hugh pym, our health editor. let's stay _ vaccine. hugh pym, our health editor.r health editor. let's stay with the - vaccine. hugh pym, our health i editor. let's stay with the impact of the pandemic. there's growing evidence that the covid lockdowns have damaged the language skills of young children in england. the bbc has seen evidence that reduced social interaction and the wearing of face coverings have deprived youngsters of experiences that are essential for developing vocabulary. 0ur education editor branwen jeffreys has been to blackpool and walsall to investigate. hey, i found a worm. this is how children learn words, but new experiences have been limited by the pandemic. parents know toddlers have seen and heard less. at this point, she's spent half of her life in lockdown. so whereas we'd normally do singing groups and toddler groups, she's not had any of that. they need to be with other children. you know, it's good forthem, isn't it? yeah, making new friends and stuff. it's easy to think with children this little that they haven't missed out on much

hugh pym, our health editor, recover. hugh pym, our health editor. many — recover.any thanks. - the latest government coronavirus figures show there were 2,672 new infections recorded in the latest 24—hour period, which means that on average the number of new cases reported per day in the last week, is 2,667. across the uk, an average of 2,393 people were in hospital with covid—i9 in the seven days to tuesday, including suspected cases in wales. 30 deaths were reported, that's people who died within 28 days of a positive covid—i9 test. on average in the past week, 30 deaths were announced every day, taking the total to 127,191. nearly 118,000 people have had their first dose of one of the three approved covid—19 vaccines in the latest 2a hour period, which takes the overall number of people who've had theirfirstjab, to just under 32.5 million. those who've had their second dose of the vaccine in the latest 24—hour period, is 343,783, taking the overall number of people who've had a second jab to more than 8.5 million. a former conservative party chairman has become

hugh pym, bbc news. now on bbc news — our world. hadicha is fighting forjustice.jan, has been in prison for ten years for crime he says he didn't commit. now he has one last chance of freedom. but as the court case approaches, coronavirus is spreading. this is the story of hadicha and azimjan and their fight forjustice. kyrgyzstan, a central asian country which borders china. most of the 6 million population are kyrgyz. but there arejust under1 million uzbeks. one of them is hadicha. for ten years she has campaigned for her husband, azimjan askarov, a human rights activist who is in prison. hadicha and azimjan have been married for over a0 years, but in 2010 he became caught up in violent clashes between kyrgyz and uzbeks. azimjan set out to find out. while azimjan was documenting the violence, police visited hadicha. now azimjan found himself being interrogated by the same local police he had been investigating. he says he was mistreated. shortly after his arrest, he told a localjournalist what happened. azimjan was sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering a

hugh pym, bbc news. duke of edinburgh — hosting the retirement of her household's most senior official — lord chamberlain earl peel. prince philip died at windsor castle on friday. he was 99 years old. the duke's funeral will take place at st george's chapel in windsor on saturday. carrington asked near buckingham palace, they spotted the man walking around 630 on tuesday evening. no one was hurt. and finally, people across england have been revelling in some new found freedoms over the last few days, from drinking in pub beer gardens to going on staycations. northern ireland's "stay—at—home" order has also been lifted and some rules were eased in scotland and wales. danjohnson has been speaking to some of those enjoying the easing of lockdown rules. 6am in shropshire. —2, and this is some people's idea of freedom. oh, my god! you're not regretting it, are you? no, not at all. also uncaged, dilys and harry, away from home and free to roam. campsites are maybe one of our favourite things to go to and it's

hugh pym, bbc news.layed the roll—out of its covid vaccine in europe, after regulators in the united states called for a pause because of safety concerns. six people who'd had the vaccine in the us have developed rare and severe blood clots. it's so far been given to almost seven million americans. our medical editor, fergus walsh, reports. an abundance of caution was cited by us health officials as the reason why they paused the use of the single—shotjohnson & johnson covid jab. the vaccine, which in europe is branded as janssen, was approved in the us in late—february. since then, there have been six incidents of very rare clots in the brain, out of 6.8 million doses so less than one case per million people immunised. all were women under 50, one of them died and one is critically ill. i think this is an unusual occurrence of a serious adverse event that you want to make sure before you go forward, you investigate it thoroughly. and that's exactly what they're doing. they're pausing, so that they can l

