Transcripts For BBCNEWS BBC News 20240711

Three people who died in series of linked incidents last night in kilmarnock have been named. They include a mother and daughter. To counsellors illegally may now elect to counsellors illegally may now elect a to counsellors illegally may now elect a chairman. To counsellors illegally may now elect a chairman. To counsellors illegally may now elect a chairman. And when online meetings go wrong the Parish Council session thats gone viral. Good afternoon, welcome to bbc news. Covid infections are continuing to fall in most parts of the uk, with one in 65 people testing positive in england in the last week of january. New figures from the office for National Statistics show a drop in scotland and Northern Ireland, with infections remaining level in wales. The latest official data also shows the r number has fallen. Anything below one means the pandemic is shrinking. It now stands at between 0. 7 and i. It comes amidst calls for the government to give more details on the easing of Lockdown Measures. In a further development, the government says it plans to give everyone in england who is over 50 or clinically vulnerable at least one dose of vaccine by may. Our Health Correspondent Katherine Da Costa reports. The uk has made a strong start to its Vaccination Programme. More than 10 Million People have now had theirfirst dose. In the next few weeks, experts say immunisation should have a real impact on reducing deaths and hospital admissions. That has prompted a small number of conservative backbenchers to renew calls for an early end to lockdown. We know what the government said was the reason for this third lockdown. Now that that threat is receding, we ought to be, and indeed we are, and the government says we are, looking to open up. We also know now that the vaccines are going to benefit, with the enormous number of people who have been vaccinated, and we also know the vaccines are going to benefit, in terms of transmissions, in terms of cutting hospitalisations. All of those metrics should be moving rapidly in the right direction. Latest figures show infections are falling across most of the uk and have levelled off in wales. But prevalence remains high, with the office for National Statistics suggesting one in 65 had the virus in england in the week to last saturday. But the Health Service is still under intense pressure, with 50 more Covid Patients than during the first peak last spring. Health Officials Say cases need to be at very low levels before restrictions are eased to avoid another surge. This virus is not pleasant for patients. Its not pleasant to deal with and we would like to see levels at a really safe level before we take our foot off the gas. We dont want to be in this position again and we want our hospitals in some sort of state that they can cope with what used to be normal, if we are going to head back towards that. Vaccination remains our best way of tackling the virus. Assessments of the roll out so far have found both the pfizer and astrazeneca vaccines are extremely safe. Data up to the 24th Of January found nearly 23,000 suspected side effects were reported. Thats about three in every 1000 people. The vast majority of cases were mild, such as a sore arm or tiredness. Severe allergic reactions to the Pfizer Vaccine are very rare, affecting between one and two cases per 100,000. Because of the risk, doctors have said that people with a history of significant allergic reactions should not have the Pfizer Vaccine. They have data from essentially 10 Million People, and they look as safe as they were reported in the earliest studies. So that is really encouraging. Thats a huge amount of data showing that, essentially, the side effects are no different to most vaccines that we get. I hope thatll be very reassuring to the general public. Assessments will continue as the roll out is ramped up. The government hopes to have offered more than 30 Million People, all the over 50s and those with health conditions, a jab by the spring. Katharine da costa, bbc news. Figures released today show that a further 1,014 people have died within 28 days of a positive Coronavirus Test in the uk. Just over 19,000 people tested positive for the virus, and the number of those receiving their first vaccination is now almost 11 million. Speaking a little earlier, the Health Secretary, matt hancock, says that the goverment� s aim to vaccinate everyone over 50 by may is on target. The vaccine programmes going great guns and weve now almost 11 Million People vaccinated, including 90 of the over 80s. Were on track to make sure that we offered to the most vulnerable groups a vaccine by the 15th of february, and my goal is that i want us to be able to offer a vaccine to all over 50s, priority groups one to nine, by may. Theres a lot of things weve got to get right in order to hit that goal and obviously, supplies, the most difficult of all of those, but were currently on track for that. And thanks to the huge amount of effort for them the nhs and everybody involved in making this happen, were on track to get there and obviously, that is a critical part of give your body out of this. Of give your body out of this. Caettin of give your body out of this. Getting everybody out of this. Joining me now to discuss this is professor of medicine at the university of east anglia, paul hunter. Professor hunter, good to see you again. 0bviously theres a lot of talk about when and how schools for example should reopen. What do you believe the main factors are that should be assessed . I believe the main factors are that should be assessed . Believe the main factors are that should be assessed . I think weve already discussed should be assessed . I think weve already discussed that should be assessed . I think weve already discussed that in should be assessed . I think weve already discussed that in your already discussed that in your previous, when we do take are put off the break, they dont start so dont like shooting up again. Take ourfoot. I dont think dont like shooting up again. Take our foot. I dont think were that far away from getting as many of our more Vulnerable People vaccinated, particularly the over 70s and people with severe pre existing disease. 