it is remaining in place but both sajid javid and the prime i both sajid javid and the prime ministerese things with an engine of self—isolation? things with an engine of self-isolation?- things with an engine of self-isolation? ., ., ., self-isolation? you cannot argue with the politics, _ self-isolation? you cannot argue with the politics, the _ self-isolation? you cannot argue | with the politics, the government would have found it hard to persuade the backbenchers to back an extension of plan b, so you need to see it in that context, but in terms of the deaths, we have seen numbers increasing, 359 deaths reported today, the daily average is between 200 and 300 -- today, the daily average is between 200 and 300 —— the seven day average. we see a delay at the weekend but lots of depth reported mid week. but susan hopkins from the uk health security agency touched on that during the briefing, because we had seen so much infection, so much and spread of the virus, we are seeing a growing number of coincidental depth, people have tested positive but have not been sick with a virus, but

covid restrictions in england must be an "absolute last resort", according to health secretary, sajid javidpresident of south africa pays tribute to desmond tutu as "the spiritual father of our new nation". and the archbishop's daughter also spoke movingly at his funeral... we say, thank you, daddy, for the many ways you showed us love, for the many times you challenged us, for the many times you comforted us. today is officially the hottest new year's day on record — with temperatures reaching 16.2 degrees in st james�*s park in central london. the actor, comedian and movie legend mel brooks talks to the bbc�*s alan yentob about his life. that's in half an hour, here on bbc news. good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. leading figures in the uk's battle against covid 19 are among more than 1,200 people to be recognised in the new year honours list. knighthoods have been given to the uk government's chief medical advisor professor chris whitty and his deputyjonathan van—tam, as well as the chief medical officers for wales and scotland. they're joined on the honours list by a host of well—kn

to be fair sajid javid answered a lot of i fair sajid javid answered a lot of questions about covid so't just interviews about borisjohnson and downing street party, although one story is dominating the other. in terms of wriggle room the prime minister is in less vulnerable position than yesterday morning, so that group of new mps who were trying to get letters submitted to call a vote of no confidence, they didn't get enough. it hasn't hit 5a. the vote of confidence isn't hitting today or imminently. then you have the defection of christian wakeford who is now a labour mp for bury, that created a sense of unity in the conservative party and helped some mps step back from the brink of submitting their letters of no confidence. david davis's high profile knifing of borisjohnson in the front, was no repeated by other people, and david davis could be isolated a bit by the tory leadership, so, the prime minister looks relatively stronger, now, than he did yesterday. although it is all relative because this could all change when the sue gray report is published and we are thinking that wil

are looking — health secretary sajid javid are looking to go further on those restrictions.t want to say reviewed after the 26. sunday— want to say reviewed after the 26. sunday times, one of the two stories were looking at on that front of the sunday times about life in a box. a young autistic man... sorry, first the story about prince andrew. prince andrew could be asked to stop using title if he loses new york six case is the headline there on the sunday times. joanna, if you want to start with that put up the pressure continuing on the prince and wider questions for the ruralfamily, i guess. questions for the rural family, i cuess. . y questions for the rural family, i cuess. . , ~ questions for the ruralfamily, i cuess. , ~ 2 guess. absolutely. i think it's 'ustified guess. absolutely. i think it's justified pressure. _ guess. absolutely. i think it's justified pressure. there - guess. absolutely. i think it's justified pressure. there was| guess. absolutely. i think it's. justified pressure. there was a guess. absolutely. i think it's - justified pressure. there was a

sajid javid maintains the policy, is right. with the latest, here's our health editor, hugh pym.celyn, i've been a nurse for 13 years, and i'm not going to have the second dose of the vaccine. i'm pauline, i'm a mental health nurse for nearly 20 years and i do not agree with the compulsory covid—19 vaccination. they risk losing theirjobs because they don't want the jabs. there's been a heated debate, not least on social media. the hashtag getvaccinated trended on twitter as doctors called for their colleagues to have the jab. i would want the choice. jocelyn is a community nurse. she says it should be a question of personal freedom rather than an order by the government. isn't the best way to protect patients to get fully vaccinated? would you give up your freedom, your, you know, your god given freedom of choice for a job? i think we should have the right to choose at this stage for our body about, is it right for us individually? there is nothing more insulting to a nurse than telling her that she's, you know, causing harm to her patients. one minute, the nurses, they were bein