hugh pym, bbc news. 0ur political correspondent damian grammaticas is in westminsterfor us.eard borisjohnson speaking. it's a we havejust heard borisjohnson speaking. it's a reminder we have just heard borisjohnson speaking. it's a reminder that politically there is an awful lot riding on this vaccine programme. absolutely right. this comes at a really important time, because remember the uk has seen more than 126,000 deaths, one of the highest cumulative totals in the world, but we are at the stage now when our vaccine programme is also ahead of most countries in the world and we have seen in recent weeks how that has been contributing to bringing the pandemic under control. as we now move to exiting from our current lockdown, the government strategy is really built on this vaccine roll—out and they need to keep people coming forward is for first doses, second doses, though they are stressing that vaccine roll—out remains unchanged, just the advice for under 30s. the prime minister has been saying people should continue to have confidence that these vaccines are highly effe

hugh pym, bbc news.irus, which show there were just under 2,500 new infections in the latest 24—hour period, which means an average of 2,259 new cases per day in the last week. there are 1,553 people in hospital with coronavirus. 22 deaths were recorded in the last 2a hours. that's people who'd had a positive covid—i9 test within the previous 28 days. the average number of deaths per day in the past week is also 22. the total number of uk deaths is now 127,502. 0n vaccinations, a total of more than 3a million people have now had their firstjab, and the number who've had their second jab is more than ia million. the jailed russian opposition actvist alexei navalny, has made his first public appearance since going on a hunger strike, which he has recently abandoned. looking gaunt, mr navalny was appealing against conviction in a separate case. his appearance comes amid a new kremlin—inspired push against his anti—corruptuion organisation. 0ur moscow correspondent sarah rainsford has the details. his head c

hugh pym, many thanks.e release of footage showing an unarmed 13—year—old boy being shot dead by a policeman last month. the video shows adam toledo with his hands up and with no weapon. the police film shows a handgun near the spot where he fell. the teenager's death comes at a time of continuing high tension in the us about police killings. barbara plett usher is in chicago for us tonight. yes, adam toledo was killed in the alleyway right behind me and he was one of the youngest people killed by police in recent years, and so of course there is outrage, and that has been amplified by the fact that there was this delay in the release of the footage, it took more than two weeks, and during that time, police talked about an armed confrontation. and on top of that, this is all happening at the same time as the trial for the killing of george floyd, which also resonates deeply here. stop! the policeman chases the boy down an alleyway. "raise your hands," he shouts. then a shot is fired. drop it! gunshot. polic

hugh pym, there. cummings has launched a blistering attack on borisjohnson — on a number of fronts — after reports that he'd played a part in leaking text messages between the prime minister and the businessman sirjames dyson. 0ur deputy political editor vicki young has more. and a warning her report contains flashing images. he left downing street last november, and he hasn't gone quietly. dominic cummings was once the prime minister's closest adviser, but accused by anonymous number 10 sources of leaking sensitive material, he's launched a ferocious attack on his old boss and those around them. earlier this week, the bbc published text messages between borisjohnson and businessman sirjames dyson. in a blog post, mr cummings denied being the leaker and said he'd show senior officials his phone to prove it. this evening, mrjohnson fended off questions. i don't think people care. what they care about is... that's not really an answer. ..what was i doing back in march of last year. and people have attac

hugh pym, bbc news. let's take a look at the latest government coronavirus figures.infections recorded in the latest 24—hour period, which means that on average the number of new cases reported per day in the last week is 3,072. across the uk, an average of 3,536 people were in hospital with coronavirus over the seven days to first april. 45 deaths were reported. that's people who died within 28 days of a positive covid—19 test. on average in the past week, 31 deaths were announced every day. the total number of deaths so far across the uk is 126,927. the uk is continuing its programme of mass vaccinations, and in the last 24—hour period, 85,227 people have had their first dose, taking the overall number of people who've had their firstjab to 31,707,594. the number of people who've had their second dose of the vaccine in the latest 24—hour period is 186,793. that takes the overall number of people who've had their second jab to more than 5.6 million people. now that we've seen all those figures, fergus walsh, these new guidelines today, i think what viewers would lik

hugh pym, thank ou.heir grandfather, the duke of edinburgh. william described prince philip as an extraordinary man from an extraordinary generation. harry wrote of him as a master of the barbecue, and a legend of banter. here's our royal correspondent, nicholas witchell. he was there for them at their moment of greatest anguish, walking with the young william and harry behind the coffin of their mother after her death in a road accident. and the bond between the grandfather and the grandsons on whom so many hopes rested, was a deep one. in his statement william says he feels fortunate to have had his grandfather's enduring presence to guide him through good times and the hardest days. he recalled the special memories his own children will have of their great grandpa, coming to collect them in his carriage. then william says this... harry speaks of his grandfather's unparalleled devotion to the queen. he'd been a man of honour and great humour, master of the barbecue, legend of banter and cheeky right to

