iain watson hasjoined us, things for your time. joined us, what things for your time. iain watson hasjoined us, what are things for your time. iain watson has joined us, what are the government saying about this? they're saying absently nothing about this because i'm guessing from the national education union, and others, sadiq khan, the london mayor are all welcoming the u—turn which the government has not announced. the any you is asking wire education minister so inadequate and inept, who is advising christmas this is going to backfire future, is it not? what is interesting is that sadiq khan has had constructive talks of the past 48 hours with the schools minister nick gab, it sounds as though he has been bobbing for all schools and when the primary as referred for key workers to close until at least generally the 18th and will select the government was willing to move. —— nick gibb. in terms of appearance, and in terms of clearly also educational provisional which the government has said was its priority, it seems odd that it

and we can speak to iain watson now.g his mps not to vote with labour or against _ his mps not to vote with labour or against him — his mps not to vote with labour or against him because it could well be portrayed _ against him because it could well be portrayed if they vote against as being _ portrayed if they vote against as being against low income families at a difficult _ being against low income families at a difficult point up and down. if they— a difficult point up and down. if they were — a difficult point up and down. if they were to vote in favour as we heard _ they were to vote in favour as we heard one — they were to vote in favour as we heard one or two of them might, of course _ heard one or two of them might, of course that— heard one or two of them might, of course that would give keir starmer something — course that would give keir starmer something of a victory so they have been _ something of a victory so they have been told _ something of a victory so they have been told effectively to sit on their—

jon donnison, bbc news. 0ur political correspondent iain watson is here, and downing street is to tryme" message in the coming days. it is, because the prime minister thinks, reeta, that the situation is more serious, thinks, reeta, that the situation is more serious, more thinks, reeta, that the situation is more serious, more stark than it was in spring, during the first lockdown, we have just heard that 80,000 people have died, and a number of people who have had positive covid tests has now exceeded 3 million since the pandemic began. basically, downing street isn't looking to impose more restrictions, despite what some scientists are calling for, but they are worried about compliance. so yes, public campaigns reinforcing the message, and there is going to bea the message, and there is going to be a tougher line on enforcement, and tonight the home secretary, priti patel, said the police would not hesitate to act against rule breakers. they are looking for them to move much more quickly from engaging with the public, explaining, to actually issuing fines, penalties. but there are

iain watson, bbc news.e highest infection rates in the country is in surrey, where every hospital mortuary is now full and almost 200 bodies are being stored in a temporary morgue. other local authorities have told the bbc they expect to open similar facilities soon. our home editor, mark easton, and cameraman, james anderson, were given access to the emergency surrey site — located at a former military hospital. this is the cold conclusion of a pandemic out of control. an emergency body storage facility has been assembled in woodland in surrey. with hospital mortuaries almost overflowing, the county's dead are brought here. 20 more body bags unloaded today. to respect the dignity and sensitivities of the dead and theirfamilies, we're not showing the bodies but i can tell you that in this fridge, there are around 50 body bags, among 170 bodies currently stored here. these racks are expected to be full in just a few days. around half the body bags stored here are marked covid—positive. surrey now has one of

iain watson, bbc news.n ireland have been facing bare shelves at some supermarkets since the first of january, following the uk's trade separation from the eu after brexit. new arrangements now mean it's become more complicated for businesses to ship food over the irish sea from britain. here's our ireland correspondent, emma va rdy. january may be the time some of us want to consume a little less, but shoppers in i was in tesco, and there was lots of empty shelves today. it was mostly the frozen food as well. i was looking for, like, fish and stuff, and i was wondering why there was no food. there is very little vegetables in that store, and pure orange juice is completely wiped out. sainsbury, tesco's and asda have all said some products have faced hold—ups orare in limited supply due to the new post—brexit rules. m&s, meanwhile, has taken precautionary measures, after seeing competitors' lorries delayed at ports. marks & spencer's has temporarily withdrawn more than 300 from sale in northern ireland — th

iain watson, bbc news. stay with us on bbc news. at this year's ces electronic show, where the high—tech expo swaps vegas for the comfort of your own home. the japanese people are in mourning following the death of emperor hirohito. thousands converged on the imperial palace to pay their respects when it was announced he was dead. good grief! after half a century of delighting fans around the world, charlie brown and the rest of the gang are calling it quits. the singer paul simon starts his tour of south africa tomorrow, in spite of protests and violence from some black activist groups. they say international artists should continue to boycott south africa until majority rule is established. around the world, people have been paying tribute to the iconic rock star david bowie who sold 140 million albums in a career that spanned half a century. his family announced overnight that he had died of cancer at the age of 69. the world's tallest skyscraper opens later today. the burj dubai, has easily overtaken its nearest rivals. this is