writing in the daily mail — the health secretary sajid javid says new covid restrictions must be theing �*curbs on our freedom must be an absolute last resort and the british people rightly expect us to do everything in our power to avert them. speaking to me earlier — chris hopson explained how much pressure the nhs was under. if you look over each of the last five days we have had 1,000 more people with covid—19 in hospital compared to the day before, so you can see the number of hospitalisations beginning to rise. we're at 12,500 now which compares to 311,000 injanuary, this time last year, a year ago, but we need to remember how busy the nhs is with other care, so very busy accident and emergency care pathway, and we have those planned elective surgery cases which we can't delay any longer and we are going full pelt to extend the booster vaccine campaign. 0ur colleagues in social care have come under real pressure again. and then at the same time we have growing numbers of staff absences because of covid—19 so wherever you look, you have a care system under huge pressure, and cle

covid restrictions in england must be an "absolute last resort", according to health secretary, sajid javide president of south africa pays tribute to desmond tutu as "the spiritual father of our new nation". and the archbishop's daughter also spoke movingly at his funeral: we say, thank you, daddy, for the many ways you showed us love, for the many times you challenged us, for the many times you comforted us. now on bbc news, review 2021, the year in science. it was a year shaped by the global fight against the coronavirus pandemic, but with significant of relevant to climate change and space expiration. —— expiration. 0urscience expiration. 0ur science correspondent gives expiration. 0urscience correspondent gives his analysis of the year. 2021 was the year that world leaders agreed on a new plan to save the planet. hearing no objections, it is so decided. scientists warned that it was now or never to stop damaging climate change. the difference between 1.5 and 2.4 it's really survival of millions and millions of people and species on the planet. environmentalists chop down trees to save

covid restrictions in england must be an "absolute last resort", according to health secretary, sajid javidal celebrations were either muted or cancelled but there were still fireworks to welcome in 2022, on the warmest new year's eve on record. joint meet sarah campbell as i'd take a look back at the year in which the nation paid tribute to prince philip, the duke of edinburgh, who gave it seven years of service to queen and country. —— gaveit of service to queen and country. —— gave it 70 years of service. good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. leading figures in the uk's battle against covid—i9 are among more than 1,200 people to be recognised in the new year's honours list. knighthoods have been given to the uk government's chief medical advisor professor chris whitty and his deputyjonathan van—tam, as well as the chief medical officers for wales and scotland. now i big they are joined on the honours list by a host of well—known faces — including actors and sports stars — as well as people who have made extraordinary contributions in their fields and communities. lizo mzimba reports. t

perhapsjumping but is this perhaps too soon, is sajid javid perhaps jumping the gun and say nowake of the timing of this? only a silly callous _ make of the timing of this? only a silly callous could _ make of the timing of this? only a silly callous could suggest - make of the timing of this? only a silly callous could suggest the i silly callous could suggest the timing — silly callous could suggest the timing of this could be working pretty— timing of this could be working pretty to — timing of this could be working pretty to win the prime minister favour— pretty to win the prime minister favour with his own backbenchers without _ favour with his own backbenchers without a — favour with his own backbenchers without a care what the virus actuallv _ without a care what the virus actually does. we don't know. but we do know _ actually does. we don't know. but we do know so _ actually does. we don't know. but we do know so far as the government has taken _ do know so far as the government has taken some _ do know so far as the government has taken some risk in terms of only stick

covid restrictions in england must be an "absolute last resort", according to health secretary, sajid javidficial celebrations were either muted or cancelled, but there were still fireworks to welcome in 2022, on the warmest new year's eve on record. now on bbc news, review 2021, the royal year. our royal correspondent sarah campbell reflects on the death of prince philip as she looks back on 12 months of the most significant events for the royal family. # give us this day our daily bread... the nation, and his family, said goodbye to the duke of edinburgh — the man who'd been by the queen's side for more than 70 years. my dear papa was a very special person who i think, above all else, would've been amazed by the reaction and the touching things that have been said about him. in the months after prince philip's death, the queen carried on with her duties until her health required her to slow down. carving their own paths away from the uk, the duke and duchess of sussex told their truths to a global audience... you're not going to tell me who had the conversation? i think that would be very