hugh pym, bbc news.,963 new coronavirus infections recorded in the latest 24—hour period. the average number of new cases reported per day in the last week is now 2,469. just over 2,000 people are in hospital with covid — the lowest number since the end of september. four deaths were reported people who died within 28 days of a positive covid test. 25 deaths have been announced on average every day in the past week. 127,274 have now died across the uk. as for vaccinations, another 83,000 people have had their first dose of a covid—19 vaccine in the latest 24—hour period, meaningjust under 33 million have now had theirfirstjab. just over 221,000 more people have had their second dose, meaning more than ten million have had both jabs. the prime minister is expected to announce this week a much more ambitious target for cutting britain's carbon emissions. the new plan is to cut carbon emissions by 78% by 2035. and for the first time international aviation and shipping will be included in the target. our chi

hugh pym, bbc news, oxford. let's take a look at the latest government figures.d in the latest 24—hour period. on average 2,216 new cases were reported per day in the last week. the latest figures show there were 1,497 people in hospital being treated for coronavirus on wednesday. 15 deaths were reported in the latest 24—hour period — that's people who died within 28 days of a positive covid—19 test. on average in the past week, 19 deaths were announced every day. the total number is now 127,517. as for vaccinations — a total of 34.2 million people have now had their first dose of a covid vaccine. and over 14.5 million people have had both doses and are now fully vaccinated. a significant number of lockdown restrictions have been eased in northern ireland today. shops, gyms, pubs, restaurants and cafes have reopened, making northern ireland the last of the uk's four nations to do so. hospitality businesses must operate outdoors, with table service and limited numbers. a police community support officer whose body was found in woodland in kent died from serious he

hugh pym, bbc news, skipton.,479 new coronavirus infections recorded in the latest 24—hour period, meaning on average 11,570 new cases were reported per day in the last week. that's down by around a third on this time last week. there are 3,957 patients in hospital with covid—19. 51 deaths were reported in the latest 24—hour period — that's of people who died within 28 days of a positive covid—19 test. on average in the past week 46 deaths were announced every day, taking the total number to 126,764. on vaccinations, almost 242,000 people have had theirfirstjab in the latest 24—hour period, bringing the total to just over 31.1 million. and more than 4.5 million people have now had two doses. the founder of liberty steel has insisted that none of its plants in the uk will shut "on his watch", despite revealing the company owes "many billions" of pounds. sanjeev gupta is seeking to refinance the business, after the collapse of its main financial backer, greensill capital. liberty steel employs around 3000 people at

hugh pym, bbc news.rom the boards of morrisons and dunelm after the it scandal which led to the wrongful convictions of former postmasters. our correspondent colletta smith is at morrisons headquarters in bradford. she has gone, did the pressure get too great for her?— too great for her? well, it certainly _ too great for her? well, it certainly was _ too great for her? well, it certainly was an _ too great for her? well, it| certainly was an avalanche too great for her? well, it i certainly was an avalanche of pressure this weekend after the overturning of those convictions. paula vennells has now announced she is stepping down not only from the board here at morrisons, and the retailer dunelm, but also from her duties as an ordained minister in the church of england. the companies are very keen to distance themselves from that scandal that is swirling around the post office at the moment and doing considerable damage to the reputation of the brand, especially as over the coming weeks and months paula v

hugh pym, bbc news.there were 2,729 new infections recorded in the latest 24—hour period. on average, the number of new cases reported per day in the last week is 2,471. just over 1900 people are currently in hospital. 18 deaths were reported — that's people who died within 28 days of a positive covid—19 test. on average in the past week, 22 deaths were announced every day. the total number of deaths is now 127,345. as for vaccinations, just under 118,000 people have had their first dose in the latest 24 hour period, meaning more than 33.2 million have now had theirfirst dose. the take up for the second jab remains high, withjust over 416,000 in the latest 24 hour period — meaning just over 11.2 million people are now fully vaccinated. india has recorded the highest daily number of new covid—19 cases anywhere in the world — with almost 315,000 new cases recorded in the past 24 hours and more than 2000 more deaths. hospitals in india are running out of oxygen to treat seriously ill coronavirus patients. t

