This is bbc news, im simon mccoy. The headlines one in ten people across the uk had contracted covid 19 by the end of december. Hospitals in the midlands are short staffed and care homes remain on the front line. The vaccine has been certainly the big thing that every provider is now desperate to get into their services and the roll out, it is happening, but it is not as quick as we would all like. Fortress washington as donald trump spends his last full day in office, america anxiously waits for the inauguration of his successor. Scotlands first minister Nicola Stugeon is to update the Scottish Parliament on covid 19 restrictions. Well bring you her statement live later this hour. The government is to set up a new regulator for the Construction Industry following evidence at the Grenfell Tower inquiry that manufacturers
covered up safety issues. Grave concerns over the future of the Justice System in england and wales as the covid pandemic creates a backlog of crown court cases. The best way to make notes how the worlds musicians are turning to streaming to guarantee a reliable income. Good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. There may be light at the end of the tunnel, but its still a very long tunnel. As the Vaccination Programme enters a new phase, there are further signs that the nhs is struggling to cope under the pressure of covid 19. In some hospitals in the midlands theyve called in the military to help out after too many staff called in sick or had to self isolate. Latest figures from the office for National Statistics shows that
a further 6,586 deaths involving covid 19 were registered in the uk in the week to january the 8th. That brings the total registered deaths close to 96,000. Its a grim picture in care homes too with 20 of covid deaths occuring there in the past week. Data from the office for National Statistics also shows that more than 1300 people in care homes in england and wales died with coronavirus in the first week of january. And figures from the 0ns Infection Survey show that by the end of december, around one in ten of us in the uk had contracted covid. That number is higher in england where its one in eight people equivalent to 12 of the population. And as i mentioned, this morning military personnel are now helping out at hospitals in the midlands. Lots for the Health Secretary to look at hell have to do it from home. Hes self isolating
after being pinged on the nhs test and trace app. Anna collinson reports. London over the christmas period. Coronavirus cases were on the rise and pressures on hospitals were intensifying. Now it appears infections were more widespread at the end of 2020 than previously thought. New data suggests up to one in ten people in the uk tested positive for covid antibodies, which the body develops to fight off the virus. England topped the list with one in eight people, or about 12 of the population, showing signs of recent infection. The data shows a rough doubling of antibodies in the uk since october except for in scotland, which was considerably smaller. Last night, i was pinged by the test and trace app. Soi so i will be self isolating. This morning, another reminder that the risk
is still very much there. As the Health Secretary announced he is self isolating after one of his close contacts tested positive. This is how we break the chains of transmission, so you must follow these rules. Another way to prevent transmission is vaccinating and in slough, it is the turn of care home workers. All the residents in debras town have received the jab, but other areas are not as far along. The government says the vast majority of over 80s and those who live in care homes should be vaccinated before moving onto lower priority groups. This the vaccine has been certainly the big thing that every provider is now desperate to get into their services and the roll out is happening but its not as quick as wed all like that then im sure, lots of other people would say the same. The uk is currently one of the World Leaders when it comes to vaccinations. But in stark contrast, it also has one of the highest death tolls. According to an analysis
of death certificates, nearly 96,000 coronavirus deaths have been registered so far. It will be weeks before we start to feel the benefits of the vaccine roll out, which does not help a struggling Health Service now. In the midlands, the military has been called in to support a number of hospitals where routine surgery has already been suspended. Its expected the filling of empty classrooms will be one of the first signs of possible normality returning. Englands deputy chief medical officer told mps reopening after february half term was logical but there are many unknowns. Everybody wants very certain planning and dates for opening and closing. Unfortunately thats not how the virus works and its highly likely all countries are going to see changes in mutations and new variants of this virus over the coming months and potentially years. For now, for many of us, life remains on pause for a few more weeks at least. The situation is described as precarious and the easing of restrictions will be gradual. Anna collinson, bbc news. Wales� s Health Minister, Vaughan Gething, said 70 of the over 80s, care home residents and care home staff in wales will have received a covid i9 vaccine by the end of this week. It comes after criticism of the first minister of wales Mark Drakeford, who was forced to deny claims earlier this week that supply was deliberately being held back. Vaughan gething has been facing questions from members of the senedd in the past half hour. Ican i can say on confidence of where we are, the daily figures are being published. Are, the daily figures are being ublished. , are, the daily figures are being published are, the daily figures are being ublished. ,. ,. Published. You will see an increase of a delivery published. You will see an increase of a delivery through published. You will see an increase of a delivery through this published. You will see an increase of a delivery through this week published. You will see an increase of a delivery through this week and i of a delivery through this week and into next week as well. And it is worth reflecting that as we stand now, i am confident that seven in is in wales, by the end of this week, will have had their first shot. Sevenin will have had their first shot. Seven in ten of our care home residents and staff by the end of this week will have had their vaccine as well. That is increasing level of pace and confidence, attention, as members have asked
for, as i and members of this, what to say because we recognise the crucial importance of this Vaccination Programme. There will be no lack of effort or urgency or doing the right thing in our part to keep wales say. Safe. Lets speak to our correspondent mark hutchings, who is in cardiff. This follows an interview on five live . �. , this follows an interview on five live . N. ,. , this follows an interview on five live . A. ,. ,. ,. , live . Actually on radio four. He made comments live . Actually on radio four. He made comments on live . Actually on radio four. He made comments on the live . Actually on radio four. He made comments on the welsh | made comments on the Welsh Government briefing that Mark Drakeford said deliveries of the Pfizer Vaccine had to be spaced out so they did not run out and left a vaccinators with nothing to do. Since that, we are told that the position has been clarified, that in fact, as the Health MinisterVaughan Gething has been saying, and the Welsh Government officially have been saying, Pfizer Vaccine are being sent out to Health Boards as quickly as they can receive them and
administer them. And Vaughan Gething hasjust assured members administer them. And Vaughan Gething has just assured members of the senedd that no vaccines are being held back at all. I think most governments have a few bumps along the road in tackling this pandemic. In the past few days have been a bit of a bone shaker for the welsh comic, particularly Mark Drakeford, who is currently taking questions from members of the senedd, but then says, despite appearances to the contrary, no vaccines are being held back. A bone shakerfor the contrary, no vaccines are being held back. A bone shaker for the Welsh Government. It has been, perhaps an own goal in terms of communication by the Welsh Government. They have spent the last couple of days explaining exactly what the position is as they would portrait. Plaid cymru have said it has really dented confidence any vaccine programme, which needs public confidence. The conservative say that waless poor performance, as they were described, has meant that wales would need to
