but it is less than a week since places were cumbria were still in tier2, but since places were cumbriace where infections have rocketed and two of the three main hospitals in that county are on the highest alert level. it was only yesterday that the director of public health in cumbria called for schools to be closed. that is geographically a long way from the perceived worst affected areas in the south—east of england at the moment. now, areas in the latest statistics that has seen the latest statistics that has seen the biggest rises are here in the north of england, particularly the north—west. if you look at the top ten areas, they're in north—west england, particularly cumbria and particularly liverpool. and the new variant is about to hit northern england hard. according to those figures that we are look at. it is yet to reach its peak in this part of the country and that is what people are bracing for now. so from tier 2 a week ago, into tier 3, now into lockdown again, life is going to be different for people here in leeds and the wider part of the north of england as we almost

, and in cumbria the infection rate has taken off over the last week or so. has taken off over the last week or so. two of the three main hospitals on the highest state of alert. the director of public health called for primary schools not to open, but 2a hours later. the latest figures for northern england look pretty dire, to be honest. they have been analysed this evening, and areas which is seeing the biggest rise in the number of coronavirus cases are clustering in the north of england at the moment. this area it looks as though it is going to be hit very ha rd by though it is going to be hit very hard by the new variant in the coming week or two, huw. many thanks, danny savage in leeds. and for details of the rules and restrictions where you live, head to the bbc news website, that's bbc.co.uk/news, where you can follow all the links. let's take a look at some of today's other news. french authorities have defended the roll—out of the vaccination programme there, after criticism it was going too slowly. only 516 jabs were dispensed in the first week. a spokesman said the delay was

, and in cumbria the infection rate has taken off over the last week or so.blic health called for primary schools not to open, but 24 hours later. the latest figures for northern england look pretty dire, to be honest. they have been analysed this evening, and

to be allowing a coal mine to be opened in cumbria and yes boris johnson who knew well when i was that all spends together with him studying philosophy together i wish he would use some of that brain of his if he does have a brain suit to look into this and to understand that it is it is nonsensical to the u.k. to do things like that and if you create does things like that and then indeed those that allow that they will not be able in the years ahead if our climate starts to really fall apart which is likely they will not be able to look into the eyes of their children and in good conscience say we did everything that we could use trying to say we did everything we could on the pandemic that's patently false it's patiently false on climate as well for goodness sake let's let's have a more truthful discourse and 2021 and if it won't be supply well then let's demand it let's let's force it parents of the world right that's what i'm talking. well if we leave it to the responsible leaders well he said he's done his best but you heard it here 1st the prime minister boris johnson has a brain

this was the picture in cumbria. north wales, as well, had a lot of lying snow.ill the odd flurry of snow around but most places largely dry, very cold and frosty with some freezing fog as well. look at these temperatures, first thing saturday morning at dawn around —11 degrees or so, could be —15 across some of the sheltered glens of scotland. so, widely subzero. we've got the freezing fog to contend with, particularly across parts of the midlands, central southern england and east wales as well. that should slowly tend to break up into low cloud with some sunshine coming through, but in places, it could linger all day. now, a lot of dry weather through the day on sunday, some sunshine for north wales, northern england, eastern scotland, for instance, as well. but we have a front moving in from the northwest, that will bring some rain and some hill snow for the northwest of scotland. not as cold on saturday as it has been over recent days, with temperatures about 3—5 degrees for most. into saturday night now heading into the early hours of sunday morning, we hav

this was of the picture in cumbria. north wales, as well, had a lot of lying snow. snow around but most places largely dry, very cold and frosty with some freezing fog as well. look at these temperatures, first thing saturday morning at dawn around —11 degrees or so, could be —15 across some of the sheltered glens of scotland. so, widely subzero, we've got the freezing fog to contend with, particularly across parts of the midlands, central southern england and east wales as well. that should slowly tend to break up into low cloud with some sunshine coming through, but in places, it could linger all day. now, a lot of dry weather through the day on sunday, some sunshine for north wales, northern england, eastern scotland, for instance, as well. but we have a front moving in from the northwest, that will bring some rain and some hill snow for the northwest of scotland. not as cold on saturday as it has been over recent days, with temperatures about 3—5 degrees for most. into saturday night now heading into the early hours of sunday morning, we have got that front brin

