this is bbc news. the headlines: as the government prepares to announce plans to scrap all remaining covid legal restrictions in england, a cabinet meeting is delayed at the last minute, amid reports of disagreements over the way forward. some who are clinically vulnerable question the scrapping of all restrictions. i don't understand why people can't put a mask on when they're in an enclosed area, why they can't stay home when they are covid positive. the third named storm in a week — storm franklin — brings strong winds and flooding across the uk. the queen carries out light duties at windsor castle this week, despite testing positive for covid. russia says there are no concrete plans for presidents putin and biden to meet in person,

despite reports of a summit — but the kremlin does say diplomacy will continue. it's a very lonely place and you need to make sure you believe in yourself and believing your idea to take it to next level. the british music entrepreneur and youtube star jamal edwards has died at the age of 31 — tributes pour in from across the world of entertainment. good afternoon, welcome to bbc news. borisjohnson is due to set out plans to scrap all remaining legal covid restrictions in england, including the requirement to self—isolate if you test positive. mrjohnson has said that the plan for "living with covid" will return

to people their freedom. he was due to have chaired a meeting of cabinet this morning before making an announcement to mps in the commons — but number 10 said the scheduled meeting has been delayed. even though some cabinet ministers had already arrived for it. some experts have urged caution over lifting restrictions completely, and labour is questioning the plans to reduce testing. our health correspondent jim reed has this report. it's been one of the most visible rules of the pandemic. phone alert dings. those who test positive for covid were told they must stay at home for up to ten days, or could pick up a £1,000 fine. later this week, that legal requirement will be dropped in england, replaced with less—formal guidance. there is that fine, that balance, because we've obviously got to look after people, make sure that they are safe. we've also got to make sure that we can allow our economy to recover, because that in itself, has positive benefits for people's health and wellbeing, and of course, the public finances. the relaxation of that self—isolation rule in england is all part of the government's

new covid strategy, expected to be set out in full this afternoon. ministers say the widespread roll—out of boosterjabs means we can now start to live alongside this virus, without formal restrictions. this chart shows just how much difference those vaccines have made. in december 2020, very few people had any immunity to covid. by january this year, 97% of over—16s have build up some level of antibody protection, after being infected orjabbed. we're very well—protected, as a community, having been vaccinated and boosted now. now it's a question of seeing what the booster does in the longer—term to our immune system, and also, critically, what the virus is going to do. under the government's plans for england, it's likely free access to pcr lab testing will also go, to be used only in certain situations, like hospitals. and free rapid lateralflow kits, taken at home, could also be scaled back.

the government has said testing costs £2 billion a month that could be spent elsewhere. labour's said limiting it now would be premature. there's days where i feel like literally the house i is closing in on me. any move to relax rules is a worry for people likejuliette. she's clinically vulnerable, and may not be as well—protected by those vaccines. i don't understand whyl people can't put a mask on when they're in enclosed areas, why they can't stay home - when they are covid—positive. and some scientists, health leaders and charities have also said they have concerns about the timing of this announcement. the worry about lifting the legal restrictions is that we're telling not only our population, but the world, that there's really nothing to worry about. that, you know, it's all over, when it isn't. the changes this week will apply to england only.

other parts of the uk are moving at their own speed, as the latest 0micron wave of this virus passes. more details on rules in scotland are expected tomorrow. jim reed, bbc news. we can talk now to our political correspondent iain watson. let's talk first about this delay to the cabinet meeting. it's not, you know, unusual that meetings get rescheduled but this was very late in the day, wasn't it? it rescheduled but this was very late in the day, wasn't it?— in the day, wasn't it? it was, so much so — in the day, wasn't it? it was, so much so that — in the day, wasn't it? it was, so much so that some _ in the day, wasn't it? it was, so much so that some cabinet - in the day, wasn't it? it was, so - much so that some cabinet ministers had actually arrived through the back door of downing street, fully expecting the meeting to take place, and then it didn't. downing street, this may well be usual, but they say lots of things, they also said it was delayed because the prime ministers having security briefing and had other meetings about covid but others have suggested that at the core of this delay was an ongoing disagreement between the treasury and the department of health over the funding of three tests, as we've been hearing these

costs about £2 billion per month, the chancellor is keen to see them phased out for most people in england, but there was a dispute over how many people would continue to get free testing once this new living with covid plan had been agreed. we were told last week the health secretary at sajid javid had agreed an additional £5 billion to be devoted to testing, he did not get any joy be devoted to testing, he did not get anyjoy from be devoted to testing, he did not get any joy from the chancellor, be devoted to testing, he did not get anyjoy from the chancellor, at that price, so he lowered the price, we're told, asked for a less, but it now looks as though the cabinet meeting is able to resume because of an agreement has been reached, an agreement simply to reallocate, as we understand it, some of the existing resources within health towards testing. so it looks as though that dispute was over but what i think will surprise people was that the cabinet was pre—reef, journalists were told of the week and this was taking place, it is part of a series of events today, the prime minister's statement, a

press conference this evening, and it would seem that as that was being briefed, the dispute between the treasury and department of health had not been settled and of course, naturally enough, labour are saying the government is chaotic and incompetent, but there are deeper concerns about the testing regimen, because if you get it rid of the need to self—isolate, then labour and unions and other people within the health service are questioning whether it is wise to dramatically reduce access to free testing, too. in terms of this overall plan that's due to be presented to mps later this afternoon, assuming this is all agreed to, how will this play into the kind of dynamics of the conservative party? because there clearly is a very strong group of people who are pressing for restrictions to be lifted but presumably that is not across the board. ., �* , presumably that is not across the board. ., h ., presumably that is not across the board. ., �*, ., board. no, it's not across the board, board. no, it's not across the board. it's — board. no, it's not across the board, it's been _ board. no, it's not across the board, it's been spearheaded j board. no, it's not across the i board, it's been spearheaded by board. no, it's not across the - board, it's been spearheaded by the covid recovery group, some people who used to be in the old european

research group, former chief whip mark harper, a former minister and one of the big campaigners on brexit, for example, and they have been pressing the government to move back towards normality and move away from the state getting involved to an era of self—reliance and self policing. and i think they will be pleased with what they were here because the prime minister, under travel from some of his other backbenchers about other matters, about the parties, for example, about the parties, for example, about ten days ago at prime minister's questions, previewed events today by saying he hopes to be able to lift events a month earlier than planned, and certainly when it comes to those restrictions, the legal requirements to self—isolate, all that will be swept away and perhaps people have been critical of borisjohnson away and perhaps people have been critical of boris johnson for other matters will, if not be appeased, they will certainly be pleased to hear this. they will certainly be pleased to hearthis. but they will certainly be pleased to hear this. but there will be others within the party he will be perhaps concerned not so much about ending

the legal requirements but also making sure that the government is willing to stay on top of the virus, willing to stay on top of the virus, will there be enough testing infrastructure, for example, to watch out for new variants? and indeed, how rapidly the withdrawal of free testing takes place and whether that, too, will give an opportunity for the virus to spread. it certainly was the case that in recent sage minutes, the scientific advisers, they pointed out that naturally enough, if you will reduce the requirement to self—isolate you will be have to be prepared to see cases going back up even though they have been falling in recent weeks. thank you very much. our business correspondent emma simpson says it's a largely symbolic moment for businesses. it's what they've long been waiting to hear after two very long, difficult years, and they're hoping that this will be a springboard to instill more confidence so companies can grow and invest. but of course, businesses do have some concerns. for instance, the cbi says although they know free testing can't last forever,

they'd like to see free mass lateral flow tests continue because they say the benefits outweigh the costs, so they'd like that to continue for the time being. and then on self—isolation, firms really want to see the guidance on this that it's crystal clear, especially when it comes to sick pay. the tuc already warning today that workers shouldn't be forced into choosing whether to go to work with covid or risk losing income by self—isolating at home. but i think companies are going to take a common sense approach here. if you've got respiratory symptoms, then don't come in because you risk infecting other people and then that will impact the business. but i think this is going to be really interesting. how this all plays out, how many of us before the pandemic would soldier on with a bad cold coming into the office or workplace? is that going to be socially acceptable as we learn to live with covid? joining me now is thorrun govind, who is the chair

at the royal pharmaceutical society and community pharmacist. you and i have spoken before on a number of occasions, it's lovely to see you again. let me ask first, from the royal pharmaceutical society's point of view, what troubles you about this announcement? we troubles you about this announcement? ~ ., , ., announcement? we know people are reall keen announcement? we know people are really keen for— announcement? we know people are really keen for a _ announcement? we know people are really keen for a life _ announcement? we know people are really keen for a life to _ announcement? we know people are really keen for a life to get _ announcement? we know people are really keen for a life to get back - really keen for a life to get back to normal but it's important for us to normal but it's important for us to be cautious and consider some of the key questions that need to be answered, and we heard there that theissues answered, and we heard there that the issues with businesses, so how are employers going to manage risks for health and care staff, and we also need to think that patients are vulnerable and staff who have vulnerable and staff who have vulnerable relatives. so this is not without challenge. pharmacists over the course of the pandemic and before i have always put patient care first, but all too often, we've seem guidance and information not necessarily keep up with the last—minute political decisions, so our message is really to the government, to make sure you're including us in any decisions that

are made and that we are not the last to find out. we need to make sure we are able to keep our staff and health care teams fully informed about what's going to be the next steps forwards, and they shouldn't be finding out the latest information in the media. , ., , , information in the media. presumably the media has — information in the media. presumably the media has a _ information in the media. presumably the media has a role _ information in the media. presumably the media has a role in _ information in the media. presumably the media has a role in helping - information in the media. presumably the media has a role in helping to - the media has a role in helping to disseminate information, and i don't say this because i'm in the media. 0ne say this because i'm in the media. one of the rows you and your pharmacy play is because in the last couple of years we have been used to people not being able to get doctor's appointments face—to—face, necessarily, quite a lot of that activity has got diverted to pharmacies, hasn't it? people coming in to find out about testing, how do they get are, what they do? that is stuff that you and your colleagues have done. so is their concern from your point of view that you're not necessarily been used as effectively as you might be as a public health service by the people who make the decisions at the top?— decisions at the top? unfortunately harma decisions at the top? unfortunately pharmacy is — decisions at the top? unfortunately pharmacy is often _ decisions at the top? unfortunately pharmacy is often the _ decisions at the top? unfortunately pharmacy is often the last - decisions at the top? unfortunately

pharmacy is often the last to - decisions at the top? unfortunately pharmacy is often the last to be - pharmacy is often the last to be recognised, sometimes, and there's so much good work being done by our pharmacy teams up and down the country. 0ver pharmacy teams up and down the country. over the course of the pandemic we've been involved in offering more and more advice on self care, with the busier, we've been handing out those lateral flow tests, and on that point, really, it's concerning that the decision may be made to change the availability of lateral flow tests because we know there are patients who struggle each month to choose which medication they might be able to have because they can't afford their medication, and then to have another measure such as this, where they may have to fund their own lateral flow tests, is set in the concerning. and health care inequalities have really increased during the course of the pandemic and this would really not be necessarily a welcome move for those patients who is struggling with the cost of living. we have seen those energy bill prices going up, cost a fee, inflation, and this is another thing that will concern our patients, really. —— cost of food.

thank you very much. we will hear from the prime minister later this afternoon. it will be a busy afternoon, first the defence secretary will make a statement on ukraine and the possibility of a face—to—face summit between president spider—man putin, at around 3:30pm, then —— presidents biden and putin. then — around 4:15 — the prime minister will set out the government's living with covid plan. and after the commons statement from borisjohnson the business secretary kwasi kwarteng will give a statement about the impact of the storms across the uk. that will come during the course of the afternoon, and be reassured we will bring all of that to you here on bbc news. now, some breaking

news. in light of the kremlin playing down the possibility of a summit between president putin and president biden, we'll find out more about that, i'm sure, president putin has asked his national security council, which he had summoned for an unscheduled meeting today, to consider recognising donetsk and blair house, the toss makes any autonomous republics vote in the breakaway attempt in 2014. —— donetsk and luhansk, the two semi autonomous republics. he was asked to consider this move, he is asking to look at the implications of this. i don't think it will come as a great surprise to anyone in ukraine since they are to all intents and purposes russian run at the moment, not formally annexed like crimea, under a locally run government, but even

if a peace deal were implemented, the west has been pushing for them, for ukraine to give up quite a lot of its powers over those areas and possibly other other regions of ukraine, and that's one reason why getting some diplomatic progress has been so difficult. so there is a live pictures from moscow of the national security council meeting in russia this afternoon. storm franklin — the third named storm in a week — has brought heavy rain and strong winds to many parts of the uk. severe flooding in northern ireland, yorkshire and manchester have forced people to leave their homes for safety. a yellow weather warning for widespread strong winds has been in place for most of the uk but has now been lifted. there are 149 flood warnings across the north of england and wales. and �*danger to life' alerts were issued in greater manchester, as the river mersey reached its highest ever level. storm franklin comes days after storm eunice killed three people and left 1.4 million homes without power — 33,000 are still waiting to be reconnected. sanchia berg reports.

the third major storm in less than a week, battering the coast of northern ireland this morning. storm franklin, like eunice and dudley, is driven by an active jet stream, a current of air, five miles above the earth. in mid wales, high winds and rain caused flooding. roger hicks went to check on his elderly mother in the village of llandinam. i came round to the back of the house, and by the time i got round there, within two minutes, there was a foot, at least, of water that had come in so suddenly. so, of course, we had to rush then to get her out from here and we carried her out into my car. she's fine now, yeah. moving on to england, storm franklin brought more floods. swelling rivers, like the aire in leeds last night. a pontoon was swept away, and crashed into a bridge. forecasters had warned of a risk to life and property if the mersey broke its banks,

but, here, south of manchester, defences worked. the water flowed, instead, into woodland and a golf course. there was no protection against high winds, though, in some of manchester's residential streets, nor on the m6 in lancashire, where a lorry hit a bridge and burst into flames. 0ther motorists helped the driver to escape. he is being treated in hospital. rotherham station last night, looking more like a canal than a railway. as with storms dudley and eunice, rail networks have been severely disrupted. thousands of rail colleagues have been out, over the last few days and nights, clearing up the wreckage. we are doing our absolute best to keep the railways open, but my advice, before you travel today or tomorrow, is to check before you travel with your train operator, to check that your train is running. matlock, derbyshire, this morning, after the river derwent burst its banks. here, the winds and rain are easing off, as storm franklin

makes its way south and east. sanchia berg, bbc news. andrew plant is in shrewsbury for us. i would say good afternoon, i mean, the sun is shining and it's almost picturesque but it's a grim scene for a lot of people there, i imagine?— for a lot of people there, i imauine? , , �* ., ., imagine? yes, it is, i'm afraid. it's not looking _ imagine? yes, it is, i'm afraid. it's not looking too _ imagine? yes, it is, i'm afraid. it's not looking too good - imagine? yes, it is, i'm afraid. it's not looking too good here. | it's not looking too good here. throughout the morning, and you could see why, it would be picturesque, if the river was where it was supposed to be, which is about 100 metres in that direction, but it's firmly burst its banks. this is the back gardens here of the block of flats i'm standing buy right now, and the water is slowly but surely getting higher and higher, you can measure it on those bricks, is coming up something like one brick every hour, pretty so that through. at the problem, a lot of people here had a sleepless night last night we are told because they've seen this before, but they

say it's happening faster than on any other occasion. let me show you what they are worried about. that's the back where the river comes from. this is a bit going throughjoins it up this is a bit going throughjoins it up to the front. i will march up here a little way. and it is also coming round the front, it sort of flow to it, it's basically becoming part of the river, and the worry is that they essentially become an island, that it surrounds their flats, moves towards the front doors, and with the one is, of course, at risk of actual flooding, there is plenty of people living at there is plenty of people living at the top, but they are starting to abandon this place as well because they don't want to get stuck here for days and they don't totally want to be rescued, which is something that has happened here in the past. i will show you this car, as well, i think this will be in trouble in the next hour or so someone music, the water when we got here this morning wasjust touching water when we got here this morning was just touching the bottom of those tires, so that shows you how quickly it is beginning to come up, we've seen people come up with suitcases and bags, friends coming to pick them up, basically abandoning theirflats to pick them up, basically abandoning their flats with everything they can carry because they don't want to be stuck here and

i think this is just the beginning and things are going to get higher. in fact, the environment agency saying the peak of the river is going to happen sometime around tomorrow afternoon, so there is a long way to go yet, it's going to keep going up at the same rate, obviously they are going to be pretty stuck and probably won't be able to stand here in a few hours' time. we've also seen people coming here and improvise waiters with bean bags around their feet, carrying suitcases to get to their cars, there's not much help for them, they don't have to evacuate of course but a lot of people thinking it's sensible to do. and this is delayed reaction, of course, the river seven swelled because of rain 48 hours ago of the welsh hills, self friday and saturday'srain from the storm in this onlyjust coming down to the river now, swelling the river, nicky burst its banks, that'll carry on towards gloucestershire probably around tomorrow forceps a lot of people keeping a careful eye on these river levels but thinking the sensible thing to do is leave their properties, go somewhere a bit safer and keep a close eye on what is

happening and they hopefully can come back, may next few days, but at the moment, the river is unstoppable, really, surrounding these flats, turning them into an island, essentially becoming a moat from which people now are deciding to escape. from which people now are deciding to esca e. from which people now are deciding to escae. , . ., from which people now are deciding to escae. _ ., ., �*, to escape. vivid picture of what's ha enin: to escape. vivid picture of what's happening there. _ to escape. vivid picture of what's happening there. thank - to escape. vivid picture of what's happening there. thank you - to escape. vivid picture of what's i happening there. thank you much. royal officials say the queen, who is 95, expects to continue "light duties" after testing positive for covid. buckingham palace said yesterday she was experiencing "mild, cold—like symptoms" and was receiving medical attention. 0ur royal correspondent daniela relph is in windsorfor us and gave us this update. there has been no update on the queen's condition today, but that is pretty much as expected, royal officials had said that they would not be issuing daily bulletins on the queen's health, but they will tell us if there is something significant to say. we last saw the queen here at windsor late on last week when she had a face to face meeting with military leaders, and it was at that meeting at the age of almost 96 that we heard her talking

about her own frailty, saying that she couldn't move very well. and since then, it's notjust the queen that has tested positive for covid here, but a number of other staff at windsor have also tested positive, so something of a mini covid outbreak here at the castle. but if the queen is feeling well enough, as you say, she will carry on with planned engagements and light duties this week. they may well include some of these virtual online engagements we've seen her carrying out over recent months, as well as some phone calls, possibly one with the prime minister later in the week. the prince of wales is among those who have paid tribute to the music entrepreneur jamal edwards, who has died at the age of 31. he was a leading figure in britain's rap and grime scene, helping to launch the careers of stormzy, skepta and ed sheeran on his youtube channel sb—tv. bbc music correspondent mark savage looks back at his life. smokeybarz tv! # smokeybarz tv... big up, smokeybarz!