the health secretary, sajid javid, has warned new restrictions on freedom "must be an absolute last resortalth correspondent, sophie hutchinson. a new year and with it, the hope that in 2022 will draw us closer to the end of the pandemic. but once again, january is likely to see soaring infection rates. last night restrictions in some places and advice in others meant more subdued celebrations, but some were determined to celebrate. we have our boosters we've done our things, we followed the guidance. it is a funny one this year because we obviously want to stay safe but also in 15 years of living here i've never been and done the london fireworks so boris had a cheese and wine party so why can't i come and see the fireworks? come in and take a seat. some had resolved to get protected for the new year and went for boosters today. this is a third shot, booster, want to make sure that i got all the protection we can get meeting friends and family and living a normal life. the main priority right now is to keep everyone safe, keep spreading the awareness, please get vaccinated, it's so import

here in britain the health secretary, sajid javid, has added his voice to calls for an investigationms by a fellow conservative mp that her muslim faith had been raised as a reason why she was sacked as a minister. the tory whip, mark spencer, who spoke to nusrat ghani about her dismissal in 2020, has strongly denied making the comments. here's our political correspondent, damian grammaticas. on the eve of a crucial week for him, this is a new dispute borisjohnson has been drawn into. what are you hoping to hear today? nus ghani is now a senior backbencher and was the first muslim woman minister to speak in the commons — a moment she described as importance and she has continued to speak out against the islamic state group and the taliban. as a muslim woman, i will stand with people of all faiths who abhor this ideology, their rhetoric and their actions. she told the sunday times when asked in 2020 for an explanation from party whips, which is why she had lost in a realjob, she was told her muslim faith was issued in reshuffle discussions and her status was making colleagues uncomfor

covid restrictions in england must be an "absolute last resort", according to health secretary, sajid javidcial celebrations were either muted or cancelled, but there were still fireworks to welcome in 2022, on the warmest new year's eve on record. hello and welcome if you're watching in the uk or around the world. the state funeral of anti—apartheid campaigner, archbishop desmond tutu, has taken place in cape town. the nobel peace prize winner who helped end the racist regime in south africa died last sunday at the age of 90. over the past two days, thousands of people waited in line to pay their final respects. the head of the anglican church, the archbishop of canterbury, justin welby, paid tribute saying desmond tutu �*lit up the world'. president cyril ramaphosa called him a �*crusader in the struggle forfreedom forjustice, for equality, and for peace�*. the archbishop's daughter the reverend nontombi naomi tutu, spoke at the service: many of the messages we received have said thank you for sharing him with the world. well, it actually is a two—way street. because we shared him with th

pare sajid javid's neck on the line, it is going to be mine.— sajid javid's neck on the line, it is goingded to keep to the _ is going to be mine. are you minded to keep to the restrictions _ is going to be mine. are you minded to keep to the restrictions that - to keep to the restrictions that there are at the moment in terms of visitors for example? at the moment it has to be three named visitors. would you want to stick to that? hat would you want to stick to that? not at all would you want to stick to that? iirrt at all because there is an enormous amount of work in doing that. it has caused an enormous amount of work. we have taken on an entirely new person who helps us run all the visiting testing, make sure they are wearing the right ppe, they know to wash their hands, checking them in and out. we have fantastic relatives who do a brilliantjob but that takes work. 0pening those doors and making sure anyone can come in and out opens up are clinically vulnerable residents to an infection that ultimately could kill them and there is a fine line and for me is a registered manager it is