hugh pym, bbc news, skipton.tions recorded in the latest 24—hour period. on average, 11,570 new cases were reported per day in the last week that's down by around a third on this time last week. there are 3,957 patients in hospital with covid—19. 51 deaths were reported in the latest 24—hour period. that's people who died within 28 days of a positive covid—19 test. on average in the past week, 46 deaths were announced every day. the total number is now 126,764. as for vaccinations, almost 242,000 people have had their firstjab in the latest 24—hour period bringing the total to just over 31.1 million. and over 4.5 million people have now had both doses. the timetable for easing restrictions in wales has been set out by the first minister, mark drakeford — though he said it was all dependent on coronavirus case numbers. the plan is for non—essential retail to reopen from april 12th. that's also when travel to and from wales will be allowed again — and students can resume face—to—face education. two weeks after that

hugh pym, bbc news, 0xford. let's take a look at the latest government figures.on average, 2,216 new cases were reported per day in the last week. the latest figures show there were 1,497 people in hospital being treated for coronavirus on wednesday. 15 deaths were reported in the latest 24—hour period — that's people who died within 28 days of a positive covid—19 test. on average in the past week, 19 deaths were announced every day. the total number is now 127,517. as for vaccinations, a total of 34.2 million people have now had their first dose of a covid vaccine. and 14.5 million people have had both doses and are now fully vaccinated. a police community support officer whose body was found in woodland in kent died from serious head injuries, police say. the body of 53—year—old julia james was found in a wood in snowdown near dover on tuesday. police say that so far no motive or suspects have been identified. let's go now to our correspondent at the scene, helena wilkinson. in the last hour, the family of julia james have paid a moving tribute to her. they hav

hugh pym, bbc news. the first of asian descent. sir anthony hopkins also became the oldest best actor winner at 83, while daniel kaluuya is the first black british actor to win an oscar in the supporting category. 0ur arts editor will gompertz has more. the oscars 2021 pulled into la's union station for a pandemic—era showy live event presented a bit like a movie — but the script lacked surprises, and there was a stumbled start by nominee and guest presenter regina king. ah. laughter 0oh. live tv, here we go! the mood was more low—key art house, rather than hollywood blockbuster. fitting, then, that nomadland — an elegiac film about a widowed woman seeking solace on the open road — was the night's big winner. it's writer—director chloe zhao became only the second woman in the 0scars' 93—year history to win the best director award. this is for anyone who has the faith and the courage to hold on to the goodness in themselves. the film's star, frances mcdormand, took home the leading actress 0scar — the thi

hugh pym, bbc news. it's the jab produced by the pharmaceutical companyjohnson and johnson that is being linked with rare blood clots. health experts in america have called for a pause in its roll out and the company itself is delaying the distribution of its vaccine in the eu. let's talk to our medical editor, fergus walsh. in yourjudgment, how much of a safety concern is this? the american authorities say _ safety concern is this? the american authorities say they _ safety concern is this? the american authorities say they are _ safety concern is this? the american authorities say they are doing - safety concern is this? the american authorities say they are doing this i authorities say they are doing this with an abundance of caution and they expect this pause to only last a few days. they have had six cases of very rare clots, around 6.8 million people immunised. so less then a one in a million chance here. one person died and one is critical, who were all women aged under 50. we have seen similar ca

hugh pym, bbc news.in the uk to get the moderna vaccine, the third vaccine to come on stream in the uk, a 24—year—old carer in wales, and a 28—year—old solicitor called emily sanderson has become the first person in england to have the moderna jab at the sheffield arena vaccination centre, we are told she had underlying health conditions, she was meant at the astrazeneca jab and that has been changed to moderna. 28—year—old emily sanderson, i am moderna. 28—year—old emily sanderson, iam not moderna. 28—year—old emily sanderson, i am not sure this is a technical term, she has been described as a jabbee in this copy, but she has had the moderna vaccine in sheffield. our health correspondent michelle roberts is now in the studio with me. let's talk about the government at least offering the vaccine to the priority groups, and the next age group going on stream? the priority groups, and the next age group going on stream?- group going on stream? the first nine grows. _ group going on stream? the first nine g

hugh pym, bbc news, 0xford.h, who's an infectious disease modeller at the university of oxford. she's also a member of the scientific pandemic influenza group on modelling, which advises the government. but she's speaking to us this afternoon in a personal capacity and i'm alsojoined by paul hunter, professor in medicine at the university of east anglia. welcome to both of you. first of all, are you surprised by the way the figures upon coming up that they have fallen from a given vaccination and all the rest of it, but the relative speed they appeared to be dropping by. relative speed they appeared to be dronping bur-— dropping by. yes, it has been satisfactory- _ dropping by. yes, it has been satisfactory. nothing - dropping by. yes, it has been i satisfactory. nothing particularly this last week or so and today's results were, the 12 of april had reversed a downward trend, we would've seen it today, so it has been very satisfactory. particularly i think for the hospitalisation rates which if anything happen f