do an extra 50,000 jabs just to catch up with england, which is apparently the size of a town like carefully. Caerphilly. We have had a figures out today saying as obtain pm last night, an extra 10,000 jabs have been given out. As of 10pm last night. That is not anywhere near the target they need to reach. The Welsh Government say that in the next few days, we will see those numbers increase as more gps surgeries administer vaccines. Mark, thank you very much. Mark hutchings there. The governments to set up a new regulator for the Construction Industry, with powers to ban the use of dangerous Building Materials. The decision comes after deeply disturbing evidence of malpractice was heard at the inquiry into the Grenfell Tower disaster. The regulator will be able to remove any products from the market that pose a safety risk and prosecute any companies that are found to be flouting rules. Withjust hours now untiljoe biden becomes the 46th president of the United States, the 45th president is clearly not going quietly. With mounting speculation about his choices for president ial pardons last night donald trump ordered travel bans to be lifted for visitors from most of europe and brazilfrom next week. Joe bidens spokeswoman countered immediately that that would not be happening. Heres our washington correspondent, nomia iqbal. Americas capital city is eerily quiet, and so is its president. Mr trump has been largely silent after twitter permanently banned him. But there is some last minute business. He announced a covid 19 travel ban on much of europe would be lifted. The Incoming Biden Administration plans to reverse it, though. In a tweet, the incoming press secretary says in fact they will strengthen it. One thing they will not be able to stop are mr trumps pardons. Like all outgoing president s, he plans to use his last bit of power to grant clemency to more
than 100 convicted criminals. This is all against the backdrop of a city that has turned into a fortress. Up to 25,000 troops from the National Guard are here, the most since the civil war era. This nation is still reeling from the riots earlier this month. Its emerged that some of them had connections to Law Enforcement, and now all the Inauguration Security is being vetted by the army and the fbi. One of the bigger challenges will be identifying people in Law Enforcement who have sympathies for these groups or act in concert with them. And again Law Enforcement has all the authorities they need, the fbi hasjurisdiction to investigate civil rights abuses by Law Enforcement officers, theyjust need to prioritise that work. President elect biden will fly into the city for his inauguration at capitol hill, a trip he originally planned to make by train. President trump will not be there, the first time that has happened in more than 150 years. He plans to leave for florida wednesday morning
with the first lady melania trump. She has delivered a goodbye address. In all circumstances, i ask every american to be an ambassador of be best. To focus on what unites us, to raise above what divides us. To always choose love over hatred, peace over violence, and others before yourself. Four years on and President Trump will be leaving the white house just as he entered it, with chaos and without convention. He did get his wall, though just not the one he expected. Nomia iqbal, bbc news, washington. We will well have extensive coverage ofjoe bidens inauguration throughout the day tomorrow on the bbc news channel and gfx there will be full coverage from 4pm with a bbc news special live from washington presented by katty kay. A coroner has called
for a review of smart motorways, saying they pose a risk to drivers. His comments came after an inquest into the deaths of two men on a stretch of the m1. The hard shoulder was in use as a live traffic lane to increase capacity. The inquest heard the deaths may have been avoided had there had been a hard shoulder. Frankie mccamley reports. Injune 2019, jason mercer said goodbye to his wife claire at 8am as he left for work. 15 minutes later, he was dead. The 44 year old had a minor collision with another driver on the inside line of a smart motorway that had no hard shoulder. The cameras did not see them, the lane was not closed. Both drivers waiting for help were killed by a lorry driving at 56 mph. Since her husbands death, Claire Mercer has been campaigning against smart motorways. We need the hard shoulder back, thats the only solution im going to accept long term. The coroner leading the inquest ruled the lack of hard shoulder contributed to this tragedy. He has called for a review
of smart motorways. Im still dazed, very surprised, in a good way. It was far better than we anticipated. You cant remove the main safety feature and claim its safer. In a statement, highways england said. This footage shows a fan almost missing a car in trouble with nowhere to go. It swerves just in time. Here is another near miss. They were first introduced in 2006 on the m42 and that in 2006 on the m42 and that pilot worked
quite well because it had emergency refuge areas every 400 metres or so. But when they were rolled out the refuge areas were every 2500 metres. If you are in a live line and cannot get over to an emergency refuge area because there are not enough of them, then you a problem. A review has called for the removal of part time hard shoulders and better detection for vehicles in trouble, but as billions more is spent on the motorways, some question how smart they really are. Frankie mccamley, bbc news. The headlines on bbc news. One in ten people across the uk had contracted covid 19 by the end of december. Hospitals in the midlands are short staffed and care homes remain on the front line fortress washington as donald trump spends his last full day in Office America anxiously waits for the inauguration of his successor the government is to set up a new regulator for the Construction Industry following evidence
at the Grenfell Tower inquiry that manufacturers covered up safety issues. Hsbc has announced plans to close 82 high street branches this year because more customers are turning to online services. The bank said most staff would be re deployed to other branches, and it doesnt expect to make any redundancies. Areas of northern, central and Eastern England are preparing for flooding as storm christoph approaches the uk. Yellow warnings have been issued for england, wales, Northern Ireland and southern scotland and the met office has issued an amber warning across a large swathe of the country, saying there could be a danger to life caused by floods, gales and snow. Rescuers in eastern china are continuing efforts to reach 12 miners whove been trapped 600 metres underground for more than a week. A phone line has been set up to talk to the group. Medicine and porridge has been lowered to the miners. They have thanked teams on the surface, but said they particularly wanted sausages. Its been a bumpy start to the year for schools as teachers juggle remote learning,
social distancing and covid testing. In england, schools will remain closed to all but the children of key workers and those classed as vulnerable until the february half term, though some fear they could remain shut for longer. Speaking in front of the Education Committee this morning, drjenny harries said the level of infection in the community would continue to be monitored ahead of any decision to reopen after half term. I think the ambition should always be that schools should be open, wherever that is appropriate, epidemiologically, because we know how important education is for children. There is a caveat with that, i think, around the current epidemiology, and i know the department for education are working closely with the department of health and social care to ensure that information is fed in. And the reason i gave a caveat is im sure you and the public in general are very aware that we are currently, or we have very recently, seen very high rates of infection in the community, and of course we are dealing with trying to understand the implications of new variants of coronavirus. So i think with those caveats, its a timeframe which allows us to continue to monitor the infection rates and to see the direction of travel, but it will continue to need to be observed and reviewed right up until that time period. The four criminaljustice watchdogs for england and wales have warned that the huge backlog of court cases caused by the pandemic risks damaging the legal system for years to come. Thousands of cases may not go before a jury until next year. Dominic casciani reports. Deaths that shocked a nation, 39 vietnamese migrants suffocated in a lorry as they hoped for a new life in the uk. A crime that demanded justice. But that justice was delayed not once but twice as the prosecution of people smugglers was halted by the pandemic. A witness fell ill on day one
