i'm just wondering if that's the right way to see this because bolton and blackburn with darwen are thehe indian variant. a number of people came in from the subcontinent in the weeks, the middle of april, and these poor places to debate those were people are living in multiple occupancy houses, with particular ethnic groups have been targeted by anti—vaccine groups and sceptics so they become vaccine hesitant, i think that was her turn. they have taken their cue from matt hancock who said today that of the 90 people in hospital in bolton, five had had the vaccine but only one dose. i think nobody had had two doses. of the other 14, they have been invited but had not taken it out. so invited but had not taken it out. so invited but to actually get those people and say now you see that if you are vaccinated, you are protected and now they understand. and that's what the word was today.— the word was today. when he was ressed, the word was today. when he was pressed. he _ the word was today. when he was pressed, he said _ the word was today. when he was pressed, he said one _ the word was

— like bolson and blackburn with darwen and bedford and some of the other areas— darwen and bedfordecause talking about 86 local authorities, other areas because talking about 86 localauthorities, if the other areas because talking about 86 local authorities, if the search testing — local authorities, if the search testing and the search vaccination works— testing and the search vaccination works and — testing and the search vaccination works and we will note within four or five _ works and we will note within four or five weeks, byjune 21, then even if the _ or five weeks, byjune 21, then even ifthe indian— or five weeks, byjune 21, then even if the indian so—called variant becomes— if the indian so—called variant becomes the dominant variant and it does not _ becomes the dominant variant and it does not end up with a lot of people in hospital. — does not end up with a lot of people in hospital, there may not have to be this— in hospital, there may not have to be this at— in hospital, there may not have to be this at all and they will keep their— be this at all and they will keep t

_ darwen in the last week. who have you given them too? can _ darwen in the last week.e, people who have not been jabbed health and social care, people who have not beenjabbed because health and social care, people who have not been jabbed because of their age. have not been jabbed because of theirage. it have not been jabbed because of their age. it is important we target them because that is the biggest benefit to minimise serious illness. we will not waste vaccine. we were not ever put vaccine in the bin and we will offer it to younger adults if we are looking at wasting it. the primary call for paperless people who are over 32 all have other risk factors. the vaccination bus, we have a mobile clinic in the centre of blackburn, which is right in the middle, really accessible for people. we have a bus which is moving from site to site. it does not drive around during the day. we need to set it up in a location and made it another day so we reach every single community across blackburn. the prime minister has advised as to have a similar service burnley, is lancashire

test and trace system are partly responsible for the surge in the indian variant in blackburn with darwencording to a report seen by the bbc. i have just received a message and the message says, victory. elation after hundreds of women are declared eligible for compensation after being given faulty breast implants. and a plea for the return of park run and other sporting events, after months of lockdown. an official enquiry is just publishing its report into how the bbc landed its 1995 panorama interview with diana, princess of wales. the bbc set up the investigation following allegations from diana's brother, earl spencer, that forged documents and �*other deceit�* were used to persuade him to introduce her to martin bashir, who conducted the interview. lord dyson was appointed to look into the circumstances surrounding the explosive interview, which famously featured diana saying, "well, there were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded." in the last few minutes, we've had this statement from former bbc director—general lord tony hall, who has said he accepts the 1996 bbc

test and trace system are partly responsible for the surge in the indian variant in blackburn with darwen course of the pandemic. but, as well as classroom teaching, residential trips have also been off the cards. charities say these stays away from home are vital, especially for disadvantaged children. 0ur reporter ellie price spent the day on a farm welcoming back london pupils, who haven't left the city in over a year. my lockdown was quite boring. nothing fun, just in the house doing online and sleeping. if you are going to sleep at five and waking up at eight to go to school, sometimes i wouldn't even wake up in time and i'd have to miss a whole school day. it was not very ideal. it was kind of stressful, . because i couldn't see my friends and i couldn't go to school that much. - and that's why these young people are here, at jamie's farm in the sussex countryside, for a week—long trip. it is the first of its kind allowed in ia months. the 12 students, aged between 11 and ia, go to the compass school in the london borough of southwark. the week starts with a warm welcome but some co

test and trace system are partly responsible for the surge in the indian variant in blackburn with darweng to report seen by the bbc. i have just received a message and the message says victory. elation after hundreds of women are declared eligible for compensation after being given faulty breast implants. how the bbcjournalist martin bashir secured his interview with princess diana in 1995 — an official inquiry is due to report on whether there was deception. and a plea for the return of parkrun and other sporting events after months of lockdown. and coming up on the bbc news channel... rory mcilroy is preparing to tee off at the us pga championship — the second major of the season. the northern irishman is among the favourites. good afternoon and welcome to the bbc news at one. the biggest shake—up in the uk's railway network since privatisation in the mid—1990s has been announced by the government. under the proposals, a new public body called great british railways would commission private companies to run services and would also set timetables and prices, sell tickets in england, and