community leaders in cumbria, meanwhile, warned that the situation was getting worse.ely serious. the risk to the hospitals in the north is quite severe at the moment. they have more coronavirus patients in the hospitals than they have ever had. in some parts of london, virus cases as a proportion of the population have gone up by 25% in a week. that's why hospitals like this one are under increasing strain — and at a time when there are higher levels of staff sickness and those needing to self—isolate. things could get even tougher in the weeks ahead. hugh pym, bbc news. now on bbc news, the travel show. this week, we're in kazakhstan... the view from the top! ..a vast country in the middle of central asia full of stunning landscapes and nomadic traditions. you can feel the fish tugging on the net. nature and the great outdoors have always been central to the kazakh people's way of life... birds chirping, fish jumping, sun setting — i get it. ..and i'm here to explore how they are now combining both ancient and modern ways to stay in touch with their wild side. grunts

this was of the picture in cumbria. north wales, as well, had a lot of lying snow.flurry of snow around but most places largely dry, very cold and frosty with some freezing fog as well. look at these temperatures, first thing saturday morning at dawn around —11 degrees or so, could be —15 across some of the sheltered glens of scotland. so, widely subzero, we've got the freezing fog to contend with, particularly across parts of the midlands, central southern england and east wales as well. that should slowly tend to break up into low cloud with some sunshine coming through, but in places, it could linger all day. now, a lot of dry weather through the day on sunday, some sunshine for north wales, northern england, eastern scotland, for instance, as well. but we have a front moving in from the northwest, that will bring some rain and some hill snow for the northwest of scotland. not as cold on saturday as it has been over recent days, with temperatures about 3—5 degrees for most. into saturday night now heading into the early hours of sunday morning, we have got that f

this was the picture in cumbria. north wales, as well, had a lot of lying snow.rry of snow around but most places largely dry, very cold and frosty with some freezing fog as well. look at these temperatures, first thing saturday morning at dawn around —11 degrees or so, could be —15 across some of the sheltered glens of scotland. so, widely subzero. we've got the freezing fog to contend with, particularly across parts of the midlands, central southern england and east wales as well. that should slowly tend to break up into low cloud with some sunshine coming through, but in places, it could linger all day. now, a lot of dry weather through the day on sunday, some sunshine for north wales, northern england, eastern scotland, for instance, as well. but we have a front moving in from the northwest, that will bring some rain and some hill snow for the northwest of scotland. not as cold on saturday as it has been over recent days, with temperatures about 3—5 degrees for most. into saturday night now heading into the early hours of sunday morning, we have got that fron

leaders in cumbria have made a similar point, that the hospitals in the north are coming under pressureis new variant, this very transmissible form of virus. are you picking up signals from all the people you talk to behind the scenes, advisors and experts, that they are in some way frustrated that decisions on this kind of scale have been too slow in coming that, government in westminster should have acted more quickly and the measures should have taken place some days or a week or plus ago? is that what you're picking up? from experts, there was a consensus emerging last week when in england there was a move in some parts to tier 4, but not all, why not do the whole thing then? that was only last wednesday. it was clear you could have taken wednesday. it was clear you could have ta ken tough wednesday. it was clear you could have taken tough action. why not go toa have taken tough action. why not go to a national level of lockdown. that question will continue to be asked. it has a big impact on business and people's livelihoods. but i think pressure was building for some tougher actio

in brighton, cumbria, portsmouth, north—east essex, we are seeing councils telling their primary schoolse. unions seem to be in agreement with some councils. 0ther unions are pressing for data. they want to know the data behind the government decisions. how many teachers have contracted coronavirus since we have gone back? we had data injuly, so we need to see this data and understand how big the problem is in schools to understand the decisions that are being made about it. putting aside government advice and union advice, do you think schools will take this matter into their own hands and make a call as to whether they open this week?” think we are seeing it already. lots of schools have decided that the r rate in their area is too high. they are seeing neighbouring areas have decided to close. they might have teachers and staff moving across those areas to attend their school, taking matters into their own hands and deciding to move to on line learning and only keeping school open for key worker and vulnerable children. when there was no communication and you don't have that strong le