and then later, a juror twice had to isolate. A week of expensive old bailey time lost. And its delays like this on top of a complete halt to jury trials at the start of the crisis that has led four watchdogs to warn of grave concerns over the state of criminal justice. There is now a backlog of 457,000 cases in all criminal courts in england and wales. 511,000 serious cases are waiting for a date in the crown courts. That means there are trials in 2022 for crimes detected last year. The four inspectorates say these delays are having a damaging effect over the whole ofjustice. Theres been a 35 increase in the waiting times for the Crown Court Trials for someone pleading not guilty and as i said, that means victims are having to wait until 2022 which is a huge concern to us. And its notjust the watchdogs making this unprecedented call for the government to take urgent action. From lawyers through to charities, experts warn time is running out to prevent lasting damage to criminal justice and to lives. So we are concerned that where there are continued delays in the system, victims may choose not to continue to engage in the process. There is a real risk that justice delayed could be justice denied and the long wait for trials might lead to victims dropping out of the criminaljustice process altogether or perhaps being unwilling to engage again in the future. Crown court trials in england and wales are now sitting with covid Safety Measures in place, jurors are separated by plastic screens. The government has also opened so called nightingale courts to hear cases where defendants dont need to be in cells. The ministry ofjustice says its pouring £450 million into the courts to help ease the crisis. There are already signs the backlog of minor cases is beginning to fall. But critics say far more is needed to solve a problem that is chronic and has been years in the making. Dominic casciani, bbc news. Mps are continuing their inquiry into the streaming music market looking at whether artists are paid fairly by Services Like spotify and apple music. Theyve heard from industry experts, artists and today the bosses of the warner, sony and universal record labels have been giving evidence. Colin paterson reports. The current number one single, drivers license, streamed in the uk last week 10. 9 million times, place which will earn the 17 year old american and her collaborator and estimated 32,000. This morning the bosses of the uks three major record labels were being asked by mps if acts are being paid enough for their songss being streamed. At a previous hearing, the singer nadine shah argued that her earnings were so small, despite a Mercury Prize nomination, that she had to move back with her parents. There are lots of ways to approach this, streaming is not perfect yet,
there are lots of ways and i have tonnes of ideas of how to improve streaming for artists. The ivors, representing songwriters, were watching along and not impressed. They said, why are the three major labels constantly emphasising how competitive the market is . Can they prove it or are they afraid that behaviour will be deemed anti competitive . The record bosses refuted this. Modern deals are difficult, i do license deals, distribution deals, copyright deals, Different Things are with apologies,. First minister of scotland Nicola Sturgeon is making a statement in holyrood lets listen in. To stick with these restrictions are for a further period. I will set out what that means for the timing of getting children back to school, which, of course, remains a priority for all of us. Finally, which, of course, remains a priority forall of us. Finally, i which, of course, remains a priority for all of us. Finally, i will touch on other aspects of our response to
covid, including controller borders, the further expansion of testing and the further expansion of testing and the progress of the Vaccination Programme. Firstly, iwill give the progress of the Vaccination Programme. Firstly, i will give a brief summary of the latest statistics and then seek to put these in some context. The total number of positive cases that were reported yesterday was 1165, which is 11. 1 of all tests carried out. The total number of cases now stands at 164,927. The total number of cases now stands at164,927. I can the total number of cases now stands at 164,927. I can also confirm that by 8 30am, 284,582 people had received at the first dose of vaccine and i will come back to the issue of vaccination and the progress of that programme later on in my statement. 1989 people are now in my statement. 1989 people are now in hospital with covid, which is an increase of 30 from yesterday. And 150 people are in intensive care, an increase of four from yesterday. Im also very sorry to report that in
the past 24 hours, a further 71 deaths have been registered of patients who first tested positive over the previous 20 days. The total numbers of deaths under the silly measurement is now 5376 and once again under this measurement. I send my deepest condolences to everyone who has lost a loved one in the pandemic so far. As at these figures demonstrate, case numbers are still high, according to the most recent seven day average, they stand at more than 200 per 100,000 of the population. The pressure on at the national Health Service continues to be very severe. In short, we are still in a very precarious position. However, all of that said, we do see some signs for optimism in recent days. We believe that they lockdown restrictions and the sacrifices everyone continues to make are now beginning to have an impact. Case numbers, which had been rising rapidly, appear to have stabilised and even declined. In the week to the 14th of january, there
was an average of around 1900 confirmed new cases per day. That is an 18 reduction on any previous week. Test positivity has also declined slightly, as has the number of cases per 100,000 of the population. While the new faster spreading variant is now the dominant one circulating in scotland, the proportion of new cases with the messaging dropout thatis cases with the messaging dropout that is indicative of this new variant appears to have a at around two thirds of all new cases. All of this is encouraging and we think it is a signal that the lockdown restrictions are working even against the faster spreading variant. However, it is important, first of all, to be cautious. We do need to see these trends continue to be more certain that this phase of the epidemic is now on a downward trajectory. Secondly, we need to be realistic that any improvement we are now seeing is down at the stage to the fact that we are staying at
home and reducing your interactions. Any relaxation of lockdown while case numbers, even although they might be declining, nevertheless it remain very high could quickly send to the situation into reverse. Especially with the faster spreading variant now being so dominant. That of course would further accelerate and intensify pressure on the national Health Service. As we have learned throughout this pandemic so far, the incubation period and the infectious path of the virus means that pressure on the nhs in the numbers being hospitalised and requiring intensive care continues to increase for the period even after cases start to decline. That pressure on the nhs is already acute. As of today, there are just under 2000 Covid Patients in our hospitals. This is around 30 more than at the peak of the first wave last april. And it means that around
80 of the nhs covid Surge Capacity is already at this stage being utilised. The number of Covid Patients in intensive care remains below the peak of the first wave, however, it has increased by more than 90 . Since the turn of the year. In total, taking account of covid and non Covid Patients, there are around 260 patients in intensive care beds across scotland right now. That compares to a normal ico capacity of around 170. The pressure the nhs is facing right now is a real and severe and it is, of course, having a significant consequential impact on non covid elective care. The number of new cases in the past couple of weeks also means that this pressure is almost certain to rise for a further period yet. All of that means that we cannot afford to see the rate of infection start to rise again which from such a high baseline, it could all too easily do if we start to
interact more with each other than we are doing right now. So to spell these reasons that the cabinet decided this morning to maintain that the restrictions that are currently in place. It is for all these reasons. That means that the lockdown restrictions, including the stricter stay at home requirement will remain in place across mainland scotland and some island communities until at least the middle of february. Cabinet will review the situation again on the 2nd of february. There are two specific issues i want to cover any bit more detail. The first is a very specific local change that we decided this morning to make. There is currently a significant outbreak of covid on the island of barra, part of the Western Isles. As of yesterday there had been 39 confirmed positive cases and more than 10 of� s population had been required to self isolate. There is a significant concern that without additional measures, the outbreak had displayed more across
the Western Isles and there is concern about the potential impact on care home and clinical services. For these reasons, a National IncidentManagement Team has recommended, and the cabinet in consultation with the local authority and local health board, has decided that barra and yvette jose, which is connected to a banner vatersay should move to level four at midnight tonight. At the same lockdown restrictions on mainland scotland, including the state home except for essential purposes requirement will apply thereto. This change, which we will keep under review applies only to barra and vatersay are not to the Western Isles generally. All affected businesses, hospitality and nonessential retail, which will be required to close, will be eligible for business support. As the applicant is under control, which we hope will be relatively soon, we will consider how quickly barra and vatersay can move back to level three. The second aspect of the restrictions that i want to talk about is of course nationwide and