hugh pym, bbc news.r the astra—zeneca vaccine — now it's the jab produced by the pharmaceutical companyjohnson and johnson that is being linked with rare blood clots. health experts in america have called for a pause in its roll out and the company itself is delaying the distribution of the vaccine in the eu. we can speak now to dr amesh adalja. of thejohns hopkins center for health security in baltimore. this for health security in baltimore. pauses at the rigt do? this pauses at the right thing to do? this pause i don't know if it's the right thing to do what were talking about is a very rare side evenif talking about is a very rare side even if it is linked to thejohnson &johnson vaccine we are talking about six cases in over 6.8 doses of the vaccine given. so this is extremely rare, this is something very similar to the astrazeneca problem that happened with these blood clots. i think what we are dealing with here is a lot of vaccine hesitancy in this country. i'm worried about the repercussions. thi

hugh pym, bbc news.ls are high across northern ireland and also southern england. low pressure is dominating the weather in the north, with its attendant front bringing in cloud and rain, bringing high pressure in the south, the isobars in the english channel, here it will be breezy today, but around the channel islands as well, gusting ll0 miles an hour. through the day this band of cloud and rain sinks south, cloud turning the sunshine hazy across northern england and northern ireland, you may see the odd spot of rain from that but for the rest of england and wales, it's dry with sunny skies. cooler along the north sea coastline, with an onshore breeze, temperatures roughly 7 to 16 degrees. this evening and overnight this low pressure sinks south with these fronts taking cloud and rain with it. doesn't quite get into the far south or south—east of england, here we will have clear skies and temperatures in rural areas will fall away low enough for some frost but we shouldn't have any issues with frost e

hugh pym, bbc news. the headlines on bbc news...e to another year in prison, dashing hopes she'd be coming home. doctors in india say people are dying from covid in the streets while desperate families queue to buy their own oxygen. after an oscar ceremony like no other, the biggest winner of the night was the film nomadland, with its director chloe zhao becoming the second woman to be named best director and the first of asian descent. sir anthony hopkins also became the oldest best actor winner at 83, while daniel kaluuya is the first black british actor to win an oscar in the supporting category. 0ur arts editor will gompertz has more. the oscars 2021 pulled into la's union station for a pandemic—era showy live event presented a bit like a movie — but the script lacked surprises, and there was a stumbled start by nominee and guest presenter regina king. ah. laughter. 0oh. live tv, here we go! the mood was more low—key art house, rather than hollywood blockbuster. fitting, then, that nomadland — an elegiac film about a widowed wom

hugh pym reports.ntinent right now to realise that we mustn't squander the huge progress that we made. the head of nhs england — huge progress that we made. the head of nhs england is— huge progress that we made. the head of nhs england is looking _ huge progress that we made. the head of nhs england is looking ahead - huge progress that we made. the head of nhs england is looking ahead and i of nhs england is looking ahead and believes that useful lessons have been learned during the pandemic. the way in which the nhs has mobilised not only the vaccination campaign, but also hospitals working together to make sure patients get the intensive care they needed, better working for with community services and local government. that sets the next phase of our nhs needs to be. . , , sets the next phase of our nhs needs to be. ., , , . , to be. that blueprint includes schemes run _ to be. that blueprint includes schemes run by _ to be. that blueprint includes schemes run by local - to be. that blueprint inclu

let's talk to our health editor, hugh pym.and this week? the answer to that is yes. those daily reported cases we have just been hearing about are those who have come forward to tests. the office for national statistics survey follows people out in the community and picks up those through testing of households, those who don't know they've got the virus because they don't have symptoms, and it has taken seriously this survey by policy makers to give a wider view and it shows that in all nations in the uk, infection rates were falling last week and the amount of virus out in the community is at its lowest in september and has fallen 90%, that is the number is infected, since january. 130,000 people have the virus in the uk as of last week compared with nearly 1.3 million injanuary. but this was last week when schools were still out, so the risk of infections there was out of the picture, and it was before the beginning of the next phase of easing in england which took place on monday. so next week's report from the ons covering