— darwen, but you -- how broad does the vaccination go?cination go? the best people to talk to as the _ the vaccination go? the best people to talk to as the local _ the vaccination go? the best people to talk to as the local authorities - to talk to as the local authorities and local public health. irate to talk to as the local authorities and local public health.— and local public health. we are talkinu and local public health. we are talkin: to and local public health. we are talking to you. _ and local public health. we are talking to you, so _ and local public health. we are talking to you, so you - and local public health. we are talking to you, so you are - and local public health. we are talking to you, so you are that| talking to you, so you are that person. talking to you, so you are that erson. ~ ~ ., y person. we know were they higher risk of transmission _ person. we know were they higher risk of transmission in _ person. we know were they higher risk of transmission in the - person. we know were they higher risk of transmissi

now blackburn with darwen _ begun to fall. now blackburn with darwen in — begun to fall.ll on hand here in bolton to do door pcr — well on hand here in bolton to do door pcr tests. they will drop them off, they— door pcr tests. they will drop them off, they will pick them up. thank— off, they will pick them up. thank you. more than 430,000 volunteers have carried out nearly two million tasks for those who had to stay at home during the coronavirus pandemic. this included phone calls to the isolated, delivering medicines and stewarding covid vaccination sites. duncan kennedy reports. britain was already a nation of volunteers, but covid—19 has supercharged the desire in people to help. a giant task force of unpaid individuals has been mobilized. you'll feel a small scratch. 74,000 people alone have been signed up to support the nhs roll—out of its vaccination programme. giving something back to the nhs for all the wonderful work that they've been doing through the lockdown, and how busy they've been. and it's just been so rewarding to know that you can help somebody that n

he did calling for only today and in vaccinate children especially in hotspots like blackburn with darwen maybe bedford because they are the vectors at the moment, then, yes. if not i would hesitate to roll out and use all our stocks when you consider that we are getting really protected when it comes to the most vulnerable but in very many countries in the world were some of the new variance might come and seed here in this country, people have hardly been vaccinated all.— vaccinated all. then e-mail with vaccine threatening _ vaccinated all. then e-mail with vaccine threatening freedom. i vaccinated all. then e-mail with. vaccine threatening freedom. the essence of this story is the tory mp said they won't vote to extend restrictions if the people have been refusing vaccinations as they want back to normal on schedule. what you make of that? this back to normal on schedule. what you make of that?— make of that? this is the constant acuitatin make of that? this is the constant agitating of— make of that? this is the constant agitating of steve _ make of that? this is the constant agitati

with cases spiking in some parts of the country, like blackburn with darwen in lancashire, there is evidenceeen by the bbc, prepared by officials in one of the affected areas, says the risk of the disease spreading in the community was exacerbated by people self—isolating rather than quarantining in a hotel. the document then reveals risks were worse because of a sporadic failure in the national test and trace system that provided no details to some local councils from 21st april until 11th may. that's three weeks without an effective test and trace system. in total, 294 positive cases in blackburn alone were not passed on to the local contact tracers, nearly 800 across england. it's a failure right at the top, and ifind it astonishing when billions have been spent on this test and trace system, that the basics still aren't working and local areas are battling an increase in the virus. the department of health has admitted that in a small number of contacts, there was a temporary delay in the message being passed on, a technical glitch, if you like, but they say the problem was resolved quic

blackburn with darwen has one of the highest covid rates in england, so this week a vaccine bus — likeques, colleges and leisure centres there to make getting the jab more convenient. at the moment, infection levels across the uk are still relatively low — but the authorities are urging the public to remain cautious, to avoid another lockdown. charlotte wright, bbc news. stay with us on bbc news — still to come... doggy detectives — why man's best friend could be helpful in the fight against coronavirus. in the biggest international sporting spectacle ever seen, up to 30 million people have taken part in sponsored athletics events to aid famine relief in africa. the first of what the makers of star wars hope will be thousands of queues started filming at 7am. taunting which led to scuffles, scuffles to fighting, fighting to full—scale riot, as the liverpool fans broke out of their area and into the juventus enclosure. the belgium police had lost control. the whole world will mourn the j tragic death of mr nehru today. he was the father of. the indian people from the day of independence