0nce weve done that, i think we will look forward to gradual relaxation across a lot of the restrictions that were under. Especially as we move into spring, when these sort of viruses do not spread as rapidly as they generally do in november, december, january time. So, i think people are talking about schools opening early march, i think that is probably achievable, and after that, we will hopefully see gradual relaxation � s across a wide range of areas. May be moving back to some form of tier system. As the Epidemic Declines in areas across the country, those local authorities will be gradually moved down the tier. Again, its not overfor moved down the tier. Again, its not over for some moved down the tier. Again, its not overfor some time. We may moved down the tier. Again, its not over for some time. We may well, moved down the tier. Again, its not overfor some time. We may well, i suspect we will see resurgence of the infections next winter, but its almost certainly wont be as bad as it has been this year and i very much doubt whether we will see anywhere near the level of restrictions that we had to live under for the last month or so. How helful or under for the last month or so. How helpful or feasible under for the last month or so. How helpful or feasible is under for the last month or so. How helpful or feasible is it for helpful orfeasible is it for scientists to say before they start to reopen again, the r number needs to reopen again, the r number needs to be x and the number infections needs to be y . I to be x and the number infections needs to be y . To be x and the number infections needs to be y . I dont think you can do that. Needs to be y . I dont think you can do that we needs to be y . I dont think you can do that. We heard needs to be y . I dont think you can do that. We heard back needs to be y . I dont think you can do that. We heard back in needs to be y . I dont think you can do that. We heard back in i needs to be y . I dont think you can do that. We heard back in i think needs to be y . I dont think you can do that. We heard back in i think it. Do that. We heard back in i think it was november that the government uses essentially five key markers such as case numbers, whether case numbers are going up or down. Theres a whole lot of difference between 10,000 cases a week when the previous week, it was only 5000 on the previous week it was 20,000. Whether case numbers are going up or down is really important as well. How many deaths, what the pressure is on our hospitals and also particularly, what the pressure is on our more vulnerable groups. All these things need to be taken into account. A single metric isnt going to be what makes the decision. How clear are you to be what makes the decision. How clear are you about to be what makes the decision. How clear are you about which sectors can reopen first . I clear are you about which sectors can reopen first . Can reopen first . I think clearly, it depends can reopen first . I think clearly, it depends on can reopen first . I think clearly, it depends on where can reopen first . I think clearly, it depends on where your can reopen first . I think clearly, i it depends on where your interests are, but i think most people, might myself particularly, it must go to our schools. 0ur under ten year old school, ourjunior and ten year old school, our junior and primary ten year old school, ourjunior and primary school, probably should have the priority for reopening. I think the priority for reopening. I think the evidence is that if we can do that and then the more secondary schools, and then looking at the 0connor mainly the Economy Opening again, and eventually off so hospitality venues, which im sure which will be opening sometime in the spring. Depending on how things go. As weve seen, coronavirus has a habit of coming up with unexpected and very unpleasant changes to itself. ,. ,. ,. , and very unpleasant changes to itself. ,. ,. , itself. Yes, so we have to be watchful itself. Yes, so we have to be watchful. Professor itself. Yes, so we have to be watchful. Professor paul itself. Yes, so we have to be i watchful. Professor paul hunter itself. Yes, so we have to be watchful. Professor paul hunter from the university, its really good to talk to you. Md; the university, its really good to talk to vom the government has been defending its plans to quarantine people arriving in the uk in a scheme due to begin in ten days time. People travelling from countries with high Infection Rates will have to stay in a hotel at their own expense in an effort to control the spread of new variants of coronavirus. Labour says the scheme should extend to all international travellers. Helena wilkinson reports. Its Hotels Near Airports like heathrow which are expected to sign up. Once a uk resident or Irish National arrives from one of more than 30 covid hotspots, they will be escorted and required to quarantine for ten nights in a hotel. The government says theyre working at pace and hotels will have enough time to prepare. The whole point of this is that we give the hotels notice, because they will need to change the way they operate. Were asking them to do something very different. Were giving them time to make adjustments and were also giving ourselves time to ensure that this policy is effective, by working with International Partners and giving our Border Enforcement Officials the time they need to prepare to make this work. The