hugh pym, bbc news.ons at 8:30pm right here on bbc news right here about the oxford/astrazeneca vaccine, so send any questions you have using the hashtag bbc your questions where you can also e—mail your questions and put into our experts. a young carer from carmathenshire has become the first person in the uk to receive the moderna coronavirus vaccine. the government has ordered 17 million doses of the jab — which is the third to be offered in britain. about five thousand doses are being distributed across west wales, and another batch is being administered from a vaccination centre in glasgow. here's our correspondent, huw thomas. a new weapon in the fight against coronavirus. 24—year—old ella taylor was the first person in the uk to get them a during a vaccine in wales. thousands of doses will be administered here beginning with unpaid carers. trier? administered here beginning with unpaid cerem— unpaid carers. very excited, very ha . . l unpaid carers. very excited, very happy. thrilled. _ unpaid car

hugh pym, bbc news.at the grammys in 2008. they were bought by an internet platform for investing in right footwear. at that price, it is bound to be. shortly it is the bbc news at 6pm, but first the weather. much of the uk has been dry, but we do have some rain working at south. a reminder if it was needed of what rainfall actually looks like, this weather watcher picture sent in from highland earlier. this rain came courtesy of this area of low pressure which will work its way south across the uk through the next few days. the majority of the uk should see at least eight fewer showers, but as the nature with showers, but as the nature with showers, we cannot guarantee them everywhere. eastern scotland, with an onshore wind, we are likely to have more persistent rain through the course of the night. cloud and showers that spread southwards, eliminating the risk of frost. for the majority, clear skies across southern england and east anglia. frost likely as we head into the first part of tuesday. it was

our health editor hugh pym joins me now. let's stay with those vaccination figures. breakdown of who is getting these jabs?— is getting these “abs? it was only a cou - le is getting these “abs? it was only a coule of is getting these jabs? it was only a counle of weeks — is getting these jabs? it was only a couple of weeks ago _ is getting these jabs? it was only a couple of weeks ago that _ is getting these jabs? it was only a couple of weeks ago that the - couple of weeks ago that the government was hailing the fact that the nine priority groups, including those aged 50 and over, had all been offered a first dose. now the programme is moving rapidly down through the age groups. let's take a look at the numbers in different parts of the uk. from today, those aged 42 and over in england are being offered a first dose, contacted by text and e—mail and so on. and there may be a move down to 30—year—olds in a week. northern ireland has already got there. it is offering those aged 35 and over a firstjab. in wales, is as young as 30 being offered that first dose. in scotl

today, borisjohnson said he'd do whatever it takes to deal with the problem. 0ur health editor, hugh pymki has a heart condition and needs regular checkups with a cardiologist, but they didn't happen at all last year and injanuary, her symptoms got worse, which made her increasingly anxious. it symptoms got worse, which made her increasingly anxious.— increasingly anxious. it makes me reall , increasingly anxious. it makes me really. really _ increasingly anxious. it makes me really, really tired, _ increasingly anxious. it makes me really, really tired, really - increasingly anxious. it makes me really, really tired, really dizzy. i really, really tired, really dizzy. it can make me feel a bit faint sometimes, i don't sleep very well, i can feel my heart beat constantly. it is literally like somebody trying to punch their way out of my chest, so sleeping is really difficult because it is a constant distraction.— because it is a constant distraction. ., , distraction. not painful, but uncomfortable. _ distraction. not painful, but uncomfortable. vicki - distraction. not painful, but| unc

anna collinson, bbc news. 0ur health editor hugh pym is here. backlog, we have a sense there of the scale of the task. we have a sense there of the scale of the task-— of the task. yes, there is no quick fix here. of the task. yes, there is no quick fix here- you _ of the task. yes, there is no quick fix here. you cannot _ of the task. yes, there is no quick fix here. you cannot suddenly - of the task. yes, there is no quick| fix here. you cannot suddenly train more staff to come into the nhs, that takes years. there are already vacancies and staff feeling very burned out, some of them, after the pandemic and all of the pressures which had been on them. so workforce is a difficult issue to get to grips with immediately. there have been calls for more money to be put immediately into hospitals to allow them to open up more. you heard from croydon hospital to open up seven days a week, pay the overtime and tried to get through some of these long lists of patients. the problem is you have new patients coming into the system being referred by gps al

show we speak to our health editor, _ hugh pym? og at the bottom of the valley, the sunnis on _ fog at the bottom of the valley, the sunnis on our face but we have thin air and _ sunnis on our face but we have thin air and our— sunnis on our face but we have thin airand our legs are sunnis on our face but we have thin air and our legs are getting tired. we need — air and our legs are getting tired. we need to— air and our legs are getting tired. we need to get to the top, so it is good _ we need to get to the top, so it is good to— we need to get to the top, so it is good to have shouts from people by the road _ good to have shouts from people by the road but we must not take our eye off _ the road but we must not take our eye off the — the road but we must not take our eye off the task and we have to keep working _ eye off the task and we have to keep working to _ eye off the task and we have to keep working to get to the top. there eye off the task and we have to keep working to get to the top.— working to get to the top. there is