those eight areas affected by the latest guidance is covered by the local authority of blackburn with darwen of england. it has the second—highest rate of coronavirus infection in england, with the indian variant making up most of those cases. the council has now written to the health secretary asking for everybody over 16 to be vaccinated to try to slow the spread. our special correspondent ed thomas reports from blackburn. new covid guidelines are here, and in blackburn, it has caught a few by surprise. covid guidance for blackburn, are you aware of it? no. covid guidance? i don't know. apparently you can't travel in or out, is that right? - and now decisions have to be made. it is going to feel like an open air prison. journeys to and from blackburn should be avoided unless essential. for this tazeem, it is a problem. i am not happy with it. how come? my family live in bolton. so i would rather go there and see my family, than not see them. it is not the law, it is guidance, at the moment. will you listen to it? will you follow it? i don't think so. as covid cases surge, the advice now re

but she also urged people not to travel to bedford, blackburn with darwen, and bolton, to avoid contracting vaccinate people over the last week, as coronavirus cases linked to the indian variant continue to rise in some of the most deprived areas. remarkably, 10,000 people have been vaccinated this week, but the concern is that there are still high numbers of cases in the areas with the lowest uptake of the vaccine, as ed thomas reports. covid cases are surging in the most deprived parts of bolton. people who have already suffered too much. that's my mum. this is our nanna. my nan. you miss her, don't you? margaret was 78 when she died. i've lost the person to me that was so special. and this is why i hate covid so much, because it's took the person i love the most. and it's proper hurt me. she was in a nursing home and that's where she contracted covid. and then obviously they had to rush her to hospital because she had breathing difficulties. she lived a week. my anxiety has been building up, and i've got more anxious - about speaking to people. and once again the family is isolating. a s

the public health director for blackburn with darwen council says areas where covid is spreading willlies of the pfizerjab for all residents over the age of 18. last week, blackburn recorded the third—highest infection rate in england, with an 89%jump in cases compared to the previous week. dominic harrison has previously said it was "illogical" that the government refused surge vaccinations. tomorrow sees another milestone in the reopening of the economy. pubs, restaurants and cafes in many parts of the uk will welcome customers back indoors for the first time in months. heath ball is the owner and landlord of four pubs in london and sussex. he spoke to me a little earlier from the red lion and sun in north london, and explained how tough the restrictions have been from a business point of view. to operate with the distancing and you have reduced numbers, you need more staff to manage it, you have less customers, but you need more staff, to keep everyone compliant, distancing, checking people in, all the regulations. yeah, this is not a moneymaking exercise, it isjust survival to get

the public health director for blackburn with darwen council, says areas where covid is spreading willf the pfizerjab for all residents over the age of 18. last week, blackburn recorded the third highest infection rate in england, with an 89%jump in cases compared to the previous week. dominic harrison has previously said it was �*illogical�* that the government refused surge vaccinations. for business that can re—open tomorrow, or begin to use their indoor spaces again, it will be a big moment after more than a year of disruption. but many are worried about how they will break even, because of the continuing rules on social distancing. here's our business correspondent, katy austin. getting the ball rolling again. this site's been shut for most of the past year. so if you could clean our new lane dividers, that would be fantastic. the team are in, making sure everything's safe and ready for customers. during the total period of lockdown, it's cost us over 100 million in revenue. the boss of this chain believes people will flock back, but he says challenges remain that firms need help

the public health director for blackburn with darwen council says areas where covid is spreading willthe pfizerjab for all residents over the age of 18. last week, blackburn recorded the third highest infection rate in england, with an 89%jump in cases compared to the previous week. dominic harrison has previously said it was �*illogical�* that the government refused surge vaccinations. we can speak now to dr mike tildesley, a member of spi—m, the modelling subgroup of sage, and a professor of infectious disease modelling at the university of warwick. that's the committee looking at infectious diseases. good to speak to you again. let's start with the point we were talking aboutjustin, the decision in blackburn with darwen to allow basically anyone who's allowed to get a vaccination —— just in. is it in a sense coming too late to make much difference? it too late to make much difference? it could. i think the difficulty we have with any form of control is that we're always behind the curve. by that we're always behind the curve. by the time we see cases emerging in numbers, we're alre

test and trace system are partly responsible for the surge in the indian variant in blackburn with darwening to a report seen by the bbc. i've just received a message — and the message says, "victory!" elation as hundreds of women are declared eligible for compensation after being given faulty breast implants. and a plea for the return of park run and other sporting events after months of lockdown. hello, good afternoon. a report into how the bbc persuaded princess diana to give it an interview in 1995 has found it fell short of its high standards for integrity and accuses the journalist involved, martin bashir, of deceitful behaviour. the interview, in which diana spoke candidly about her marriage, became a media sensation, drawing an audience of millions and causing shock waves in royal circles. the inquiry by the former seniorjudge, lord dyson, found mr bashir had shown fake bank statements to diana's brother, charles spencer, to try to secure an introduction to the princess. lord dyson said the bbc... the director general of the bbc, tim davie, said that... "although the report states