Quarantine Rules are being brought in to control the spread of new variants of the virus, but some hotels say they have not been contacted by the government. Others say they wont have enough time to prepare. Meher nawab is Chief Executive of the london hotel group, which already runs a hotel that accommodates people quarantining because of covid. It took them nine months to set up. Theres been no open dialogue between the Hospitality Sector and the government. I sent a step plan to them last week, and yesterday afternoon a document has come out and they are expecting people to fill that document in and submit it, and get these hotels open on the 15th of february. Labour says the scheme should be extended to all international travellers, notjust some countries. It is utterly shambolic that this is being brought into effect on the 15th of february. Thats over 50 days since the South African Strain was first discovered in this country. And little wonder, frankly, that it reached our shores. Its expected more than 1000 residents per day will return from places where new variants are prevalent. Details on how passengers will book their place in a Quarantine Hotel are expected to be set out by the government next week. Helena wilkinson, bbc news. Lets get more now from our political co respondent damian grammaticas. There seems to be a sort of disconnect between what the government has said publicly and what some of their scientific advisers have set in a briefing. Well, this is the argument. Theyve been going back and forth, notjust between the politicians, as you are hearing there, but the difficulties about exactly deciding how best to focus this policy of protecting the borders. And what weve seen today are the papers produced by Government Scientists from the committee advising the government from a couple of weeks ago in january, where they laid out their views of what they thought the evidence showed. They were talking there about the border quarantine programme. In that, what they said was that the only way to have a complete or to be a complete or mandatory quarantine of all visitors and designated places was the only way to get close to fully preventing the importation of new cases. So, they were pretty clear about that. What they said was geographically targeting specific countries would not achieve that because of the ability for people to travel indirectly to get to the uk, and also targeting a country you can only do you want a very it circulating. It would probably be too late anyway a variant circulating. The scientist to say these are difficult questions and they would not stop variants coming in at all. Matt hancock also speaking today addressed up and said this is how the government plans to focus its policy on specific places and keep variance out. We focus its policy on specific places and keep variance out. Focus its policy on specific places and keep variance out. We will be viuilant in and keep variance out. We will be vigilant in making and keep variance out. We will be vigilant in making sure and keep variance out. We will be vigilant in making sure that and keep variance out. We will be vigilant in making sure that the i vigilant in making sure that the hotel vigilant in making sure that the Hotel Quarantine that were introducing applies to the right countries where we see these new variance. Countries where we see these new variance, and we have a programme to have surveillance right across the world have surveillance right across the world have surveillance right across the world variants. We are working with world variants. We are working with International Partners to make sure we with International Partners to make sure we spot where these new variants sure we spot where these new variants pop up like brazil and south variants pop up like brazil and south africa and make sure we can keep south africa and make sure we can keep people here safe with a new hotei keep people here safe with a new Hotel Quarantine. The government sa s Hotel Quarantine. The government says theyre Hotel Quarantine. The government says theyre targeting Hotel Quarantine. The government says theyre targeting all Hotel Quarantine. The government says theyre targeting all bibles i says theyre targeting all bibles from all countries all arrivals would be too difficult to implement, but the criticism has been its done too little too late, so i think this is going to be another case where an implementation would be watched very closely to see if they are able to keep new variants out by targeting specific arrivals from specific countries deemed at risk. With the general relaxation of the quarantine and Lockdown Measures in place, they dont want to be doing too much too fast, which is why at the minute, were not hearing them committing to of anything other than the timetable to look at things, and that may date the beginning of may, all over 50s should have been offered their first vaccine by then. That could be a very important point because questions are being asked about exactly the point at which beyond then, there may not be justification for keeping Lockdown Measures in place, but these are all difficult questions. Place, but these are all difficult cuestions. ~ place, but these are all difficult question place, but these are all difficult cuestions. ~ ,. ,. Questions. Thank you very much. The headhnes questions. Thank you very much. The headlines on questions. Thank you very much. The headlines on bbc questions. Thank you very much. The headlines on bbc news. Questions. Thank you very much. The headlines on bbc news. Almost i questions. Thank you very much. The headlines on bbc news. Almost 11 | headlines on bbc news. Almost 11 Million People have had Theirfirst Coronavirus Jab Act as the governments target to vaccinate all over 50s i may. Signs of a fall in cove acacias. Covid cases. Doctors warned against complacency. Three people who died in a series of incident last night have been named. They include a mother and daughter. Investigators have started work to track down the criminal gangs whove stolen billions of pounds of tax payers money that was supposed to help Small Businesses survive the pandemic. The government launched its Flagship Bounce back loan scheme last year to keep people in work. Since then, it has handed out £40 billion, but bbc news discovered that much of the money was being claimed fraudulently. Angus crawford has been talking to the teams tasked with getting some of the money back. Todays operation is to do with a Bounceback Loan fraud. 