significant interest and that relates to our schools and nurseries. The School Buildings and nurseries. The School Buildings and nurseries have been closer to most children since the start of the term and we indicated previously that the earliest possible date for a full return to School Premises was the 1st of february. It is, of course, a priority for all of us to get children back to normal schooling as soon as possible. I know how much work teachers, School Leaders and other staff are doing to support Home Learning and im very grateful to them for that, but i also know just how challenging and stressful the situation is for families and, above all, i understand how difficult, distressing and damaging it has four children and young people to have the education and their normal interactions with friends disrupted. A reluctant judgment at this stage is that Community Transmission of the virus is a too high and is likely to remain so for the next period to allow a safe return to school on the 1st of february. The cabinet
therefore decided today that except for vulnerable and key worker children, school and nursery premises will remain closed until mid february. We will review the situation again on the 2nd of february and hope we can set out a firmer timetable for getting children back to school. I can see this today, if it is at all possible, as i very much hope it will be to begin even a phased return to in School Learning in mid february, we will do that. I also have to be straight with families and say to simply too early to be sure about whether, and to what extent this will be possible. However, i will be updating Paul Mcguinness and as we completed the review updating parliament again. I do not imagine that anything i have said today will have been unexpected but that does not make it any less difficult for all of us individuals and businesses to be living with these restrictions for a further period. The fact is that for now these restrictions remain necessary. Staying at home is essential to protect the nhs and save lives. However, important though the lockdown is at this stage, i know the damage it does, that is why other aspects of our effort to control covid and find a path back to normality are also vital. I want to normality are also vital. I want to touch on three strands of that wider approach. To touch on three strands of that widerapproach. Firstly, border wider approach. Firstly, border control. Widerapproach. Firstly, border control. Suppressing the virus within our own borders is our most immediate challenge but that is also important to reduce the risk of new cases coming into the country from elsewhere. This is all that more essential as that virus mutates and new variants are emerging. The new vineyard that has emerged, for example, in brazil, and is causing concern has already resulted in the four uk nations opposing a travel
ban on a number of countries. The new variant that has emerged. All travel corridors have been suspended. With limited sectoral exemptions and when in scotland now has to isolate ten days no matter what country they are coming from. In addition anyone travelling here must test negative for covid no less than 72 hours before arrival. The strong advice, reinforced in law, is that no one should be travelling at all, eitherwithin that no one should be travelling at all, either within scotland or to or from the country unless it is absolutely essential. Restricting travel continues to be a regrettable but vital part of our overall efforts to control covid and i must be clear that this is likely to remain so for some time yet. We are
continuing to expand the use of testing in scotland including more widespread use of asymptomatic testing. The Health Secretary announced on friday asymptomatic testing for all care at home workers. We are increasing mobile unit testing. These will soon be serving up to 84 different committees at any one time. We will shortly in partnership with local authorities be announcing plans for Committee Testing for without symptoms and build from what was learned in pilot schemes before christmas. All of this will be important in the months ahead. Nothing is more important now than the continued roll out of vaccines. The Vaccination Programme is picking up the Vaccination Programme is picking up pace. We are now vaccinating more than 100,000 people per week. That number will increase progressively from here on and presuming we receive supplies we expect we are on
track to be vaccinating 400,000 people per week by the end of february. The figures i am about to give, to give a sense of progress, are estimates based on management information. 0fficial detailed statistics will continue to be published on a weekly basis. As of today i can report that more than 90 of care home residents, the top priority group, have now received their first dose of vaccine. A number of Health Boards have now given the first dose of vaccine to 100 of their care home residents. More than 70 of care home staff have had their first dose of the vaccine. More than 70 of all front line health and care workers have also received the first dose. We made a deliberate decision in line with advice to focus firstly on elderly care home residents because we know they have the greatest vulnerability to becoming ill and dying from this virus and we have seen that very painfully in reality
over recent months. Consequently, making sure discrete benefits from the protection of the vaccine as quickly as possible is likely to have the biggest and most Immediate Impact on saving lives. However vaccinating in care homes is more time consuming and labour intensive than doing so in the community. This is why overall figures are at this stage lower than in england, where more over 80s generally, but a lower proportion of care home residents, have so far received the vaccine. However our pace of progress in the over 80s group is now picking up. We expect that between 15 and 20 have already had their first dose and we are on track for all over 80s and everyone else in groups one and two to be offered the first dose by the start of february. By the middle of february we expect to have pleaded first dose is for all over 70s and all those deemed clinically extremely vulnerable. People in these groups will start to receive
appointments for february in the coming days. We then aim to complete first doses for everybody who is over 65 by the start of march and to give first doses for everybody on the priority list by early may. That means that in around three months� time, approximately 3 Million People in total will have received at least the first dose of the vaccine. This is of course the majority of our aduu is of course the majority of our adult population, and includes everyone over the age of 50 and many younger people with Underlying Health conditions. The rest of the population will follow after that, just as quickly as supplies allow. I am well aware of how much interest, understandable and very legitimate interest there is in the Vaccination Programme. It is the biggest and most significant logistical operation in scotland� s post war history. The scottish cup and will provide parliament and the public with regular detailed updates on progress. That scottish
government. While vaccine is given as hope for the future and will help us on the path back to greatest greatest normality it is important at this stage to add a note of perspective. The Vaccination Programme across the uk is focusing initially, and rightly, on the advice ofjcvi on those who are most vulnerable. That means it is not likely to have an Immediate Impact on overall population case numbers. We hope that will come later. But we do expect vaccination to have an earlier impact in reducing the burden of a severe illness and death and i am sure everyone will agree just how important that will be. It is also the case that experts cannot yet tell us whether and to what extent the vaccines stop the transmission of the virus. We know it alleviates the burden of serious illness, which is extremely important, but we do not yet know if
the vaccine stops as are getting and passing on the virus. That means that for now and possibly for some time to come there will be a continued need for all of us to play our part in suppressing transmission in the ways we have been doing for the past few months. 0bviously in the ways we have been doing for the past few months. Obviously i hope this will not entail the strictest form of lockdown for too much longer but some mitigations, physical distancing, face coverings, possibly travel limitations, are likely to be necessary for some time yet. All of what i have just said is an essential part of being open and transparent with the public about the challenge we, in common with the rest of the uk and other countries, still face. But none of it should detract from the fact that we do now have hope, more so than at any time since the start of this pandemic, of a path to greater domestic normality, something that all of us crave. For now, progressing along that path requires continued discipline and sacrifice from all of us. Lockdown including that state
