that is the leader of the conservative group on north tyneside council. england's coronavirus restrictions when he addresses parliament later today. the health secretary, sajid javid, has said he's cautiously optimistic that the so—called plan b measures, due to expire next week, can be "substantially reduced". gareth barlow reports. hi, there, good morning. how are you doing? hello, good morning. against the backdrop of allegations of lockdown parties in downing street, and rumours of a vote of no confidence, the prime minister still has big decisions to make as england's plan b restrictions are due to end in a week's time. facemasks in schools and public settings and covid passes for large venues were introduced in december to slow the spread of the 0micron variant. but those restrictions could be gone within days, according to the health secretary, sajid javid. government officials say the decision remains finely balanced, as 17,000 patients remain in english hospitals with covid. but there is growing optimism the data is now moving in the right direct

quite frankly or at the doorsteps of north tyneside but is not good enough.o defuse the blame, and that is what the residents of north tyneside are clearly calling for. igrufhat what the residents of north tyneside are clearly calling for.— are clearly calling for. what date ou think are clearly calling for. what date you think when _ are clearly calling for. what date you think when you _ are clearly calling for. what date you think when you saw- are clearly calling for. what date you think when you saw the - are clearly calling for. what date - you think when you saw the interview with sky, when he said nobody told me it was against the rules? is a me it was against the rules? as a leader of conservative _ me it was against the rules? is a. leader of conservative councillors, the book stops with borisjohnson. i don't think it's good enough to say i didn't know. he has the ultimate responsibility to make decisions, to take responsibility for those who he appoints to work with him and for him. i don't think it cuts the mustard with the residents that we serve

night, from caithness, moray and aberdeenshire, as well as northumberland, south tyneside and teesside. cloud over north skies are looking clear, so good luck. that is where we will leave you, the news where you are is coming up next on bbc one but from all of us, goodbye. hello. this is bbc news. a government agency in kazakhstan has revised the official assessment of the number of people killed in the violence of the last week — increasing it to 164. most of the fatalities were in the biggest city, almaty. more than 5,000 people have been arrested. the unrest began as a protest against the rise in fuel prices, but may have morphed into a power struggle between factions of the ruling elite. russian troops continue to guard strategic facilities. our moscow correspondent steve rosenberg has travelled to kazakhstan�*s capital. well, the capital of kazakhstan feels pretty calm, really, but after the protests and violence that erupted across much of the country last week, a state of emergency and a curfew remain in place here and nationwide. there is very little connectivity — they switch the internet on fo