this is howjamal edwards started a media empire. a grainy clip, filmed on his phone in the middle of a school trip. but, before long, his youtube channel was giving early exposure to artists like stormzy, dave and ed sheeran. # sb.tv for the new crowd... edwards said he started sb.tv out of frustration that he couldn't find his favourite music online. everyone in my area was an emcee. and i remember, iwasjust sitting there and i was thinking, "why can't i find these online?" and if they were online, it was just bad—quality versions, so i thought, "all right, cool, i'm going to film "the people in my area and upload it to youtube." the channel helped grime go mainstream, after a period when police had been shutting down gigs in london. it made him a millionaire and earned him an mbe at the age of 23. sb.tv later diversified, running interviews with edwards' business idol, richard branson, and prominent figures like prince charles.

edwards branched out too, funding youth clubs, designing affordable fashion ranges, and becoming an advocate for mental health. his death, at the age of 31, has shocked the music community. edwards' mother, the loose women presenter, brenda edwards, said she was devastated by the unimaginable loss. jamal edwards, who has died at the age of 31. more than 50 people were tricked into working for a design agency that turned out to be fake, a bbc investigation has found. people from the uk and all over the world were hired during lockdown. they were told the company was a successful business — but its website made false claims, and featured fake profiles and stolen work. catrin nye has been investigating this story over the last year for a bbc three documentary — her report contains some flashing images.

just over a year ago, james harris from york was desperately searching forjobs online. he'd applied for more than 2,000 before landing a great—looking role with a glamorous design agency called madbird. i was buzzing — absolutely buzzing that i'd finally found a job that i knew i could, like, progress in. one of my best friends, helen was like, "oh, my god, this is it, jim — this is it!" more than 50 people from all over the world got a job at madbird between mid 2020 and early 2021, when the pandemic was raging. they were impressed by the company's client list. nike, samsonite, national geographic — that sounds like big budgets, as well. and i showed it to lots of people who i know who are in the same industry as me, and they all agreed — it looked great. it's established. it's based in kensington. madbird's ambitious recruits were told they'd only earn commission for the first six months, before getting a salary if they passed their probation. that didn't seem like a problem, given the impressive clients

the agency already had. are you web—based ? everyone worked remotely — some for almost six months. the sales team was in talks with some big clients. if you guys have any questions, feel free to ask me. have a good weekend. but then, everything changed. i've received an email from jane smith, who i wasn't familiar with. the rest of the madbird employees were ccd in. i'm like, "jane smith? who'sjane smith?" "for the attention of madbird employees. "some shocking evidence has come to light regarding madbird." and as i was reading the email, my mouth kept dropping, like... "we have strong reason to suspect that the founders of madbird have "knowingly participated in the following activities." all of the work was stolen. that bombshell email from an unknown whistle—blower claimed to have evidence that madbird was a fake design agency. the work on the website was stolen, several staff members didn't really exist,

and madbird's impressive client list wasn't real. i've literally been here for, like, two months. working for, like, how many hours, not getting paid, telling people to do this. recruiting people to a fake company. i've spent the last year investigating the truth behind madbird. i found many more victims and reams of fakery. one of the co—founders of the company didn't exist — his picture turned out to belong to a beehive designerfrom prague. and other staff members turned out to be fake, too. an entire pitch document that staff had been using to try and get work was stolen from another design agency. so who was behind this elaborate con? 0ur investigations all led us to one man — madbird's charismatic boss ali ayad. he was the director of the company, he looked like an influencer — appearing in gq magazine — and had claimed to have worked for nike. but all that turned out to be lies, too.

we needed to speak to ali. hi, ali ayad. my name's catrin nye, i'm from the bbc. come on, it's time to talk to us, ali. why did you make up a fake company and then take advantage of people when they were at their most desperate? this is your version of the story. 0k? we have been waiting to hear your version of the story, ali, for months. you don't know all the things behind the story. you have heard one version of the story. you need to see two sides of the story. will you say sorry to the people who you hurt? i'm s o rry? whose lives and time you wasted? if i hurt somebody — if i hurt somebody, of course i'm sorry, but i'm telling you there's another version of the story. there was no other version of the story he has given us. as far as we knew, he didn't make any money from madbird. he insists he was trying to create opportunities for people during the pandemic. one thing we did know — many people around the world had been jobfished and were left with unanswered questions.

catrin nye, bbc news. and watch out for more from that document tree. now it's time for a look at the weather with stav. it has been a very stormy past 24 hours and we also have a number of flood warnings in force, especially in the north of the uk, north—west england in particular. storm franklin clearing away now eastwards, allowing this ridge of high pressure to build in so it is actually an improving sort of day with the winds gradually turning lighter, but they will continue to be gusty, especially in southern and eastern areas. a few showers thanks to this building ridge of high pressure but a very blustery day wherever you are, especially in the east. the winds much lighter in the north compared to what we've had over the past 12 hours. temperatures, not too bad for the time of year, double figure values for most, could make 12—13 in the south, given some good spells of sunshine. 0vernight it turns chilly with clear skies across central and eastern areas but the next frontal system will arrive across the north and the west bringing increasing cloud, wind,

outbreaks of rain, some of which will be quite heavy. it will be turning very windy in the north—west. further south it will be a calmer night with light winds. hello, this is bbc news. the headlines: as the government prepares to announce plans to scrap all remaining covid legal restrictions in england, a cabinet meeting is delayed at the last minute, amid reports of disagreements over the way forward. some who are clinically vulnerable question the scrapping of all restrictions. i don't understand why people can't put a mask on when they're in an enclosed area, why they can't stay home when they are covid positive. the third named storm in a week — storm franklin — brings strong winds and flooding across the uk. the queen carries out light duties at windsor castle this week

despite testing positive for covid. russia says there are no concrete plans for presidents putin and biden to meet in person — despite reports of a summit — but the kremlin does say diplomacy will continue. when you you —— when you start off, it is a lonely place and you need to make sure you believe in your ideas. the british music entrepreneur and youtube star jamal edwards has died at the age of 31 — tributes pour in from across the world of entertainment. sport now and for a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre, here's gavin. good afternoon.

the chair of uk sport — dame katherine grainger — says it's right to question how public funding has been spent for winter sports, after team gb fell well short of their medal target for beijing. they won just two medals — both in curling, with the women's team claiming gold on the final day of the games. they'd been set a target of three to seven — but there were only 15 top—10 finishes from team gb, compared to 17 outside the top—25 orfailing to finish. a lot of reviews in place to make sure we figure out exactly what went wrong and what could be better because you are right, the curling was a wonderful result but it should not hide where things have gone wrong and the big decisions need to come in the next few months about where we need to invest, more wisely, because this is public money and we have a huge responsibility to get this right. the union that represents footballers in england says concussion protocols are failing to prioritise players safety. it comes after leeds defender robin koch suffered a head injury during their 4—2 defeat

to manchester united on sunday. koch received treatment, but played on before being substituted 15 minutes later. leeds say he passed all concussion tests on the field and will now follow guidelines before returning to play. the professional footballers' association has reiterated its calls for the introduction of temporary substitutes. storm damage to swansea's stadium means their championship game against bournemouth tomorrow night has been postponed. the club say they can't assess and repair the damage in time for the match. it's the second game in a row bournemouth have had postponed, after their own stadium was damaged by storm eunice last week. a boost for wales ahead of their crunch tie against england this weekend in the six nations. taulupe faletau is back in the squad after recovering from injury. the british and irish lions back rower played 80 minutes on saturday in his second game back for bath after seven months out injured. faletau comes into the squad following wales' victory over scotland, after they lost their opener to ireland. scotland head coach gregor townsend has added six players to the squad to face france on saturday. jonny gray was among the big names to drop out due to injury. uncapped glasgow warriors duo 0llie smith and kiran mcdonald are drafted in, along

with simon berghan, 0li kebble, marshall sykes and james lang. and james lowe is back in the ireland squad for their upcoming match against italy on sunday. the leinster wing missed the first two matches of this year's six nations with injury — his club team—matejimmy 0'brien has been given a call up too. and novak djokovic is playing competitive tennis for the first time in three months today as he prepares for the first round of the dubai tennis championship. djokovic couldn't play in the australian 0pen last month because he hasn't had a covid vaccine — and could face difficulties playing in other tournaments this year too. as a result, this week, daniil medvedev could overtake him at the top of the world rankings, if the russian wins the tournament he's playing in mexico. the only scenario i have in my head is to win every match i play here and, if i win the tournament, i guess... would i be able to stay number one? no, 0k. he has to win.

it is in his hands, but he has deserved to be number one, eventually it's going to happen, and if it happens this week, i will be the first one to congratulate him. disability golf has received a boost with a revamped and renamed "golf for the disabled" tour announced today — with more tournaments and investment for the european disabled golf association. the dp world tour — formally known as the european tour — will increase its support, to take the tour semi professional. it'll also feature events at the porsche open in germany, and bmw championship at wentworth for the first time. mark cavendish has claimed his second win of the year with victory on stage two of the uae tour. cavendish bounced back after missing out on the green jersey at last week's tour of oman. the 36 year old edged out yasper philipsen in abu dhabi. he's now up to third overall, just six seconds behind the belgian who leads the race. that's all the sport for now. it is good that a lot of the sport was not disrupted this weekend at least. now, at the beginning of last year

a man named gary who believed in covid pseudoscience died at the age of 46 after catching coronavirus. he had been described as a talented artist, sociable and well—liked — and a familiarface in his hometown of shrewsbury. marianna spring, the bbc�*s specialist disinformation reporter, has travelled to the town to investigate what's been described as its "conspiracy underbelly" — and what happened to gary. it isa it is a podcast and is going to be “p it is a podcast and is going to be up on the website next week. it is a ten part series looking at what happened to gary and ten part series looking at what happened to gary— ten part series looking at what happened to gary and he died of all ireland this time _ happened to gary and he died of all ireland this time last _ happened to gary and he died of all ireland this time last year, - happened to gary and he died of all ireland this time last year, it - happened to gary and he died of all ireland this time last year, it was i ireland this time last year, it was in the depths of lockdown —— he died of covid—19 this time last year. he did not take it that seriously but this podcast investigates what happened to him and how his beliefs

did affect what happened to him. you not a real did affect what happened to him. you got a real picture of this? we - got a real picture of this? we ieced got a real picture of this? - pieced together notjust got a real picture of this? - pieced together not just what pieced together notjust what happened to him in the year leading up happened to him in the year leading up to his death and how he fell into covid conspiracies but also before that, because a lot of his friends and families noticed he started to develop these much more conspiratorial views and he became very engaged in disinformation around the war in syria, for example. 50 around the war in syria, for example-— around the war in syria, for examle. ., ., , ., example. so one thing leads to another, example. so one thing leads to another. you — example. so one thing leads to another, you have _ example. so one thing leads to another, you have encountered example. so one thing leads to - another, you have encountered this before? it another, you have encountered this before? , , ., ., . before? it is very common, once someone — before? it is very common, once someone becomes _ before? it is very common, once someone becomes susceptible i before? it is very common, once | someone becomes susceptible to before? it is very common, once i someone becomes susceptible to a conspiracy mindset they believe a range of different falsehoods and misinformation promoted online and i think perhaps the most important thing we discovered in the podcast is how this is affecting a community and how gary who lived in shrewsbury most of his life, and this town has developed this conspiracy underbelly, and i spend a lot of the

series investigating that underbelly, attending rallies and confronting people, one man who has been accused of having blood on his hand for creating a page which promotes certain conspiracy theories about covid. gary, as you said before, he was a talented artist and sociable and well liked but whenever i said to someone, one of the episodes i went outside a building and i said, what do you think of when you hear the word conspiracy, and they would say bonkers, madness, lunatic, but that gets in the way and it stops us being able to understand this problem. it is very unfair because _ understand this problem. it is very unfair because lots _ understand this problem. it is very unfair because lots of _ understand this problem. it is very unfair because lots of people - understand this problem. it is very unfair because lots of people do i unfair because lots of people do believe different things and maybe there is a subset of people who are conspiratorially minded and they see patterns where there aren't any but that doesn't mean everybody who is sceptical about things should

automatically be lumped together. completely. during the pandemic which has been a scary thing for everyone, people have been struggling to make sense of it and conspiracy theories have become much more mainstream but the profile of someone who believes these throughout the podcast series is much more someone who is very clever and intelligent and curious but deeply distrustful of systems in society, living through distressing world events and trying to make sense of it, so the podcast talks about the impact of social media on our society and also the fault lines in communities like shrewsbury and the rest of the uk and the rest of the rest of the uk and the rest of the world, because everyone i talk to as well, when i mention this, they say, i know someone who believes that. it is on the bbc sounds home page and it is ten parts. sounds home page and it is ten arts. ., ., ., , let's get more now

on the government's plans to end all covid restrictions in england, which the prime minister is due to outline in a statement to the house of commons later this afternoon. joining me now is nick powdthavee who is a professor of behavioural science at warwick business school. you must have had such an interesting time in the last couple of years watching how british people behave during a pandemic and how it compares with other countries. all kinds of lessons from that. what about coming out of a pandemic, because that is a different challenge again? because that is a different challenuaeaain? ,, ., �* challenge again? needless to say i'm cautiously optimistic _ challenge again? needless to say i'm cautiously optimistic but _ challenge again? needless to say i'm cautiously optimistic but when - challenge again? needless to say i'm cautiously optimistic but when my - cautiously optimistic but when my colleague and myself were thinking about the exit strategy two years ago now, really, we did not have the

luxury which we have now because we were trying to find a balance between the economy and the general health of the general public but thatis health of the general public but that is now seen as a game changer, the vaccine, and a lot of people in britain do have the antibodies for this. it is a matter of going forward, how we are going to go forward, how we are going to go forward and protect people who are vulnerable and who are not vaccinated. people who are already quite careful will be careful anyway, whether there are restrictions or not, and people who haven't taken any vaccine, how'd we get them to take a vaccine when there are no restrictions —— how do we get them. there are no restrictions -- how do we get them-— we get them. when you wrote the re ort we get them. when you wrote the report you — we get them. when you wrote the report you envisaged _ we get them. when you wrote the report you envisaged it _ we get them. when you wrote the report you envisaged it would - we get them. when you wrote the report you envisaged it would be i we get them. when you wrote the | report you envisaged it would be a staged process partly determined by people's age and i guess events have slightly overtaken that. you could

argue that some parts of hospitality that are more inclined to deal with younger customers like nightclubs, they seem to loosen their restrictions later, so it is curious how this has affected different parts of the population especially age wise, because we are in a situation, 24 hours since the queen was announced as having covid. she has been remarkably well protected until now and that will make some people think, my grandmother is in her 90s, i'll be absolutely sure we can go down this path, they might say? —— i'll we absolutely. people might censor their own behaviour. it comes back to statistics on this, and we know that there is a huge mental cost with restrictions especially for the young, people have been losing theirjobs, and these are things we have not really discussed openly but we know now in

science, one of my researches has shown the mental health and stress has gone up so many times for the young and we need to take that into consideration. we can't take away the fact that this disease is much worse for people who are over the age of 70 but as we know, the vaccination programme has been very successful and the societal norm has changed somewhat from two years ago, for example, if we go back two years ago, somebody with an east asian background like myself would have been wary of going outside, but now the stigma has gone, so it is not a question of if and when... the question of if and when... the question we need to ask ourselves,

if not now, two months more, say, would that lead to a significant change? i'm not sure. i’m would that lead to a significant change? i'm not sure. i'm glad to hear ou change? i'm not sure. i'm glad to hear you say _ change? i'm not sure. i'm glad to hear you say that, _ change? i'm not sure. i'm glad to hear you say that, quite - change? i'm not sure. i'm glad to hear you say that, quite honestly| hear you say that, quite honestly i'm not sure, because that will make people feel better about their own doubts and uncertainties. professor, thanks forjoining us. a "significant number" of vulnerable children remain at risk in the town where six—year old arthur labinjo—hughes was killed by his stepmother and father in 2020, according to a report by 0fsted. it says the loss of experienced staff was a major factor behind the failings in solihull. 0ur midlands correspondent phil mackie is there for us and he gave us some more on the report's findings. well, today's findings paint a difficult picture for the various agencies that were involved

in the case of arthur labinjo—hughes. you will remember that he was killed by emma tustin and thomas hughes, his father and his father's partner, at the beginning of the first lockdown back in 2020. they subjected him to months of terrible physical and mental abuse. they starved him, they beat him, they poisoned him with salt and they even recorded some of that abuse and his desperate pleas for help and that led to a national outcry which has led to a number of reviews. there is a national one that will come out in a few months. this was really looking, not at the individual, granular detail of the arthur case, but looking at the various agencies, like the police, the nhs and children's services run by solihull borough council and to see whether or not they are working together well and, unfortunately, it paints a picture that seems to show they're not. they have something called a multi—agency safeguarding hub in solihull, set up across the country as a result of other tragic deaths, and they are supposed to get everybody into a room to share information when there is a child who is vulnerable and at—risk. there is one in solihull but it doesn't seem to be working.