home requirement, however tough it is, and that is really tough, continues to be necessary. I am asking everyone again to stick to the letter, but also to the spirits, of these lockdown rules. We should not be thinking in terms of the maximum interactions we can have without breaking the rules. Instead all of as it should be thinking every day right now about how we can reduce our interactions as far as we can to remove as many opportunities as possible for that virus to spread. Except for a genuinely essential purposes please continue to stay at home, please, and this is vital, do not have people from other households in your house, and do not go into theirs. Work from home whenever possible. If you are an employer you have a legal duty to support your employees to work from home as far as possible. And follow facts advice at all times when you are out and about. This is how we
help each other and avoid adding to that pressure and it is how we slow down that virus while the vaccines get on with doing their work. I know it feels hard, it is hard, but it is working. It is already saving lives. Please stick with it, stay at home, protect the nhs, save lives. Thank you, first minister. The first minister thank you, first minister. The first minister wiii thank you, first minister. The first minister will now take questions. Parents, minister will now take questions. Parents, pupils, and teachers were all expecting parents, pupils, and teachers were all expecting todays parents, pupils, and teachers were all expecting todays news, parents, pupils, and teachers were all expecting todays news, it parents, pupils, and teachers were all expecting todays news, it was. All expecting todays news, it was pushing all expecting todays news, it was pushing credibility all expecting todays news, it was pushing credibility to all expecting todays news, it was pushing credibility to tell all expecting todays news, it was pushing credibility to tell parentsl pushing credibility to tell parents that schools pushing credibility to tell parents that schools would pushing credibility to tell parents that schools would reopen pushing credibility to tell parents that schools would reopen for. Pushing credibility to tell parents l that schools would reopen for one week that schools would reopen for one week and that schools would reopen for one week and close that schools would reopen for one week and close for that schools would reopen for one week and close for half that schools would reopen for one week and close for half term. That schools would reopen for one week and close for half term. All. Week and close for half term. All they ask week and close for half term. All they ask for week and close for half term. All they ask for is week and close for half term. All they ask for is the week and close for half term. All they ask for is the government l week and close for half term. Alli they ask for is the government to week and close for half term. All they ask for is the government to be straight they ask for is the government to be straight with they ask for is the government to be straight with them they ask for is the government to be straight with them from they ask for is the government to be straight with them from the they ask for is the government to be straight with them from the start. I straight with them from the start. Parents, straight with them from the start. Parents. Punts straight with them from the start. Parents, pupils and straight with them from the start. Parents, pupils and teachers straight with them from the start. Parents, pupils and teachers willl parents, pupils and teachers will not be parents, pupils and teachers will not be concerned parents, pupils and teachers will not be concerned about parents, pupils and teachers will not be concerned about the parents, pupils and teachers will l not be concerned about the impact this disruption not be concerned about the impact this disruption will not be concerned about the impact this disruption will have not be concerned about the impact this disruption will have on not be concerned about the impact this disruption will have on their. This disruption will have on their education this disruption will have on their education but this disruption will have on their education but the this disruption will have on their education but the way this disruption will have on their education but the way we this disruption will have on their education but the way we get i education but the way we get everyone education but the way we get everyone back education but the way we get everyone back to education but the way we get everyone back to School Education but the way we get everyone back to school is i education but the way we get everyone back to school is rolling out the everyone back to school is rolling out the vaccine everyone back to school is rolling out the vaccine as everyone back to school is rolling out the vaccine as soon
everyone back to school is rolling out the vaccine as soon as everyone back to school is rolling i out the vaccine as soon as possible. We saw out the vaccine as soon as possible. We saw the out the vaccine as soon as possible. We saw the snp out the vaccine as soon as possible. We saw the snp vaccine out the vaccine as soon as possible. We saw the snp vaccine roll out out the vaccine as soon as possible. J we saw the snp vaccine roll out lag behind we saw the snp vaccine roll out lag behind their we saw the snp vaccine roll out lag behind their own we saw the snp vaccine roll out lag behind their own targets. We saw the snp vaccine roll out lag behind their own targets. As we saw the snp vaccine roll out lag behind their own targets. As of behind their own targets. As of yesterday behind their own targets. As of yesterday receipt behind their own targets. As of yesterday receipt of behind their own targets. As of yesterday receipt of 17,700 behind their own targets. As of. Yesterday receipt of 17,700 doses had been yesterday receipt of 17,700 doses had been taken, yesterday receipt of 17,700 doses had been taken, more yesterday receipt of 17,700 doses had been taken, more than yesterday receipt of 17,700 doses had been taken, more than 4400 j yesterday receipt of 17,700 doses had been taken, more than 4400 have yet to had been taken, more than 4400 have yet to reach had been taken, more than 4400 have yet to reach cases. Had been taken, more than 4400 have yet to reach cases. The had been taken, more than 4400 have yet to reach cases. The vaccine. Yet to reach cases. The vaccine. The chairman yet to reach cases. The vaccine. The chairman of yet to reach cases. The vaccine. The chairman of bma yet to reach cases. The vaccine. The chairman of bma scotland. Yet to reach cases. The vaccine. The chairman of bma scotland said the supply the chairman of bma scotland said the supply of the chairman of bma scotland said the supply of vaccine the chairman of bma scotland said the supply of vaccine so the chairman of bma scotland said the supply of vaccine so far the chairman of bma scotland said the supply of vaccine so far has the supply of vaccine so far has been the supply of vaccine so far has been quite the supply of vaccine so far has been quite patchy. The supply of vaccine so far has been quite patchy. He the supply of vaccine so far has been quite patchy. He was the supply of vaccine so far has i been quite patchy. He was asked could been quite patchy. He was asked could gps been quite patchy. He was asked could gps and been quite patchy. He was asked could gps and others been quite patchy. He was asked could gps and others work been quite patchy. He was asked could gps and others work faster been quite patchy. He was asked i could gps and others work faster at getting could gps and others work faster at getting vaccines could gps and others work faster at getting vaccines into could gps and others work faster at getting vaccines into arms. Could gps and others work faster at getting vaccines into arms. He could gps and others work faster at| getting vaccines into arms. He said, absolutely getting vaccines into arms. He said, absolutely the getting vaccines into arms. He said, absolutely. The workforce getting vaccines into arms. He said, absolutely. The workforce is getting vaccines into arms. He said, absolutely. The workforce is there l absolutely. The workforce is there and that absolutely. The workforce is there and that is absolutely. The workforce is there and that is why absolutely. The workforce is there and that is why it absolutely. The workforce is there and that is why it is absolutely. The workforce is there and that is why it is frustrating. I and that is why it is frustrating. When and that is why it is frustrating. When patients and that is why it is frustrating. When Patients Want and that is why it is frustrating. When Patients Want the and that is why it is frustrating. When Patients Want the vaccine and that is why it is frustrating. When Patients Want the vaccine we are keen when Patients Want the vaccine we are keen to when Patients Want the vaccine we are keen to give when