this was the picture in cumbria. north wales, as well, had a lot of lying snow.ound but most places largely dry, very cold and frosty with some freezing fog as well. look at these temperatures, first thing saturday morning at dawn around —11 degrees or so, could be —15 across some of the sheltered glens of scotland. so, widely subzero. we've got the freezing fog to contend with, particularly across parts of the midlands, central southern england and east wales as well. that should slowly tend to break up into low cloud with some sunshine coming through, but in places, it could linger all day. now, a lot of dry weather through the day on sunday, some sunshine for north wales, northern england, eastern scotland, for instance, as well. but we have a front moving in from the northwest, that will bring some rain and some hill snow for the northwest of scotland. not as cold on saturday as it has been over recent days, with temperatures about 3—5 degrees for most. into saturday night now heading into the early hours of sunday morning, we have got that front bringing a b

this was of the picture in cumbria. north wales, as well, had a lot of lying snow.ely dry, very cold and frosty with some freezing fog as well. look at these temperatures, first thing saturday morning at dawn around —11 degrees or so, could be —15 across some of the sheltered glens of scotland. so, widely subzero, we've got the freezing fog to contend with, particularly across parts of the midlands, central southern england and east wales as well. that should slowly tend to break up into low cloud with some sunshine coming through, but in places, it could linger all day. now, a lot of dry weather through the day on sunday, some sunshine for north wales, northern england, eastern scotland, for instance, as well. but we have a front moving in from the northwest, that will bring some rain and some hill snow for the northwest of scotland. not as cold on saturday as it has been over recent days, with temperatures about 3—5 degrees for most. into saturday night now heading into the early hours of sunday morning, we have got that front bringing a bit more cloud further sou

community leaders in cumbria warned that the situation was getting worse.at the moment, they have more coronavirus patients in the hospitals than they have ever had. in some parts of london, virus cases have gone up had. in some parts of london, virus cases have gone up by 25% in a week. that is why hospitals like this are under mounting pressure and at a time when there are higher levels of staff sickness and those needing to self—isolate. things could get tougher in the weeks ahead. hugh pym. hugh pym. and for viewers in london, there's more from inside st george's hospital on the bbc london news at 6.30. it's been a confusing picture for parents in england — while most primary schools reopened this morning, some have stayed shut because of staff shortages and after warnings from unions and some local authorities about safety. the prime minister argued strongly only yesterday that schools should stay open. now they will close again, for most pupils. our education editor bra nwen jeffreys reports. masks on, waiting to drop off this morning. some parents re

there's some topical news at the moment about the decision to grant a new coal mine in cumbria.for our country in the context of the discussion today. i think you're right, there is a slight tension between the decision to open this mine and our avowed intention to take coal off the gas grid. i'lljust say a couple of things about this. obviously, there are two types of coal we're talking about. in terms of thermal coal, which is burnt for electricity generation, we want to take that off the grid by 2025 and we look to do so by 2024, so it's a rare example of a government target actually being reached ahead of time, as it were. the coking coal, which is used in industrial processes, is a different issue, and there was a debate, i can be frank about that. there was a debate in the government about what we could do about this, but, as you will know, mrjones, this was a local decision. this was a local planning decision, and the argument i think is a fair one which says that we have steel processes, we have industrial processes which use coking coal, and if we don't have sources of

primary schools will be close to most children, not all, tomorrow, but the county councils in kent, cumbriagovernment to intervene there. that is one part of it, another is union organising themselves together to urge the government to keep primary schools closed to children for the time being, saying that time is not right and it is not safe to do so at this point, so if enough teachers decide that it simply isn't safe or isn't right for them to go to school tomorrow, that could have a big impact on potentially seeing more schools close, otherwise they wouldn't have done, but the prime minister and the government for now sticking to its plan, urging parents to send their children to school, where they are open, and making the case that it is safe to do so. yes, jonathan blake, thank you very much. the us vice—president, mike pence, has welcomed plans by senators to raise objections tojoe biden‘s election victory, in spite of the lack of evidence of fraud. the vice—president will preside over a senate session on wednesday to certify the results of the electoral college. paul hawkins reports