iain watson, thank you.ing, with this summer's gcses and a—levels cancelled. and there are concerns that those from poorer backgrounds — without access to laptops and broadband — will fall further behind. the education secretary gavin williamson will make a statement in the house of commons tomorrow. sean dilley reports. it's a decision the government strongly resisted, but while schools and colleges in england are now closed to most students, ministers say they expect education to continue remotely. we wanted to keep schools open as much as possible, but the message from the chief medical 0fficers yesterday was clear, and therefore with a heavy heart but with clear evidence we had to act. there are particular challenges for children in the most disadvantaged circumstances who find it more difficult sometimes to secure the remote learning that inevitably all children will have to have at the moment. making sure that remote learning technology is available is something the government says it is working hard t

our political correspondent iain watson reports. of schools have been sending food parcels as a short term substitute for free lunches. but the contents were denounced by amongst others, the footballer and campaigner marcus rashford. he said this wasjust not campaigner marcus rashford. he said this was just not good enough. the prime minister spoke to him this morning and agreed that the contents of the parcel were unacceptable. i don't think anybody in this house is happy with the disgraceful images that we have seen, of the food parcels that have been offered. they are appalling, they are an insult to theirfamilies that have are appalling, they are an insult to their families that have received them, and i am grateful, by the way, to marcus rashford, who highlighted theissue to marcus rashford, who highlighted the issue and is doing quite an effectivejob in the issue and is doing quite an effective job in comparison to the right honourable gentleman, in holding the government to account for these issues, and the company in questio

let's speak to our political correspondent, iain watson.that downing street press briefing with these record number of cases and 830 deaths. it is very grim and just as grim as the weather here with storm clouds moving in and against the depressing ground i think that the prime minister will try to set out how serious the situation is to try to get people to comply with the new restrictions and also i think want to give some hope and update people on the vaccination programme. the government is insisting it is already vaccinated more people in the uk than the rest of europe put together and i think he will want to say that this is the way out of our current predicament. so it will be tough for six or seven weeks or perhaps longer but there is some hope. he has an ambitious target of trying to get some of the most vulnerable people vaccinated and also front line staff in the nhs and ca re also front line staff in the nhs and care home staff, nearly 40 million people by the start of next month and he will try to convince people that that targ

iain watson, bbc news. while, it. in australia's — hello. do they work? while, it. in australia's case, _ hello. do they work? while, it. in australia's case, quarantine - hello. do they work? while, it. in australia's case, quarantine was l australia's case, quarantine was introduced right at the beginning in around february, or march last year. no one can come into australia now without going into quarantine for two weeks in a hotel room. it is obviously very effective to keeping a pandemic which is not indigenous to australia out of the country. it has not been completely foolproof, but it has largely kept coronavirus out of australia.— out of australia. what are the downsides? — out of australia. what are the downsides? there _ out of australia. what are the downsides? there is - out of australia. what are the downsides? there is a - out of australia. what are the i downsides? there is a downside out of australia. what are the - downsides? there is a downside for --eole, downsides? there is a downside f

iain watson, bbc news.d to its highest level for more than four years because of the pandemic. new official figures showed that in the three months to november, the unemployment rate rose to 5%, up from 4.9%. the hospitality industry was worst hit followed by manufacturing. our business presenter ben thompsonjoins me now. this is no surprise and it probably only going to get worse. yes. this is no surprise and it probably only going to get worse. yes, and there is a lot _ only going to get worse. yes, and there is a lot of _ only going to get worse. yes, and there is a lot of numbers - only going to get worse. yes, and there is a lot of numbers to - only going to get worse. yes, and there is a lot of numbers to get i there is a lot of numbers to get through this morning. the numbers are what tells us the story of who and how people are affected by the jobs market as a result of this pandemic. to take that headline figure you quoted there, rising to 5%, it doesn't seem like a significant increase coming from

let's speak to our political correspondent, iain watson.e are yet to feel the full effects. certainly, those who campaign for brexit will see today as the day that effectively marks the uk's independence from the eu, the gaining of the uk's sovereignty. the question is that four and a half yea rs question is that four and a half years after a referendum which convulsed conventional politics, which saw two general elections, we are intoa which saw two general elections, we are into a third prime minister, can we really say that brexit is done? i'm afraid the answer is, not quite, actually. this new trade deal says very little about financial services, so very little about financial services, so access very little about financial services, so access to eu markets still has to be settled. we are free to choose to diverged further from eu review rules, but there could be further trade barriers and political arguments. if you live in scotland, you certainly haven't heard the last brexit. at the scottish elections, the snp plan to make their oppo