the government has told all of those agencies to get their act together and come up with a solution. phil mackie there. more now on the storms which have ripped across the country in the past week. joining me now is dr ella gilbert, who's a climate scientists at the university of reading. it has calmed down in parts of the country but there are clearly after effects and we are told we can expect more weather events and more of those big storms. can you explain the background to this? we talk about climate change but there are other elements to this. absolutely. climate change _ other elements to this. absolutely. climate change is _ other elements to this. absolutely. climate change is going _ other elements to this. absolutely. climate change is going to - other elements to this. absolutely. climate change is going to increase j climate change is going to increase the number of extreme weather events that we see broadly, so that includes things like flooding and heatwaves, droughts, the extreme events that regularly hit the headlines. climate change increases the impacts of each of these types

of extreme events, and the evidence is kind of limited when it comes to the frequency of storms being related to climate change, so we don't know if we will see more storms in future as the climate warms, but we know that climate change is increasing the impact of these kind of storms, especially when we get so many so close together, they compound and add up together, they compound and add up to be greater than the sum of their parts in some cases, so you have almost a system that is primed for further changes when you get lots of rainfall each time that the storm arrives and then that is when you start getting the flooding which you have seen today.— have seen today. andrew from shrewsbury — have seen today. andrew from shrewsbury earlier _ have seen today. andrew from shrewsbury earlier basically i have seen today. andrew from i shrewsbury earlier basically told have seen today. andrew from - shrewsbury earlier basically told us that this is the compounding effect, it has not even been a particularly bad day weather wise but it is all the water running off the fields and the water running off the fields and the hills in wales, it comes down,

the hills in wales, it comes down, the ground is soaked and it has got to go somewhere and then it goes back into the river and it floods. the interconnectedness is something maybe we don't grasp. maybe we need to change our thinking about this when we talk about planning and the kinds of buildings we construct and all those kind of thing is, quite a big challenge? it all those kind of thing is, quite a big challenge?— big challenge? it certainly is. havin: a big challenge? it certainly is. having a more _ big challenge? it certainly is. having a more holistic- big challenge? it certainly is. | having a more holistic system approach could be more effective and that goes beyond the geographical sense as well because we need to think about these things in the much longer turn rather than a short political cycles, for instance. in terms of the process, are there ways in which meteorologists inform this process? politicians watch the weather forecast like everybody else but in that sense we are alljust passive and we receive the weather

but presumably this is about getting people to think ahead and to plan the weather forecast into all the things they do in public life? we have things they do in public life? - have known that extreme weather events are likely to become more frequent and intense with climate change now for a very long time and i think that is informing the discourse about planning and how we adapt to a changing climate. but there has to be more two—way dialogue between the people who are communicating about the likely impacts, people like me and my colleagues, who are climate scientists, and then the people who are making changes that actually help people to adapt to those changes, insurance, businesses, government, these kind of people, and those discussions between stakeholders and the scientists themselves are really important, especially as we rapidly move into a world that has a changing climate and will continue to get worse with

more of a changing climate as we go through the century. yes. more of a changing climate as we go through the century.— through the century. yes, there is no oint through the century. yes, there is no point you _ through the century. yes, there is no point you having _ through the century. yes, there is no point you having all— through the century. yes, there is no point you having all this - no point you having all this knowledge of nobody is listening, so it is important that we get a proper dialogue. thanks forjoining us. a man has admitted causing the deaths of two children in a crash on the m4 motorway. gracie—ann lucas, 4, and her three year—old brother jayden—lee lucas died following the crash on 5th february. the family had been returning from a birthday party when the car in which they were travelling was in collision with a van. martin newman, 41, from croeserw in neath port talbot, pleaded guilty to two counts of causing their deaths by dangerous driving. he was remanded in custody and will be sentenced in april. 30 years ago, lady—marie dawson—malcolm suffered a devastating spinal injury that left her paralysed from the chest down. despite the mental and physical trauma, she fought to overcome her situation and has since devoted her life to helping others with similar injuries. it's a cause that's being supported

by manchester arena bomb survivor martin hibbert. graham satchell reports. lady—marie has been in a wheelchair for the last 30 years. she remembers with unerring clarity the moment her life changed forever. it was on the 12th ofjanuary, in 1992, about 11:30am in the morning. i'll never forget it. i was having a disagreement with my ex—husband, and we had a struggle around the living room. i went over the arm of the sofa and i fell on the floor and broke my neck. at the time of her injury, lady—marie was a physical instructor in the army. she'd just won soldier of the year. thank you. is it hot? no, it's ok. the domestic violence attack left lady—marie paralysed from the chest down.

she is doubly incontinent, relies heavily on carers. it's a profound injury... thank you. ..that took years to come to terms with. in the beginning stage, you know, denying that this has happened, that i'm going to be able to walk again, there's no way i'm going to accept this. and then getting very angry at the fact that nothing was happening, i'm not... you know, i'm not able to manage my own condition, all my independence had gone, i have to rely on people to do things that were once private. i started to bargain with god. i said, "well, if you heal me, then i will do this and i will do that," and of course, got to the point where i had to accept, well, this has happened, so what do i do with my life? lady—marie went to college and university — she got a law degree. she then decided to dedicate her life to helping other people with spinal—cord injuries. how are you?

nice to see you again. rose suffered severe damage to her spine after a life of helping to lift patients. she was a senior nurse in the nhs. have you spoken to a spinal nurse? yes, i spoke to... lady—marie works for the charity the spinal injuries association. she guides people to vital support. it's physical, emotional, psychological, financial — the whole gamut. i mean, it's a total toolkit, and i can only say, thank god for lady—marie coming into my life. the light has come in and it was badly needed — badly needed, indeed. take care. i look forward to catching up very soon _ sustaining a spinal—cord injury doesn't mean that your life is over, because you can still be a contributor to society. all we need isjust a little help. mount kilimanjaro — the highest peak in africa. in the summer, it will be the setting for an extraordinary challenge.

martin hibbert will attempt to reach the summit in a modified wheelchair — he's hoping to raise money for the spinal injuries association. martin was left paralysed after the manchester arena terror attack. i think it's a brilliant idea, of what martin is actually trying to achieve, because it's so important for spinal—cord injury to be highlighted because it can happen to anyone at any time. i think there's not that much help out there. occupational therapy, district nursing services — there's a severe shortage, and therefore people struggle. so if we can raise the funds through what martin is doing to provide this service, it can only go to help people with spinal—cord injury. 20 years after her injury, lady—marie started driving again

in a specially modified car. she advises rail companies and airports on accessibility. she's been a consultant on the show eastenders. she is living proof that, with help, a spinal—cord injury can be overcome. i've been skiing again, which was fantastic because itjust showed me the possibilities. i went to sweden, i skied at night, saw the northern lights. i took the challenge of going over the 02 to do some fundraising. i've been rock climbing — indoors and outdoors — i've been abseiling, off—road biking. i've done archery. itjust goes to show that, you know, in spite of everything, we can give something back — we can still live a fulfilling life. what a great story and what an uplifting end to this hour on bbc news. we will be back with more at three o'clock.

now it's time for a look at the weather with stav. hello. it's been a very stormy past 24 hour — storm franklin has brought severe gales, particularly to the north of the uk, and we still have dozens of flood warnings in force across england and wales. a couple of severe ones across northwest england around the river mersey. storm franklin now clearing away. you can see this ridge of high pressure building in. that's going to settle things down. so it is an improving sort of day regarding the winds and we should see increasing amounts of sunshine as well as the afternoon wears on, just a few showers across central and eastern areas. still a very blustery day, but not as windy as it has been. you can see these gusts still a feature across eastern areas through the afternoon, but lighter further north and west. temperatures not too bad for the time of year, 10—12 degrees which is above the seasonal norm. single figures there for the north of scotland, where there'll be a few showers. eventually, the winds will ease right down through this evening and overnight. a ridge of high pressure builds in,

so the winds turning light will turn quite chilly across eastern areas under clear skies. but the next frontal system will arrive across the north—west of the country, increasing cloud, wind, outbreaks of rain. so temperatures will be lifting out west, but a chillier night to come across eastern areas. so here it is a new frontal system with strong winds spreading across the country, not as severe as what we've seen over the past few days, but it's still going to be a blustery sort of day. i think with outbreaks of rain, some of this heavier across the north and the west of the country, but it will be fizzling out as it moves its way south—eastwards through the morning and into the afternoon, eventually clearing the southeast around the middle parts of the afternoon. and then again, it's a bright day with sunshine, blustery showers, these wintry across the north and the west. but this should be quite a bit of sunshine around, which is good news, of course, for the flooding in many areas. temperatures double figures in the south. cooler in the north. another bump of high pressure will bring a fine day to central and southern areas for a wednesday, but to the north—west of the country, this very deep low in the north atlantic will bring another

cloudy, windy, wet day across northern ireland and scotland. there will be gales again across the northwest of the country. the winds lighter the further south that you are — just one or two showers dotted around. otherwise, it's not a bad day with variable cloud, some spells of sunshine and temperatures in double figures here, but a chilly day in the north with snow on the hills. it's a very windy day on thursday, widespread gales, particularly in the north and the west with sunshine and showers,

this is bbc news. the headlines: as the government prepares to announce plans to scrap all remaining covid legal restrictions in england, a cabinet meeting is delayed at the last minute, amid reports of disagreements over the way forward. some people who are clinically vulnerable question the scrapping of all restrictions. i don't understand why people can't put us on when they're in an enclosed area —— put a mask on, why they can't stay home when there are covid positive. they can't stay home when there are covid positive-— covid positive. booster vaccines will be of it _ covid positive. booster vaccines will be of it all— covid positive. booster vaccines will be of it all was _ covid positive. booster vaccines will be of it all was aged - covid positive. booster vaccines will be of it all was aged 75 - covid positive. booster vaccines will be of it all was aged 75 and | will be of it all was aged 75 and over according to the uk's vaccines

committee. president putin chairs an unscheduled meeting of russia's security council after contradicting western claims, originating in paris, of a planned summit with president biden. a busy afternoon for mps after returning from their half term break. the defence secretary ben wallace is due to make a statement to the commons on the ukraine crisis in the next hour — followed by the prime minister and living with coles. smack your own living with coles. smack your own living with coles. smack your own living with covid. the third named storm in a week — storm franklin — brings strong winds and flooding across the uk. the queen carries out light duties at windsor castle this week despite testing positive for covid. it's a very lonely place and you need to make sure you believe in yourself and believe in your idea to take it to next level. the british music entrepreneur and youtube star jamal edwards has died at the age of 31 — tributes pour in from across

the world of entertainment. welcome to bbc news. in the last few minutes, the uk's vaccines advisory body has announced that an additional covid booster dose should be offered to all adults over—75 and the most vulnerable over—12s this spring. the news comes as borisjohnson is shortly due to set out plans to scrap all remaining legal covid restrictions in england — including the requirement to self—isolate if you test positive. the prime minister will address mps sometimes after 4pm. he has said that the plan for �*living with covid' will return to people their freedom. he was due to have chaired a meeting of cabinet this morning before

making an announcement to mps in the commons — but number ten said the scheduled meeting has been delayed. some experts have urged caution over lifting restrictions completely, and labour is questioning the plans to reduce testing. 0ur health correspondent jim reed has this report. it's been one of the most visible rules of the pandemic. phone alert dings. those who test positive for covid were told they must stay at home for up to ten days, or could pick up a £1,000 fine. later this week, that legal requirement will be dropped in england, replaced with less—formal guidance. there is that fine balance, because we've obviously got to look after people, make sure that they are safe. we've also got to make sure that we can allow our economy to recover, because that in itself has positive benefits for people's health and wellbeing, and of course, the public finances. the relaxation of that self—isolation rule in england is all part of the government's new covid strategy, expected to be set out in full this afternoon. ministers say the widespread roll—out of boosterjabs means we can now start to live alongside

this virus, without formal restrictions. this chart shows just how much difference those vaccines have made. in december 2020, very few people had any immunity to covid. by january this year, 97% of over—16s have build up some level of antibody protection, after being infected orjabbed. we're very well—protected as a community, having been vaccinated and boosted now. now it's a question of seeing what the booster does in the longer—term to our immune system, and also, critically, what the virus is going to do. under the government's plans for england, it's likely free access to pcr lab testing will also go, to be used only in certain situations, like hospitals. and free rapid lateralflow kits, taken at home, could also be scaled back. the government has said testing costs £2 billion a month that could be spent elsewhere. labour's said limiting it

now would be premature. there's days where i feel like literally the house i is closing in on me. any move to relax rules is a worry for people likejuliet. she's clinically vulnerable, and may not be as well—protected by those vaccines. i don't understand whyl people can't put a mask on when they're in enclosed areas, why they can't stay home - when they are covid—positive. and some scientists, health leaders and charities have also said they have concerns about the timing of this announcement. the worry about lifting the legal restrictions is that we're telling not only our population, but the world, that there's really nothing to worry about. that, you know, it's all over, when it isn't. the changes this week will apply to england only. other parts of the uk are moving at their own speed, as the latest 0micron wave of this virus passes. more details on rules in scotland are expected tomorrow.

jim reed, bbc news. as we've been hearing, the vaccine advisory body, jcvi, have said an additional booster dose should be offered to all adults 75 and the most vulnerable over—12s this spring. 0ur health correspondent anna collinson is here. this is all come quite suddenly. yes, thejcvi, our panel of expert scientists, the way the vaccine row that has worked over the pandemic is that has worked over the pandemic is that we hear from that has worked over the pandemic is that we hearfrom medicines regulator, who say whether a vaccine is safe and effective, and that the jcvi, it's up to them to look at how it would work and whether they should advise the government and chief medical officer on how it should be rolled out. and as you say, in the last hour, we've heard from the jcvi say, in the last hour, we've heard from thejcvi and have confirmed that there will be another spring booster dose for certain people. it

will be more than 8 million people who are most vulnerable to covid and the way it will work is that that those will follow on six months after their previous one. so a lot of people within that group of the last time what they will have had a dose would be around autumn time, so that protection they had would have started to wane, and so the concern is really to make sure that that group of people, the over 70 fives, care home residents and people who are aged over 12 who are immunosuppressed, to make sure they can top up their protection. the strike of the over 75s. 0n the other announcement from the jcvi was strike of the over 75s. 0n the other announcement from thejcvi was that there will be an autumn roll—out. we didn't get loads of detail on that but they're hoping this initial move will carry those most vulnerable over to the autumn. bud will carry those most vulnerable over to the autumn.— will carry those most vulnerable over to the autumn. and if nothing else, it tells _ over to the autumn. and if nothing else, it tells us, _ over to the autumn. and if nothing else, it tells us, notwithstanding l else, it tells us, notwithstanding the units with the prime minister will make today, that you can lift the restrictions but you cannot lift

the restrictions but you cannot lift the pandemic as such, we are still dependent on whether this virus naturally dies out or carried on coming back year on year. completely. we are at the moment in a real certain period of transition, and right now we do not actually know what could happen next, really, with covid. could there be another new variant looking round the corner? and what the jcvi new variant looking round the corner? and what thejcvi are keen to stress is, with this announcement, it's a precautionary measure. they're not saying if you're in one of these groups that you're in one of these groups that you should be terribly concerned about your health but the hope is that by taking that step now, by getting that extra days this spring, you will therefore protect yourself if the worst happens, if we do see another wave going forward, so that's the message, billy, a precautionary step.- that's the message, billy, a precautionary step. i'm joined by shannon banks, who is immunocompromised and has been living seperately from her family throughout the pandemic. i cannot quite believe how that is,

shannon, living separately from them for two years now, when you lived with them before, you lived among them, you were close to them, spend a reasonable amount of time with them? , ,., a reasonable amount of time with them? , ., �* , them? yes, so i haven't been apart from landajo _ them? yes, so i haven't been apart from landajo two — them? yes, so i haven't been apart from landajo two years, _ them? yes, so i haven't been apart from landajo two years, i've - them? yes, so i haven't been apart from landajo two years, i've been l from landajo two years, i've been shielding the whole two years, early in the pandemic i was lucky enough to be able to shield alongside them, i have a husband and daughter. but when my daughter went back to school we had to make other arrangements because i'm immunocompromised, immunosuppressed, and so initially she actually lived with another family and then she went online schooling, but i wanted to get her back to some sense of normal, and so to allow for that, i moved out. and i've been out for initially a year ago, and now for the last six months. , , , ago, and now for the last six months. , , ., ., months. they say there is no love like that of _ months. they say there is no love like that of a _ months. they say there is no love like that of a mother, _ months. they say there is no love like that of a mother, i _ months. they say there is no love like that of a mother, i mean, - like that of a mother, i mean, that's a heck of a sacrifice. for you and for her and for the wider family. in the context of all of that, what questions do you have

about the decision the government is made? it affects you, you live in england as opposed another part of the uk. , ., ., the uk. yes, i need a path back to my family- — the uk. yes, i need a path back to my family- i— the uk. yes, i need a path back to my family. i need _ the uk. yes, i need a path back to my family. i need a _ the uk. yes, i need a path back to my family. i need a way _ the uk. yes, i need a path back to my family. i need a way to - the uk. yes, i need a path back to my family. i need a way to get - the uk. yes, i need a path back to| my family. i need a way to get back home. and i think in order to get that, i need something that's an equivalent to the vaccine that would protect me if i got covid. and i'm not alone. there are about a million of us who haven't had a good response to the vaccine, and for whom vaccines aren't that much of an option. so there are preventative treatments that would really, really help us, and i think that would be a path forward. and back to my family. those preventative treatments exist but it's a question of availability, is it? ., �* , , but it's a question of availability, is it? . �* , , , but it's a question of availability, isit? , ,., is it? that's true. they exist and have been _ is it? that's true. they exist and have been approved _ is it? that's true. they exist and have been approved in _ is it? that's true. they exist and have been approved in some - have been approved in some countries, there are monoclonal antibodies that have tested to be effective that could be distributed to people like me. find

effective that could be distributed to people like me.— to people like me. and at the moment. _ to people like me. and at the moment. you _ to people like me. and at the moment, you and _ to people like me. and at the moment, you and your- to people like me. and at the i moment, you and your husband to people like me. and at the - moment, you and your husband have been able to be together, but it's more because your daughter, is that correct, more because your daughter is interacting with school and lots of other people, because that's just the nature of a child's life? yes. of other people, because that's 'ust the nature of a child's life?�* the nature of a child's life? yes, i mean, the nature of a child's life? yes, i mean. my — the nature of a child's life? yes, i mean, my husband _ the nature of a child's life? yes, i mean, my husband and _ the nature of a child's life? yes, i mean, my husband and i - the nature of a child's life? yes, i mean, my husband and i are - the nature of a child's life? yes, i | mean, my husband and i are lucky enough to be able to work from home, if we didn't have my daughter, that will probably be an option. 0bviously, i'm really happy to have my daughter. but, yes, she really needs a life. she 16. she was 14 when the pandemic started and asking her to stay home and not be with her friends and not work in the summer and not go on her duke of edinburgh trip this weekend, there just are not options. trip this weekend, there 'ust are not optionsfi trip this weekend, there 'ust are not options. now, as you said, at every stage _ not options. now, as you said, at every stage of— not options. now, as you said, at every stage of the _ not options. now, as you said, at every stage of the process, - not options. now, as you said, at. every stage of the process, there's been a compromise for at least one member of yourfamily, if not been a compromise for at least one member of your family, if not all of them. can i ask you one final thought? how have you hoped, would you say, as a family, with this new

dynamic? because you didn't, you know, this came out of the clear blue sky two years ago, with no warning or way of preparing yourself psychological for it, never mind physically. psychological for it, never mind -h sicall . ., psychological for it, never mind physically-— psychological for it, never mind -h sicall . ., ~ physically. how we coped... well, i think... physically. how we coped... well, i think- -- we — physically. how we coped... well, i think... we are _ physically. how we coped... well, i think... we are lucky _ physically. how we coped... well, i think... we are lucky to _ physically. how we coped... well, i think... we are lucky to have - think... we are lucky to have technology. so we face time each other a lot, we use whatsapp a lot. i try to go around there and have dinner in the garden, when the weather works and we eat distant from each other, my husband cooks, we wear masks when we are not eating. but then at the end of the day i had to come back to this flat on my own and they had to go back into the house without me, and so we are coping but we really need a way out. ., . ., , ., ,, ., ., are coping but we really need a way out. ., . ., , ., ,,. ., out. you certainly do. shannon, you ut to out. you certainly do. shannon, you put to shame _ out. you certainly do. shannon, you put to shame as _ out. you certainly do. shannon, you put to shame as people _ out. you certainly do. shannon, you put to shame as people like - out. you certainly do. shannon, you put to shame as people like us, - out. you certainly do. shannon, you| put to shame as people like us, who are moaning about masks and small inconveniences, when we hear what, as you said, many people have had to do, thank you for talking us through it and i hope you get some better

news soon about those treatments. thank you. president putin has told a televised meeting of his security council this lunchtime that ukraine is being used as a tool against russia, presenting a major and dangerous threat to his country. he made the remarks in a rare public gathering with his ministers and security officials. mr putin also asked the meeting to consider an appeal for recognition by the two breakaway regions of ukraine, controlled by russian—backed separatists. what's interesting in this, as well, as we will hear, is that part of what he said was based on a phone conversation he had with president macron of france, which he said the president told him that ukraine is preparing new elections for those breakaway regions. might that perhaps give president putin the justification, the pretext, some suggest, for moving against ukraine? let's hear what he had to say.