0ut before dawn. Fortunately obtained a £50,000 loan by claiming that hes a landscape gardener. A small team of specialists. These officers are investigating a new kind of fraud people suspected of illegally claiming Tens Of Thousands of pounds from the governments Bounceback Loan Scheme. Theyre from the National Investigation service, which probes financial crime, now rooting out fraud in the governments Covid Support schemes. The scale of the problem is extremely large at the moment. Were operating across the country, we have numerous operations planned and my message to those that are committing this crime is that we will be investigating you. This is money that was meant for legitimate businesses, and they should expect a visit from us and our policing partners. So, those people should be nervous . Yes, they should be, yes. The scale of the fraud could cost the taxpayer billions, and it hasnt stopped. Look at this. We found limited companies being touted for sale on facebook, ebay and gumtree, and some ads make it clear they could be used to get Bounceback Loans. We got in touch with some of them. They told us it was easy. And lucrative. One said hed sold hundreds of companies. And do you think everyone you sold a company to recently has got a Bounceback Loan, or tried to . The Bounceback Loan Scheme is designed to support uk smaller businesses. Its perfectly legal to sell a company online, but the treasury says its not in the spirit of the scheme meant to help firms hit by covid, and giving advice on getting a fraudulent loan could be a crime. You can apply for a loan. Anything up to 29, 30 billion of these Bounceback Loans, these quick loans to businesses could be fraud or lost due to error and things. So, potentially, one of the biggest frauds in history. Stepping up the pressure on covid fraudsters here, an arrest by the National Crime agency. But with thousands of crah fraudulent claims to investigate but with thousands of fraudulent claims to investigate and billions of pounds at stake, these teams will be busy for years to come. Angus crawford, bbc news. Some Breaking News now from emr. The whereabouts of of the leader mrs suu kyi hasnt been seen since the coup on monday miss suu kyi. Her lawyer has confirmed that. Also the president have been grounded in their homes is how its been described. Suu kyis lawyer said hes not allowed to meet her because she still being investigated, but her lawyers are seeking her unconditional release as they say she hasnt broken the law. They say theyre hoping for the best but they are prepared for the worst. Civil disobedience movements have been gaining momentum in myanmar. Teachers and students are now joining in following the two by the military which took place on monday following the military coup. Two women believed to be a mother and daughter have been stabbed to death in linked attacks in kilmarnock. A ao year old man died in a Car Crash South of the town a short time later. 0ur correspondent Alexandra Mackenzie is in kilmarnock. We do now know the names of the people whove died. Yes we do now know the names of the people whove died. We do now know the names of the people whove died. Yes we do, the bbc understands people whove died. Yes we do, the bbc understands the people whove died. Yes we do, the bbc understands the three people whove died. Yes we do, the bbc understands the three people | people whove died. Yes we do, the i bbc understands the three people who died are emma roberts and copeland, who was 39 years old. She was working her last night when she was attacked in the car part Emma Robertson copeland. A short line and later, her daughterwho robertson copeland. A short line and later, her daughter who is believed to be nicole anderson, 2a years old and working a couple miles away in a take away, and the town of kilmarnock, she was stabbed. She was brought to the hospital where her mother works but died later of her injuries, and then a short time after that, a third individual, Stephen Robertson who was 40, died in a car crash on the road near here. These three events unfolded over the space ofjust 45 minutes. Police say they believe all three incidents are linked and they are not seeking anyone else in connection with them. People here understandably extremely shocked of what has happened. Collea g u es colleagues say she was a valued member of the nhs, a wonderfulfriend a colleague and a loving mother. I think that sentiment was echoed by people in the town here. Deep shock and sadness at what has happened here with three people. Among them, a mother and a daughter losing their lives. ~ a mother and a daughter losing their lives. , ~ ,. ,. Energy bills are to go up for millions of people in april after the Regulator 0fgem announced a raising of the price cap because of extra costs facing suppliers. The typical bill for someone on a default tariff will go up by nearly £100 a year. Poverty campaigners say the move comes at a time when many families are already struggling because of the pandemic. Our personal finance correspondent Kevin Peachey reports. Forjanet and herfamily, Lockdown Life means their energy use and bills are going up, but the regulator, 