and when i came back to good health and, obviously, sajid javid had taken over, i said to sajid javidk about the nhs experience." and you did? that's really interesting. he said, "look, this is what i can tell you." yeah, and i said this to my local trust, as well. and this is my view of the nhs as a whole. when you get a cancer diagnosis, this incredible machine kicks into gear and i felt almost like this rolls—royce machine kicked in, and from that moment, the diagnosis through to going into hospital for my operation, i felt very well supported. but my overall reflection is the bit leading up to the actual diagnosis could have been better. the experience since the operation could have been better. and i think, at the moment, that's where the nhs is. when it comes to big crises in your health, a machine kicks into gear. but the diagnosis phase and the after—care phase needs to be so much better. fascinating. i want to talk to you a little bit about how you're going to approach thisjob a little bit later. let's talk about the journey, though, you've been on. is that really right? that

sajid javid called it an incredibly challenging time for the the nhs — and said that "around six hospital to a shortage of workers. we'll hear more from him in a moment — but let's take a look at today's other developments — starting with today's figures. a further 218,724 have tested positive for the virus — a new record. also today — millions of pupils across england and northern ireland have gone back to school today, amid concerns about staff shortages caused by the omicron variant of covid. prof sir andrew pollard, who helped develop the oxford—astrazeneca vaccine has warned that vaccinating everyone on the planet against covid—i9 regularly is not sustainable or affordable. professor neil ferguson — a leading epidemiologist says he is "cautiously optimistic" omicron variant infection rates in london in the 18—50 age group may be plateauing. more on those stories in a moment — as we build up to today's downing street press conference — but first let's hear more from the health secretary sajid javid. sadly, we are seeing hospitalisations rise across the country, particularly in older a

yes, sajid javid, the health secretary, did call for this a few years ago. the backing he has given her. also penny mordaunt, also the education secretary as well. i think this points to the fact that the cabinet is in disarray at the moment with everything else taking up time and everything else going on. it is a very febrile atmosphere. but i think a lot of people will remember — and i'm one of them — when nus became the first female muslim minister to ever address the house of commons from the dispatch box and it was a real moment of pride for me, and should be a moment of pride for the conservative party. even now, we have one of the most diverse cabinets in our country's history, which is a good thing, but this can be easily undone if allegations like this are seen to be dismissed or ignored, orjust kind of people are hiding behind process. rather than addressing the issues which are serious and need to be looked at. there will be those who say nothing in politics is coincidental or an accident, that there is timing in this. these allegations are sincer

sajid javid in house of commons. this _ enjoy... sajid javid in house of commons. our society. so they do carry a unique responsibility. last month this house approved our plans that anyone working in health or wider social care activities that are regulated by the cqc will need to be vaccinated against covid—19. if their roles involve direct contact with patients. unless of course they are medically exempt. this includes nhs hospitals, the independent sector, gp and dental practices, regardless of whether they are working in the public or private sectors. uptake in the past few months has been very promising. since the government consulted on this policy in september the proportion of nhs trust health care workers vaccinated with at least a first dose has increased from 92% to 94%. we remain committed to putting these measures into force on the 1st of april. mr deputy speaker, our next of defence is testing and rendering more tests than any other country in europe. we raised the distribution of free lateral flow tests from 120 million in november to 300 million in

education secretary nadim zahawi and health secretary sajid javid have called for an investigation intoer claim, as has the president of the conservative muslim forum. no parliamentarian should be subjected to this sort of treatment and we need to get to the bottom of it. the government says russia will face severe economic sanctions if it installs a puppet regime in ukraine. a british man has died in thailand — reports say he was attacked with a knife in kanchanaburi, west of bangkok. new zealand's prime minister, jacinda ardern, is postponing her own wedding, after placing the country on the highest level of covid—19 restrictions. hello and welcome to bbc news. good to have your company this afternoon. we begin with the conservative party and the allegations made by nusrat ghani, who was sacked as transport minister two years ago, and says she was told that her muslim faith was one of the reasons for her dismissal. nus ghani has told the sunday times that her "muslimness" was raised as an issue. the conservative chief whip mark spencer says she had been speaking to him, and he called