translation: there are a few ideas that need to — translation: there are a few ideas that need to be _ translation: there are a few ideas that need to be discussed, _ translation: there are a few ideas that need to be discussed, and - translation: there are a few ideas that need to be discussed, and we i that need to be discussed, and we proposed a few ideas to our partners on the issue of european security and certain systems of weapons, medium—range rockets and so on. we are prepared to discuss these issues. we are also prepared to conduct negotiations. but all of the issues, as we mentioned before, need to be considered comprehensively. they should not be separated from other issues. of course, the topic of european security has been discussed in the context of the current situation, in the context of the situation with ukraine, as we know, ukrainian authorities refused to follow through on minsk

agreements. and on normandy agreements. and on normandy agreement that was reached later on. there are a few principal elements. constitutional reform, amnesty, and special status for eastern ukraine. let's get more on this from francis scarr who is a senior journalist at bbc monitoring. thank you for being with us. what more do president putin have to say at this quite long televised meeting? he at this quite long televised meeting?— at this quite long televised meetinu? , ., .,, i. at this quite long televised meetinu? , ., meeting? he spoke to, as you said, members of — meeting? he spoke to, as you said, members of his _ meeting? he spoke to, as you said, members of his security _ meeting? he spoke to, as you said, members of his security council, i members of his security council, which is arguably the most important decision—making body in russia, and was reportedly responsible for taking the decision to annex crimea in 2014. up until now, he has kept his cards pretty close to his chest.

the russian parliament last week appealed to the president, calling for him to recognise the two rebel held republics, self—declared held republics, self—decla red republics held republics, self—declared republics in eastern ukraine. and today, as you said, both of the leaders of those two republics told him that they wanted russia to recognise them as independent from kyiv. in practice we are not sure what this might mean but it could potentially allow the kremlin to place troops on their territory while telling the rest of the world that they are not in the ukraine. it's interesting, isn't it? because one of the bits of evidence that president putin had for this discussion was his conversation with president macron late last night, and the heirs of the morning in moscow, when they were talking about whether they might be a summit with present biting. —— early hours of the morning was a present peter told

his security council that macron told him ukraine was preparing fresh elections for those regions, that could be the sort of pretext that would justify, as you say, from moscow �*s protective, putting troops into those self—declared republics. —— from moscow's perspective. potentially. britain has this whole time must to abide by the minsk records, a set of measures agreed when you claim at its weakest point in 2014 and 15. —— president putin has this whole time asked ukraine to abide by those. that would allow elections to take place in those rebel held parts of the country, in return, in effect for the rio two me incorporation into ukraine. the trouble from the west�*s point of view is that that would allow them to have a veto on ukraine's foreign policy and prevented from joining nato. and this comes at a time,

really, when the west is warning of a false flag attacks, and any kind of so—called provocation that russia might use for, as a pretext for an invasion. ~ , , . , invasion. where these pictures actually running _ invasion. where these pictures actually running on _ invasion. where these pictures actually running on television i invasion. where these pictures| actually running on television in russia? why are people, is their view, in a sense, that russia is talking more now that ukraine at the crisis there? we were given a couple of months ago, people saying, people in russia on the streets weren't really aware of what was going on. i would say definitely over the last couple of days, probably since about friday evening, there has been a marked change in tv coverage of the crisis. before they were constantly saying that russia did not want a war, repeating this kind of mantra that it was all the west's doing, it was all the west, pushing ukraine towards a war with its neighbour. and really, over the weekend, we

have seen increased reports of what russian tv describes as relentless ukrainian shilling of the rebel held territories in ukraine, and we've seen all sorts of pictures of these evacuees, travelling to russia, lots of interviews with children. you might argue, of interviews with children. you mightargue, aimed of interviews with children. you might argue, aimed at generating sympathy among the russian population. and although frankly on the ground it does feel remarkably normal, given the magnitude of this crisis, i would say that definitely, the situation in terms of the media coverage has undergone a serious change. coverage has undergone a serious chance. ., , coverage has undergone a serious chance. . , , ., ., change. really interesting to hear ou sa change. really interesting to hear you say that. _ change. really interesting to hear you say that, thank _ change. really interesting to hear you say that, thank you _ change. really interesting to hear you say that, thank you very i change. really interesting to hear| you say that, thank you very much for coming and talking to us about that council meeting. thanks so much. storm franklin — the third named storm in a week — has brought heavy rain and strong winds to many parts of the uk. severe flooding in northern ireland, yorkshire and manchester have

forced people to leave their homes for safety. a yellow weather warning for widespread strong winds has been in place for most of the uk but has now been lifted. there are still 157 flood warnings across england, wales and scotland, and �*danger to life�* alerts were issued in greater manchester, as the river mersey reached its highest ever level. storm franklin comes days after storm eunice killed three people and left 1.4 million homes without power — 33,000 are still waiting to be reconnected. sanchia berg reports. the third major storm in less than a week, battering the coast of northern ireland this morning. storm franklin, like eunice and dudley, is driven by an active jet stream, a current of air, five miles above the earth. in mid wales, high winds and rain caused flooding. roger hicks went to check on his elderly mother in the village of llandinam. i came round to the back of the house, and by the time i got round there, within two minutes, there was a foot, at least, of water, it had come in so suddenly. so, of course, we had to rush then to get her out

from here and we carried her out into my car. she�*s fine now, yeah. moving on to england, storm franklin brought more floods. swelling rivers, like the aire in leeds last night. a pontoon was swept away, and crashed into a bridge. forecasters had warned of a risk to life and property if the mersey broke its banks, but, here, south of manchester, defences worked. the water flowed, instead, into woodland and a golf course. there was no protection against high winds, though, in some of manchester�*s residential streets, nor on the m6 in lancashire, where a lorry hit a bridge and burst into flames. 0ther motorists helped the driver to escape. he is being treated in hospital. rotherham station last night, looking more like a canal than a railway. as with storms dudley and eunice, rail networks have been severely disrupted. thousands of rail colleagues have been out, over the last

few days and nights, clearing up the wreckage. we are doing our absolute best to keep the railways open, but my advice, before you travel today or tomorrow, is to check before you travel with your train operator, to check that your train is running. matlock, derbyshire, this morning, after the river derwent burst its banks. here, the winds and rain are easing off, as storm franklin makes its way south and east. sanchia berg, bbc news. joining me now is jake kelly, the group directorfor system operator at network rail. we see much of you this weekend, and i imagine that�*s because you and your colleagues have been monitoring a really fast changing situation, and it�*s far from a really fast changing situation, and it�*s farfrom over, isn�*t it? that�*s right, there have been thousands of people out and about, trying to fix our railway over the last few days and nights. it�*s been an enormous challenge for us. but we

also know it�*s been an enormous challenge for our passengers. we think this is the end of the worst bit of the storm, and there will be huge efforts under way to get the railway open and back to normal for tomorrow morning. in railway open and back to normal for tomorrow morning.— railway open and back to normal for tomorrow morning. in terms of what's causina the tomorrow morning. in terms of what's causing the biggest — tomorrow morning. in terms of what's causing the biggest headache - tomorrow morning. in terms of what's causing the biggest headache for i causing the biggest headache for you, is it water or the impact of the wind?— the wind? today it's both. your re ort the wind? today it's both. your report showed _ the wind? today it's both. your report showed the _ the wind? today it's both. your report showed the damage i the wind? today it's both. your report showed the damage that the wind? today it's both. your i report showed the damage that the flooding has done in the north of england, but there has been more damaged by the wind all across britain, particularly where trees have been damaged over the last few days and are now starting to come down. there�*s a huge amount of clearing out still to be done, sadly. clearing out still to be done, sadl . �* ., clearing out still to be done, sadl . �* . , ., clearing out still to be done, sadl. ., ., ., , sadly. i'm a devon and i remember art of sadly. i'm a devon and i remember part of isambard _ sadly. i'm a devon and i remember part of isambard kingdom - sadly. i'm a devon and i remember part of isambard kingdom brunel's| part of isambard kingdom brunel�*s rail network swinging out of the water for several weeks after that, you did tremendous work in trying to restore that, but there is a serious question here long—term in terms of

our railways and other parts of our infrastructure about what we need to do to build in more resilience. after all, do to build in more resilience. afterall, much do to build in more resilience. after all, much of the country it�*s still a victorian network. after all, much of the country it's still a victorian network.— still a victorian network. that's ri . ht, still a victorian network. that's riuht, it still a victorian network. that's right. it is _ still a victorian network. that's right. it is a — still a victorian network. that's right, it is a victorian _ still a victorian network. that's right, it is a victorian networki still a victorian network. that's i right, it is a victorian network and has remained remarkably resilient, all things considered, but the weather is getting worse. we are spending huge amounts of money on seeking to strengthen it. but ultimately, the weather is always going to wind. ultimately, the weather is always going to wind-— going to wind. joe... jake, i'm sor ! going to wind. joe... jake, i'm sorry! we _ going to wind. joe... jake, i'm sorry! we got _ going to wind. joe... jake, i'm sorry! i've got one _ going to wind. joe... jake, i'm sorry! i've got one contact i going to wind. joe... jake, i'm| sorry! i've got one contact lens going to wind. joe... jake, i'm i sorry! i've got one contact lens in sorry! i�*ve got one contact lens in today so i am more stubbornly than usual, sorry for that. thank you for talking to us, and good luck with the rest of the week. —— i am stumbling more than usual. the prince of wales is among those who have paid tribute to the music entrepreneur jamal edwards, who has died at the age of 31. he was a leading figure in britain�*s rap and grime scene,

helping to launch the careers of stormzy, skepta and ed sheeran on his youtube channel sb—tv. with me are two members of the manor, each of the individual mcs. what would you say it made the difference, what was it that jamal gave you guys that open up opportunities and help you establish yourself in the music scene? brute yourself in the music scene? we literally owe _ yourself in the music scene? - literally owe him everything. literally, when we were first starting out, he reached out and it wasn�*t like you�*d expect someone of that magnitude, you would have to chase them down, but he found something he liked on us and got us to come and perform a freestyle on his channel very early on, when we had literally nothing. and, like, i can�*t thank him enough because we would have nothing without him, musically, he literally kick—started our whole career. musically, he literally kick-started our whole career.— our whole career. several people have said to _

our whole career. several people have said to me, _ our whole career. several people have said to me, you _ our whole career. several people have said to me, you said, i our whole career. several people | have said to me, you said, danny said it and a colleague of mine said it, he had this kind of networking capacity, and ability to say, i like what you�*re doing so i will let other people know about you, and acted almost as a catalyst for new relationships and opportunities. that�*s the universal sort of that's the universal sort of narrative _ that's the universal sort of narrative today, that he was not only— narrative today, that he was not onlyjust — narrative today, that he was not onlyjust with musical talent but with the — onlyjust with musical talent but with the people he employed at sb-tv, — with the people he employed at sb-tv, he with the people he employed at sb—tv, he was a great, great head hunter, _ sb—tv, he was a great, great head hunter, so — sb—tv, he was a great, great head hunter, so he could spot talent, whether— hunter, so he could spot talent, whether it — hunter, so he could spot talent, whether it be in the cameraman, the likes ofm _ whether it be in the cameraman, the likes ofm 0r— whether it be in the cameraman, the likes of... 0r whether it be a rapper— likes of... 0r whether it be a rapper or— likes of... 0r whether it be a rapper or performer like ed sheeran or some _ rapper or performer like ed sheeran or some of— rapper or performer like ed sheeran or some of the biggest execs that are now— or some of the biggest execs that are now some of the biggest execs in the game, _ are now some of the biggest execs in the game, they worked for him at some _ the game, they worked for him at some point, some of them, and he spotted _ some point, some of them, and he spotted things really early and said. _ spotted things really early and said. you _ spotted things really early and said, you know what, i will do everything i can to make sure that they everything i canto make sure that they fulfil— everything i can to make sure that they fulfil their potential. and so many— they fulfil their potential. and so many people today can say that. it�*s

many people today can say that. remarkable, many people today can say that. it�*s remarkable, isn't it, how many remarkable, isn�*t it, how many people, you only have to look on social media since this terribly sad news broke, i mean, 31... he achieved more in his relatively short life than a lot of people achieve in twice that time and seems to have affected and influenced and pleased a huge number of people in the process. you pleased a huge number of people in the process-— the process. you have hit the nail on the heads. _ the process. you have hit the nail on the heads. that's _ the process. you have hit the nail on the heads. that's it. _ the process. you have hit the nail on the heads. that's it. it's i the process. you have hit the nail on the heads. that's it. it's rare l on the heads. that�*s it. it�*s rare that you see this sort of outpouring, and it�*sjust a testament to him, because he was just, again, and inspiration but also, he wasjust just, again, and inspiration but also, he was just a very good guy, and wanted to see people do well. he wanted it more than some people even wanted it more than some people even wanted for themselves. he was just... yes, he was a great man, and he would always look to help people. he would give advice. you neverfelt like you are dealing with someone on that level, and you could see it today, there�*s not many people that have affected and helped that many people in the world. haifa have affected and helped that many people in the world.— have affected and helped that many people in the world. how do you hope he will be remembered? _ people in the world. how do you hope he will be remembered? i _ people in the world. how do you hope he will be remembered? i hope i people in the world. how do you hope he will be remembered? i hope you i he will be remembered? i hope you

will be remembered _ he will be remembered? i hope you will be remembered for _ he will be remembered? i hope you will be remembered for being i he will be remembered? i hope you i will be remembered for being someone that didn't _ will be remembered for being someone that didn't put any boundaries on what _ that didn't put any boundaries on what he — that didn't put any boundaries on what he could achieve, like we mentioned, he started at 15 and amassed — mentioned, he started at 15 and amassed an audience of millions and millions— amassed an audience of millions and millions from his bedroom with a camera — millions from his bedroom with a camera. and then he took that to the next level— camera. and then he took that to the next level to — camera. and then he took that to the next level to get an mbe at 24. astounding achievements. and he's an inspiration, _ astounding achievements. and he's an inspiration, he always has been an inspiration, — inspiration, he always has been an inspiration, i am sure others will say the — inspiration, i am sure others will say the same, he really set the pace for what _ say the same, he really set the pace for what a _ say the same, he really set the pace for what a lot of the successes that have happened in the last ten, 15 years— have happened in the last ten, 15 years in— have happened in the last ten, 15 years in the music industry. thank ou so years in the music industry. thank you so much _ years in the music industry. thank you so much for— years in the music industry. thank you so much for coming _ years in the music industry. thank you so much for coming on - years in the music industry. thank you so much for coming on to i years in the music industry. thank you so much for coming on to pay| you so much for coming on to pay tribute. i imagine the two of you and your band—mate must be really distraught by the terribly sad news, we are really sorry for your loss and forjamal edwards�*s family�*s loss for music�*s loss, too. thank you. now it�*s time for a look

at the weather with stav. it has been a very stormy past 24 hours and we also have a number of flood warnings in force, especially in the north of the uk, north—west england in particular. storm franklin clearing away now eastwards, allowing this ridge of high pressure to build in so it is actually an improving sort of day with the winds gradually turning lighter, but they will continue to be gusty, especially in southern and eastern areas. a few showers thanks to this building ridge of high pressure but a very blustery day wherever you are, especially in the east. the winds much lighter in the north compared to what we�*ve had over the past 12 hours. temperatures, not too bad for the time of year, double figure values for most, could make 12—13 in the south, given some good spells of sunshine. 0vernight it turns chilly with clear skies across central and eastern areas but the next frontal system will arrive across the north and the west bringing increasing cloud, wind, outbreaks of rain, some of which will be quite heavy. it will be turning very windy in the north—west. further south it will be a calmer night with light winds.