0fgem, will soon allow suppliers to charge more. A higher price cap affects people who havent switched suppliers or whose Discount Deals have expired. I have three children. Ive got two Working From Home at the moment because of covid and because the offices are shut. The energy that we use, gas and electric, we use on a daily basis and usually it goes on in the morning at about 6 30am to warm the house. Its staying on constantly until probably 8 30pm at night. It means bills will go up by £96 a year when using a typical amount of gas and electricity bought from the same supplier. Thats likely to take an annual bill to £1,138. Those who switch can bring that down to £851 a year, but even the cheapest deals around went up by £50 at the end of last year. The new cap means Prepayment Metre customers may also see bills go up by nearly £90 a year. With an estimated two Million People behind on paying energy bills and covid related Government Support schemes winding down, Debt Charities say the financial squeeze will tighten. Were particularly worried about the impact on people on benefits. They are already facing planned cuts to their benefits, at exactly the same time as this planned price increase. So, were worried those people are going to face a double whammy of hits to their income, and increased bills at the same time. Part of the price rise is to allow suppliers to cover their costs when consumers cant pay, but the regulator denies this willjust make matters worse. We appreciate this is really difficult time for many families out there, not only financially but all the other pressures were facing from the covid crisis, but the reason were making this change is costs in the market fell to their lowest level last year and have come back up again and that is reflected in the prices that people will need to pay. Janet knows that pressure will come. We have found that if you have dual fuel you tend to get a better deal, but i havent looked at the Energy Prices recently. Im not looking forward to my next bill. Winter worries which now look set to bring a financial chill to spring, as well. Kevin peachy, bbc news. Now, Parish Councils may been viewed by some as the smallest, now, Parish Councils may be viewed by some as the smallest, least powerful parts of the government system. But their meetings can be just as dramatic as anything in parliament. Take, for example, the Zoom Gathering of the planning and Environment Committee of handforth Parish Council in the north west of england, in december. The meeting has turned up on social media, and now its gone viral. Recent frosty conditions in the small town of handforth spilled over into a heated meeting of the Environment Committee one comedian says was worthy of a golden globe. Its this one. Handforth Parish Council chair brian tolver begins by questioning the legitimacy of the meeting. Well start the meeting, and i want to repeat what i said at the beginning of the last meeting, that this meeting has not been called according to the law. The law has been broken. The correct titles and procedures are all important here. Are you here as the proper officer . I am here offering support to handforth Parish Council and the conduct of this meeting this evening. In the conduct of this meeting this evening. Youre not the proper officer. Is that as a clerk or proper officer . Theres no difference between clerk and proper officer. Of course there is yes, there is. You must know the basic law. But self proclaimed monitoring officerJackie Weaver, apparently brought in as clerk to calm the tensions in previous meetings by other members present, stands her ground. Bedlam soon ensues. The law has been broken. It has been properly. Will you please let the chairman. . mrs weaver, please if you disrupt this meeting, i will have to remove you from it. You cant its only the chairman who can remove people from the meeting. You have no authority here, Jackie Weaver. No authority at all shesjust kicked him out. No, shes kicked him out dont. Shes kicked him out this is a meeting called by two councillors. Illegally they may now elect a chairman. No, they cant, the vice chair is here, i take charge read the standing orders. Read them and understand them she gasps. Stop it appalling behaviour with both the chair and vice chair now consigned to a virtual waiting room, Jackie Weaver asks whether they should be let back in, but the other members arent in forgiving mood. Arent in a forgiving mood. Im afraid that i would be loath for that to happen, because weve got work to get through, and i can only see everything being. Even more disrupted. Hundreds of thousands of views of the lively scenes have awakened what would normally be a sleepy Parish Council meeting into an internet sensation, with one Presenter Tweeting out loud, but what happens next . mark lobel, bbc news. And Jackie Weaver who you saw there in that meeting attempting to bring calm to proceedings has been speaking to womans hour. She says shes received a lot of support today and underlined the importance of working to eradicate bad behaviour from local councils. I guess the response to it is also aroundm i guess the response to it is also around. There is an element of bullying around. There is an element of bullying and bad behaviour in local councils bullying and bad behaviour in local councils. And a lot of us are working councils. And a lot of us are working very hard. And that includes a central working very hard. And that includes a Central Government to try to do something a Central Government to try to do something about that, because the passion something about that, because the passion something about that, because the passion im passionate about the fact that passion im passionate about the fact that if passion im passionate about the fact that if local government is the look on fact that if local