the health secretary, sajid javid, says he's "cautiously of the 0micron wave of infections. including mandatory face masks on public transport and advice to work from home are in force until the 26th of january. 0ur health correspondent dominic hughes reports. just into lane one, here. in blackburn, which are still seeing very high covid infection rates, the push on vaccinations continues. some families have come for a first or second dose, but todayjeff and tracy are getting their boosters. haste tracy are getting their boosters. - planned it to come down and it has been smooth, easy, brilliant, super. i work with young children who carry everything _ i work with young children who carry everything so i want to make sure i'm protecting the children involved as well_ i'm protecting the children involved as well so— i'm protecting the children involved as well so it is a sacrifice we have -ot as well so it is a sacrifice we have got to— as well so it is a sacrifice we have got to make. just get on and do it, -et got to make. just get on and do it, get it— got to make. just ge

covid restrictions in england must be an "absolute last resort", according to health secretary, sajid javid celebrations were either muted or cancelled...but there were still fireworks to welcome in 2022, on the warmest new year's eve on record in the uk. now on bbc news...it�*s time for take me to the opera — with zeinab badawi i've been an opera fan for decades, and i'm on a mission to share my passion and introduce you to some of the big names today and superstars of tomorrow — and ask how they're responding to the changing world of opera. cecilia bartoli, the italian mezzo soprano who originally wanted to be a flamenco dancer, and brings flairand a female perspective. peruvian—born tenor juan diego florez, whose first ambition was to be a pop singer and brings rock—star appeal. two of the leading lights in opera — but how are they helping to define its future? we also meet a couple of rising stars — south african soprano masa bane cecilia rangwa nasha. she says opera needs greater diversity. and french tenor benjamin bernheim, who welcomes the use of technology, alongside the power of l

education secretary nadim zahawi and health secretary sajid javid have called for an investigation intoian should be subjected to this sort of treatment and we need to get to the bottom of it. the government says russia will face severe economic sanctions if it

today, you have two senior members of the cabinet, nadhim zahawi and sajid javid, calling for an enquiryat ghani claiming when she discussed it with borisjohnson in 2020, he didn't take it sufficiently seriously. and that this amounts to a sense that the conservative party is on yet another front fighting among itself in quite a serious way.— in quite a serious way. thank you for that. jonathan, _ in quite a serious way. thank you for that. jonathan, what - in quite a serious way. thank you for that. jonathan, what is - in quite a serious way. thank you for that. jonathan, what is your l for that. jonathan, what is your assessment given the details, how serious is this for the conservative party? i serious is this for the conservative pa ? ~ , , party? i think it is extremely serious. there _ party? i think it is extremely serious. there were - party? i think it is extremely serious. there were claims l party? i think it is extremely i serious. there were claims that the conservative party had a problem with islam, and there were claims they were — with islam, and there were claims they

you'll remember that last year, borisjohnson and rishi sunak and sajid javid announced this effectivee mps, including cabinet members, were a bit wary of this at the time. but this shows how political power it wanes, because borisjohnson was... the fact political power it wanes, because boris johnson was... the fact that he wanted this tax rise meant that it had to happen. i now think opponents see in borisjohnson's weekend positioned an opportunity to maybe stop it before it comes into effect. what we have here is an unnamed minister —— weakened position. claiming the whole cabinet would be ok with that. but it's certainly true that a lot of conservatives and ministers believe that the tax burden under boris johnson is becoming too high, and might try to use his current weakness as an opportunity to nudge that back more.— we're going to nudge away from the next sick politics and onto international news. —— domestic politics. the front page of the next —— mastro. this is clearly about ukraine. —— metro. -- mastro. this is clearly about ukraine. -- metro.— -- mastro. this is clearly ab

much more aligned with leading conservative figures like david cameron in sajid javid.ter and his remarks are particularly striking and if the prime minister is seen to have misled parliament or broken the rules, then he has to go, but i think that is the strongest line for many politicians that we have seen today. the independent newspaper, there's a story on the front page, and exclusive by the journalist in the headline that number ten staff told to clean up phones before and they were told to delete messages about parties. lucy, iam not a were told to delete messages about parties. lucy, i am not a tech expert. if there's one thing i've learned after scandal after scandal is that if you delete, that does not count. the tech guy will always find them. ., , count. the tech guy will always find them. . , . ., , count. the tech guy will always find them. . _ ., , , them. that is certainly my understanding _ them. that is certainly my understanding and - them. that is certainly my understanding and having| them. that is certainly my - understanding and having previously