hello, this is bbc news. the headlines: an additional booster vaccine should be offered to all those over—75 and the most vulnerable people over 12 — according to the uk�*s vaccine advisory body. as the government prepares to announce plans to scrap all remaining covid legal restrictions in england, a cabinet meeting is delayed at the last minute, amid reports of disagreements over the way forward. some who are clinically vulnerable question the scrapping of all restrictions. president putin chairs an unscheduled meeting of russia�*s security council — and is asked to formally recognise parts of eastern ukraine controlled by russian separatists. the defence secretary ben wallace is due to make a statement to the commons on the ukraine crisis in the next few minutes — we�*ll bring that to you live. in fact we are going to go to the house of commons now. all]! in fact we are going to go to the house of commons now.- house of commons now. all the indicators _ house of commons now. all the indicators point _ house of commons now. all the indicators point to _ house of commons now. all the indicators point to increasing i indicators point to increasing numbers of russian forces and not

surprising to many, the pledge to withdraw russian troops from belarus on the end of theirjoint military drills on the 20th of february, was not carried out and the exercise has now been extended until further notice. complementing this troop build—up has been the proliferation of false flag operations, propaganda stunt and russian news outlets carrying fictitious allegations. these are not the actions of a russian government fulfilling its declarations that it has no intention of invading ukraine. in fact we have seen in the last few weeks the russian playbook being implemented in a way that gives us strong cause for concern that president putin is still committed to innovation. i believe he is in danger of setting himself on a tragic course of events leading to a humanitarian crisis instability and widespread suffering, notjust of ukrainians but also of the russian people. russians like many know the consequences of military interventions and the soviet union

interventions and the soviet union in afghanistan, the first war in chechnya, these are a couple of examples that russia faced where too many young men were turned home in coffins. so the government urges president putin for the sake of his people and even at this 11th hour to rule out the invasion of ukraine and recommit to a diplomatic process for us to address the perceptions of the kremlin. 0ver recent weeks the foreign secretary and myself have engaged numerous times with our international counterparts including my own visit to moscow to meet with defence minister and the general there, and we have made clear our determination to uphold the defensive principles of nato and to defend the right of sovereign countries to make choices about their own security arrangements and as the russian government has signed up as the russian government has signed up to itself, states have an equal right to security and we reaffirm the right of every participating state to be free to choose i change

it security arrangements including treaties and alliances. —— or change its security arrangements that was signed by russia in 1975, 1995, in 1999, and most likely in 2010. we urge russia to stick to its commitments that it has openly made and signed up to over the years. my counterpart repeated to me in person that russia has no intention of invading ukraine and while we will take them at their word, we must judge them by their actions. at our meeting i also took the opportunity to address the proposals in russia�*s draft treaty because while this is not a return to normal uk relations, it is important that as one of the biggest military powers in europe, uk maintain strong lines of your medication with russia in order to avoid miscalculation or the risk of escalation —— strong lines of

communication with russia. i have also spoken to by ukrainian counterpart as we continue to support the armed forces of ukraine and the uk has responded alongside the likes of sweden and canada to russia�*s previous illegal occupation of crimea with defence capability building including training and reform. as i announced last month, we took the decision to also provide aid to ukraine, and this now means that alongside the us, canada, estonia, latvia and lithuania and the netherlands, the uk has notjust spoken but acted. i�*m pleased with the efforts being made by a range of european leaders including president putin to find a way through as we must remain resolute in our commitment —— including president macron. intimidation and aggression, however, must not be rewarded, and we should be under no illusion, the russian forces have now amassed on

ukraine�*s borders 65% of all their land combat power, and the formation threatens the integrity of a sovereign state but undermines international law and the democratic values under which we in europe strongly believe and the foreign office has relocated the embassy further west in the country and it advised all uk nationals to leave ukraine two weeks ago by all means possible. the ministry of defence will continue to monitor russian actions and support ukrainian defensive efforts and contribute to nato�*s response measures and we continue to hope that president putin will pull back from an invasion but we must prepare for the consequences if he doesn�*t. i will update the house as i have continued to do so over the last couple of weeks both in the chamber and two colleagues online. thank you. now the shadow secretary of state. the

defence secretary has been busy in recent weeks and i welcome his statement _ recent weeks and i welcome his statement today and can i also thank him for— statement today and can i also thank him for keeping the opposition parties — him for keeping the opposition parties updated during these grave escalations of the russian threats and this— escalations of the russian threats and this is— escalations of the russian threats and this is the most serious security— and this is the most serious security crisis europe has faced since _ security crisis europe has faced since the — security crisis europe has faced since the cold war. ukrainian people. — since the cold war. ukrainian people, citizens of a proud independent and democratic country, face an— independent and democratic country, face an utterly unprecedented threat from two _ face an utterly unprecedented threat from two thirds of russia's entire forces, _ from two thirds of russia's entire forces, built up now on its borders. there _ forces, built up now on its borders. there is— forces, built up now on its borders. there is a _ forces, built up now on its borders. there is a unified uk political support— there is a unified uk political support for ukraine's sovereignty and its _ support for ukraine's sovereignty and its territorial integrity in the face of _ and its territorial integrity in the face of its — and its territorial integrity in the face of its continuing russian aggression and the government has it support— aggression and the government has it support in_ aggression and the government has it support in helping it to pursue diplomacy even at this 11th hour and

even though president putin has proved _ even though president putin has proved more interested in disinformation and diplomacy. we also fully— disinformation and diplomacy. we also fully support moves to reinforce the security of nato allies — reinforce the security of nato allies as _ reinforce the security of nato allies as the labour leader iain myself— allies as the labour leader iain myself told the general secretary at nato h0 _ myself told the general secretary at nato hq earlier this month —— and myself _ nato hq earlier this month —— and myself. president putin wants to divide _ myself. president putin wants to divide and — myself. president putin wants to divide and weaken the west and to turn back— divide and weaken the west and to turn back the clock and re—establish russian _ turn back the clock and re—establish russian control over neighbouring countries — russian control over neighbouring countries. the real threat to president _ countries. the real threat to president putin and his russian elites _ president putin and his russian elites is — president putin and his russian elites is ukraine as a successful democracy, choosing for itself its trading _ democracy, choosing for itself its trading and security links with the west _ trading and security links with the west an — trading and security links with the west. an attack on ukraine is an attack— west. an attack on ukraine is an attack on — west. an attack on ukraine is an attack on democracy. we welcome the message _ attack on democracy. we welcome the message from munich at the weekend that any— message from munich at the weekend that any invasion will be met with massive _ that any invasion will be met with massive sanctions in a swift unified western— massive sanctions in a swift unified western response. the european union will lead _

western response. the european union will lead on _ western response. the european union will lead on sanctions legislation for most — will lead on sanctions legislation for most european allies, especially to clamp _ for most european allies, especially to clamp down on finances and critical— to clamp down on finances and critical technologies for russia, so how is— critical technologies for russia, so how is the — critical technologies for russia, so how is the european commission and council? _ how is the european commission and council? what meetings have uk ministers — council? what meetings have uk ministers had to discuss this coordination? the other message from munich— coordination? the other message from munich at— coordination? the other message from munich at the weekend was that allies— munich at the weekend was that allies stand ready for further talks and the _ allies stand ready for further talks and the defence secretary said this afternoon — and the defence secretary said this afternoon. i'm pleased by the efforts— afternoon. i'm pleased by the efforts being made by a range of leaders — efforts being made by a range of leaders including president macron but what _ leaders including president macron but what is the uk prime minister doing. _ but what is the uk prime minister doing, befitting the uk as a leading member— doing, befitting the uk as a leading member of the nato alliance and a permanent member of the un security council? _ permanent member of the un security council? with the most serious tensions— council? with the most serious tensions and developments in the donbas, _ tensions and developments in the donbas, why did the uk government remove _ donbas, why did the uk government remove uk _ donbas, why did the uk government remove uk staff from the osce monitoring mission there when those from all— monitoring mission there when those from all other european countries have _ from all other european countries have stayed to do a job which is more _ have stayed to do a job which is more vital— have stayed to do a job which is more vital now than ever? the

defence — more vital now than ever? the defence secretary said quite rightly. _ defence secretary said quite rightly, we continue to support ukrainian — rightly, we continue to support ukrainian defensive efforts including with lethal eight, so what more _ including with lethal eight, so what more will— including with lethal eight, so what more will he now do with nato to help ukraine defend itself? —— aid. can he _ help ukraine defend itself? —— aid. can he speed up action through the ukraine _ can he speed up action through the ukraine naval agreement and how feasible _ ukraine naval agreement and how feasible it— ukraine naval agreement and how feasible it is a no—fly zone and what _ feasible it is a no—fly zone and what consideration will he give to support— what consideration will he give to support for ukrainian resistance? we cannot— support for ukrainian resistance? we cannot stand up to russian aggression abroad while accepting russian _ aggression abroad while accepting russian corruption at home. and for too long _ russian corruption at home. and for too long the — russian corruption at home. and for too long the uk has been the destination for the dirty money that keeps _ destination for the dirty money that keeps putin in power so where is the economic— keeps putin in power so where is the economic crime bill? promised by the government— economic crime bill? promised by the government and then pulled. where is the comprehensive reform of companies house and where is the law to register— companies house and where is the law to register following agents and where _ to register following agents and where is — to register following agents and where is the register of overseas entities — where is the register of overseas entities bill, as the replacement for the _ entities bill, as the replacement for the outdated computer misuse act

and where _ for the outdated computer misuse act and where are the new rules on political— and where are the new rules on political donations and why does the government's elections bill make these _ government's elections bill make these problems worse by enabling political— these problems worse by enabling political donations from donors based — political donations from donors based overseas? whether or not president — based overseas? whether or not president putin invades ukraine, russia's— president putin invades ukraine, russia's long run pattern of aggression demands a nato response so can— aggression demands a nato response so can the _ aggression demands a nato response so can the secretary of state report from his— so can the secretary of state report from his meeting last week with nato defence ministers on how the alliances— defence ministers on how the alliance's overall posture is set to change? — alliance's overall posture is set to change? can he explain what could be taken _ change? can he explain what could be taken to— change? can he explain what could be taken to better coordinate nato with the joint _ taken to better coordinate nato with the joint expeditionary force, for instance — the joint expeditionary force, for instance creating a regional readiness force? finally, does ukraine— readiness force? finally, does ukraine not expose the flaws in the 'oint ukraine not expose the flaws in the joint review, first with the focus on the — joint review, first with the focus on the indo pacific and with the plan _ on the indo pacific and with the plan to— on the indo pacific and with the plan to cut _ on the indo pacific and with the plan to cut the british army by another— plan to cut the british army by another 10,000 soldiers? will he now

stop any— another 10,000 soldiers? will he now stop any further army cuts and will he restore — stop any further army cuts and will he restore the highs defence priority— he restore the highs defence priority to europe, the north atlantic— priority to europe, the north atlantic and the arctic? i'm grateful— atlantic and the arctic? i'm grateful to the right honourable gentleman for grateful to the right honourable rentlema ., , , , grateful to the right honourable rentlema ., , , ., gentleman for his support and he will know that _ gentleman for his support and he will know that we _ gentleman for his support and he will know that we are _ gentleman for his support and he will know that we are grateful, i gentleman for his support and he i will know that we are grateful, the government, and also the efforts to be united across the house, which has been one of the strongest messages we can send to russia as we are united across nato and indeed the eu, to make sure that their behaviour is not acceptable. when the gentleman asked about sanctions, the gentleman asked about sanctions, the foreign secretary has been in conversation more than the weekly with the eu on coordinating sanctions to make sure the eu commission who is the lead on their sanctions, the us and the uk, is as close as possible in lockstep, at the eu have taken the position that

they will prepare and deliver the sanctions should an invasion happen at that moment, and the us and the uk has laid before the house their sanctions they will put in place, which is a different approach but we know from our own experience that the eu can move quickly at a commission ever when it wants to do so and there is no loss of appetite, or lack of appetite to deal with president putin through sanctions should he make the tragic mistake of invading ukraine, and i don�*t think anyone should play into the differences of timing to suggest that. it isjust differences of timing to suggest that. it is just a simple mechanism of approach. the foreign secretary also in a group with italy, france and germany and the us, nato and the eu, is working on those responses and they are regularly having discussions. 0n the issue of the

osce, i'd discussions. 0n the issue of the osce, i�*d know that one individual 0sce, i�*d know that one individual has been in touch and he is a uk citizen and there were certain advices to citizens of our country and if you find yourself in any organisation that is our advice but other members have left might not all of them, but i will get him the full details as well. when it comes to the bigger question of issues like aid, ukrainian resistance and further support, like aid, ukrainian resistance and furthersupport, he like aid, ukrainian resistance and further support, he will know it is best pursued in a bilateral basis between countries and groupings of countries such as through lethal aid and there has been much made of the fact that countries like germany and france have not done lethal aid to ukraine but i simply reflect that the strength of an alliance of 30 is that we can all play to our strengths and that is important, that we recognise not every country is going to have the same view but as an alliance of 30 we can play to

our strengths and we can deliver to ukraine what it needs. we have seen an increase in aid to ukraine from the likes of germany as well as medical supplies and in other countries like the uk in the baltic states, lethal aid plays a part and thatis states, lethal aid plays a part and that is important, in order to keep going to get at the same speed, we recognise that we are going to tackle russia we have to play to that strength. the eu has a strong role to play in helping the resilience of neighbouring countries through migrant flows in belarus, and if a million refugees appear in hungry or romania or poland, i would say the eu needs to step up and think about what it will do about millions of refugees on their soil rather than think about it afterwards and that is where the eu commission can play a strong role in resilience building. his comment on the integrated review, and i think it is the opposite, actually, if you read the review and the command paper, it shows that we have to be ready, and what it shows is that

russia and adversaries like russia, they don�*t go with a big bang and just arrived with a big invasion, they soften up their targets using sub threshold methods and organised crime and cyber crime and they turn up crime and cyber crime and they turn up incrementally and many of the forces we see now massed on the ukrainian border were pre—in april following an exercise and then their troops went home to barix which allowed them to be ready and to deploy in days while the traditional model of nato has been weeks and months for us to deploy and that is why we have put a premium on speed and readiness and if sometimes the premium means less mass that is why we have an alliance to pick up. we have an alliance of 30 countries and we outspent russia as a collective group of nations and indeed capabilities and that is why i now able to offer true forces which will turn up on the day rather than what we had even in my day when i was serving in west germany or north

germany which was fixation or numbers but when you pressed the button, instead of a division, you got a brigade, and button, instead of a division, you gota brigade, and i button, instead of a division, you got a brigade, and i think it is more important to show strength to the russians, that we mean what we say. i was the security minutes when i introduced the finance crime act and there was no more greater jabbing than taking down the dirty money in the city than me. i bought in the mobile stores of wealth and in the mobile stores of wealth and in fact helped set out the economic crime unit and i also made sure that we changed the law around tax evasion to make sure we got more people and pushed incredibly hard and successfully through the g7, the transparent register of benefits, but he is right we need to do more and i supported at the time and i still do, the register of foreign agents, and the government is looking at these issues and i think he is right around areas like companies house. the government is

committed to do something about it and i expect an announcement soon on and i expect an announcement soon on a range of issues but he is right that the consequences of russian action going back to salisbury and before is that we must stop the oligarchs and their dirty money resident in this country, behaving as a place of refuge, when they should not be welcome, and if it comes to an invasion of ukraine, russia should know what it costs to be isolated. russia should know what it costs to be isolated-— russia should know what it costs to be isolated._ can i - be isolated. theresa may. can i commend _ be isolated. theresa may. can i commend the _ be isolated. theresa may. can i commend the government - be isolated. theresa may. can i commend the government for l be isolated. theresa may. can i - commend the government for their robust _ commend the government for their robust stance which they have taken alongside _ robust stance which they have taken alongside our american and european allies in_ alongside our american and european allies in the _ alongside our american and european allies in the face of russian threats— allies in the face of russian threats against grain. president putin— threats against grain. president putin wants to weaken nato but —— against _ putin wants to weaken nato but —— against ukraine. but any further action— against ukraine. but any further action to — against ukraine. but any further action to invade ukrainian territory by the _ action to invade ukrainian territory by the russians can only lead to a strengthening of the determination of the _ strengthening of the determination of the uk, nato and the western alliance — of the uk, nato and the western alliance to defend the rights of sovereign states and to defend democracy? she

sovereign states and to defend democracy?— sovereign states and to defend democra ? ,, , ., , , democracy? she is absolutely right and i have democracy? she is absolutely right and l have to _ democracy? she is absolutely right and i have to say _ democracy? she is absolutely right and i have to say when _ democracy? she is absolutely right and i have to say when i _ democracy? she is absolutely right and i have to say when i was - democracy? she is absolutely right and i have to say when i was with l and i have to say when i was with her security minister, it was her support that allowed us to sometimes overall the treasury to get those things through the criminal finances act —— overrule it. in 2014 after the invasion of crimea, president putin got the opposite of what he wanted, more forces on the east of europe and or defence spending and if he continues down this line i expect he will continue to get more forces on his border and greater defence spending across nato, the opposite of what he is intending to do. i hope he learns the lesson of 2015 but at the moment it is not looking good. 2015 but at the moment it is not looking good-— looking good. stuart malcolm macdonald. _ looking good. stuart malcolm macdonald, the _ looking good. stuart malcolm macdonald, the snp - looking good. stuart malcolm - macdonald, the snp spokesperson. i'm macdonald, the snp spokesperson. [int .rateful. macdonald, the snp spokesperson. grateful. can i thank the secretary for the _ grateful. can i thank the secretary for the updates he has given opposition parties. on these benches we are _ opposition parties. on these benches we are friends of ukraine and we are supporters— we are friends of ukraine and we are supporters of international law and

we support absolutely ukraine's right— we support absolutely ukraine's right and — we support absolutely ukraine's right and ability to organise its security— right and ability to organise its security affairs as it sees fit but as the — security affairs as it sees fit but as the russian security council meeting — as the russian security council meeting happening shows we have reached _ meeting happening shows we have reached a — meeting happening shows we have reached a dangerous moment in all of this. reached a dangerous moment in all of this the _ reached a dangerous moment in all of this. the secretary has mentioned the new— this. the secretary has mentioned the new sanctions package that was announced — the new sanctions package that was announced by the governmentjust before _ announced by the governmentjust before the recess and when that package — before the recess and when that package was announced, it stated that it _ package was announced, it stated that it will— package was announced, it stated that it will give the government the ability— that it will give the government the ability to— that it will give the government the ability to sanction entities and individuals of economic and strategic interests to russia but only if— strategic interests to russia but only if there is a further escalation. that escalation has started — escalation. that escalation has started and we saw that yesterday, saturday _ started and we saw that yesterday, saturday and on friday, anyone who was following events in the donbas region. _ was following events in the donbas region. so— was following events in the donbas region, so isn't it time to start sanctioning individuals and entities of strategic interest now including

those _ of strategic interest now including those here in this country? given the importance that this information and the _ the importance that this information and the entire architecture that the russian _ and the entire architecture that the russian government has to spread disinformation to the conflict it is perpetrating against ukraine, shouldn't that start with some of those _ shouldn't that start with some of those disinformation rackets here, the like _ those disinformation rackets here, the like of— those disinformation rackets here, the like of sputnik and others, now? he is— the like of sputnik and others, now? he is absolutely right. the new leader of alba may like to reflect on his celebrity status on some of those channels, and i would say, the government does have some powers and we have used that again some individuals following events in salisbury. some russian ministers themselves were sanctioned and we do continue to deliver them but on the

wider response, the whole of government will produce a response to this house in due course and i understand his point about should we not do sanctions now rather than wait for it to happen and i think the key is that we have to be in a position to threaten and deliver sanctions against russia if they do something and if we were to unilaterally deliver them now and america wasn't and the eu wasn't, there is a danger that president putin would play into a divide and rule narrative he is trying to do. there are plenty of measures we can take and we are planning a serious set of sanctions and i think the reality and the question to president putin is, do you actually care what is going to happen to your people, because they will suffer most as a result of the sanctions and it will be interesting whether he will listen to that.— he will listen to that. tobias ellwood- — he will listen to that. tobias ellwood. the _ he will listen to that. tobias ellwood. the penny - he will listen to that. tobias ellwood. the penny was - he will listen to that. tobias - ellwood. the penny was dropping at the munich security _ ellwood. the penny was dropping at the munich security conference - ellwood. the penny was dropping at the munich security conference that| the munich security conference that this is— the munich security conference that this is not— the munich security conference that this is notjust about ukraine but a