first minister, nicola sturgeon, also urged people not to travel to bedford, bolton, blackburn and darwenriant. at the moment, anyone on a level one or level two area, which is most of scotland, can travel to any other level one or level two area within scotland or any other part of the uk. however, we know that there are particularly serious outbreaks of the april campest02 variant in three english local authority areas, bedford, blackburn, and darwin, and bradford. —— april 02. we are imposing travel restrictions between scotland and those three local authority areas in england. if you are planning to stay with relatives or visit like byrne, bolton or bedford, you must delay your visit. we are not placing legal restrictions on travel to greater manchester more widely or areas around bedfordshire, but if you are planning to visit these areas in the next few days, please consider whether you need to make your visitor whether it can be delayed. also remember that the situation with this new variant changes quickly so if you are travelling to somewhere else in the uk, look and see what the

the public health director for blackburn with darwen council says areas where covid is spreading wills over the age of 18. last week blackburn recorded the third highest infection rate in england, with an 89%jump in cases compared to the previous week. dominic harrison has previously said it was "illogical" that the government refused surge vaccinations. the latest figures on coronavirus showjust over 1,900 new infections recorded in the past 2a hours — and four deaths. 0n vaccinations, the number of people who have had a firstjab has risen above 36.5 million, 69.4% or nearly 70% of the uk's adult population. just over 20 million people have had both doses — 38.2% — and that is getting close to 40% of all adults. it is 8:17pm. the headlines on bbc news... the united nations holds talks, as the conflict between israel and palestinians in gaza continues for a seventh day. the secretary general has pleaded for peace. efforts to combat the india variant of covid ramp up in england, ahead of lockdown restrictions being relaxed tomorrow. parents pay tribute to their two—year—old son — georg

in blackburn with darwen, additional vaccination clinics will be opened up next week — though the jabonly be available to those within the current government guidance, which is currently anyone aged over 38. 0ur correspondent dominic hughes reports from bolton. surge testing, and now an extra push on vaccinations is under way in bolton. this is a part of town that has seen a spike in infections. 553 new cases in a week, more than doubling the infection rate. we are doing just over 300 vaccines a day. the concerns around the unknown is, how many cases are linked to the variant that originated in india, and how far has it spread? the variant from india seemed to appear around the time that our rates started to rise. what we don't have the full detail on is how to what extent the rise is down to that, that is why we are doing the surge testing in part, we have lots of sites across bolton that allow people without symptoms to be tested and we really need them to do that to get down to the detail of what variants are in our community. next week, most students will be able to stop wearing m

the variant is now the dominant strain in bolton, blackburn and darwen, and is rising in all age groupsers are continuing to urge anyone eligible to get a vaccine. some scientists are questioning why restrictions were eased yesterday in england when the government's own tests for unlocking suggest that a variant of concern might prompt a rethink. restrictions were also eased yesterday in wales and in parts of scotland. our health correspondent jim reed reports. as people across england, wales and scotland celebrate their new freedoms... scotland celebrate their new freedoms. . ._ scotland celebrate their new freedoms. . .- the - scotland celebrate their new| freedoms. . .- the wait scotland celebrate their new - freedoms. . .- the wait for freedoms... cheers! the wait for data begins- _ freedoms. .. cheers! the wait for data begins. ministers— freedoms. .. cheers! the wait for data begins. ministers will- freedoms... cheers! the wait for data begins. ministers will watchi data begins. ministers will watch closely to see if this kind of meeting up, leads to another spike. personal detail

with cases spiking in some. parts of the country, like blackburn with darwen and lancashire, there isy the bbc prepared by officials in one of the affected areas says... the document then reveals risks were gross because of a sporadic failure in the national test and trace system, that provided no details to some local councils from the 21st of april until the 11th of may. that is three weeks without an effective test and trace system. in total 294 positive cases in blackburn alone were not passed on to the local contact tracers. nearly 800 across england. it’s contact tracers. nearly 800 across entland. �* , ., contact tracers. nearly 800 across entland. v ., ., contact tracers. nearly 800 across entland. �*, . . ., england. it's a failure right at the to- and i england. it's a failure right at the top and i find _ england. it's a failure right at the top and i find it _ england. it's a failure right at the top and i find it astonishing i england. it's a failure right at the top and i find it astonishing when billions have been spent on the test and trace system that the basics still

