do to help people across the country. myjob is to address what i think is the number one issue for this country which is fixing the covid backlog.— this country which is fixing the covid backlog. this country which is fixing the covid backlor. :, :, ., :, covid backlog. you can do that more effectively if — covid backlog. you can do that more effectively if you _ covid backlog. you can do that more effectively if you have _ covid backlog. you can do that more effectively if you have a _ covid backlog. you can do that more effectively if you have a team - effectively if you have a team working in number ten. effectively if you have a team working in numberten. i effectively if you have a team working in number ten. i am sure you

will... have you had to reassure any of the new people you have been bringing in that this is a job with good long—term prospects? that you will still be there for it? i good long-term prospects? that you will still be there for it?— will still be there for it? i think what people — will still be there for it? i think what people want _ will still be there for it? i think what people want is _ will still be there for it? i think what people want is for - will still be there for it? i think what people want is for the - what people want is for the government to focus not on stuff going on at westminster but to focus on a life beyond westminster and to focus on the needs of the country, and that is what we are doing. frankly, what we need to do is look at cancer care, for instance. we do not have the best outcome is historically in this country. one thing is changing which is that people are now more willing to come forward and say they suspect they might have cancer. you are seeing an increase in people coming forward and seeking a diagnosis. that is why we have been increasing investment in fantastic machines like this, thatis in fantastic machines like this, that is why we have been increasing investment in nhs staff and nurses and radiographers. 115,000 more nhs staff this year than last year. but

what you have got to do is make sure that people get a diagnosis within 28 days. one way or the other. it is partly a question of the outcome, but it is also about people's state of mind and people need to know. keep going. keep going. have you had to reassure them _ keep going. keep going. have you had to reassure them that _ keep going. keep going. have you had to reassure them that you _ keep going. keep going. have you had to reassure them that you are - keep going. keep going. have you had to reassure them that you are going i to reassure them that you are going to reassure them that you are going to be prime ministerfor the long term? did you and your advisor sing, i will survive? i admire your tenacity. we are focused completely. it is the reality. everybody in number ten, it is the reality. everybody in numberten, and it is the reality. everybody in number ten, and the treasury, are working together in harmony to deal with the big problem is that the country faces. and clearing the covid backlog, we have got large numbers of people coming forward now

to get a diagnosis and lots of them did not get diagnosed during the pandemic comic during lockdown. indie pandemic comic during lockdown. - need to encourage people to come forward but we need to contract the time. for instance, if you suspect that you have prostate cancer, for instance, there can be lots of different procedures and tests that you have to go through. that causes delay. it means the time expands. we want to find ways of using new technology, modernising systems to do it faster and more efficiently. finally, prime minister, does your wife take your advice —— do you take your wife's advice? i wife take your advice -- do you take your wife's advice?— your wife's advice? i think it is fair for people _ your wife's advice? i think it is fair for people to _ your wife's advice? i think it is fair for people to focus - your wife's advice? i think it is fair for people to focus on - your wife's advice? i think it is fair for people to focus on the | fair for people to focus on the issues that i am focused on, number one, our priority, to tackle the

covid backlog and rebuild the economy. we are fortunate because we took some decisions in number ten to double the pace of the boosterjab roll out. we took some decisions that i think are very important couple of months ago that enabled us to really get through the winter period without going into any further lockdown, any further restrictions. that has enabled us to come forward. what we have got to do it now is look at the world as it is, look of the backlogs, look at our wonderful nhs, what an incredible campaign against covid, but so many people coming forward now with anxieties about things like cancer and i bet everyone who watches this can think of somebody they know who has an anxiety about that and did not get the scan or the treatment they need. my message to them, get that scan, get the diagnosis and we will do everything in our power to make sure that you