wider— this is notjust about ukraine but a wider realignment of global power with a _ wider realignment of global power with a formation of a new russia china _ with a formation of a new russia china alliance that is fuelling the adventurism from putin and taking us to what— adventurism from putin and taking us to what is— adventurism from putin and taking us to what is perhaps another cold war. could _ to what is perhaps another cold war. could i_ to what is perhaps another cold war. could i ask— to what is perhaps another cold war. could i ask the secretary of state look at _ could i ask the secretary of state look at the issues of sanctions because — look at the issues of sanctions because there is a concern we are helping _ because there is a concern we are helping putin in his intention of turning — helping putin in his intention of turning russia away from the west and towards a new alliance with china _ and towards a new alliance with china in— and towards a new alliance with china in the long—term future? if china in the long—term future? russia china in the long—term future? if russia wants to be dependent on china, i think they will recognise that will be a wrong decision. china and russia are directly in competition over the high north and the route through the arctic and russia surely will not want to depend entirely on china in the same way that many european states are regretting being entirely dependent on russian gas. it is important that we have a range of sanctions that

are not only directed at the regime but also some of the bankers and their people who helped them carry on as normal. ben their people who helped them carry on as normal-— their people who helped them carry on as normal._ i - their people who helped them carry| on as normal._ i fully on as normal. ben bradshaw. i fully su ort on as normal. ben bradshaw. i fully support what _ on as normal. ben bradshaw. i fully support what the — on as normal. ben bradshaw. i fully support what the defence _ on as normal. ben bradshaw. i fully support what the defence secretary| support what the defence secretary said and _ support what the defence secretary said and the response of the shadow defence _ said and the response of the shadow defence secretary but as the architect of unexplained wealth orders, — architect of unexplained wealth orders, he must share the frustration that not a single one has been — frustration that not a single one has been issued under the current prime _ has been issued under the current prime minister, not a single russian who was— prime minister, not a single russian who was given a golden visa it has been _ who was given a golden visa it has been named? why does he think we have been— been named? why does he think we have been so slow at tackling dirty russian _ have been so slow at tackling dirty russian money in london? unexplained wealth orders — russian money in london? unexplained wealth orders are _ russian money in london? unexplained wealth orders are a _ russian money in london? unexplained wealth orders are a matter— russian money in london? unexplained wealth orders are a matter for- russian money in london? unexplained wealth orders are a matter for the - wealth orders are a matter for the investigators of the national crime agency and economic crime and i can no more direct these orders than he can although when i was security minister i was a victim of a russian fraud that tried to report me having a conversation with a russian prosecutor general and erecting them. i'm disappointed there are not

as many as he mentions —— and directing them. he is right, there are not enough to be used, and we are not enough to be used, and we are quite unique in having them, not many other countries, and we should do more, and i think we should understand why the nca has not delivered as many as we had hoped. there are other tools to look at and i welcome the long—term commitment on beneficial ownership and i think the companies house legislation is something we will see soon and i remember being horrified to discover that even a sanctioned individual could open a company because i don't even think in those days they were given identity check. that has got to step. it will take legislation and i hope the whole house will stop —— support that. lain and i hope the whole house will stop -- support that-— -- support that. iain duncan smith. i recommend _ -- support that. iain duncan smith. i recommend the _

-- support that. iain duncan smith. i recommend the calm _ -- support that. iain duncan smith. i recommend the calm posture - -- support that. iain duncan smith. i recommend the calm posture of l -- support that. iain duncan smith. | i recommend the calm posture of my ri-ht i recommend the calm posture of my right honourable friend but can i say that — right honourable friend but can i say that in— right honourable friend but can i say that in the course of these debates— say that in the course of these debates we have behaved as though russia _ debates we have behaved as though russia is— debates we have behaved as though russia is threatening to invade ukraine, — russia is threatening to invade ukraine, but russia has already invaded — ukraine, but russia has already invaded ukraine, taking the crimea, they are _ invaded ukraine, taking the crimea, they are now furnishing the donbas region— they are now furnishing the donbas region to _ they are now furnishing the donbas region to create further trouble so when _ region to create further trouble so when we _ region to create further trouble so when we look at it like this, what worries— when we look at it like this, what worries me — when we look at it like this, what worries me is that lots of foreign leaders — worries me is that lots of foreign leaders are going over to see putin which _ leaders are going over to see putin which is _ leaders are going over to see putin which is what he wants, and we may .et which is what he wants, and we may get a _ which is what he wants, and we may get a position where... which is what he wants, and we may get a position where. . .— get a position where... studio: iain duncan smith _ get a position where... studio: iain duncan smith there. _ get a position where... studio: iain duncan smith there. the _ get a position where... studio: iain duncan smith there. the defence i duncan smith there. the defence secretary ben follett says there has been a proliferation of false flag events —— ben wallace. we also heard in the house of commons from tobias ellwood, and earlier he met with adam smith, the armed services committee chair, and adam smith told me that he was hoping that these

would be valuable meetings. you can see adam smith talking to me on hard talk which is on the bbc iplayer later on. just to give you an update. this is from the foreign ministry in kyiv, ukraine is seeking an urgent meeting with the un security council. he says russia has got to be stopped now. he is looking for practical steps to guarantee the security of ukraine. more on that at four o'clock. now it's time for a look at the weather with stav. hello. it's been a very stormy past 2a hours — storm franklin has brought severe gales, particularly to the north of the uk, and we still have dozens

of flood warnings in force across england and wales. a couple of severe ones across northwest england around the river mersey. storm franklin now clearing away. you can see this ridge of high pressure building in. that's going to settle things down. so it is an improving sort of day regarding the winds and we should see increasing amounts of sunshine as well as the afternoon wears on, just a few showers across central and eastern areas. still a very blustery day, but not as windy as it has been. you can see these gusts still a feature across eastern areas through the afternoon, but lighter further north and west. temperatures not too bad for the time of year, 10—12 degrees which is above the seasonal norm. single figures there for the north of scotland, where there'll be a few showers. eventually, the winds will ease right down through this evening and overnight. a ridge of high pressure builds in, so the winds turning light and it will turn quite chilly across eastern areas under clear skies. but the next frontal system will arrive across the north—west of the country, increasing cloud, wind, outbreaks of rain. so temperatures will be lifting out

west, but a chillier night to come across eastern areas. so here it is — a new frontal system with strong winds spreading across the country, not as severe as what we've seen over the past few days, but it's still going to be a blustery sort of day. with outbreaks of rain, some of this heavier across the north and the west of the country, but it will be fizzling out as it moves its way south—eastwards through the morning and into the afternoon, eventually clearing the southeast around the middle part of the afternoon. and then again, it's a bright day with sunshine, blustery showers, these wintry across the north and the west. but should be quite a bit of sunshine around, which is good news, of course, for the flooding in many areas. temperatures double figures in the south. cooler in the north. another bump of high pressure will bring a fine day to central and southern areas for wednesday, but to the north—west of the country, this very deep low in the north atlantic will bring another cloudy, windy, wet day across northern ireland and scotland. there will be gales again across the northwest of the country. the winds lighter the further south you are — just one or two showers dotted around. otherwise, it's not a bad day with variable cloud, some spells of sunshine, and temperatures in double figures

here, but a chilly day in the north with snow on the hills. it's a very windy day on thursday, widespread gales, particularly in the north and the west, with sunshine and showers, and then it looks to be quieter for friday with some sunshine.

this is bbc news. the headlines: an additional booster vaccine should be offered to all those over—75 and those over 12 who are most vulnerable — according to the uk's vaccine advisory body. that's that announcement was made in the last hour. borisjohnson prepares to announce plans to scrap all remaining covid legal restrictions in england — including the requirement to self—isolate. the prime minister is due to set out his 'living with covid' plan for england in the next hour — we'll bring that to you live. in the course of the are between now in 5pm. president putin chairs an unscheduled meeting of russia's security council — and considers formally recognising parts of eastern ukraine controlled by russian separatists. western officials say russia

is moving more of its military units closer to the border with ukraine, despite discussions about a possible summit to defuse tensions. ukraine has requested an emergency meeting of the un secretary council. to discuss ways of guaranteeing its safety. complementing this troop build—up has been a proliferation of false flag operations, propaganda stunts and in russian news outlets carrying fictitious allegations. good afternoon, welcome to bbc news. the uk's vaccines advisory body has announced that an additional covid booster dose should be offered to all adults over—75 and the most vulnerable

over—125 this spring. the news comes as borisjohnson is shortly due to set out plans in the house of commons to scrap all remaining legal covid restrictions in england — including the requirement to self—isolate if you test positive. the prime minister says that the plan for 'living with covid' will return to people their freedom. some experts have urged caution over lifting restrictions completely, and labour is questioning the plans to reduce testing. our health correspondent jim reed has this report. it's been one of the most visible rules of the pandemic. phone alert dings. those who test positive for covid were told they must stay at home for up to ten days, or could pick up a £1,000 fine. later this week, that legal requirement will be dropped in england, replaced with less—formal guidance. there is that fine balance, because we've obviously got to look after people, make sure that they are safe. we've also got to make sure that we can allow our economy to recover, because that in itself has positive benefits for people's

health and wellbeing, and of course, the public finances. the relaxation of that self—isolation rule in england is all part of the government's new covid strategy, expected to be set out in full this afternoon. ministers say the widespread roll—out of boosterjabs means we can now start to live alongside this virus, without formal restrictions. this chart shows just how much difference those vaccines have made. in december 2020, very few people had any immunity to covid. byjanuary this year, 97% of over—16s had build up some level of antibody protection, after being infected orjabbed. we're very well—protected as a community, having been vaccinated and boosted now. now it's a question of seeing what the booster does in the longer—term to our immune system, and also, critically, what the virus is going to do. under the government's plans for england, it's likely free access

to pcr lab testing will also go, to be used only in certain situations, like hospitals. and free rapid lateralflow kits, taken at home, could also be scaled back. the government has said testing costs £2 billion a month that could be spent elsewhere. labour's said limiting it now would be premature. there's days where i feel like literally the house i is closing in on me. any move to relax rules is a worry for people likejuliet. she's clinically vulnerable, and may not be as well—protected by those vaccines. i don't understand why - people can't put a mask on when they're in enclosed areas, why they can't stay home - when they are covid—positive. and some scientists, health leaders and charities have also said they have concerns about the timing of this announcement. the worry about lifting the legal restrictions is that we're telling not only our population, but the world, that there's really

nothing to worry about. that, you know, it's all over, when it isn't. the changes this week will apply to england only. other parts of the uk are moving at their own speed, as the latest omicron wave of this virus passes. more details on rules in scotland are expected tomorrow. jim reed, bbc news. well, as we've been hearing, the uk's vaccine advisory body has said an additional booster dose should be offered to all adults over 75 and the most vulnerable over—125 this spring. our health correspondent anna collinson has been tellings us about the jcvi's recommendation. jcvi are a panel of expert scientists. the way the vaccine roll—out has worked over the pandemic is we hearfrom the medicines regulator, the mhra, who say whether a vaccine is safe and effective, and then thejcvi, it's up to them to look at how it would work and whether they should then advise the government and chief medical officers on how it

should be rolled out. and as you say, in the last hour, we've heard from thejcvi and they have confirmed that there will be another spring booster dose for certain people. it will be more than 8 million people, who are most vulnerable to covid, and the way it will work is that that dose will follow on six months after their previous one. so a lot of people within that group, the last time they will have had their dose was around autumn time, would be around autumn time, so that protection they had wil have started to wane. and so the concern is really to make sure that that group of people you just mentioned, the over 755, care home residents and people who are aged over 12 who are immunosuppressed, to make sure that they can top up their protection. and then the other announcement from thejcvi was about the fact that there will be an autumn roll—out. we didn't get loads of detail on that, but the hope is that this initial move will carry those most vulnerable over to the autumn. and if nothing else, it tells us,

notwithstanding the announcement the prime minister will make today, that you can lift the restrictions but you can't lift the pandemic as such. we are still dependent on whether this virus naturally dies out or carries on coming back year on year. completely. we are at the moment in a real sort of period of transition, and right now we don't actually know what could happen next, really, with covid. could there be another new variant lurking round the corner? and what the jcvi were really keen to stress is, with this announcement, it's a precautionary measure. they're not saying that, if you're in one of these groups, that you should be terribly concerned about your health, but the hope is that by taking that step now, by getting that extra dose this spring, you will therefore protect yourself if the worst happens, if we do then see another wave coming forward, so that's the message, really, a really precautionary step. western officials have said russia is continuing to build

up its forces close to the border with ukraine, despite discussions about a possible summit to defuse tensions. and in the past hour — ukraine has called for an urgent meeting of the un security council. it comes as president putin tells his security council that ukraine is being used as a tool against russia, presenting a major and dangerous threat to his country. he made the remarks in a rare public gathering with his ministers and security officials. mr putin also asked the meeting to consider an appeal for recognition made to him by the two breakaway regions of ukraine, controlled by russian—backed separatists. here's what the russian leader said in that meeting. translation: there are a few ideas that need to be discussed, _ and we proposed a few ideas to our partners on the issue of european security and certain systems of weapons, medium—range rockets and so on.

we are prepared to discuss these issues. we are also prepared to conduct negotiations. but all the issues, as we mentioned before, need to be considered comprehensively. they should not be separated from other issues. of course, the topic of european security has been discussed in the context of the current situation, the situation with ukraine. as we know, ukrainian authorities refused to follow through on minsk agreements, and on normandy agreement that was reached later on. there are a few principal elements. constitutional reform, amnesty, and special status for eastern ukraine.

president putin, speaking earlier this afternoon. in the house of commons in the past hour, defence secretary ben wallace said there was strong cause for concern that president putin is still committed to an invasion of ukraine. complementing this troop build—up has been the proliferation of false flag operations, propaganda stunts and russian news outlets carrying fictitious allegations. these are not the actions of a russian government fulfilling its repeated declarations that it has no intention of invading ukraine. in fact, we have seen over the last few weeks the russian playbook being implemented in a way that gives us strong cause for concern that president putin is still committed to an invasion. i believe he is in danger of setting himself on a tragic course of events leading to a humanitarian crisis, instability and widespread suffering, notjust of ukrainians, but also of the russian people. ben wallace, who is still on his

feetin ben wallace, who is still on his feet in the house of commons now. let's talk to our diplomatic correspondent james landale. another day in which things move fast, this morning i woke up to news on the radio that there might be a summit between president putin and president biden, is now ours later is looking a little less hopeful. the americans and the french say they agreed to a summit in principle, that both presidents had agreed to that. the kremlin was slightly cooler. they said they did not rule it out, it was possible, feasible, but premature to say anything concrete had been agreed, there are no dates, no format, and as we know with global summits involving presidents, that matters, because these things take a lot of preparation and time. you because these things take a lot of preparation and time.— because these things take a lot of preparation and time. you don't 'ust wander in and — preparation and time. you don't 'ust wander in and start i preparation and time. you don't 'ust wander in and start chatting. h preparation and time. you don'tjust wander in and start chatting. no. . preparation and time. you don'tjust wander in and start chatting. no. soj wander in and start chatting. no. so there's that — wander in and start chatting. no. so there's that point. _ wander in and start chatting. no. so there's that point. it _ wander in and start chatting. no. so there's that point. it doesn't - wander in and start chatting. no. so there's that point. it doesn't mean l there's that point. it doesn't mean it will never happen. the crucial point with the summit as this. us, and russian foreign ministers are meeting later this week, does the

chat about this by sometime? does it hold off military action for another few days? so that potential things could come down. that's the question, immediately. we could come down. that's the question, immediately. i've 'ust in an interview— question, immediately. i've 'ust in an interview with i question, immediately. i've 'ust in an interview with the fi question, immediately. i'vejust in an interview with the chairman - question, immediately. i'vejust in an interview with the chairman of. an interview with the chairman of the house of commons service committee, adam smith, that will be on the bbc website this afternoon for hard talk, and he was saying, look, we are not talking about, at this stage, and as much as we would love to talk about a peaceful end to this conflict, what we talk about is buying time, giving more energy, more momentum to discussions. but some of those discussions get used to justify things. some of those discussions get used tojustify things. president some of those discussions get used to justify things. president putin talked on the phone to president emanuel macron, who said there might be elections in eastern ukraine, suddenly he is saying to the national security council, they might be holding elections, and that could be used as an excuse to act. even the diplomacy becomes part of the build—up, potentially, for military action. the build-up, potentially, for military action.— the build-up, potentially, for military action. the big question that hangs _ military action. the big question

that hangs over _ military action. the big question that hangs over all _ military action. the big question that hangs over all of _ military action. the big question that hangs over all of this - military action. the big question that hangs over all of this now, | that hangs over all of this now, particularly after what we just so come of it but public discussion in russia between putin and his senior advisers about what they should do, clearly delightful cameras... great theatre! but _ clearly delightful cameras... great theatre! but the _ clearly delightful cameras... great theatre! but the crucial _ clearly delightful cameras... great theatre! but the crucial point - clearly delightful cameras... great theatre! but the crucial point is . theatre! but the crucial point is this, mr putin _ theatre! but the crucial point is this, mr putin said _ theatre! but the crucial point is this, mr putin said that - theatre! but the crucial point is this, mr putin said that there i theatre! but the crucial point isj this, mr putin said that there is this, mr putin said that there is this question now about, does russia recognise these's breakaway separatist, pro—russian clays in ukraine? up until now russia has never formally recognise them. if it chooses to do that, and mr putin said the decision would be taken later today, said the decision would be taken latertoday, if said the decision would be taken later today, if that were to happen, then the likelihood of conflict goes through the roof because that is the moment when russia says, right, all of that discussion we had about the so—called minsk peace process, should there be elections in the area? what powers should these, what kind of devolution should there be to use an english phrase, within ukraine? at that point, russia says, no, that's no longer, we consider these bits no longer to be part of