Patients Want the vaccine we are keen to give it when Patients Want the vaccine we are keen to give it to when Patients Want the vaccine we are keen to give it to the when Patients Want the vaccine we are keen to give it to the patients. Are keen to give it to the patients but we are keen to give it to the patients but we do are keen to give it to the patients but we do not are keen to give it to the patients but we do not have are keen to give it to the patients but we do not have the are keen to give it to the patients but we do not have the vaccine i are keen to give it to the patients but we do not have the vaccine in| but we do not have the vaccine in our fridge but we do not have the vaccine in ourfridge every but we do not have the vaccine in our fridge. Every member but we do not have the vaccine in our fridge. Every member here. But we do not have the vaccine in. Our fridge. Every member here can attest our fridge. Every member here can attest to our fridge. Every member here can attest to the our fridge. Every member here can attest to the fact our fridge. Every member here can attest to the fact that our fridge. Every member here can attest to the fact that people our fridge. Every member here can attest to the fact that people are l attest to the fact that people are anxious attest to the fact that people are anxious to attest to the fact that people are anxious to know attest to the fact that people are anxious to know when attest to the fact that people are anxious to know when they attest to the fact that people are anxious to know when they will i attest to the fact that people are. Anxious to know when they will be called anxious to know when they will be called my anxious to know when they will be called. My mother anxious to know when they will be called. My mother is anxious to know when they will be called. My mother is approachingl anxious to know when they will be i called. My mother is approaching 85. My father
called. My mother is approaching 85. My father in called. My mother is approaching 85. My father in law called. My mother is approaching 85. My father in law is called. My mother is approaching 85. My father in law is 80, called. My mother is approaching 85. My father in law is 80, officially my father in law is 80, officially shielding my father in law is 80, officially shielding at my father in law is 80, officially shielding. At this my father in law is 80, officially shielding. At this time my father in law is 80, officially shielding. At this time neither. My father in law is 80, officially. Shielding. At this time neither has received shielding. At this time neither has received a shielding. At this time neither has received a letter shielding. At this time neither has received a letter regarding shielding. At this time neither has received a letter regarding the received a letter regarding the vaccine received a letter regarding the vaccine i received a letter regarding the vaccine. I have received a letter regarding the vaccine. I have become received a letter regarding the i vaccine. I have become frustrated received a letter regarding the vaccine. I have become frustrated at limited vaccine. I have become frustrated at limited information vaccine. I have become frustrated at limited information as vaccine. I have become frustrated at limited information as to vaccine. I have become frustrated at limited information as to when vaccine. I have become frustrated at limited information as to when my l limited information as to when my 81yearold limited information as to when my 81 year old mother in law limited information as to when my 81 year old mother in law will. 81 year old mother in law will receive 81 year old mother in law will receive information. 81 year old mother in law will receive information. I 81 year old mother in law will receive information. I am 81 year old mother in law will receive information. I am 84. 81 year old mother in law will. Receive information. I am 84 and pass receive information. I am 84 and pass a receive information. I am 84 and pass a shop receive information. I am 84 and pass a shop last receive information. I am 84 and pass a shop last week receive information. I am 84 and pass a shop last week i receive information. I am 84 and i pass a shop last week i announced was nry pass a shop last week i announced was my birthday pass a shop last week i announced was my birthday. Another pass a shop last week i announced was my birthday. Another person i was my birthday. Another person said, was my birthday. Another person said. Their was my birthday. Another person said, their mother was my birthday. Another person said, their mother was was my birthday. Another person said, their mother was 93 was my birthday. Another person said, their mother was 93 and i was my birthday. Another person. Said, their mother was 93 and still theirs said, their mother was 93 and still theirs peopte said, their mother was 93 and still theirs. People are said, their mother was 93 and still theirs. People are concerned said, their mother was 93 and still theirs. People are concerned theyl said, their mother was 93 and still. Theirs. People are concerned they do not get theirs. People are concerned they do not get left theirs. People are concerned they do not get left behind. Theirs. People are concerned they do not get left behind. Can theirs. People are concerned they do not get left behind. Can i theirs. People are concerned they do not get left behind. Can i ask theirs. People are concerned they do not get left behind. Can i ask the not get left behind. Can i ask the first not get left behind. Can i ask the first minister not get left behind. Can i ask the first minister on not get left behind. Can i ask the first minister on their not get left behind. Can i ask the first minister on their behalf not get left behind. Can i ask the first minister on their behalf forl first minister on their behalf for an expedition first minister on their behalf for an expedition of first minister on their behalf for an expedition of the first minister on their behalf for an expedition of the following . | first minister on their behalf for. An expedition of the following . We know an expedition of the following . We know how an expedition of the following . We know how many an expedition of the following . We know how many doses an expedition of the following . We know how many doses have an expedition of the following . We know how many doses have been l know how many doses have been delivered know how many doses have been delivered to know how many doses have been delivered to scotland. Know how many doses have been delivered to scotland. We know how many doses have been delivered to scotland. We know i know how many doses have been i delivered to scotland. We know how many delivered to scotland. We know how many gp delivered to scotland. We know how many gp practices delivered to scotland. We know how many gp practices have delivered to scotland. We know how many gp practices have agreed delivered to scotland. We know how many gp practices have agreed to l many gp practices have agreed to take part many gp practices have agreed to take part in many gp practices have agreed to take part in the many gp practices have agreed to take part in the process. Many gp practices have agreed to take part in the process. Gps many gp practices have agreed tol take part in the process. Gps know who their take part in the process. Gps know who their patients take part in the process. Gps know who their patients are take part in the process. Gps know who their patients are at take part in the process. Gps know who their patients are at the take part in the process. Gps know who their patients are at the know| who their patients are at the know how to who their patients are at the know how to contact who their patients are at the know how to contact them. Who their patients are at the know how to contact them. The who their patients are at the know how to contact them. The only who their patients are at the know. How to contact them. The only thing missing how to contact them. The only thing missing is how to contact them. The only thing missing is that how to contact them. The only thing missing is that for how to contact them. The only thing missing is that for too how to contact them. The only thing missing is that for too many missing is that for too many practices missing is that for too many practices in missing is that for too many practices in scotland missing is that for too many practices in scotland they. Missing is that for too many. Practices in scotland they have missing is that for too many practices in scotland they have not yet received practices in scotland they have not yet received any practices in scotland they have not yet received any supplies. Practices in scotland they have not yet received any supplies. Can practices in scotland they have not yet received any supplies. Can the| yet received any supplies. Can the first minister yet received any supplies. Can the first minister explain yet received any supplies. Can the first minister explain why yet received any supplies. Can the first minister explain why that yet received any supplies. Can the first minister explain why that is, | first