one of those eight areas affected by the guidance is blackburn with darwen.ate of infection in england — with the indian variant making up most of those cases. the council has now written to the health secretary asking for everybody over 16 to be vaccinated to curb the rising infections. our special correspondent ed thomas has been in blackburn. new covid guidelines are here. and in blackburn, it has caught a few by surprise. in blackburn, it has caught a few by surrise. ., ., . ., surprise. covid guidance for blackburn. _ surprise. covid guidance for blackburn, are _ surprise. covid guidance for blackburn, are you - surprise. covid guidance for blackburn, are you aware . surprise. covid guidance for| blackburn, are you aware of surprise. covid guidance for. blackburn, are you aware of it. surprise. covid guidance for- blackburn, are you aware of it. no. doe individual guidance. i blackburn, are you aware of it. no. doe individual guidance.— doe individual guidance. i don't know. a apparently _ doe individual guidance. i don't know. a apparently you - doe ind

with cases spiking in some parts of the country, like blackburn with darwen and lancashire, there iscause of a sporadic failure in the national test and trace system, that provided no details to some local councils from the 21st of april until the 11th of may. that is three weeks without an effective test and trace system. in total, 294 positive cases in blackburn alone were not passed on to the local contact tracers. nearly 800 across england. it's a failure right at the top, and ifind it astonishing when billions have been spent on the test and trace system that the basics still are not working and local areas are battling an increase in the virus. the department of health has admitted that in a small number of contacts there was a temporary delay in the message being passed on, a technical glitch if you like, but they say the problem was resolved quickly and everyone was contacted in the end. but the crux of the problem here is the link between the national database and local teams trying to grapple with coronavirus on the ground, and some of them were in the dark at a vital momen

the worst—affected areas in england continue to be bolton, bedford and blackburn with darwen.er areas in england each have more than 100 confirmed cases of the variant. the critical thing to watch is the link from the number of cases to how many people end up in hospital. the increase in cases remains focused in hotspots, and we're doing all we can to tackle this variant wherever it flares up. the prime minister said we may need to wait for the lifting of all covid restrictions, but he added that there was nothing currently in the data from england to suggest that the easing couldn't go ahead as planned. the next two weeks, then, may be crucial. a decision is expected in mid—june. james reynolds, bbc news. pressure continues on england's health secreatry, matt hancock, over the deaths of care home residents in the pandemic. it comes after the prime minister's former adviser, dominic cummings, accused him of lying in late—march 2020 about care home residents being tested for covid before leaving hospital. mr hancock says the allegations are unsubstantiated and untrue. he says m

the variant is now the dominant strain in bolton, blackburn and darwen, and is rising in all age groupsng anyone eligible to get a vaccine. some scientists are questioning why restrictions were eased yesterday in england when the government's own tests for unlocking suggest that a variant of concern might prompt a rethink. restrictions were also eased yesterday in wales and in parts of scotland. our health correspondent jim reed reports. as people across england, wales and scotland celebrate their new freedoms... all: cheers! ..the weight of the data begins. ministers will be watching the figures closely to see if this kind of meeting up inside leads to another spike in covid infections. another big unknown. data on a variant of the virus first found in india are now spreading in places like blackburn and bolton. we are looking at the epidemiology the whole time as it comes in. and at the moment, i think partly because we have built up such a wall of defences with the vaccination programme, i don't see anything conclusive at the moment to say that we need to deviate from the road map. w

this particular relevance if you are and the blackburn and darwen council area, because the council hadiant that that is talking about. much more about that coming up about. much more about that coming up in a moment on the six o'clock news with sophie robot. more than that to come. for now, i would leave you with a look at the weather for prospects. here is a good news for tomorrow, the weather is looking a little less lively. we are expecting fewer showers. one or two heavy ones maybe with some cracks of thunder, but on the whole, not quite the wash—out that we had today in some southern and south—western areas. the forecast through the night shows for showers for a time in the south dying away. then i think it is a case of low—grade cloud drifting in from the north sea and engulfing much of eastern and central britain. frost free tonight. around six to 9 degrees. friday, there is a weather system approaching, but it won't arrive until friday night into saturday. dry to come in a quieter day. not to completely dry day. after that really great, drizzly start in the murk it as well. the

first minister, nicola sturgeon, also urged people not to travel to bedford, bolton, blackburn and darwennd of course, that is most of scotland, can travel to any other level one or level two area within scotland and to any other part of the uk. however, we know that there are particularly serious outbreaks of the april 02 variant in three specific english local authority areas, bedford, bolton, and blackburn and darwen. so for that reason, from monday onwards, we are imposing hopefully temporary travel restrictions on travel between scotland and those three local authority areas in england. so if you were planning to visit friends or relatives or to stay in those areas, bedford, bolton, and blackburn and darwen, you must delay your visit. we are not placing legal restrictions on travel to lancashire or greater manchester more widely, or to areas around bedfordshire. but if you are planning to visit these areas in the next few days, please consider whether you need to make your visit or whether it can be delayed. and finally, remember that the situation with this new variant changes quick