ukraine. 50 if these newly recognised independent enclaves invite russian troops in, russia would say they've been invited into an independent... the rest of the world would say, no, you have crossed ukrainian territory and at that point the famous russian toecap is over the line, the prospect of conflict looms. but is over the line, the prospect of conflict looms.— is over the line, the prospect of conflict looms. but even in those circumstances, _ conflict looms. but even in those circumstances, and _ conflict looms. but even in those circumstances, and again, - conflict looms. but even in those circumstances, and again, adam| conflict looms. but even in those - circumstances, and again, adam smith made it clear, we've seen and will not see a shift from the position that nato troops will not fight to defend ukraine, they will help and support, they might be standing at the border prepared to repel anyone who comes near them, but ukraine stands alone. who comes near them, but ukraine stands alone-— stands alone. yeah. but the interesting _ stands alone. yeah. but the interesting question - stands alone. yeah. but the interesting question now . stands alone. yeah. but the interesting question now is, stands alone. yeah. but the l interesting question now is, if stands alone. yeah. but the - interesting question now is, if that were to happen, if the worst case scenario —, how much would the west and nato fuel and support ukrainian insurgency with the provision of weapons? not boots on the ground but the provision of weapons, nato countries have done that already,

the uk provided a number of bazookas, with more of that happen? it's a really interesting question to which ministers at the moment give equivocal answers. apparently the military college _ give equivocal answers. apparently the military college the _ give equivocal answers. apparently the military college the porcupine i the military college the porcupine strategy, making it as uncomfortable as possible. an intriguing prospect. i hope it never gets there but it will be interesting to see how the next few hours and days develop, thank you. development is on the ukrainian crisis as it unfolds. earlier, francis scarr from bbc monitoring, gave me his analysis of what president putin said this afternoon. he spoke to, as you said, members of his security council, which is arguably the most important decision—making body in russia, and was reportedly responsible for taking the decision to annex crimea

in 2014. up until now he has kept his cards pretty close to his chest. the russian parliament last week appealed to the president, calling for him to recognise the two rebel held republics, self—declared held republics, self—decla red republics held republics, self—declared republics in eastern ukraine, and today, as you said, both of the leaders of those republics told him they wanted russia to recognise them as independent from kyiv. now, in practice, we're not what this might mean, but it could potentially allow the kremlin to place troops on their territory while telling the rest of the world that there are not in ukraine. �* , , ., ukraine. it's interesting, that, because one _ ukraine. it's interesting, that, because one of _ ukraine. it's interesting, that, because one of the _ ukraine. it's interesting, that, because one of the bits - ukraine. it's interesting, that, because one of the bits of- ukraine. it's interesting, that, - because one of the bits of evidence that president putin played in aid for this discussion was his conversation with president macron late last night, early hours of the morning in moscow, when they were

talking about whether there might be a summit with president biden, and president putin claims to the national security council that macron told him ukraine was preparing fresh elections for these breakaway regions. that could be, i suppose, the sort of pretext, as you say, that would justify, from moscow's perspective, putting troops into those two self—declared republics. into those two self-declared republics-— into those two self-declared reublics. ,, ,., ., , republics. quite potentially. i mean, republics. quite potentially. i mean. putin _ republics. quite potentially. i mean, putin has— republics. quite potentially. i mean, putin has this - republics. quite potentially. i mean, putin has this whole i republics. quite potentially. i. mean, putin has this whole time asked ukraine to abide by the minsk accords, this set of measures that were agreed upon when ukraine was at its weakest point in 2014 and 2015. and that would allow elections to take place in the eastern rebel held parts of the country in return, in effect, for there we incorporation into ukraine. the trouble is that that would allow them to essentially have a veto on ukraine's foreign policy, and prevented from joining

nato. and of course, really, this comes at a time when the west is warning of false flag attacks and any kind of so—called provocation that russia might use for, as a pretext for an invasion. live now to washington and we can speak to chuck hagel, who was the former us secretary of defense during the obama administration. thank you very much for talking to us, we are grateful for your time. you had just left office at the time when crimea was annexed. with hindsight, and i know hindsight... forgive me, where you still in office at that point? 2014, forgive me. with hindsight, do you look back and say, perhaps we in the west should have taken a further line at that point —— firmer line at that point? that point -- firmer line at that oint? . ~' ,,

that point -- firmer line at that oint? ., ,, i. ., that point -- firmer line at that oint? ., ,, ., ., ., ., point? thank you for allowing me to be on bbc- — point? thank you for allowing me to be on bbc. now, _ point? thank you for allowing me to be on bbc. now, i _ point? thank you for allowing me to be on bbc. now, i don't _ point? thank you for allowing me to be on bbc. now, i don't think- point? thank you for allowing me to be on bbc. now, i don't think we i be on bbc. now, i don't think we could have. a couple of things here that i think some people don't always factor into this. in crimea, he was already there. russian troops were there already. they had a 25 year lease with ukraine, that they could house soldiers in crimea. 90% of the crimean people are russian nationals. crimea was always the stepchild of kyiv, it never received much assistance, much electricity, their electricity production was on and off. so that was pretty easy for putin. in the east it was different. when he did what he did. but we had to figure out, first, the ukrainian army was very weak, very unsophisticated. we couldn't give them sophisticated weaponry because they didn't know how to use it. it

would have fallen into the hands of the russians. the russians would have slaughtered them at a significant rate. 50 we had to come up significant rate. 50 we had to come up with our european partners, try and find some diplomatic process. that led to minsk one and then a few months later, minsk two. russia has not held any of those requirements. they have violated all of them. i think the times were different, different situation, totally different situation, totally different than what we see now. we see now, if it starts, this could expand into a world confrontation in many ways. because one thing about war, when it starts, it's very uncertain. you don't know where it goes, you can't shut it on and off, it's easy to get into war but not

easy to get out. the us has had three of those wars, vietnam, which i was in that war, afghanistan and so i think president biden is smart in that he is carefully manoeuvring it with the europeans. if president putin invades, totally, completely, then all hell will break loose, and it will be bad. there will be much suffering and the russians will suffer. russians will suffer big time. they will have big casualties, they will have the consequences of having their banking industry essentially, nobody dealing with them, exports, imports, energy issues. 50 that's, i think, them, exports, imports, energy issues. 50 that's, ithink, what he's got, putin has got to think about. . . he's got, putin has got to think about. ., ., ., about. the alternative to fighting is some kind _ about. the alternative to fighting is some kind of _ about. the alternative to fighting is some kind of diplomatic- about. the alternative to fighting i is some kind of diplomatic process. one of the frustrations for ukraine of minsk was that it looked like, effectively, the deal involved them surrendering some of their

sovereignty over even remain parts of ukraine, because tea is, as our colleague was saying, the devolution model, the idea of more devolved powers, but that we can to their sense of the country, come country they already believe russia does not really see as a country and its mindset is still, at least those in power in the kremlin, is a mindset that says belarus and ukraine are just extensions of russia. i that says belarus and ukraine are just extensions of russia.- just extensions of russia. i think that's right- _ just extensions of russia. i think that's right- i— just extensions of russia. i think that's right. i think _ just extensions of russia. i think that's right. | think that - just extensions of russia. i think that's right. i think that is - just extensions of russia. i think that's right. i think that is the i that's right. i think that is the mentality of the russians, especially president putin, and i think that's his approach. he's made no excuses for that. 15 years ago at the munich security conference, he said 15 years ago, this is our sphere of influence and nato is way out of line, they're putting too much into our sphere of influence. and since then he's done a number of

things. one of those was 2014, and he's been, one step at a time, getting closer and closer to realising, ukraine as part of russia and we are going to take it back. so as you say, the minsk agreement was as you say, the minsk agreement was a weak agreement. that's why they went back into a minsk two, to see if they could strengthen that agreement, but no one's lived up to it. the russians haven't lived up to it. the russians haven't lived up to it. but it was a start down the diplomatic track to resolve these problems. and it didn't work. cant problems. and it didn't work. can i ut ou problems. and it didn't work. can i put you something _ problems. and it didn't work. can i put you something that _ problems. and it didn't work. can i put you something that senator bernie sanders said earlier this month? he said, look, however much we dislike president putin's approach, spheres of influence are something america recognises, it's operated under the monroe doctrine for about 100 years, the idea that

what happens in our backyard affects our security and therefore we preserve the right to intervene. and his analogy was to say, why is it so shocking for washington that to intervene in a place like ukraine? he's not defending this but offering a possible explanation when, if mexico were to ally itself with forces hostile to the united states, america might have something to about that. , , ~ �* about that. yes, but i think bernie has taken it _ about that. yes, but i think bernie has taken it in _ about that. yes, but i think bernie has taken it in the _ about that. yes, but i think bernie has taken it in the direction - about that. yes, but i think bernie has taken it in the direction that's| has taken it in the direction that's just not real. with what our situation here... this is a potential invasion of another country, an independent country and nothing like this has been threatened since world war ii. and yes, we all have spheres of influence, yes, if countries were somehow against us, the united states, or against the uk, sure, you would have issues there, and you

would have issues there, and you would have issues there, and you would have to deal with them. but an invasion of another countryjust invasion of another country just because invasion of another countryjust because you say they are part of our historic sphere of influence, that's a step in the wrong direction. the roblem a step in the wrong direction. the problem is _ a step in the wrong direction. the problem is that, you captured brilliantly thought i had over the weekend and i will put it to you, and i know one can misread what lessons one gets from history, but 70 plus years ago, this country, in a desire to avert war, forced a smaller country to give up part of its identity, [and that was then czechoslovakia, and then check is likely no longer existed, effectively german controlled. it's all very well to say we won't send troops for a country that is not in nato, but this is quite a fundamental challenge, notjust nato fundamental challenge, not just nato but fundamental challenge, notjust nato but actually to what we regard as the democratic order, isn't it? it

is, and i think once again it teaches us a lesson here. appeasement will never... will never be in the interests of free people. you can't appease. and once it starts, you have got to do something. you can'tjust sign an agreement like the british prime minister did and wave the flag of peace, coming out of munich in 1938, you can't do that. and that's a lesson i hope we have learned. and so i go back to a point i made earlier. if this thing happens, if he invades, as it appears he is ready to invade, with 190,000 troops and using belarus to the north, that will start something here that we do not know where it will end. and

that's what is so dangerous about this. every country will suffer some. this is the way it's going to be. when you start shutting off exports like energy exports. and when you start freezing financial assets that countries need to trade, exports, imports, the possibility of ms calculation is militarily, shooting down a plane, a us shoots a russian plane down by accident, some young pilot that is overaggressive, just, too many things can happen and will happen that you cannot predict, that will lead to further and further escalation, and expand... and that's what's really dangerous. very grateful for your time. thank you so much. we will leave it there

because we are going to hear from borisjohnson, the prime minister, who is about to stand up in the house of commons. our political correspondent is in central lovey. keir starmer has now appeared in the labour front bench waiting for the prime minister's statement on living with covid, you will be expected to follow very shortly when the debate on ukraine has come to a conclusion, many mps, on ukraine has come to a conclusion, many mp5, of course, wanted to participate in that. as we know of the road towards living with covid plan has been perhaps bumpier than the prime minister has initially wished because the cabinet meeting scheduled for this morning had to be delayed until this afternoon because a tension between the treasury and department of health over extent of free testing, how much testing would still be available once this plan comes into force in england, and also, i'm told, there were some concerns about how much infrastructure they would still be to keep an eye on the virus, if you

like, to identify any new variants. the department of health think they have guarantees to fund that but we understand they have not got guarantees for extra resources from the treasury to fund an extension of free testing for more people. so we will get some details from the prime minister about the restrictions on free testing, who will and will not be eligible, in a few minutes' time but what he will want to announce to many backbenchers who are now beginning to fill the chamber is, of course, that he is going to get rid of all the remaining restrictions in england, the covid restrictions, a month earlier than had previously been the case. and that's likely to please many of them. they like to see an emphasis now on self—reliance rather than on state intervention. but i'm expecting the town nonetheless to still sound cautious and not at all triumphant. —— i'm expecting the first battles of you tell us we will still be living with the virus for some time to come, and people get ill, the guidance, not a legal requirement, but the guidance

is likely to be to stay at home, knots to go out and spread the virus, to continue to be cautious. so if you like, the government is taking a step back per person response ability will be the key message from the prime minister. at this stage we are not expecting him to say the pandemic is behind us but the most politically controversial part of this will be the testing regime, we've heard from the first minister of wales, mark drakeford, saying any testing regimen change would be reckless, premature, we've heard from the shadow health secretary saying the prime minister has declared victory over covid but there war still goes on, i think we'll hearfrom keir there war still goes on, i think we'll hear from keir starmer, there war still goes on, i think we'll hearfrom keir starmer, too, and some of the unions involved in the health service and education unions are also that people will feel compelled to go to work while they are ill and that the virus will continue, therefore, to go up. the current cases have gone down quite dramatically, even the most recent

advice from sage, though, is that if you get rid of the advice to self—isolate, kizzi will go back up again. self-isolate, kizzi will go back up aaain. �* , . self-isolate, kizzi will go back up aaain. �*, ., ., ,, self-isolate, kizzi will go back up aaain. ., ,, ., self-isolate, kizzi will go back up atain_ �*, ., ., 4' ., “ again. it's an odd, kind of like the okra timing. _ again. it's an odd, kind of like the okra timing, isn't _ again. it's an odd, kind of like the okra timing, isn't it? _ again. it's an odd, kind of like the okra timing, isn't it? because i again. it's an odd, kind of like the okra timing, isn't it? because we| okra timing, isn't it? because we heard yesterday that the queen has tested positive for covid. she was protected by all kinds of things like bubbles, degree of self isolation by those other members of her family when they got it, and it's a question, anyone that age and their loved ones will be asking, it's all very well to get rid of the legal requirement to self—isolate but what are the consequences for the spread of the virus in the population among the vulnerable? that is a question that will be asked, i think we will still have a commitment, for example, that the most vulnerable will still be eligible for testing, and there was an announcement even before the prime minister stood up that over 755 will be given a fourth jab, another booster, and the id is they will have this every six months to try to give them increased protection and they may extend this

to other vulnerable groups, as well, that's currently being looked at. i think this is the argument that government will make, that effectively, the vaccines are the main line of defence against the virus, ratherthan main line of defence against the virus, rather than what they call non—pharmaceutical interventions it including restrictions and lockdowns, according to the conservative backbenches at the moment. we conservative backbenches at the moment. ~ . , ., moment. we are still waiting, i su ose moment. we are still waiting, i suppose it's — moment. we are still waiting, i suppose it's a _ moment. we are still waiting, i suppose it's a measure - moment. we are still waiting, i suppose it's a measure of i moment. we are still waiting, i suppose it's a measure of the l moment. we are still waiting, i i suppose it's a measure of the crisis in ukraine that the prime minister was due to speak at about liz15pm, the secretary of state for defence, ben wallace, is still continuing with questions, lots of mp5 wanting to contribute on this debate, a real sense we are at a kind of significant moment, and covid is almost the second string story right now because things are moving so fast. how much concern is there in the commons over the pace of events in ukraine? abs, the commons over the pace of events in ukraine? �* . the commons over the pace of events in ukraine? . . ., ., .., . in ukraine? a great deal of concern in ukraine? a great deal of concern in the commons. _ in ukraine? a great deal of concern in the commons. theresa - in ukraine? a great deal of concern in the commons. theresa may, i in ukraine? a great deal of concern in the commons. theresa may, thej in the commons. theresa may, the former conservative prime minister, has been speaking in the debate.

there's also been intervention from chris bryant, from the labour side, suggesting that any sanctions which would be imposed on russia would have to be much stronger than any sanctions that have been imposed in the wake of the crimea intervention in there has also been, i think, sense of fear amongst some mp5 that perhaps the response so far has simply not been quite strong or robust enough and they want some guarantees that that will be very much stronger should russia decide to invade. there is also concern about the potential recognition by russia of two so called breakaway republics, and one of the arguments was being made in the past hour is that in those areas, some of the separatist forces have control on the ground but not control of the entirety of those areas, so there is a realfear that entirety of those areas, so there is a real fear that even entirety of those areas, so there is a realfear that even if entirety of those areas, so there is a real fear that even if there is not a full—scale invasion of ukraine, then russia could use that as a pretext to go into those regions, have at least a limited

conflict with ukrainian forces on the ground, and seize territory, so that has been what people saw as a very worrying development, the ukraine crisis today, one of the reasons that debate is still continuing, and one of the other reason is its continuing is that in many ways, the big announcement which borisjohnson was going to make about ending restrictions, he effectively previewed that himself when he was on the back foot from some of his own backbenchers about ten days ago, head of the half term recess, he told them at that stage that he hoped to be in a position to announce this today, so we knew that was on its way, what we hadn't quite anticipated was the extent of the intra— cabinet wrangles over some of that package, so much so that cabinet ministers were going in for a meeting this morning that was then delayed because none of this had been sorted out over the course of the weekend. you have hung around in the house of commons for many years, when you have a situation where an cabinet minister is waiting to make a

statement, he appears on the front bench and magically he is at the dispatch box within moments, does somebody knock on the door in his office, like an actor getting a curtain call, saying it is five minutes, mrjohnson? probably difficult for _ minutes, mrjohnson? probably difficult for him _ minutes, mrjohnson? probably difficult for him to _ minutes, mrjohnson? probably difficult for him to predict i minutes, mrjohnson? probably difficult for him to predict when | minutes, mrjohnson? probably i difficult for him to predict when he is going to talk, although we know he is there and he is hiding behind the speaker's chair and suddenly he will come in from that direction. he hasjust done that, will come in from that direction. he has just done that, actually. will come in from that direction. he hasjust done that, actually. we has just done that, actually. we will see how quickly the handover takes place. we will go to it as soon as he speaks, but we have got three statements, ben wallace coming to an end there, then the prime minister and then kwasi kwarteng on the effect of the stormers. that minister and then kwasi kwarteng on the effect of the stormers.— the effect of the stormers. that is riaht, we the effect of the stormers. that is right. we have _ the effect of the stormers. that is right, we have an _ the effect of the stormers. that is right, we have an update - the effect of the stormers. that is right, we have an update on i the effect of the stormers. that is right, we have an update on the i right, we have an update on the storms. we will have constituency

mp5 talking about the effects in their areas and the fact that some areas do not have the resilience thatis areas do not have the resilience that is necessary to prevent and clear up some of the flooding that has taken place so that will be important. the prime minister was initially going to milk the lifting of the covid restrictions because not only are we getting this statement, and the cabinet meeting which was postponed, so we will be treated to a press conference this evening at 7pm, but because of the... i evening at 7pm, but because of the... . ~ evening at 7pm, but because of the... . ,, ., evening at 7pm, but because of the... .«r ., , ., , ., the... i will make a strategy on livina the... i will make a strategy on living with _ the... i will make a strategy on living with covid _ the... i will make a strategy on living with covid and _ the... i will make a strategy on living with covid and i - the. .. i will make a strategy on living with covid and i know- the... i will make a strategy on living with covid and i know the house willjoin me in sending our best wishes to her majesty the queen for a full and swift recovery. it is a reminder that the virus has not gone away. but because of the efforts we have made as a country