government is the look on that mechanism by which people look on that mechanism by which people can really engage with their communities is the mechanism. They communities is the mechanism. They said communities is the mechanism. They said some of negative lots of negative they said some of negative lots of negative stuff this morning. Time for the bbc sports of negative stuff this morning. Time for the bbc sports centre. Of negative stuff this morning. I he for the bbc sports centre. Watch out for the bbc sports centre. Watch out for that. For the bbc sports centre. Watch out forthat. Not for the bbc sports centre. Watch out for that. Not quite as good as the one weve just seen but with start with cricket. Joe root marked his 100th test with a century his third in as many matches as england made an impressive start to the first test against india. The england captain hit a Brilliant 128 not out in chennai, leading his side to 263 3 at the close. Andy swiss was watching. 100 in his 100th test match. What a player. If sport is all about timing, well, itjust doesnt get better than this. Forjoe root, an unforgettable finale to an unforgettable day. Hed begun it celebrating a different century, his 100th test cap. But if that was sparkling, it was nothing to what followed. Under the hot chennai sunshine, his team wobbled at first, rory burns succumbing to a rush of blood. And its the first wicket down for england. And when dan lawrence quickly followed, india were proving just why they are among the worlds best. Enter root, though, with remarkable results. Class. Pure class. After hundreds in his previous two tests, a hat trick was clearly in his sights. At the other end, he found the perfect partner. Dom sibley reaching a gritty half century. But he was soon being overshadowed by his skipper. 0n current form, root seems in a world of his own, and the outcome was gloriously inevitable. A stunning century and a smile to match. Only the third englishman to make a hundred on his hundredth appearance. Some things are just meant to be. From there, he piled on the agony, although notjust for india. A six and a spot of cramp. But even that couldnt stop him. Just before the close, india did finally trap sibley for 87, but root is still there. It was englands day, but above all it was his. Andy swiss, bbc news. Wales captain Alun Wynjones has been passed fit to lead his side into the six nations opener against ireland on sunday. Jones damaged his knee in the match against italy early in december in the autumn nations cup and was expected to miss the start of the tournament. Flanker dan lydiate plays his First International for more than two years and second row adam beard also returns. And as expected, ireland captain Johnny Sexton is fit enough to start the game after recovering from a knock, while tadgh beirne and josh van der flier will start in the pack. The Scot Stephen Gallacher has a share of the lead in the second round of the saudi international. Hes on ten under along with new zealands ryan fox. But it was dustinjohnstons long drive on the tenth that caught everyones attention. It went far left and hit this volunteer on the back. Fortunately, they got back up and seemed to be ok. He limped off, he seemed to be all right. A bit of concern from dustin johnson. Johnstons two shots off the lead on 8 under. Theres been a bit of an exchange of frank views in the Premier League News Conferences this afternoon. There have been fights in the past, it including Alex Ferguson and kevin keegan. But one broke out this afternoon. Pep guardiola has said he expected betterfrom jurgen klopp than to indulge in mind games before Manchester Citys Premier League trip to liverpool on sunday. Klopp has suggested that a Covid Outbreak at City Over Christmas led to guardiolas side having a game postponed and two weeks off, helping their title bid. We didnt have a break. City had a two week break for coronavirus reasons. Its really tough. Its a tough season for some teams. For us, obviously for the reasons, you know, its tough. He knows its not true. We havent had two weeks off. Nobody does. Some people do it for the purpose, but i didnt expect he would do it. I didnt think he was the type of guy. But if he did do it, ok, maybe i was wrong. I love a war of words. In the last few words, wrexham said they are closer to being taken over by ramah county and ryan reynolds, they said they have received approval from the financial conduct authority. Thats all the sport for now. You can find more on all those stories on the bbc sport website. Thats bbc. Co. Uk sport. Martin. Jane, thank you very much. A bit of Breaking News now from Northern Ireland where Council Staff at larne who were taken away from Brexit Inspections because of Safety Concerns are going to return to work this evening. 12 Environmental Health officers and members from east Antrim Council stop working at the docks after graffiti appeared in the docks after graffiti appeared in the town threatening people who were involved in checking goods. This is what it said. All opposition to what is happening now, the uk has left the eu. The local authority says it has completed a Risk Assessment after police gave their assessment of the threat and said that it is ok for staff to continue at Larne Harbour front tonight, the council said in a statement their health and safety remains our top priority. The devolved authority also withdrew its Food Consignments at Larne On Sunday but we dont know when they will return. Data about the safety of the two covid 19 vaccines being used in the uk has been published The Medicines Regulator says both jabs are safe, and their benefits far outweigh the risks. The vast majority of side effects reported by those who have had the vaccine include a sore arm, muscle pain, and mild cold and flu like symptoms for a day or two. With me now