covid restrictions in england must be an "absolute last resort", according to health secretary, sajid javidcial celebrations were either muted or cancelled, but there were still fireworks to welcome in 2022, on the warmest new year's eve on record. more now on one of those main stories, and the medical chiefs leading the uk's battle against coronavirus, professors chris whitty and jonathan van—tam, have been recognised in the new year honours list. actors, a spice girl, and an 11—year—old boy are also among those who have been honoured, as lizo mzimba reports. their faces have become familiar to the public throughout the pandemic. now the chief medical officers for england, chris whitty. .. if lots of people are vaccinated, that reduces risk of transmission in the community. ..for scotland, gregor smith, and for wales, frank atherton, have all been knighted. a knighthood too for england's deputy chief medical officer, jonathan van—tam. # wheels on fire... in the entertainment world, joanna lumley says she is stunned to be made a dame... patsy stone — a7. ..both for her acting career... i'll

sajid javid said that new restrictions must be an absolute last resort.— that new restrictions must betributes have - absolute last resort. looking online this morning, tributes have been i this morning, tributes have been paid to the veteran act the betty white who, as reported earlier, has died at the age of 99. she was best known for her role in the golden girls. the actor ryan reynolds on said that she was great at defying expectations. we said that she was great at defying expectations-_ expectations. we have some very interesting _ expectations. we have some very interesting bits _ expectations. we have some very interesting bits and _ expectations. we have some very interesting bits and bobs - expectations. we have some very interesting bits and bobs from - interesting bits and bobs from within the papers moving beyond the front pages. this is my favourite. it says roger and out and i am very sorry to say, roger, that the name roger is at risk of dying out. i wonder why. no! _ roger is at risk of dying out. i wonder why. no! it _ roger is at risk of dying out. i wonder why. no!

withjust days to go, now we are told that sajid javid is having an emergency meeting tomorrow to rubber—stampess knows when it will be announced. in this story, it refers to the 40,000 social care workers that you just mentioned, who left at the care sector, because these changes came in earlierfor them and they are now saying, you would be welcome to come back, you really wonder how many of them will go back, want to go back now. it is surprising. _ back, want to go back now. it is surprising, surely _ back, want to go back now. it is surprising, surely this could have been foreseen that there was going to be a shortage, there was already a shortage of nhs and care workers and it was only going to exacerbate the problem and i wonder if there could be legal challenges from --eole? ~ could be legal challenges from --eole?~ _ ., people? well, quite possibly, and there was an _ people? well, quite possibly, and there was an announcement - people? well, quite possibly, and there was an announcement that. there was an announcement that furner_ there was an announcement that furner would be reinsta

and the health secretary sajid javid today said this was a very serious matter which needs a proper investigationyear a wider enquiry found anti—muslim sentiment in the tory party was a problem but islamophobia was not institutional. it didn't refer to ms ghani's claims. today, the justice secretary said it was up to her to step forward. i believe a claim like this, as serious as this, should, but it can only happen if the person making the complaint makes a formal, makes it formally, that's when the procedures kick in and just to be clear about this, that advice was given to nus back in 2020. now downing street has stepped in to say borisjohnson met ms ghani at the time. he invited her to begin a formal complaint process, but she did not. ms ghani has fired back, saying she made clear an internal party investigation was not appropriate, this was government business and all she wants is for the government to investigate properly. so as borisjohnson waits for the results of one investigation, that into downing street parties, which could decide his fate, his leadership on this issue too is also in