hugh pym, bbc news.ity of brighton and a fellow of the institute of biomedical science. great to have you with us this morning. really good news that all of those people in the top nine priority groups, including the clinically vulnerable, have been offered their first dose of a vaccine three days ahead of schedule, where does that put as in the effort to tackle covid? i have heard various analogies, how would you put it? it is heard various analogies, how would ou ut it? , , heard various analogies, how would ou utit? , , , you put it? it is good news but it is important _ you put it? it is good news but it is important to _ you put it? it is good news but it is important to remember - you put it? it is good news but it is important to remember that l you put it? it is good news but it i is important to remember that just is important to remember thatjust because you have been offered the vaccine does not mean you have had it yet and that until people have had their second dose and a couple of weeks for

jim, thank you. 0ur health editor, hugh pym, is here.government as the vaccination roll—out continues? government as the vaccination roll-out continues?— government as the vaccination roll-out continues? victoria, there seems to be _ roll-out continues? victoria, there seems to be slightly _ roll-out continues? victoria, there seems to be slightly different - seems to be slightly different messages, on the one hand ministers are upbeat about getting through the first nine priority groups, an offer of a vaccine by the middle of april, we haven't got a precise breakdown of exactly how many of the groups have had what sort of take up though it seems to be an average of about 95%. and then moving onto the next phase of the programme. but listening to borisjohnson, he made the point that when it came to the road map for england, he saw no reason why it shouldn't go ahead but there was a lot of caution in his comments. he said yes the vaccination programme so far had made a contribution to reducing people getting seriously ill and then dying w

well, let's talk to our health editor, hugh pym.about, but we're still being urged to be cautious. yes, fiona. ithink yes, fiona. i think it will be some weeks before a government scientists and advisers reach any conclusions about the impact of the day's easing of restrictions in different parts of restrictions in different parts of the uk, whether the virus has spread further or not, it takes time for virus cases to develop. that is why we have got these five—week gaps between each stage of the road map, to allow for that assessment, and advice to the government about going to the next stage or not. 0fficials i speak to are reasonably confident so far. looking back at the reopening of schools from late february and early march around the uk, there had been an expectation that cases might increase in different communities with more people going in and out of schools, and pupils or parents may be going back to work, but that hasn't happened. the latest survey by the office for national statistics at the end of week last, covering th

hugh pym, bbc news. down to who they actually surveyed and how they framed the questions they ask. it clearnly isn't a straightforward science. and here is a perfect example, from england; courtesy of the latest yougov polling. so... pollsters asked the general public this question. do you expect you will — or will not — behave responsibly when shops, pub gardens and outdoor restaurants reopen. to which 69% answered, oh, yes, i definitely will behave properly. but when they asked it a different way. do you expect the �*general public�* will or will behave responsibly when the shops pub gardens and outdoor restaurants reopen — only 2% of the respondents predicted the wider public would behave responsibly. which is the very definition of... its always someone else's fault. and maybe that 2% drink in soho. where last night it didn't look very responsible or very socially distanced. i saw some on my way home last night. some in monday night training. some of them had some very wobbly legs, let me tell you. y

i've been getting more detail on the figures from our health editor hugh pym.l and, certainly, the numbers improved with the nhs in all parts of the uk — this is obviously a uk issue. the nhs in scotland, wales and northern ireland has considerable challenges, as well, with these long waits. it had been thought that there was the beginning of a path back to normality, with hospitals urged to get on with reducing their waiting lists and get to the most urgent patients within those lists. then of course we had this latest wave injanuary and february, which set everything back. and nhs england actually have made the point that 40% of all hospital covid admissions occurred in those two months —january and february — so there was particular pressure then. but even so, this is a long—term challenge for nhs leaders — how is this list going to to be reduced? absolutely — that is my next question — what is the plan to do that? i was talking to one of the regional directors for the royal college of nursing a few minutes ago — she was talking about 40,000 nursing vacancie