bedford, bolton and black blackburn and darwen.bedfordshire but if you are planning to visit the areas consider whether you need to make the visitor whether you need to make the visitor whether it can be delayed. finally, remember the situation with this new variant changes quickly. if you are travelling to somewhere else in the uk, look and see what the situation at your point of destination is. at the moment, we would advise against travel to any part of the uk where there is an active health protection response. associated with variant. we hope these rules and guidelines will not be in place for very long but at the moment they are a way of helping us reduce the risk that any more of this variant comes into scotland while we are trying to deal with outbreaks of it that we have a right now. i have brief final point i want to meet before i finally finish and go questions today. the first is about tomorrowcup final. tomorrow will be a big day for both stjohnstone and hibs fans. i know that fans and indeed others will be wanting to

blackburn with darwen has one of the highest covid rates in england, so this week a vaccine bus — likeare still relatively low — but the authorities are urging the public to remain cautious, to avoid another lockdown. charlotte wright, bbc news. myanmar�*s deposed leader aung san suu kyi has appeared in person at a court hearing on monday — for the first time since her government was overthrown by a military coup. ms suu kyi is facing charges that range from illegally possessing walkie—talkie radios to violating a state secrets law. our south east asia correspondentjonathan head says ms suu kyi has been kept isolated since her detention in february her lawyer said that she actually doesn�*t know where she is being detained. so she has been completely kept sealed off. they�*re not really sure about how much he knows about what is going on, but her ally, president win myint who was detained along with her has told his lawyers that in fact they have been told nothing at all. they have got no sources of information. they have been held now for 16 weeks. so, this was the first time that she

yesterday that the india variant is now the dominant strain in bolton and neighbouring blackburn and darwenwas rising in all age groups. he said most people in hospital in those areas had been eligible for a jab but had chosen not to have one, and he urged anyone who was unsure about vaccines to look at what's happening in bolton. but yasmin qureshi, the labour mp for bolton south east, challenged mr hancock's suggestion that her constituents had refused the vaccine, blaming poor organisation instead. amid the rising numbers of the variant, the government has warned its next review of social distancing measures may be delayed, saying its decision would be based on the latest data. let's get more on this from our correspondentjon donnison. # a lovely day... a lovely day, and — for those out on the town indoors in manchester last night — one that's been a long time coming. a chance to get the glad rags on, or maybe just a pint with the pooch. do you know what? it's just amazing. you know, we spent so long, like... even being outside is not the same thing as being inside. and just the atmosphe

thor when, where there are a83 cases of that new variant, so a real concentration of it there —— in darwenedford is a particular area of concern at the moment for the government. mr hancock said there would be surge texting post in place, similar to what we've seen —— surge testing. as you say, you talked about the new variant being more transmissible than others that we've seen previously during the pandemic, but early data shows, and there is a certain degree of confidence around us from the government, but not necessarily conclusive proof at this stage that there is, that the vaccines are effective against the new variant. not too much cause for concern. he said that those in hospital in bolton were mostly people who had been eligible for the vaccine, but hadn't come forward to take it. he said the new variant hadn't penetrated particularly into those groups of people who are either much older are particularly vulnerable against coronavirus. so, that is an encouraging sign, but it comes with that note of caution that there are some people who are leaving themselves open to infection wit

north tyneside, bolton, blackburn with darwen, burnley, kirklees, leicester, bedford and hounslow. in these areas are also asked to meet outside and keep two metres apart from those they don't live with. health officials say they weren't told about changes to the advice, with one telling us... he goes on to say that when central government was asked to provide any evidence to support the need for the new measures he did not receive any response. the bbc also spoke to north tyneside council, which said local officials knew nothing about the new guidance until last night. mps say ministers must urgently clarify their advice, saying no announcement about the updated guidance was a recipe for confusion and uncertainty. but the department of health says guidance was needed to encourage people to take an extra cautious approach when meeting others or travelling in areas hit hardest by the new variant, first identified in india. aruna iyengar, bbc news. our chief political correspondent adam fleming joins me now. he is in westminster. were the authorities told or not?- he is in westminste

with cases spiking in some parts of the country, like blackburn with darwen in lancashire, there is evidenceveals risks were worse because of a sporadic failure in the national test and trace system that provided no details to some local councils from 21st april until 11th may. that's three weeks without an effective test and trace system. in total, 294 positive cases in blackburn alone were not passed on to the local contact tracers, nearly 800 across england. it's a failure right at the top, and ifind it astonishing when billions have been spent on this test and trace system, that the basics still aren't working and local areas are battling an increase in the virus. the department of health has admitted that in a small number of contacts, there was a temporary delay in the message being passed on, a technical glitch, if you like, but they say the problem was resolved quickly and everyone was contacted in the end. but the crux of the problem here is the link between the national database and local teams trying to grapple with coronavirus on the ground, and some of them were in the dark at a