is our Health Correspondentjim reed. This sounds like positive data. It is pretty reassuring stuff. We have two vaccines in this country, one made by pfizer and the other the Oxford Astrazeneca jab which both went through detailed Clinical Trials before they are in testing the safety so people can be pretty reassured before they take this that it was pretty safe with no serious side effects. What we are noticing today, The Medicines Regulator has have looked at what we call Real Life Data, not in Clinical Trials, looking at about 7 Million People who have had the jab so far and again pretty positive, so about three and every 1,000 people are reporting some sort of adverse effect. The vast majority of those are very, very mild. The regulator said its pretty similar to the flu vaccine. The key thing they want us to take away today from this research is that theres been no unexpected serious reactions as they put it, so nothing coming through in this Real Life Data that was not seenin this Real Life Data that was not seen in the Clinical Trials for us to be concerned about. The seen in the Clinical Trials for us to be concerned about. The thing is thou h to be concerned about. The thing is though these to be concerned about. The thing is though these vaccines to be concerned about. The thing is though these vaccines were to be concerned about. The thing is i though these vaccines were developed before we knew about the new variant, specifically the kenton period, the british variant. How effective do we know that they are going to be against that . The kent variant. Going to be against that . The kent variant. Going to be against that . The kent variant. Positive news again this afternoon, kent variant. Positive news again this afternoon, we kent variant. Positive news again this afternoon, we were kent variant. Positive news again this afternoon, we were on kent variant. Positive news again this afternoon, we were on a kent variant. Positive news again this afternoon, we were on a compass call from a team from Oxford University early on and they have done extra studies in this and think there is nothing to show that the new variant in the uk that we first found in kent in the southeast is any more resistant to their vaccine than the previous older variant that we were used to. There is nothing in there to particularly worry us. But we dont know is if the other strains in the world, that are becoming more prominent, the South African Strain, one in brazil, how they are likely to affect the Astrazeneca 0xford vaccine that there are trails going on to test that but they have not had those results just yet. Resultsjust yet. Jim, for the moment. Resultsjust yet. Jim, for the moment, Thank Resultsjust yet. Jim, for the moment, thank You Resultsjust yet. Jim, for the moment, thank you very results just yet. Jim, for the i moment, thank you very much results just yet. Jim, for the moment, thank you very much jim results just yet. Jim, for the moment, thank you very much jim read moment, thank you very muchjim read our health correspond. Professor Anthony Harnden is deputy chairman of Thejoint Committee On Vaccination and immunisation which advises the government on the best strategy for vaccination. Hes also a gp and professor of primary care at Oxford University. He is speaking to us today in a personal capacity. Professor, welcome. Given the fact that 11 Million People have now had one of these vaccines, we ought to be breathing a sign of relief that they are safe i suppose. A sigh of relief. It they are safe i suppose. A sigh of relief. ,. , of relief. It is great news. The ublic of relief. It is great news. The public want of relief. It is great news. The public want to of relief. It is great news. The public want to be of relief. It is great news. The public want to be sure of relief. It is great news. The public want to be sure that. Of relief. It is great news. The | public want to be sure that our records rebutted the mhr a are world class and are looking at the safety data on a daily basis, the jcb |, thejcpoa safety data on a daily basis, the jcb i, thejcpoa are also looking at these, and we have seen no Safety Signals from either of these vaccines which is good news because of course trials have been in lots of course trials have been in lots of people, Tens Of Thousands of people and that can be very different than when you grow out a vaccine to millions of people. And the fact we see no Safety Signals that are serious is very reassuring indeed. Thejcvi which i sit on. When the vaccine brought first began, we were told there would be only a gap between three weeks between the first and second dose which has now become more like three months. How convinced are you from this data that this is the right decision . ,. , this data that this is the right decision . ,. ,. ,. , decision . The safety data is not relevant to decision . The safety data is not relevant to the decision . The safety data is not relevant to the efficacy decision . The safety data is not relevant to the Efficacy Data decision . The safety data is not relevant to the Efficacy Data for| relevant to the Efficacy Data for our second best strategy but one must remember that there has been a publication from Oxford Astrazeneca this week that shows not only does domain the second dose give you good protection, it gives you better protection. Delaying the second dose. That is good news, the data from the pfizer is still under review but all the signals that we see seven weeks afterwards has been quite positive. So, we are confident this is the right to strategy, we are immunising many more people buy this to wait a second dose strategy, people do need the second dose because it will offer them good and longer term protection. By delaying the second dose, we got many, many more doses into many more people with their first dose