i'm joined now by our health correspondent hugh pym. he is going, after a relatively lengthy amount ofst couple of years have been like for him in that job?— for him in that “ob? well, in one sense, for him in that “ob? well, in one nobody— for him in that job? well, in one sense, nobody has _ for him in that job? well, in one sense, nobody has run - for him in that job? well, in one sense, nobody has run a - for him in that job? well, in one sense, nobody has run a health | sense, nobody has run a health estimate through anything quite like the last year so. nobody has had to face up to leading an nhs workforce through a pandemic like that. of course, the nhs consist of many, many different organisations in england will stop he certainly can't pull levers and things happen miles away in different hospitals and gp surgeries, but he overtly sets the tone. i think the vaccination roll—out programme, which was basically done by the nhs in different parts of the uk, he ran it in england, obviously in partnership with the department of health as well, but he should take a lot of credit for

hugh pym, bbc news.he right decision and how concerned are you about _ right decision and how concerned are you about this indian variant? well, the first thing _ you about this indian variant? well, the first thing i— you about this indian variant? well, the first thing i think _ you about this indian variant? well, the first thing i think it _ you about this indian variant? well, the first thing i think it is _ you about this indian variant? well, the first thing i think it is the - the first thing i think it is the correct decision. we see in looking at the numbers from india the cases that have been searching for probably about four to six weeks now. it is certainly becoming one of the areas with the most activity at the areas with the most activity at the moment. this new variant, it's still early days yet. where you are not absolutely sure how significant is going to be. this one very concerning thing about it and that is where as the south african and brazilian variants have just won what's called

today, borisjohnson said he'd do whatever it takes to deal with the problem. 0ur health editor, hugh pymart condition and needs regular checkups with a cardiologist, but they didn't happen at all last yearand injanuary, her symptoms got worse, which made her increasingly anxious. it makes me really, really tired, really dizzy. it can make me feel a bit faint sometimes, i don't sleep very well, i can feel my heart beat constantly. it is literally like somebody trying to punch their way out of my chest, so sleeping is really difficult because it is a constant distraction. not painful, but uncomfortable. vicki needed an ambulance to take her to hospital for treatment, she believes it would not be necessary if her checkups have gone ahead. it is an example, experts think of damaging effects on the nhs. for procedures including heart valve surgery, there were 32,000 patients waiting more than the 18 eight week target and that number has risen by half with 118,000 waiting that long. in the same month, more than 5,000 were waiting over a year compared with just a few dozen a year earlier. we ne

that is coming from hugh pym.nger to get the results. across bbc news today we're looking ahead to those elections and taking a look at the role local and devolved government plays in society. in a moment we'll speak to ailsa irvine from the electoral commission — but first let's take a look at what's happening where. it's the biggest election day until the next general election — and due to the cancellation of last year's local elections, on may the 6th thousands of seats across the uk are up for grabs. in england, they'll be voting in 143 local council authorities — with about 5,000 seats in contention. councillors are in change of many services — from bin collections to social care, sport facilities and libraries. there are also 13 mayoral elections — including greater manchester — the west midlands, london and for the first time in west yorkshire. voters in london will also elect 25 members of the london assembly — who examine the mayors decisions voters in england & wales will also be asked to elect police an

our health editor hugh pym has been looking at how each nation is doing with the vaccine rollout.e aged 42 and over in england are being offered a first dose, contacted by text and e—mail and so on. and there may be a move down to 30—year—olds in a week. northern ireland has already got there. it is offering those aged 35 and over a firstjab. in wales, is as young as 30 being offered that first dose. in scotland, it's 45—year—olds and over who are being offered the vaccines. in terms of the percentage of adults who have had a first dose. wales is out there with 68% who have had that firstjab. in england, it 63% of adults. in scotland, 62% and northern ireland 61% of adults who have had that firstjab. if you look at all the numbers added up, one quarter of uk adults have had a first and second dose. so there is quite confident that things are progressing well, but of course, there is still a crisis in many countries, including india, as we have been hearing. more about india later in this half hour. there's growing evidence that the coronavirus lockdowns have adversely affected the

hugh pym, bbc news. fascinating.ok this backward _ last year i thought, i took this backward step and i realised we have head injuries in the game. i've still_ head injuries in the game. i've still got — head injuries in the game. i've still got friends, family, my sons play rugby. that is when i really look _ play rugby. that is when i really took notice that i needed to start took notice that i needed to start to leam— took notice that i needed to start to learn a — took notice that i needed to start to learn a bit more about these head injuries _ to learn a bit more about these head injuries. early signs of dementia. and if_ injuries. early signs of dementia. and if there is anything i could do to help. _ and if there is anything i could do to help. or— and if there is anything i could do to help, or kind ofjust educate people — to help, or kind ofjust educate people about it, then i was there. i think people about it, then i was there. think you people about it, then i was there. i think you have had a brain scan