blackburn with darwen has one of the highest covid rates in england, so this week a vaccine bus — liketres there to make getting the jab more convenient. at the moment, infection levels across the uk are still relatively low — but the authorities are urging the public to remain cautious, to avoid another lockdown. charlotte wright, bbc news. one of sasha johnson's friends is the black lives matter activist, imarn ayton. we were just reporting on that story a moment ago. sasha johnson is in a critical condition in hospital after being shot in the early hours of yesterday morning in south london. hello and thank you for talking to us. tell us about the condition of your friend. us. tell us about the condition of your friend-— us. tell us about the condition of our friend. .,, . , ., your friend. the most recent update, 'ust so your friend. the most recent update, just so everyone _ your friend. the most recent update, just so everyone is _ your friend. the most recent update, just so everyone is aware, _ your friend. the most recent update, just so everyone is aware, i - your friend. the

north tyneside, bolton, blackburn with darwen, burnley, kirklees, leicester, bedford and hounslow.these areas are also asked to meet outside and keep two metres apart from those they don't live with. health officials say they weren't told about changes to the advice, with one telling us... the bbc also spoke to north tyneside council, which said local officials knew nothing about the new guidance until last night. mps say ministers must urgently clarify their advice, saying no announcement about the updated guidance was a recipe for confusion and uncertainty. but the department of health says guidance was needed to encourage people to take an extra cautious approach when meeting others or travelling in areas hit hardest by the new variant, first identified in india. aruna iyengar, bbc news. today is the first anniversary of the death of george floyd — the african american killed by a white policeman in minneapolis. mr floyd's murder sparked global protests against racism and police brutality. barbara plett usher reports. in the year since george floyd died, rituals have helped to b

details of 734 positive cases to eight local authorities, including nearly 300 in blackburn with darwenhas said that the test and tray system has successfully threw its lifetime so far contacted over 10 million people, and that although this problem occurred, all individuals were contacted and instructed to self—isolate for ten days. what self-isolate for ten days. what about any _ self-isolate for ten days. what about any reaction _ self-isolate for ten days. what about any reaction from - self-isolate for ten days. what about any reaction from the i self—isolate for ten days. what about any reaction from the council is affected by this? hat about any reaction from the council is affected by this?— is affected by this? not yet. there ma be is affected by this? not yet. there may be further— is affected by this? not yet. there may be further reaction _ is affected by this? not yet. there may be further reaction during - is affected by this? not yet. there may be further reaction during the day and it will be interesting to see too whether this glitch was limited to the eight councils we

north tyneside, bolton, blackburn with darwen, burnley, kirklees, leicester, bedford and hounslow.rth tyneside council, which said local officials knew nothing about the new guidance until last night. mps say ministers must urgently clarify their advice, saying no announcement about the updated guidance was a recipe for confusion and uncertainty. but the department of health says guidance was needed to encourage people to take an extra cautious approach when meeting others or travelling in areas hit hardest by the new variant, first identified in india. aruna iyengar, bbc news. let's go to one of the areas affected by this and i am joined by affected by this and i am councillor david greenhalgh is the conservative leader of bolton council — which is one of the local thank you for your time. when did you first become aware of this new advice? i you first become aware of this new advice? ~ ~ you first become aware of this new advice? ~' ,, .,, ., advice? i think like most other authorities, _ advice? i think like most other authorities, we _ advice? i think like most other authoritie

the worst affected areas in england continue to be bolton, bedford and blackburn with darwen.er areas in england each have more than 100 confirmed cases of the variant. the critical thing to watch is the link from the number of cases, to how many people end up in hospital. the increase in cases remains focused on hotspots, and we're doing all we can to tackle this variant wherever it flares up. the prime minister said we may need to wait for the lifting of all covid restrictions, but he added that there was nothing currently in the data from england to suggest that the easing couldn't go ahead as planned. the next two weeks then may be crucial. a decision is expected in mid—june. james reynolds, bbc news. matt hancock is also under growing pressure over the deaths of thousands of care home residents. the prime minister's former advisor, dominic cummings, accused him of lying early on in the pandemic about care home residents being tested for coronavirus after leaving hospital. but mr hancock says the allegations are unsubstantiated and untrue. 0ur political correspondent damia