covid restrictions in england must be an "absolute last resort", according to health secretary, sajid javidficial celebrations were either muted or cancelled, but there were still fireworks to welcome in 2022, on the warmest new year's eve on record. now on bbc news it's time for dateline london — with shaun ley. hello, and welcome to the second of our seasonal editions of dateline london. last weekend, we talked about the the past. traditionally this is the time when fortunes are told and predictions made. our three guests need no crystal ball to rub. they bring decades of judgment and journalism to the task of foretelling 2022. bronwyn was foreign editor of the times newspaper and now leads the institute for government, making government better it hopes. marc is an economics journalist, and in studio with me is lyse doucet, bbc�*s chief international correspondent. thank you for coming again to talk about 2022. now let's begin with the economy and the global economy. unlike 2020 and 2021, we have a year now where it looks like everybody is going to be travelling and working again pretty m

and the health secretary sajid javid today said: last year, a wider inquiry found anti—muslim sentiment not institutional. it didn't refer to ms ghani's claims. today, thejustice secretary said it was up to her to step forward. i believe actions — a claim like this, as serious as this, should, but it can only happen if the person making the complaint makes a formal — makes it formally. that's when the procedures kick in — and, just to be clear about this, that advice was given to nus back in 2020. now, downing street has stepped in to say borisjohnson met ms ghani at the time. he invited her to begin a formal complaint process, but she did not. ms ghani has fired back, saying she made clear an internal party investigation was not appropriate, this was government business and all she wants is for the government to investigate properly. so, as borisjohnson waits for the results of one investigation — that into downing street parties, which could decide his fate — his leadership on this issue, too, is also in the spotlight. damian grammaticas, bbc news. we're well into january now is all o

this afternoon the health secretary sajid javid said the latest data showed the 0micron variant was inpym reports. masks on and off, the rules have changed at various times over the last two years but in england the government has said they will no longer be compulsory in shops and on public transport. the prime minister said masks would still be advisable in some settings but it was now down to personal choice. we will trust the judgment of the british people... members call out "hear, hear" ..and no longer criminalise anyone who chooses not to wear one. labour said they supported the easing of plan b, as long as it was backed up by the science. in bristol, people gave us their reaction. i reckon it's a good thing that we are now learning to live with the 0micron variant and that we have got to have the restrictions removed little by little. for me and for my family, i have elderly parents, ijust would rather if we could keep the mask wearing, really. at this restaurant they welcomed the scrapping of work from home guidance. so for us it's been great. the office being back is amazing.

and there was no place for any form of racism in the conservative party and the health secretary, sajid javid called for an investigation into the party three years ago and found that anti—muslim sentiment was a problem, but islamophobia was not institutional. it didn't refer to ms ghani's claims. i believe at times like this, it shouldn't happen, and makes the complaint formally, that is when procedures formally, that's when procedures and makes the complaint formally. that's when procedures kick in and to be clear about this, that advice was given to nus back in 2020. now downing street has stepped in to say borisjohnson met ms ghani at the time and invited her to begin a formal complaint process about her extremely serious claim but she did not, and the party does not tolerate prejudice of any kind. but she has fired back, saying she made clear an internal party investigation was not appropriate and this was government business and all she wants is for the government to investigate properly. so, as borisjohnson waits for the results on a vote in the party that could decide his fate, he's n

covid restrictions in england must be an "absolute last resort", according to health secretary, sajid javid celebrations were either muted or cancelled...but there were still fireworks to welcome in 2022, on the warmest new year's eve on record. now on bbc news it's time for click. this week, sustainability is the name of the game, which is why i'm on the eve ecargo bike. it's electric, it's made from natural and recycled materials, and it's usually used for inner city deliveries. but today, it is delivering me to the studio. nice wheels! 0h, hello down there! hey! sinclair c5 — blast from the past! i know! an icon of the �*80s created by a computing icon. in memory of sir clive sinclair, i'm taking this for a spin, but it's really been souped up. inside is an escooter with some brand—new batteries, which means i can go pretty fast! here! wait for me! spencer chuckles cheering and applause spencer chuckles whoa! ah! 0h! good engines! that's how to arrive in a studio! hey! welcome to click! hello, hello, hello! oh, look at us! we've got a shiny studio! we have an audience! hello, audience! c