get a result in time. that is what this is all about. the get a result in time. that is what this is all about.— this is all about. the prime minister — this is all about. the prime minister with _ this is all about. the prime minister with that - this is all about. the prime| minister with that interview this is all about. the prime - minister with that interviewjust coming in, notanswering minister with that interviewjust coming in, not answering the question about his wife, are not answering the question whether he sang the gloria gaynor song with his new director of communications, as his new director of communications has said. we are bringing you all the new updates this morning. the labour leader sir keir starmer said the government's failure to deliver the nhs plan was proof of the chaos in downing street. he was speaking on a visit to the princes trust in south east london. this is a massive problem. we have got 6 million people on the waiting list. we desperately need a plan. the government said it was going to come up with the plan now it has not. it is yet more evidence that the chaos and incompetence of the particularly last three or four months when everybody has been broiled in allegations of partying, there is a price for that and the

price is the government not getting on with thejob price is the government not getting on with the job and when we need a plan, we have not got one from the government. many people on waiting lists will be dismayed this morning. is it not important to get the plan right and put it in place when it is ready and the government needs time to do that? the ready and the government needs time to do that? :, , ., ~ , to do that? the longer this takes, the greater— to do that? the longer this takes, the greater the _ to do that? the longer this takes, the greater the waiting _ to do that? the longer this takes, the greater the waiting lists. - to do that? the longer this takes, the greater the waiting lists. we i the greater the waiting lists. we have had people on waiting lists not only during covid, but before covid we had waiting list that are so high. it is not going to cut any ice to say we have to give us more time. the government is distracted and that prices being paid by the 6 million people who are awaiting further operations. the million people who are awaiting further operations.— further operations. the prime minister has _ further operations. the prime minister has made _ further operations. the prime minister has made two - further operations. the prime - minister has made two appointments to his team, do you see that as evidence he is changing the culture in downing street getting his house in downing street getting his house in order? we in downing street getting his house in order? ~ :, , , :, in order? we have been here before, this time last — in order? we have been here before, this time last year _ in order? we have been here before, this time last year we _ in order? we have been here before, this time last year we were _ in order? we have been here before, this time last year we were told - in order? we have been here before, this time last year we were told the l this time last year we were told the prime minister had learnt lessons and he was putting any team in place and he was putting any team in place and only a few weeks ago we were

told he would make changes that would make a difference, i personally think that nothing will really change until the person at the top changes because all routes really lead to the prime minister and that is the change we really need to see now. this and that is the change we really need to see now.— and that is the change we really need to see now. this morning the health secretary _ need to see now. this morning the health secretary has _ need to see now. this morning the health secretary has described - need to see now. this morning the health secretary has described thei health secretary has described the are to attacks on the prime minister's wife is misogynistic and sexist. ~ :, , ~ minister's wife is misogynistic and sexist. :, , 1, sexist. what is your view? we should treat people — sexist. what is your view? we should treat people with _ sexist. what is your view? we should treat people with respect, _ sexist. what is your view? we should treat people with respect, we - sexist. what is your view? we should treat people with respect, we can - treat people with respect, we can profoundly disagree, but we should treat people with respect and i would take that approach with carrie johnson. differences of opinion but i do not go along with the idea that we should draw everybody into the gutter. we should draw everybody into the cutter. ,, :, we should draw everybody into the cutter. ,, ., ., gutter. keir starmer, the labour leader being _ gutter. keir starmer, the labour leader being questioned. - gutter. keir starmer, the labour leader being questioned. those | leader being questioned. those interviews have just come into us. with up to eight million people at risk of starvation — including one million children — afghanistan is facing a grave humanitarian crisis.

that's the warning from aid agencies on the ground, who say sanctions imposed on the taliban by western countries, have helped accelerate economic collapse. now, the former head of britain's armed forces has called on countries to formally recognise the new taliban administration — as john simpson reports. just under six months after the taliban took power, afghanistan is facing the worst humanitarian crisis in the world. in cities like kabul, there's no actual shortage of food, but people don't have the cash to buy it. as a result, up to eight million people are facing starvation. the economy has simply collapsed. the west has frozen afghanistan's financial assets — nearly $10 billion worth. and because the taliban are still classed as a terrorist organisation, sanctions have been imposed, which mean the country has run out of cash.