which has given the populations as a whole eight greater protection at the time we know these vulnerable groups are so much more at risk of going into hospital and even dying i think we have saved thousands of riot survives run the country with this strategy can you explain in lay terms what a longer delay is better . The first just gives you terms what a longer delay is better . The firstjust gives you what is called a Priming Effect from the vaccine, your body gets used to the antigen and develops some immunity against that antigen. The second dose gives you that substantial longer term protection. In many ways the body needs to rest in between first and second doses, this is quite common with a number of vaccines and then giving that second dose surgery in the case of the Oxford Astrazeneca vaccine seems to give you that better longer term protection. So the first dose to prime, the second dose really to boost that longer term protection and the larger interval between the two certainly at the same case in the Oxford Astrazeneca one is good data saying it seems to be more beneficial. But data saying it seems to be more beneficial. �. Data saying it seems to be more beneficial data saying it seems to be more beneficial. �. ,. ,. , beneficial. But at one point does that benefit beneficial. But at one point does that benefit stop . Beneficial. But at one point does that benefit stop . How beneficial. But at one point does that benefit stop . How far beneficial. But at one point does i that benefit stop . How far beyond three months could you reasonably go . Three months could you reasonably io . ,. , � three months could you reasonably o . , � ,. , three months could you reasonably io . , 4. ,. , three months could you reasonably go . That we dont know and that is wh we go . That we dont know and that is why we have go . That we dont know and that is why we have been go . That we dont know and that is why we have been very go . That we dont know and that is why we have been very cautious i go . That we dont know and that is why we have been very cautious in | why we have been very cautious in our approach, thejcvi and mhr a, so our approach, thejcvi and mhr a, so our recommendation for astrazeneca is for having been 12 weeks and pfizer 3 12 weeks and we will continue to monitor this. There will be studies looking at longer dose intervals but at the moment, we feel minded to say that we believe that second dose should be given at 12 weeks. Brute second dose should be given at 12 weeks. ~. ,. ,. , weeks. We hear now that the government weeks. We hear now that the government thinks weeks. We hear now that the government thinks it weeks. We hear now that the government thinks it can weeks. We hear now that the government thinks it can get| weeks. We hear now that the i government thinks it can get all weeks. We hear now that the government thinks it can get all the over 50s vaccinated at least once by the end of may. How feasible do you believe that is . {to} . The end of may. How feasible do you believe that is . Believe that is . jcvi, my 0b is to help set i believe that is . jcvi, my 0b is to help set priorfi believe that is . jcvi, my 0b is to help set prior to i believe that is . jcvi, my 0b is to help set prior to groups, h believe that is . jcvi, my job is to help set prior to groups, not i believe that is . jcvi, my job is| to help set prior to groups, not to make targets but im very encouraged that the Health Secretary has given us the state. At the. I am happy that the seas be coming to coming for the First Priority groups and gives us an ambitious target but one must remember the uk have done fantastically well with this mass Vaccination Programme. We have had great support from primary Care Hospital hubs, mass vaccination centres, the government procured the vaccines and sufficient enough quantities and have got a good forward looking strategy. So, its been a very, very big Success Story in ourfight against pandemic been a very, very big Success Story in our fight against pandemic and been a very, very big Success Story in ourfight against pandemic and i believe the uk are ahead of the world at the moment. Loath . Believe the uk are ahead of the world at the moment. Believe the uk are ahead of the world at the moment. Why are you convinced that world at the moment. Why are you convinced that these world at the moment. Why are you convinced that these are world at the moment. Why are you convinced that these are the world at the moment. Why are you convinced that these are the right l convinced that these are the right priorities in terms of we are looking at the over 50s as an age group rather than prioritising particular people over 50 . For example, teachers and other Essential Workers like those who work in shops and transport . Weill. Work in shops and transport . Well, clearl , work in shops and transport . Well, clearly. We work in shops and transport . Well, clearly. We are work in shops and transport . Well, clearly, we are prioritising clearly, we are prioritising teachers that are over 50 and that fall into any of the Underlying Health conditions categories. Its really important that for any Vaccination Programme can be delivered effectively and smoothly and in many ways working through age groups is a simple and good way of doing this, particularly as we know that agent seems to be the predominant risk factor in developing severe disease from covid. Age seems. We have to remember the majority of hospitalisations are in the very older age groups. There are many people around the country between 50 years and 70 years at the moment critically ill in it you settings and we still believe that those groups need to be prioritised in terms of vaccination to prevent yet more people going into this dreadful situation which unfortunately many families are sprinting at the moment