iain watson has the latest. when you splash out on a hotel, normally it means holiday.ent has decided most foreign nationals can't gain entry to the country from brazil, south africa in a bid to stop the spread of new variants of the coronavirus. but it seems likely that ministers will decide that any british resident coming into england from these high risk areas will be lost to hotels and required to quarantine for up to ten days at their own expense. up to ten days at their own expense-— up to ten days at their own exense. u, ., ., ., ., ., expense. good afternoon and welcome back _ expense. good afternoon and welcome back to _ expense. good afternoon and welcome back to downing - expense. good afternoon and i welcome back to downing street for today's coronavirus briefing. for today's coronavirus briefing-— for today's coronavirus briefinu. ., ,, . ., , briefing. the health secretary set out why — briefing. the health secretary set out why tougher _ set out why tougher restrictions are likely. it set out why tougher restrictions are likely. it is incredibly _ restri

our political correspondent iain watson is here. the uk is out, but there is a bumpy road ahead.ooth. i think most people, including boris johnson and smooth. i think most people, including borisjohnson and keir starmer would like to think brexit is done and we can all move on. in terms of the news agenda, because of the covid crisis, it will move consistently further down. but it won't disappear entirely. this was important because as we heard from david jones, for long—standing brexiteers like him, this is like independence days. the uk regains its sovereignty from the eu, but there are many loose ends to be tied up. that new trade deal that comes into effect, today, that trading corporation agreements has relatively little about financial services. they deploy 1 relatively little about financial services. they deploy1 million people in the uk and there still has to be further discussions about what the eu will except in terms of market access. that's huge. elsewhere, if britain decided to exercise its new—found freedom, we could see more arguments and at a political level. if

iain watson, bbc news. we'll be speaking to the boss of best western hotels at 7.20am, and we'll also bejoined by the vaccine minister nadhim zahawi at 7.30am. the european union has strongly criticised astrazeneca over shortfalls in the supply of its covid vaccine to eu countries. the eu's health commissioner has demanded a response by tomorrow, including details of the doses that the company has produced, and where else it's been sent. astrazeneca, which makes the vaccine developed by oxford university, is struggling to meet demand. the formal process of putting the former us president donald trump on trial has begun after democrats from the house of representatives delivered an article of impeachment against him. mr trump is charged with inciting insurrection after a number of his supporters stormed congress earlier this month, resulting in the deaths of five people. our north america correspondent david willis reports. it is a rare ritual established with the first us impeachment trial of 1862. lawmaker

let's speak to our political correspondent iain watson.he prime minister said that most children in england should be going back to school. by monday those schools were being closed. at least to anyone except vulnerable children and those pupils with key workers as parentsches also i think —— parents. also some questions unanswered. most exams are unlook hi look —— unlikely to go ahead in england. millions of pa rents to go ahead in england. millions of parents and pupils have this uncertainty. gavin williamson will make a statement tomorrow. but people will want more detail from the prime minister tonight. also questions around the economic support being offered too. the chancellor offered a one—off grant of up to £9 thousand for businesses that are forced to close. but both businesses and trade unions have been asking if he will extend the furlough scheme and increase statutory sick pay to encourage people to self—isolate. it would appear that those decisions are being deferred until the budget in march. so questions about how much extra

iain watson, bbc news.en political anger over the inadequate food parcels sent out to struggling families. a mother who posted a photo of a food parcel she received has told of the "sense of sadness" she felt on seeing what it contained. our education correspondent sean dilley reports. school meals haven't traditionally been associated with gourmet cuisine, but downing street has described this offering from catering company chartwells as "totally u na cce pta ble". it's an image that went viral after it was shared by the food campaigner and footballer marcus rashford. the mother who posted it has asked to be identified only as sarah. one of my children came in and saw me laying this out on the floor and asked why, and i said i was going to picture it because i didn't think it looked like a lot. and i could see the child's realisation that this is what i have been given to eat for a week and just the sense of sadness, where has the rest of the food gone? you know, this is meant to be a week's food. why is i