it's a very difficult and challenging time for the people of afghanistan, but the core need is to help them revive their own economy, their own livelihood, and that is not possible without the state. nazir kabiri was a minister in the previous government, but he felt it was his duty to stay on and work with the country's new masters. one senior british military figure believes it's time to work with britain's former enemies in order to protect the afghan people. i think the west is going to end up recognising the taliban government. if that's the case, then we'd better get on with it sooner rather than later. there's a great phrase — "be magnanimous in victory". i think this is an occasion for us to be magnanimous in defeat. this is kohsan, outside the city of herat. on top of everything else, over the past four years,

afghanistan has suffered from a devastating drought. people here can't grow their own food any longer — now they have to queue for hand—outs. i feel terrible for my people. the uk government says it's providing £286 million in aid, but the situation is increasingly desperate — famine added to economic collapse. joining me now is saleh saeed who is the chief executive at the disasters emergency committee. how worried are you now about the situation in afghanistan? me how worried are you now about the situation in afghanistan?— situation in afghanistan? we are extremely worried, _ situation in afghanistan? we are extremely worried, as _ situation in afghanistan? we are extremely worried, as the - situation in afghanistan? we arei extremely worried, as the report from john simpson said there. over 3 million dot to dots on it, over 23 million dot to dots on it, over 23 million people, over half of the

population of afghanistan, are suffering from acute hunger and children underfive are suffering from acute hunger and children under five are at risk of losing their lives from acute malnutrition. this is a system that can be reversed and can be stopped if we all act together. the disaster emergency appeal in the uk and has already raised over £33 million from the generous british public to support the men, women and children who are desperate are in need of assistance. everyone will sympathise with civilians who are facing a dire situation there, what about the argument nobody should prop up the taliban, which has questions of how it treats women and has been accused of harbouring terrorist groups? well, the world bank trust fund has been holding 1.2 us dollars that

should be paying teachers, doctors and nurses. these are people who are providing essential services to treat people, to feed people and obviously to fit the —— obviously to feed their own families. we should continue to help them. the sanctions are now harming the very people that we tried to help before. 15 are now harming the very people that we tried to help before.— we tried to help before. is there a oint we tried to help before. is there a point politically — we tried to help before. is there a point politically to _ we tried to help before. is there a point politically to try _ we tried to help before. is there a point politically to try and - we tried to help before. is there a point politically to try and topple l point politically to try and topple the taliban, supported by pakistan, and wealthy donors in the middle east, who could give aid directly to the people in afghanistan if the want to? t the people in afghanistan if the want to? :, :, ., ~ ., want to? i am here to talk about the humanitarian — want to? i am here to talk about the humanitarian crisis _ want to? i am here to talk about the humanitarian crisis in _ want to? i am here to talk about the humanitarian crisis in afghanistan. l humanitarian crisis in afghanistan. the number is huge and a catastrophe is unfolding before our eyes. we cannot sit back and watch, we have to act now. that means providing humanitarian assistance that those people need and to prevent the catastrophe that is unfolding in front of our eyes and we would urge

people to help. we would urge governments to make sure those assets are unfrozen so that people can get paid, they can feed their families. : , :, ., , :, can get paid, they can feed their families. : i. ., , :, , families. are you able to ensure that money. _ families. are you able to ensure that money, people _ families. are you able to ensure that money, people want - families. are you able to ensure that money, people want to - families. are you able to ensure - that money, people want to donate, are going directly to doctors and nurses and teachers, without going via the government? 13 of nurses and teachers, without going via the government?— nurses and teachers, without going via the government? 13 of our member charities are — via the government? 13 of our member charities are working _ via the government? 13 of our member charities are working on _ via the government? 13 of our member charities are working on the _ via the government? 13 of our member charities are working on the ground - charities are working on the ground in afghanistan, working directly or through tested local partners. they have been working in afghanistan for decades. in fact, access in terms of humanitarian aid has never been so good for a very, very long time. the issue here is not about getting it in, it is about getting the cash in and making sure that food, aid and cash is distributed safely and our members have the ability and expertise to do that.- expertise to do that. chief executive _ expertise to do that. chief executive of _ expertise to do that. chief executive of the _ expertise to do that. chief executive of the disasters| expertise to do that. chief executive of the disasters emergency committee, many thanks.