other parts of the country, hospital bossesin other parts of the country, hospital bosses in north cumbria way out of this crisis. asa seen as the way out of this crisis. as a first priority that government wa nts to as a first priority that government wants to get the jab to 30 million people, everyone over 70, the most clinically vulnerable and front—line health and care workers. we have vaccinated 1 million people at the weekend, we are increasing the numbers and we hope to reach just over 13 million in february. numbers and we hope to reach just over13 million in february. but to reach all those groups the nhs would need to administer 2 million vaccines every week. it is probably realistic from a logistics point of view and being able to turn the nhs towards this and i guess my bigger concern, towards this and i guess my bigger concern, and i really don't know, is how quickly the vaccine can be manufactured. the bbc has learned there is no enough role vaccine in there is no enough role vaccine in the country to meet demand, but the ability to get it into people's arms could be affected

this point deemed safe for them to open, but yes, more councils coming forward, kent county council, cumbria forward today appealing to the department for education to have the department for education to have the schools remained closed when pupils are due to go back tomorrow. in the end, all the government has in its tool box, as you say, is a restriction, closure, possibly expanding the lockdown to more and more parts of england. and ultimately, that is as far as it can go. that makes the roll—out of the vaccine and how quickly and effectively it can be delivered absolutely crucial, doesn't it, to charting any path out of the pandemic? yes, it's the one and only real game changer in response to the pandemic, the successful roll—out of a vaccine or vaccines, meaning that as time goes on, more and more the population are hopefully ultimately immune to coronavirus, or at least far less susceptible to the serious impact it can have on people's health. in the meantime, as the prime minister acknowledged in his interview this morning, government only has so many tools at its disposal and of cou

ashton is a former director of public health in northwest england then and joins us now via skype from cumbria sir thank you for joining us here on al-jazeera so why do you think that the united kingdom has found itself to be so vulnerable to cover. well it's it's a sad and tragic story and today we need to mourn with all those families who've lost loved ones because of the catastrophic failure of the british government allowing its public health system to be run and. the prime minister to be distracted by preg zet and by his chaotic personal life so that he never got to grips with the pandemic back in february and march so you know we're so far behind new zealand and australia and other countries that we might wish to compare or not i suppose it was maybe easier comparisons would be with other european countries will it in fairness have also suffered from the pandemic so when you say that there have been catastrophic failures from the government specifically what do you think some of those were. well for 10 years we've let our public health system run we haven't done the periodic rehearsals f

but kent county council, cumbria, a couple of areas asking for the government to intervene there.f it, and another is the unions organising themselves together and urging the government to keep primary schools closed to most children for the time being, saying that it's not right, the time is not right and it's not safe to do so at this point, so if enough teachers decide that it simply isn't safe or isn't right for them to go into school tomorrow, then that could have a big impact and potentially see more schools closed where otherwise they wouldn't have done. but the prime minister, for now, the government, for now, sticking to its plan, urging parents to send their children to school where they are open, and making the case that it's safe to do so. nicola sturgeon has recalled the scottish parliament tomorrow amid a rapid rise in covid infections. the first minister says the increase in virus cases in scotland is of ‘very serious concern‘ and warns of increasing pressure on the nhs. there were no new deaths reported today but there have been another 2,464 positive cases in the

up to 11 centimetres of snow fell in the perth and kinross area and five centimetres in cumbria withlifax has a yellow weather warning in place for ice that's because as the rain, sleet and snow dies out, forecasters believe there is a risk of further difficult travel conditions. —— this bus in halifax. just remarkable that he managed to stop before that car in front of the bus. incredible, i would before that car in front of the bus. incredible, iwould have before that car in front of the bus. incredible, i would have crashed straight into it. what's more on our website. now, the weather with louise lear. hello there. many of us have had to contend with some heavy rain or significant snow today. that's all easing away, however, and first thing tomorrow morning, we've got a new set of problems, with widespread ice and potentially some fog, even freezing fog in places. that may well be slow to lift away, so it's going to be a murky start, but eventually brightening up from the west, and as we go into the afternoon, it'll certainly be a drier story than today. if the fog lingers and wh