iain watson — westminster.he data is whirring on the new variant what if the government planning in terms of policy shift to response that knowledge? matt terms of policy shift to response that knowledge?— terms of policy shift to response that knowledge? matt hancock also said today in _ that knowledge? matt hancock also said today in his _ that knowledge? matt hancock also said today in his press _ that knowledge? matt hancock also said today in his press conference l said today in his press conference that it was imported to be cautious at the border and the principal analysis of the new variance carried out. so effectively that was signalling that what we expect to see tomorrow is a meeting of what is called covid—i9 organisation committee, senior cabinet ministers who will discuss what further action to take of the border and as you mentioned we are expecting to see this idea quarantine hotels are people arriving in the country would have to quarantine for up to ten daysin have to quarantine for up to ten

iain watson is in westminster.of october, and not when the advisers were suggesting back in september. the labour opposition was calling for a national second break—out at that time, and one of the government fourformer that time, and one of the government four former advisers that time, and one of the government fourformer advisers on that time, and one of the government four former advisers on the scientific committee, neil ferguson, said not all but some lives lost may have been saved by earlier action. it's difficult to suggest that should have happened back in the spring when so little was known about the virus, but by on perhaps, they should have been swifter. it was interesting, the prime minister also said it would take time to learn lessons and reflect, which seem to be something of a clue that we will get an inquiry into how this will be handled. certainly not at the moment when the pandemic is still outraging. labour were also saying this is a moment of national tragedy. the prime minister himself says h

not normal at all. 0ur political correspondent, iain watson is at westminster.rom the prime minister but so many questions about the political decisions and the timing of them in response to this pandemic. timing of them in response to this andemic. a, timing of them in response to this andemic. ~ ., ., timing of them in response to this andemic. a, ., ., pandemic. more than hundred thousand deaths by this — pandemic. more than hundred thousand deaths by this particular _ pandemic. more than hundred thousand deaths by this particular measure, - deaths by this particular measure, those who died within 20 days of a positive test almost 100,000 so—called excess deaths, more deaths than you would expect since the pandemic began early in march and almost a year since that repatriation flight from wuhan, very few people were protected it turning out like this. but a key charge from the liberal position that the government is too slow during the course of the pandemic and scientific advisers are talking about potential lockdown back in september, did that not happen un

right to stop giving repeated warnings to those who breach the rules. 0ur political correspondent, iain watsonmillion people in the uk have tested positive for covid—19 since the pandemic began. but the government is concerned with compliance of lockdown rules. once more, we must all stay home. so expect to see more emphasis on the stay—at—home message in coming days. also another line, priti patel saying police officers will not hesitate to act against rule breakers. she wants to see the pace much more rapid, and police issuing fines for non—compliance. some forces have said that is their intention. but there won't be new powers for police, they will still be able to force entry into people's homes to stop household mixing. after two women were fined in derbyshire, there are still concerns and confusion about what you can and cannot do. it is permissible to travel a short distance for exercise, but those distances are not defined in law. police officers and people alike are calling for more clarity. impeachment proceedings against donald trump will begin tomorrow. the president has been accus

iain watson reports. to abstain from voting.f you are out of work or on a low income. with the country and locked income. with the country and locked in last april, the government put it up in last april, the government put it up by in last april, the government put it up by £20 per week. but this temporary increase is due to run out at the end of march. sydney is the mother of two young children and says the extra cash has been essential. it says the extra cash has been essential-— says the extra cash has been essential. , ., , ., , essential. it is what she really needs, essential. it is what she really needs. new — essential. it is what she really needs, new shoes _ essential. it is what she really needs, new shoes in - essential. it is what she really l needs, new shoes in september essential. it is what she really - needs, new shoes in september that i might not be able to buy. it wouldn't be the first time i had to superglue shoes back together again to get her through an extra few months. ., . , months. how much is univer

here's our political correspondent, iain watson.r was in sombre mood when he addressed his downing street press conference yesterday, saying that he was deeply sorry for all of the lives that had been lost and his government took full responsibility for the handling of the pandemic. but he said that the government truly had done what it could to minimise the loss of life and would be continuing to do so. there had been calls for an independent inquiry into the pandemic by a campaign group representing bereaved families, but the prime minister said, look, lessons would be learned, there would be time to reflect, but the focus for the government for now was tackling the virus and of course delivering on a vaccination programme. labour leader sir keir starmer said that the 100,000 figure was of course a national tragedy and that we should not forget each single life that was lost, but he also accused the government of being slow to act. and in a way, so did one of the government's former advisers, professor neil ferguson, who used to b