the chinese tennis star, peng shuai, has given herfirst interview to western media since she accused a former senior communist party official of sexual assault. there has been global concern for her safety since november, when she made the allegation and disappeared from the public eye for three weeks. she has now told a french newspaper, she didn't accuse anyone of sexual assault and that it was the outcry was a huge misunderstanding. there were chinese olympic officials present when she gave that interview. here's our china correspondent, stephen mcdonel with his assessment. every time the communist party, at times in collision with the international olympic committee, or in this case a french newspaper sort of tries some way of dampening down this issue, more questions are left unanswered. in this case, the french newspaper did not ask her the crucial questions like she says in that interview i never accused anyone of sexual assault. well, what did you mean? this is the crucial

thing. what did you mean? she wrote in a post on social media, directly addressing a former member of the standing committee, no less, she said to him in chinese... now, that to a chinese person either means you took me to your house and you raped me or you took me to your house and you forced me to have sex with you or you took me to your house and pressured me into having sexual relations. now, eitherway, they pressured me into having sexual relations. now, either way, they are very serious allegations. what did she mean by them? we don't know because she was not asked the crucial question. she also wasn't asked about these ridiculous proof of life for when she was appearing with her friends at restaurants when they were, for some bizarre reason, mentioning the date and the time just to show it was real, like

something you really would do with your friends while having something you really would do with yourfriends while having dinner. i suppose somebody in the party thinks that this interview or another dinner with thomas is going to come this whole thing down but itjust inflames it and it has driven the issue to the forefront of people's minds. some breaking news now. and chelsea have agreed to pay damages to four former players who alleged they were the victims of racist bullying in the 1990s. the four players launched civil claims against the club and this morning an out—of—court settlement was reached. documents presented to the high court claimed young, black players were punched, kicked and abused by their own coaches. with me now is siobhan crawford, a senior associate solicitor in the abuse team at bolt burdon kemp, who took on this case. q 0 very much forjoining us. what can

you tell us about what has happened to these players? we you tell us about what has happened to these players?— you tell us about what has happened to these players? we brought claims for four individuals _ to these players? we brought claims for four individuals who _ to these players? we brought claims for four individuals who when - to these players? we brought claims for four individuals who when they i for four individuals who when they were children stated that coaches who were approved by chelsea racially abused them on a almost constant basis, which had a significant dramatic impact on their lives and their ability to play football. chelsea denied the allegations but our clients were very clear about the impact that sustained campaign of racial abuse had upon them. flan sustained campaign of racial abuse had upon them-— sustained campaign of racial abuse had upon them. can you tell us what the sa had upon them. can you tell us what they say did — had upon them. can you tell us what they say did actually _ had upon them. can you tell us what they say did actually happen - had upon them. can you tell us what they say did actually happen to - had upon them. can you tell us whati they say did actually happen to them in that period? thea;r they say did actually happen to them in that period?— in that period? they say that during the trainin: in that period? they say that during the training sessions _ in that period? they say that during the training sessions there - in that period? they say that during the training sessions there were i the training sessions there were mentions about their race and about things that they would say about their bodies are due to their race. ifeel their bodies are due to their race. i feel uncomfortable repeating those allegations, quite frankly, because they are apparent. they were