the public health director of blackburn with darwen council has told the bbc he is �*furious' the governmentnot fretting at local areas with lockdown if their rates go up with variants, but support them to take action to control that. at the moment, the government is tying one hand behind my back with responding to the area and the wider region. we will get the latest from boris johnson and professor chris witty at a news conference at a 5pm. in a moment, the bbc news at one with ben brown, but first it's time for a look at the weather. any fans of this weekend, just be prepared to embrace at the british weather. we have towering storm clouds, fun and lightning, downpours of that, and also gusty winds. low pressure will be moving across the uk during saturday and sunday. this is nothing new. it is being propelled by a jet stream just south of others, meaning we are in the colder air. of others, meaning we are in the colderair. colderairstreams coming in from the north, low pressure forming just to the north of the jet stream, and all the warmth that we would like has been deflected to the so

variant which is popped up the indian variant which is popped up in a couple of places, blackburn and darwendetails of that incident as they come through to us here and later throughout the day on the bbc news channel. very sad news to have to report. one child has died as a result of that gas explosion and four adults have been injured. an eyewitness told us a little earlier in the programme it happened around two o'clock this morning and emergency services are still on the scene there in lancashire. has lockdown left you yearning for the wild outdoors? well, if it has, there may be a job out there that's just for you. st michael's mount, a remote island only accessible by boat or at low—tide, is advertising for a live—in employee to work at its medieval castle. andrea ormsby has been to find out more. they say an englishman's home is his castle. well, st michael's mount is quite literally that for around 30 people. now there's room for one more, a live—in castle officer. we've had an overwhelming response, which has been fantastic. we need people who are happy with boats, happy with height

the director of public health for blackburn with darwen, dominic harrison, said the affected areas "werewould advise the residents in those areas _ i would advise the residents in those areas to _ i would advise the residents in those areas to think _ i would advise the residents in those areas to think very- i would advise the residents in . those areas to think very carefully about— those areas to think very carefully about the — those areas to think very carefully about the freedoms _ those areas to think very carefully about the freedoms they - those areas to think very carefully about the freedoms they have - those areas to think very carefully. about the freedoms they have come away up _ about the freedoms they have come away up the — about the freedoms they have come away up the risks _ about the freedoms they have come away up the risks and _ about the freedoms they have come away up the risks and be _ about the freedoms they have come away up the risks and be very - away up the risks and be very cautious _ on 21 may the areas bedford, burnley, kirklees, leicester, north tyneside

a83 of these cases have been seen in bolton and blackburn with darwen, where it is now the dominant strainton we have quadrupled the rate of vaccination. we carried out 6200 vaccinations this weekend, and it's brilliant to see so many people from the most vulnerable groups coming forward to get the protection, whether it is coming forward to get the first jab whether it is coming forward to get the firstjab or coming forward to get their second jab. all in all, this is the biggest surge of resources into any specific local area we have seen during the pandemic so far. it has been coordinated by drjenny harries, the chief executive of the new uk health security agency, drawing on all the health and capabilities locally and nationally we have built in the last year. i want to thank everyone who was working so hard to make it happen, including everyone at the two local authorities, the rapid response team, all the volunteers, including from stjohn's ambulance, and most importantly the people of bolton and blackburn for the community spirit they are showing. it has been really heartening. i'm

about what is going on in places like i what is going on in places like bolton and blackburn and darwen how worried are you about what is going on there? t am about what is going on there? i am worried because _ about what is going on there? i am worried because what _ about what is going on there? t —n worried because what we know is that variance are often more transmissible ones when you see an outbreak any particular area, it quickly spills over into neighbouring areas, so we have to nip this in the bad. and i think there are two of these big things we have to do. surge vaccination as is being called out in parts of blackburn and i think is the right way to go. let's do that in bolton and some of the other places mentioned, but we have also got to fix contact tracing in the local teams need to be in charge of contact tracing, and thirdly, and this is the one i have been banging on about at the start. if you are low paid rn insecure work and you are ill, you will not isolate yourself if you are likely to lose money. we have to fix sector pay and financial support and we need a better

in lancashire, labour held onto blackburn and darwen. and now, not under any overall control.eral democrats are the largest party there and that is usually significant. it is the mayoral contest which is also press quite interesting here in the northwest. for mayors jobs are up for grabs, including that the rectally elected mayoral seat in liverpool. last year, the previous mayorjoe anderson faced those allegations of bribery and misinterpretations as part of a police investigation, so he stepped down, he has always denied any wrongdoing, there have been no charges, but that investigation is still ongoing, so labour that had this process in finding some kind of replacement and that eventually settled on joann replacement and that eventually settled onjoann anderson, an unexperienced counsellor, and on that backdrop we have the government expection which point out significant failings in that authority, so this was going to be contest, and in that mayoral contest, and in that mayoral contest, it had to go to a second preferences of basically no candidate got more than 50%, unti