minister explain why that is, where first minister explain why that is, where the first minister explain why that is, where the hold up first minister explain why that is, where the hold up is first minister explain why that is, where the hold up is in first minister explain why that is, where the hold up is in the first minister explain why that is, l where the hold up is in the system, and what where the hold up is in the system, and what she where the hold up is in the system, and what she is where the hold up is in the system, and what she is doing where the hold up is in the system, and what she is doing to where the hold up is in the system, and what she is doing to unlock where the hold up is in the system, and what she is doing to unlock it . I and what she is doing to unlock it . Secondly, and what she is doing to unlock it . Secondly tast and what she is doing to unlock it . Secondly, last wednesday and what she is doing to unlock it . Secondly, last wednesday it and what she is doing to unlock it . Secondly, last wednesday it was. And what she is doing to unlock it . Secondly, last wednesday it was said that rolex secondly, last wednesday it was said that rolex would secondly, last wednesday it was said that rolex would be secondly, last wednesday it was said that rolex would be seven secondly, last wednesday it was said that rolex would be seven days secondly, last wednesday it was said that rolex would be seven days per. That rolex would be seven days per week, that rolex would be seven days per week. Yesterday that rolex would be seven days per week, yesterday we that rolex would be seven days per week, yesterday we saw that rolex would be seven days per week, yesterday we saw reports that rolex would be seven days per. Week, yesterday we saw reports that nhs louisa week, yesterday we saw reports that nhs louisa jordan week, yesterday we saw reports that nhs louisa jordan was week, yesterday we saw reports that nhs louisa jordan was closed week, yesterday we saw reports that nhs louisa jordan was closed on nhs louisa jordan was closed on sunday nhs louisa jordan was closed on sunday and nhs louisa jordan was closed on sunday and no nhs louisa jordan was closed on sunday and no vaccinations nhs louisa jordan was closed on sunday and no vaccinations took| sunday and no vaccinations took place sunday and no vaccinations took place is sunday and no vaccinations took place is that sunday and no vaccinations took place. Is that the sunday and no vaccinations took place. Is that the case . Sunday and no vaccinations took place. Is that the case . With place. Is that the case . With 400. 000 place. Is that the case . With 400,000 doses place. Is that the case . With 400,000 doses sitting place. Is that the case . With 400,000 doses sitting as. Place. Is that the case . Withi 400,000 doses sitting as yet undelivered, 400,000 doses sitting as yet undelivered, when 400,000 doses sitting as yet undelivered, when will 400,000 doses sitting as yet undelivered, when will it 400,000 doses sitting as yet undelivered, when will it go l 400,000 doses sitting as yeti undelivered, when will it go to seven undelivered, when will it go to seven days . Undelivered, when will it go to seven days . Undelivered, when will it go to seven days . Undelivered, when will it go to seven da s . ,. , g. ,. , seven days . Nhs louisa jordan will be from now. Seven days . Nhs louisa jordan will be from now, seven seven days . Nhs louisa jordan will be from now, seven days. Seven days . Nhs louisa jordan will be from now, seven days. There i seven days . Nhs louisa jordan will. Be from now, seven days. There was a particular issue on sunday which made it could not operate, but it will be seven days. On saturday it was doing 5000 vaccinations over the course of the day. It is expected to increase the number of vaccinations. Let me take all of the points that were raised. I set out in some detail the strategy we have followed in the early stage of the
Vaccination Programme for a very good and important clinical reasons, to protect those most quickly who are most vulnerable to becoming seriously ill and dying. In scotland more than 90 of care home residents have been vaccinated, a higher percentage about some distance than the position in england, where comparisons are being made. We are now picking up pace with over 80 is in the community. We are not behind our targets. In the community. We are not behind ourtargets. 0ver in the community. We are not behind our targets. 0verjanuary we expected to be fact sitting in the region of 100,000 per week. We are exceeding in the most recent week 100,000 per week, that is progressively increasing and we have set the targets, supplies permitting, for that to reach 400,000 per week. We are all back into the same targets, completing jcvi priority groups one and two aren� t about mid february, one, two, three, four. The four nations may go about that in a different order but they are following the same targets. 0n supplies, i want to be brutally blunt, last week we published detailed estimates of supply, now and into the future. We put that out in a document that went on the web, was circulated. I hope i will not use unparliamentary language but the uk government had something of a hissy fit about as doing that so we agreed in consultation with them to take away the publication of those supply figures. They do not want us to be open about the supply for reasons of commercial confidentiality. Whilst i don� t entirely agree with the reasoning behind that we have agreed with their request. Yet we have the uk government briefing and spinning misleading figures on supply. They have to be clear about which approach they want as to take. Supplies are allocated to scotland. They are then drawn down to scotland. We vaccinate as quickly as
we possibly can. That will continue to be the case as we go through the different groups in our Vaccination Programme. The Scottish First minister Nicola Sturgeon there with a review of lockdown restrictions in scotland. Let is go to our correspondence. That lockdown is extended and scottish schools state shut. Yes, absolutely. This has not come as too much of a surprise, it is exactly what we were expecting. Figures of new cases of coronavirus, they have started to fall in scotland, they had been levelling off a couple of weeks ago, we were seeing around 2000 new cases per day, we have not had that for a few days. The first minister did say that there were signs of optimism that there were signs of optimism that optimism, but figures were too high so it was not time to lift that lockdown. Most of scotland is in lockdown and has been for a few
weeks. Some island communities have also been in a locked out. She has said that will be extended but it will be reviewed again on the 2nd of february. But it will remain in place until at least mid february. Schools, a lot of parents may be disappointed, but this is what they were expecting, this is the second week of online learning, and she has said that schools and nurseries will remain closed until at least mid february. She said this had been a reluctant decision, and as you say, not much of a surprise, but realistically it is half time half term at the earliest before children are returning . Yes, absolutely, we are towards the end of january now. Yes, absolutely, we are towards the end ofjanuary now. But yes, absolutely, we are towards the end of january now. But she yes, absolutely, we are towards the end ofjanuary now. But she did acknowledge this is a very stressful thing for parents. They may have two or three children at home at very different stages, and they are having to work with them on their school work, and this is the second
time that children have been at home. We had them at home for weeks, months, last year. This is the second time. Not being able to give an end date, the first minister was very reluctant. But this is about Public Health, about saving lives, and the main message here is very much to stay at home. Thank you very much. Scotland� s coronavirus lockdown has been extended until at least the middle of february. Most schools and nurseries will remain shut until now. The children� s and young people is commissionerjoints as. You will be disappointed with this . Children being away from school is disappointing. These restrictions need to be in place only as long as necessary but at the moment they are
necessary but at the moment they are necessary to protect life and Public Health and people understand that. People have been sticking to the rules. But we need to focus on their rights and get support to them while schools are closed. We heard from the first minister, they cannot be too careful, at the moment, whilst there may be some cause for optimism, the risk is too great . Cause for optimism, the risk is too treat . ,. ,. ,. ,. ,. , great . Yes, we have got to follow the sites. That great . Yes, we have got to follow the sites. That risk great . Yes, we have got to follow the sites. That risk to great . Yes, we have got to follow the sites. That risk to life great . Yes, we have got to follow the sites. That risk to life and the sites. That risk to life and Public Health has to come first. Children and young people have done a greatjob, parents and carers are doing incredible support. Teachers are doing an amazing job. But emergency Home Learning is not the same as being in class. There has been a catastrophic impact, particularly on children whose rights were already most at risk, particularly those impacted by