physical as well. our case was stating that it was the racial aggravated abuse that has had the greatest impact on our clients. iligihat greatest impact on our clients. what was a le . al greatest impact on our clients. what was a legal course _ greatest impact on our clients. what was a legal course of _ greatest impact on our clients. what was a legal course of action they then take? me was a legal course of action they then take?— then take? we put a claim in for compensation — then take? we put a claim in for compensation against _ then take? we put a claim in for compensation against chelsea i then take? we put a claim in for. compensation against chelsea for those comments. as i say, chelsea denied liability but today paid significant sums of money to our clients, which we say no amount of money will ever change what happened, but it will mean they now have enough compensation for them to obtain therapy they require in order to work through the trauma that that sort of claims have brought on them. can you tell us a bit more about when this happened and how your clients are now? because obviously it sounds horrific this abuse, which chelsea has denied, we are not naming the people in question. obviously, these allegations are incredibly serious. thea;r

obviously, these allegations are incredibly serious.— incredibly serious. they are very serious. the _ incredibly serious. they are very serious. the abuse _ incredibly serious. they are very serious. the abuse was - incredibly serious. they are very serious. the abuse was taking i incredibly serious. they are very i serious. the abuse was taking place in the 1990s. i have heard some people say it was banter, i hear time and again, not in respect of these claims, but all claims that i brought that a non—recent, that is just how it was in the time. we categorically say that this was not how it was at the time and discriminatory language, racist and misogynist, cannot be tolerated and the records they had to go down was a claim for compensation so that chelsea can see this will not be tolerated either.— chelsea can see this will not be tolerated either. that process, no doubt, has _ tolerated either. that process, no doubt, has taken _ tolerated either. that process, no doubt, has taken its _ tolerated either. that process, no doubt, has taken its toll - tolerated either. that process, no doubt, has taken its toll also? i doubt, has taken its toll also? absolutely. especially in respect of how long these claims have taken and how long these claims have taken and how long these claims have taken and how long it has taken for chelsea to come to the table and negotiate. tqm. come to the table and negotiate. 0k, siobhan crawford, thank you very much indeed forjoining us today.

new rules for private car parks in england and wales mean their owners will have to introduce a fairer system for appeals — and give drivers a ten—minute grace period for lateness. most penalty payments will be capped at fifty pounds — down from one hundred pounds. earlier we spoke with gary rycroft who is a lawyer who writes consumer advice for the daily telegraph, we asked him what private car parks been money making operations for their owners iam i am sorry to say that for some of these businesses, the business model seems to have been let's be really aggressive and frighten people into thinking what they have received is akin to a public parking ticket. so there is a clear distinction in law between a parking ticket you receive from a local authority or the police, from parking contravention on a public highway, or one that occurs in a public car park, legal

position with parking on private land is different. many parking companies want you to think you have received a fine just like from a public car park. they are basically a bill for parking on private land and they can only be enforced through the court. there is still a long way to go on children's mental health, with only a third of those with a probable mental health disorder able to access treatment, according to the children's commissioner. dame rachel de souza said increased investment is making a difference to children who are struggling, but the coronavirus pandemic has made the challenge greater. anisa kadri reports. counting the cost of the covid pandemic. this report says more children are struggling with their mental health. up from one in nine to one in six, according to data. but the number in england referred to nhs mental health services by the likes of gps and teachers fell sharply at the start of covid—19. children around the country really have suffered with this isolation and being away from school.

so i think it is a very important issue. although overall referrals have dropped, what you can see is it was during the lockdown that referrals really dropped and then they sharply went up. the commissioner's report says between 2020 and 2021, around 497,000 children were referred, compared to 539,000 a year before. it also says only around a third of children with a probable mental health disorder are able to access treatment. for those accepted into children's mental health treatment services, average waiting times fell from 43 days to 32 days. but there are big regional differences. just one in three young people are able to get the help and support they need. and the numbers of young people with growing mental—health problems, it is increasing significantly as a result of the pandemic. the commissioner's report, it is quite simple. it tells us there is a need to act and a need to act urgently if we are not going to lose a generation to poor mental health.