the health secretary, sajid javid warned that the nhs is facing a "rocky few weeks ahead".ports. reinforcements for the nhs front line. military personnel arriving at aberdeen royal infirmary. the armed forces are also supporting hospitals in other parts of the uk including london and the north of england. one reason is staff sickness caused by the rapid spread of the new variant. here at kingston hospital they're having to juggle the staff they have on each shift. in the last few weeks we've had staff leaving places like theatres and going to help in the emergency departments. luckily, this is something that's quite well rehearsed in this trust. we've also used some clerical and admin staff to support the staff on the wards. and all this as covid adds to the usual january pressures. this is the reality in many a&e units. ambulance teams waiting to hand over patients and that can cause delays getting back on the road. and moving on to the next callout. pressures in social care mean patients likejean, who are fit to leave, have to continue occupying hospital beds. it's terri

the health secretary, sajid javid, said it was the professional duty of frontline staff to get jabbed but he was challenged by a doctor at a london hospital. i challenged by a doctor at a london hospital.— challenged by a doctor at a london hospital. i have had covid at some _ london hospital. i have had covid at some point. - london hospital. i have had covid at some point. i've i london hospital. i have had| covid at some point. i've got antibodies. and i've been working on covid since the beginning. they have not had a vaccination, do not want to have a vaccination.- have a vaccination. many healthcare _ have a vaccination. many healthcare workers - have a vaccination. many healthcare workers have | have a vaccination. many i healthcare workers have not opposed mandatory vaccinations for staff. iii opposed mandatory vaccinations for staff. ii a opposed mandatory vaccinations for staff. ., opposed mandatory vaccinations for staff. . , for staff. if a patient comes to me and _ for staff. if a patient comes to me and says _ for staff. if a patient comes to me and says "should - for st

the health secretary, sajid javid, has already said the country is leading the world in how to live withck. it's a question office workers, their employers and politicians are asking, because it's one with big personal and economic consequences. it's one google is asking itself. its answer? to spend £730 million buying a building it currently rents and expand its office capacity by 50%. why would a technology giant do that? monday to friday, 9—5 looks like a thing of the past, but google — like many others — expect most of its workforce back in the office for most of the week. for the vast majority of roles, it will be three days. we've surveyed our employees, we've talked to them about what they value, what they want, and collaboration keeps coming back. the opportunity to be in a room with their colleagues and collaborating and working on exciting problems is something they really value. do you think the employees are in the situation where they're calling the shots at the moment? where does the balance of power lie? so i think... this is still an experiment. we talk about the last two

notjust nadhim zahawi, the education secretary, but also sajid javid, the health secretary, and he ising because he himself has called for an inquiry into allegations and examples of what is islamophobia. either hostility or at least a kind of reluctance to engage with muslim conservative members. yes. reluctance to engage with muslim conservative members. yes, sa'id javid, the health d conservative members. yes, sa'id javid, the health secretary, i conservative members. yes, sa'id javid, the health secretary, didi javid, the health secretary, did call for this a few years ago. it is interesting the backing he has given her, also penny mordaunt, also the education secretary as well. i think this points to the fact the cabinet is in disarray with everything else taking up time and everything else going on. it is a very febrile atmosphere. i think a lot of people will remember when nus became the first female muslim minister to ever address the house of commons from the dispatch box and it was a real moment of pride for me, and should be a moment of pride for the conservative party. eve

. _ the british health secretary sajid javid says there's nothing in the data to suggest the government in england, but that it was still too early to know how hospitals would cope. mrjavid said it was an incredibly challenging time for hospitals as the omicron variant of coronavirus surges, including among older people. sadly, we are seeing hospitalisations arise across the country, particularly in older age groups but, thankfully, there was in intensive care, those numbers are broadly flat. but we do not know enough about omicron to know that the very best way to protect ourselves from hospitalisation, to protect our communities is through vaccination and, in the last few weeks, we have all seen at the big push on boosters because we know that the two jabs are not enough but three jabs provide excellent protection and the nhs in the last few weeks, especially, has done an amazing job in rolling out those boosters. over 75% of eligible adults now boosted. but still more to be done. omicron cases are continuing to surge in the us and parts of europe — in a moment, we'll hear about the s