over the last two years we can now deal with it in a very different way. moving from government restrictions to personal responsibility. so we protect ourselves without losing our liberties. and maintaining our contingent capabilities so we can respond rapidly to any new variant. uk was the first country in the world to administer an approved vaccine and the first european nation to protect half of the population with at one dose and having made that decision to refocus our nhs this winter on the campaign to get boosted now, we were the first major european nation to boost half of the population. and because of the extraordinary success of the vaccination programme we are able to lift our restrictions earlier than other comparable countries, opening up other comparable countries, opening up last summer while others remained closed and keeping things open this winter while others shut down again, making us one of the most open

economies and societies in europe with the fastest growth anywhere in the g7 last year. while the pandemic is not over, we have now passed the peak of the omicron wave with cases falling and hospitalisations in england now fewer than 10000 and still falling, and the link between infection and severe disease substantially weakened. over 71% of all adults are now boosted in england including 93% of those aged 70 and over. together with the treatments and scientific understanding of the virus that we have built up, we now have sufficient levels of immunity. to complete the transition from protecting people with government interventions, to relying on vaccines and treatments as our first line of defence. as we have throughout the past two years, we will continue to work closely with

the devolved administrations as they decide how to take forward their own plans. and today's strategy shows how we will structure our approach in england around four principles. first, we will remove all remaining domestic restrictions in law. from this thursday the 24th of february we will end the legal requirement to self—isolate following a positive test. and so we will also end self isolation support payments although covid provisions for statutory sick pay can still be claimed for a further month. we will end routine contact tracing and no longer ask fully vaccinated close contacts and those under 18 to test daily for seven days. and we will remove the legal requirement for close contacts who are not fully vaccinated to self—isolate. untilthe

who are not fully vaccinated to self—isolate. until the 1st of april we will still advise people who test positive to stay—at—home, but after that we would encourage people with covid—19 symptoms to exercise personal responsibility. just as we encourage people who may have the flu to be considerate to others. it is only because levels of immunity are so high and deaths are now if anything below where you would normally expect for this time of year, that we can lift these restrictions. and it is only because we know omicron is less severe that testing for omicron on the colossal scale we have been doing is much less important and much less valuable in preventing serious illness. we should be proud that the uk has established the biggest testing programme per person of any large country in the world. this

came at vast cost and the test and trace and isolation budget in 2020, 2021 exceeded the entire budget of the home office. it cost a further £15.7 billion in this financial year and £2 billion injanuary alone at the height of the omicron wave. we must now scale back. from today we are removing the guidance for staff and students in most educational childcare settings to undertake twice—weekly asymptomatic testing and from the 1st of april when winter is over and the virus will spread less easily, we will end free symptomatic and asymptomatic testing for the general public. we will continue to provide free symptomatic tests to the oldest age groups and those most vulnerable to covid, and in line with the practice in other countries, we are working with retailers to make sure everyone who wants to can buy a test. from the

1st of april we will also no longer recommend the use of voluntary covid status certification although the nhs app will continue to allow people to indicate their vaccination status for international travel. the government will also expire all temporary provisions of the coronavirus act. of the original 40, 20 have expired and 16 will expire on the 24th of march. the last four relating to innovations in public service will expire six months later after we have made those improvements per minute. second, we will continue to protect the most vulnerable with targeted vaccines and treatments. uk government has procured enough doses of vaccine to anticipate wide range of possible recommendations from the jcvi and

today we are taking actions to guard against a possible resurgence of the virus, accepting the advice from the jcvi for a new spring booster offered to those aged 75 and older, to older care home residents and those over 12 who are immunosuppressed. the uk is also leading the way on anti—virals and therapeutics, and with our anti—viral task force securing a supply of almost 5 million more per head than any other country in europe. third, the advice from sage is that there is uncertainty ahead and there may be a resurgence and there might be new variants and they could be worse than omicron so we will maintain our resilience to manage and respond to these risks including our world leading ons

survey which will allow us to continue tracking the virus in granular detail. with regional and age breakdown helping us to spot surges as and where they happen, and our laboratory networks will help us understand the evolution of the virus and identifying any changes in characteristics. we will prepare and maintain our capabilities to ramp up testing and we will continue to support other countries in developing their own surveillance capabilities because a new variant could emerge anywhere. we will meet our commitment to donate 100 million vaccine doses byjune as part of our agreement at the uk g7 summit to provide a billion doses to vaccinate the world over the next year. in all circumstances our aim is to manage and respond to future risks through more routine public health

interventions with pharmaceutical interventions with pharmaceutical interventions as the first line of defence. fourth, we will build on the innovation that has defined the best of our response to the pandemic. you vaccines task force will continue to make sure that the uk has access to effective vaccines as they become available, already securing contracts with manufacturers trialling vaccines which would provide protection against covid variants, and the task force will continue to support seven national priority clinical trial platforms focused on prevention, treatments and treatments for long covid, and we are refreshing our bio—security strategy to protect the uk against accidental laboratory leaks as well as the potential for biological threats emanating from state and non—state actors. building

on the five—point plan i set out at the united nations and the agreements reached at the g7 last year, we are working with our international partners on a future pandemic preparedness including through a new pandemic treaty and effective early warning system and global pandemic radar, to make safe and effective diagnostics available in the first 100 days of a future pandemic threat being identified and we will be hosting a global pandemic preparedness summit next month. covid will not suddenly disappear. so those who would wait for a total end to this war before lifting restrictions would be restricting the liberties of the british people for a long time to come, and so this government does not believe that is right or necessary. restrictions imposed a heavy toll on our economy,

our society and our mental well—being and on the life chances of our children. we do not need to pay that cost any longer. we have a population that is protected by the biggest vaccination programme in our history. we have the anti—virals and the treatment and the scientific understanding of this virus, and we have the capabilities to respond rapidly to any resurgence or new variant and it is time that we got our confidence back. we don't need laws to compel people to be considerate to others, and we can rely on that sense of responsibility towards each other, providing practical advice in the knowledge that people will follow it to avoid infecting loved ones and others. so let us learn to live with the virus and continue protecting ourselves and continue protecting ourselves and others without restricting our

freedoms. and in that spirit, i commend this statement to the house. can ijust... mr sherman, please. i can ijust... mrsherman, please. i understand— can ijust... mrsherman, please. i understand the _ can ijust... mrsherman, please. i understand the importance - can ijust... mrsherman, please. i understand the importance of- can ijust... mrsherman, please. i understand the importance of the i understand the importance of the statement — understand the importance of the statement but _ understand the importance of the statement but the _ understand the importance of the statement but the prime - understand the importance of the statement but the prime minister understand the importance of the i statement but the prime minister did run over— statement but the prime minister did run over so— statement but the prime minister did run over so i— statement but the prime minister did run over so i more _ statement but the prime minister did run over so i more than— statement but the prime minister did run over so i more than happy- statement but the prime minister did run over so i more than happy for- run over so i more than happy for the opposition— run over so i more than happy for the opposition leaders _ run over so i more than happy for the opposition leaders to - run over so i more than happy for the opposition leaders to also i run over so i more than happy for| the opposition leaders to also run over _ the opposition leaders to also run over keir— the opposition leaders to also run over. keir starmer. _ the opposition leaders to also run over. keir starmer. can— the opposition leaders to also run over. keir starmer.— over. keir starmer. can i start by sendina over. keir starmer. can i start by sending my _ over. keir starmer. can i start by sending my condolences - over. keir starmer. can i start by sending my condolences to i over. keir starmer. can i start by sending my condolences to the i over. keir starmer. can i start by i sending my condolences to the family of christopher, who was a dedicated servant of the people of south belfast and his loss will be deeply felt. i would also like to send our best wishes to her majesty the queen and as the prime minister said, the house wishes her a speedy recovery. and i thank the prime ministerfor advance copy of his statement and for the briefing earlier this afternoon. huge efforts have been made over the last two years and we

would not be where we are today without the heroism of the nhs and key workers, those who pioneered and rolled out the vaccines and the sacrifices that people made every day to follow the rules and protect our public health. we must honour the collective sacrifices of the british people and do everything possible to prevent a return to the loss and lockdowns we have seen over the last two years. the prime minister promised to present a plan for living with covid but all we have got to date is yet more chaos and disarray. —— today. not enough to prepare us for the new variants which may yet develop and an approach which seems to think that living with covid which means ignore it and this morning he could not get his own health secretary agreed to the plans are what confidence can the plans are what confidence can

the public have that this is the right approach? let me be clear, the labour party does not want to see restrictions in place for a moment longer than necessary but we have to take the public with us and that requires clarity... if take the public with us and that requires clarity. . .— requires clarity... if you can't show the _ requires clarity... if you can't show the respect _ requires clarity... if you can't show the respect that - requires clarity... if you can't show the respect that the i requires clarity... if you can't i show the respect that the prime minister— show the respect that the prime minister was _ show the respect that the prime ministerwas given, _ show the respect that the prime ministerwas given, i— show the respect that the prime minister was given, i suggest. show the respect that the prime i minister was given, i suggest you should _ minister was given, i suggest you should give — minister was given, i suggest you should give it. _ minister was given, i suggest you should give it, otherwise - minister was given, i suggest you should give it, otherwise you i minister was given, i suggest you should give it, otherwise you can| minister was given, i suggest you i should give it, otherwise you can be on your— should give it, otherwise you can be on your way — should give it, otherwise you can be on your way. trite _ should give it, otherwise you can be on your way-— should give it, otherwise you can be on your way. we have got to take the ublic on your way. we have got to take the -ublic with on your way. we have got to take the public with us — on your way. we have got to take the public with us and _ on your way. we have got to take the public with us and that _ on your way. we have got to take the public with us and that requires i public with us and that requires clarity about why decisions are being made, so will the prime minister publish the scientific evidence behind his decision to remove the legal requirement to self—isolate including the impact on the clinically extremely vulnerable for whom lockdown has never ended? having come this far, i know the

british people will continue to act responsibly, and they will do the right thing, testing and then isolating if positive. what i can't understand is why the prime minister is taking away the tools that will help them to do that. three tests can't continue for ever but if you are 2—1 up with ten minutes to go you don't saab off one of your best defenders —— free tests can't continue forever. self—isolate support payments are also being removed and weakening sick pay, these are decisions which will hit these are decisions which will hit the lowest paid and the most insecure workers of the hardest. including care workers who got us through the toughest parts of the pandemic. it is all very well advising workers to self—isolate but that won't work unless all workers have the security of knowing that they can afford to do so. the prime

minister mentions surveillance and the 0ns minister mentions surveillance and the ons infection survey and this is crucial to make sure that we can mmp crucial to make sure that we can ramp up testing and vaccination if the virus returns, so can the prime minister confirmed that he has put the funding in place to make sure that the ons infection survey will not see reduced capacity and that it will be able to track the virus to the same degree of detail that it can today? we can't turn off britain '5 radar before the war is won and 's radar before the war is won and ignorance is ignorance is bliss is not responsible approach to a deadly virus. it risks answering the hard—won progress to british people have achieved over the last two years. the labour party has published a comprehensive plan for living well with covid and our plan would see us learn the lessons of the past two years and prepared for new variants but his approach will lead us vulnerable. where is the

plan to secure the supply of testing and why our store is still not properly ventilated? —— why are schools still not properly ventilated? people need to know there liberties are returning and returning for good but this is 8/2 baked announcement from a government paralysed by chaos and incompetence —— half baked. it is not a plan to live well with covid. -- half baked. it is not a plan to live well with covid.— live well with covid. prime minister- _ live well with covid. prime minister. i— live well with covid. prime minister. i really - live well with covid. prime minister. i really thought l live well with covid. prime i minister. i really thought this was auoin to minister. i really thought this was going to be _ minister. i really thought this was going to be the — minister. i really thought this was going to be the moment - minister. i really thought this was going to be the moment when i minister. i really thought this was going to be the moment when he| minister. i really thought this was i going to be the moment when he would end his run of making the wrong call, every single one of the big decisions, but time and time again he has had the chance to back the government on the big decisions and he has got it wrong. some of the points he has made, the evidence for what we are doing today is there in the figures for the rates of

infections i've outlined and in all the data that is freely available to members of the house and they can see what is happening with infection rates and mortality and with what omicron is doing across the country. he asks about the clinically extremely vulnerable and that is an entirely reasonable question and what we are going to do is make sure they continue to be protected with priority access to therapeutics and of course to vaccines and he asks about testing which is absolutely satirical because month after month i have listened to the labour party complaining about nhs testing, denouncing the cost of nhs test and traced and now they want it to continue when we do not need to go on with it in the way that we are currently doing. he asks about the

ability to do tests and our ability to manufacture tests, as though he doesn't know one of the biggest manufacturing of lateral flow tests in europe. this is a leader of the opposition who has shown an absolutely ferocious grip with the wrong end of the stick. he never ceases to amaze... he was wrong on the 19th ofjuly, totally wrong, he said we should not open up, and he said, the labour party said we needed a road map hack into lockdown during december, they wanted, he voted several times, to stay in the european medicines agency, and contrary to his denials in this

house, he voted several times to do so and he has been consistently wrong on all of these big calls, he was wrong then, he is wrong now. what we are doing is moving forward in a balanced and sensible and proportionate way, moving forward away from legal compulsion in a way that i think the british people understand and trusting in them and trusting in their great sense of personal responsibility. jeremy hunt. i personal responsibility. jeremy hunt- i support _ personal responsibility. jeremy hunt. i support the _ personal responsibility. jeremy i hunt. i support the announcement today which — hunt. i support the announcement today which is — hunt. i support the announcement today which is a _ hunt. i support the announcement today which is a tribute _ hunt. i support the announcement today which is a tribute to - hunt. i support the announcement today which is a tribute to british l today which is a tribute to british science, — today which is a tribute to british science, leadership in the vaccine programme... does the prime minister agree _ programme... does the prime minister agree that _ programme... does the prime minister agree that when it comes to future pandemics — agree that when it comes to future pandemics that the real danger zone of the _ pandemics that the real danger zone of the early months when we don't have a _ of the early months when we don't have a vaccine against a new virus and in _ have a vaccine against a new virus and in that— have a vaccine against a new virus and in that context it is notjust whether— and in that context it is notjust whether the nhs can cope but whether the nhs _ whether the nhs can cope but whether the nhs can cope without switching off other _ the nhs can cope without switching off other vital life—saving

treatments? if he agrees that it is notjust— treatments? if he agrees that it is notjust enough to treatments? if he agrees that it is not just enough to say that we have more _ not just enough to say that we have more doctors and nurses and we had before, _ more doctors and nurses and we had before, but— more doctors and nurses and we had before, but that we also need to make _ before, but that we also need to make sure — before, but that we also need to make sure we have enough doctors for the future, _ make sure we have enough doctors for the future, and if he has plans for that, _ the future, and if he has plans for that, can — the future, and if he has plans for that, can he — the future, and if he has plans for that, can he tell the house how he will make — that, can he tell the house how he will make sure that we are actually training _ will make sure that we are actually training enough? i will make sure that we are actually training enough?— training enough? i thank him very much and he _ training enough? i thank him very much and he is _ training enough? i thank him very much and he is returning - training enough? i thank him very much and he is returning to i training enough? i thank him very much and he is returning to a i training enough? i thank him very i much and he is returning to a theme that he has mentioned several times. we have a vast plan to recruit more nurses and doctors than ever before and there are already more in the nhs than at any time, 45,000 more now this year health care professionals than there were last year. we will continue to fund them. the leader of the snp ian blackford. this statement— the leader of the snp ian blackford. this statement was _ the leader of the snp ian blackford. this statement was billed _ the leader of the snp ian blackford. this statement was billed as - the leader of the snp ian blackford. this statement was billed as a i the leader of the snp ian blackford.| this statement was billed as a prime minister's moment of pride. but it

is clear that this morning has been a moment of panic for this government, disagreement across whitehall and a lack of any serious engagement with the devolved nations shows that these decisions are bereft of science or consultation. it appears these dangerous choices are purely political and have been made up on the hoof. it is another symptom of a government in turmoil, and the illogical reality of uk finance means that these decisions made for england by a failing prime minister, affect the money the devolved nations have to provide testing, and it is unacceptable that the ability to protect... i hear money, we are talking about protecting the people of scotland, something the prime minister is showing a lack of, and it is unacceptable that the ability to protect the population can be imperilled on the basis of a

political decision, taken by a prime minister in crisis. his decisions directly affect whether scotland has the funding to keep its people safe and that is the ridiculous reality of devolution but it is a reality that must be addressed so it will be prime minister now confirm what the residualfunding for prime minister now confirm what the residual funding for testing will be to enable the scottish government to pick up the pieces of this chaotic withdrawal of support? it makes the case for scotland to take necessary measures, to keep our people safe, and we need the financial ability to make our own choices and that only comes with independence. i infill make our own choices and that only comes with independence. i will also hear the leader _ comes with independence. i will also hear the leader of _ comes with independence. i will also hear the leader of the _ comes with independence. i will also hear the leader of the opposition i hear the leader of the opposition and i_ hear the leader of the opposition and i don't — hear the leader of the opposition and i don't need _ hear the leader of the opposition and i don't need the _ hear the leader of the opposition and i don't need the barracking i hear the leader of the opposition i and i don't need the barracking and he doesn't — and i don't need the barracking and he doesn't need _ and i don't need the barracking and he doesn't need it— and i don't need the barracking and he doesn't need it and _ and i don't need the barracking and he doesn't need it and i— and i don't need the barracking and he doesn't need it and i don't- and i don't need the barracking and he doesn't need it and i don't need| he doesn't need it and i don't need it. ., ~ he doesn't need it and i don't need it. . ~ , ., , it. thank you. pcr testing, the leual it. thank you. pcr testing, the legal requirement _

it. thank you. pcr testing, the legal requirement to _ it. thank you. pcr testing, the i legal requirement to self-isolate legal requirement to self—isolate and access to lateral flow tests have been instrumental in containing the virus and as we move forward to live with covid these are the very safeguards which support a return to normal life and these short—sighted decisions have long—term implications. they also hamper vital surveillance efforts and impede the ability to respond to new variants and the reality is that we have a prime minister beset by chaos and mired in a police investigation for breaking his own covid laws and he can shake his head but that is the reality. a prime minister who has no moral authority to lead, desperately seeking to appease his backbenchers, and we know this reckless statement flies in the face of advice from scientists and the who and that is because this statement is not about protecting the public, but it is about the prime minister scrambling

to save his own skin.