the department of health says it recognises the impact the pandemic has had on people and that is why it is committing extra money this year for those most affected, including £79 million for children's mental health services. a paralysed man in switzerland who was unable to have children after his accident — has become a father. five years ago, david m'zee took part in a clinical trial and had an electrical device inserted into his spine to boost signals from his brains to his legs. he spoke to me earlier and explained how the accident happened. i was about to become a sports teacher and we were training. i tripped and i broke my six and seven vertebrae. how did that leave you? what state where you in when that happened? that was a special moment

because at first i had the feeling i hit my head may be on the ground of the pit and i thought, i was hoping to not have a concussion and then i realised i could not move anything at all and it was absolute panic that kicked in. i concentrated on my breathing, i tried to calm myself down and it felt like that saved my life. what happened after that? that sounds extraordinary. you made a recovery. they tried to fix the neck again, i did seven months of rehab and another two and a half years. after that, i regained a lot of function again. it is an incomplete spinal—cord injury that i have on my neck level. i could not even move my arms or my hands. i recovered quite a bit but i did not have a lot of function in my legs. that is why i was happy

to participate in the study that you talked about in 2016. tell us about the implant. where did it go and what does it do? it is on the spinal—cord. it was a long operation and it had to be really precise because we are trying to boost the signals that are coming from the brain and it is on the spinal—cord so my injury is up here but the electrode is lower, thatis where the legs are represented on the spinal—cord, and through this electrical impulse we got the legs moving again. you are now able to take part in sport and, of course, very importantly, you have had a family, you have got a child. yes, absolutely. we are not sure how much stimulation is involved in it. we did not take measurements before and afterwards but i am really happy to be a father now and go walking with my child. amazing. do you have a full recovery

in your legs or is it partial? no, it is absolutely partial. with the electrode i can walk a few steps with a walker or as you can see in the background, that is my body weight support system but for everyday life it is not helping to walk within my flat, for example, because i am much faster in my wheelchair but it is a big step and a good direction and we hope we can continue it. and just having a child is a blessing for all of us, how did it feel for you when your baby was born? it must have been quite a moment. yeah, it was quite a moment. it was really special for me. i was super excited. it was long and i was tired as well, so was my girlfriend, we're really happy that our child is here.

incredible story there. the one o'clock news is coming up soon. but now for the weather. it is a battle of the seasons across the uk this week. a milder start to the week and it has felt quite springlike and the flowers have been coming out accordingly. we are keeping our eye to the north of the uk, behind this band of cold air, which is going to sink in the week ahead. this weather front already starting to push in to the north—west will show some rain into scotland and northern ireland and the cold air will follow on behind through the evening and overnight into tuesday. this is how this looks only weather map. evening and overnight, some rain for scotland and northern ireland pushing into northern england. some wintry showers moving into scotland,

colder air arrives. wintry showers moving into scotland, colderairarrives. not wintry showers moving into scotland, colder air arrives. not quite cold enough for a frost. to the south, a mild night, lows of 79 celsius. tuesday, this weather front straddles the uk and it is like a dividing line. —— 72 nine celsius. further north, bright and it will feel crisper. temperatures in the mid range of single figures for many. there is the weather front sitting across northern ireland into england. bringing more cloud and patchy and persistent rain. it stays with us on to wednesday. it does slide further south. for wednesday, cloud around across southern britain. it will state mild in the south. cold ear will filter down

into the midlands. wednesday into thursday, we are going to keep a close eye on this area of low pressure that runs across northern britain. it could drop significant snowfall. it could mean some very strong, gusty, even damaging winds across scotland for a time. you can see the drop off in temperatures for thursday into friday. they will be a lot of sunshine as a payoff.

back to the exam hall for gcse and a—level students in england. the government confirms exams will go ahead this summer, as exam boards release advance information on what pupils can expect to be tested on. details are being published throughout the day. also this lunchtime... a plan to tackle the nhs waiting list backlog in england is delayed but the government has announced a new online service to let patients waiting for routine surgery see how long it's going to take. i am interested in what we at westminster do to help people across the country. myjob is to address what i think is the number one issue for this country, which is fixing the covid backlog. the uk and ireland have

dropped their plan to make a joint bid for the 2030 football world cup.