but there is pressure in other parts of the country, hospital bosses in north cumbria they can no longerway out of this crisis. as a first priority the government wants to get the jab to 30 million people, everyone over 70, the most clinically vulnerable and front—line health and care workers. we have vaccinated 1 million people at the weekend, we are increasing the numbers and we hope to reachjust over 13 million in february. but to reach all those groups the nhs would need to administer 2 million vaccines every week. it is probably realistic from a logistics point of view and being able to turn the nhs towards this and i guess my bigger concern, and i really don't know, is how quickly the vaccine can be manufactured. the bbc has learned there is now enough role vaccine in the country to meet demand, but the ability to get it into people's arms could be affected by a global shortage of glass vials, waits to carry out safety checks and possible limits on the number of people carrying out vaccinations. in the meantime, the message from scientists and politicians is simple. follow the rule

with me is peter mccall, police and crime commissionner for cumbria. days. especially the last couple of days. especially the last couple days, from we had printing press in a saying that they will be enforcing fines, perhaps more readily then they welled in the past. if you think police are facing quite a tough job at the moment? we example in derbyshire where the two women had gone out in separate cars ona women had gone out in separate cars on a five mile journey for a walk and those fines have now been rescinded. some police federation people are saying actually, the police have been hung out to dry and they are of the middle on this.” think they are absolutely right. the reality is that police do get every which way in this. i think oh, we need to put the onus back on ourselves, or rather, not put it on us, but we need to get on. on each of us we have that responsibility to try and do the right thing. certainly, when we are spoken to by the police, if it is pointed out to us the police, if it is pointed out to us that we are not doing the right th

simon, a radiologist in cumbria.tal, working in the same ward. # i love the sunny days, i love the waterfalls. she had a real desire to help people. s she had a way of making people feel good about themselves. together they lived with their two daughters but both mums came very their two daughters but both mums came very sick with covid and were rushed to hospital and intensive care. i said to jen, please, please, fight this, fight it with everything you've got. and she said don't worry... you listen to me, i want you to be really strong and i want you to be really strong and i want you to be really strong and i want you to fight too. and we're going to leave this place together. i love you but i have to go now. and that's the last time i spoke to her. jen died of the 17th of april. james is delivering the 27th angel and it is forjenny and her girls. this is an angel in memory ofjen. on behalf of the nature and —— for everything that she has done for the nhs. element thank you so much. that she has done for the nhs.

and i pay particular tribute to the vaccination efforts going on in cockermouth in cumbria, yateley andnorthwest lincolnshire, to sunderland and morecambe bay, where vaccination teams have protected over 80% of care home residents. and it is thanks to that amazing vaccination team, doctors, nurses, armed forces, local authorities, pharmacies, volunteers, that we are steadily building up that we are steadily building up that immunity, that protection — for the vulnerable, for the nhs, and for us all. so when the call comes, please do get a jab, and in the meantime, stay at home, protect the nhs and save lives. i am now going to hand over to chris whitty.- to hand over to chris whitty. thank ou, to hand over to chris whitty. thank you. prime — to hand over to chris whitty. thank you, prime minister. _ to hand over to chris whitty. thank you, prime minister. first - to hand over to chris whitty. thank you, prime minister. first slide, i you, prime minister. first slide, please. — you, prime minister. first slide, please. just— you, prime minister. first slide, please. just three slides thi

there is a "slight tension" between government climate policy and the approval of a new coal mine in cumbriasses which use coking coal, and if we don't have sources of coking coal in the uk, we would be importing those anyway, so the real mission, my mission as secretary of state is to try and decarbonise the industrial process, and we've got an industrial decarbonisation strategy coming out in the first quarter of this year. we have a clean steel fund, which is encouraging steel manufacturers to decarbonise their manufacturing process. but you're quite right, there is a slight tension between the opening of this mine and our avowed intention to decarbonise. well, we can speak now to our energy and environment analyst, roger harrabin. greta thunberg and other environmental campaigners would say it has more than a slight tension. they are livid about this. then;r it has more than a slight tension. they are livid about this. they are. and it is extraordinary _ they are livid about this. they are. and it is extraordinary to _ they are livid about this. they are. and it is extraordinary to say -