poverty, there is a disproportionate impact on some children and that is where we need to focus resources now on that, and acknowledging the Mental Health crisis we are storing up Mental Health crisis we are storing up here. Mental Health Crisis we are storing u here. �. ,. Up here. And looking at ethnic minority grapps up here. And looking at ethnic minority groups who up here. And looking at ethnic minority groups who seem up here. And looking at ethnic minority groups who seem to l up here. And looking at ethnic l minority groups who seem to be disproportionately affected by this . In scotland we have 240,000 children directly impacted by poverty. That is a human rights issue which we need to address. Lots of particular groups are disproportionately affected. We need to address poverty as a human rights issue, notjust direct payments for loss school meals, which is important, but it is about Social Security support as well. Poverty is a Political Choice and we need to take urgent action to address it. It was the biggest human rights issue before covid and it has been exacerbated by covid and the
restrictions put in place. And also to address that this is a big driver on parental Mental Health which has an impact on child Mental Health as well. It has become more apparent in things like digital exclusion. We are relying so much now on digital for education and socialisation. Children should be living in a safe, warm homes, with enough food, and the ability to engage in others and engage with education online. But there will not be a party but there will not be a party but there will not be a family in the country. Are teachers getting their support they need . Teachers have done an their support they need . Teachers have done an incredible their support they need . Teachers have done an incredible job their support they need . Teachers have done an incredible job to have done an incredible job to support children in their own schools. Some teachers and pupils of key workers are in school at the moment, teachers are delivering
online as well, teachers are going over and above to deliver. Also, it skills, online connection. We have teachers that do not have enough support. The more support we can get to teachers and parents and carers, the more children� s rights will benefit. It is an education crisis but also a Mental Health crisis and a crisis in child development. We need to devote all our resources and use them to the best extent we can, and that is not happening yet. When you use the phrase, it is a breach of human rights, in that case are the sanctions that should be thought of, and against whom . The un committee on thought of, and against whom . The un committee on the thought of, and against whom . The un committee on the rights thought of, and against whom . The un committee on the rights of thought of, and against whom . The un committee on the rights of the committee on the rights of the child, this is a global issue, it is about making sure that those in power are using the resources they
have for children� s rights. We need to make sure that children� s voices are heard. It is essential. Children feel that experience is being ignored, that is a breach of rights. We need to take a rights based approach to budgeting. Money needs to follow the rights obligations. Governments and local authorities need to be challenged on this and live up to this, they are failing to use resources effectively. In relation to education, Social Security, children� s Mental Health. There is light at the end of the tunnel, a Vaccination Programme under way, a suggestion of a review on the 2nd of february, it� ll be half term at the earliest before children are back, how optimistic
are you about that . I children are back, how optimistic are you about that . Are you about that . I was optimistic. Are you about that . I was optimistic. That are you about that . I wasj optimistic. That optimism are you about that . I was optimistic. That optimism started are you about that . I was optimistic. That optimism started to change. Good progress on vaccinations. Myself and other children� s commissioners wrote to jcvi to ask them to consider including teachers and to that to tie to try to protect the workforce and get children back into schools. We have to stick to the rules, as the first minister said. That is the best way forward. But there is no guarantee is with this virus. We have seen that repeatedly. The best we can do is stick to the rules, children and young people have been great at doing that over the past ten months, but there are no cavities at all with this virus. Guarantees at all. The Mental Health issue is going to come increasingly to the fore . Absolutely, the Scottish Government highlighted that. It has always been
a big human rights issue but we need to do more to support children� s Mental Health. We need to focus on every single child, it doesn� t matter how resilient they are, how much support they have got, there is always more we can do. Hello, there. We are likely to see some disruptive weather from storm christoph over the next few days. First of all, we� ve got rain. It has already been raining for over 30 hours straight in parts of snowdonia in wales, but the rain is still coming in and we have a lot more of that to come over the next few days. By the time we get to thursday, some of our more hilly areas could see over 150 millimetres of rain. This area is a particular concern because rivers in this kind of area are already flowing at high levels,
with the rain combining with snow melt likely to lead to flooding and potentially some severe flooding as well. There could be flooding elsewhere there could be a few issues, for example, in wales and the midlands. It will be mild with the rain. Probably not too much rain for south east england. Brighter skies and showers in the north of scotland, where it stays pretty cold. 0vernight tonight, outbreaks of rain continue. Turning heavier later in the night across parts of wales, all the while quite windy. But pretty mild for much of the country. The colder air still in scotland, where there will be frost and the risk of icy stretches to start the day on wednesday. For wednesday, more of the same. More heavy rain. It will get heavier, if anything, as low pressure pushes its way northwards and eastwards. Particularly heavy across wales and northern england, those are the areas that are saturated, so every hour that goes by will increase the risk of flooding. And we still have those temperature contrasts from south to north. For wednesday night, we will start to see the rain start to fall as snow in scotland. At lower levels, between five and ten centimetres that could cause a few issues. But, over the higher ground, we are looking at over a foot of snow in places. I would suggest it is not a night to be travelling, because even once the snowploughs have pushed through, snow will blow back onto those roads in the strong winds. We may well see vehicles getting stranded and some communities getting cut off. Through thursday, a risk of snow extends into the hills of northern england. We could see some accumulations here. It will be feeling colder for all of us and it will be very windy. For the next few days, a lot happening weather wise. We are likely to see Flooding Issues in parts of england in particular, then blizzards on the way to parts of scotland both are likely to cause disruption. This is bbc news, i� m simon mccoy. The headlines at 3pm one in ten people across the uk had contracted covid 19 by the end of december. Hospitals in the midlands are short staffed and care homes remain on the front line. The vaccine has been certainly the big thing that every provider is a now desperate to get into their services and the roll out, it is happening, but it is not as quick as we would all like. Nicola sturgeon says scotland� s current lockdown restrictions are beginning to make a difference, but will remain in place until at least the middle of february, with most School Pupils continuing to work from home. The pressure on the national Health Service continues to be very severe. In short, we are still in a very precarious position. This is the scene live from fortress washington. It� s donald trump� s last
day in the white house as america anxiously waits for the inauguration of his successor. A new regulator will be set up to ensure the safety of the Building Materials after evidence of malpractice was heard at the inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire. Grave concerns over the future of the Justice System in england and wales as the covid pandemic creates a backlog of crown court cases. Lladies for babies and goats for love. The best way to make notes how the world� s musicians are turning to streaming to guarantee a reliable income just made it good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. There may be light at the end of the tunnel, but it� s still a very long tunnel. As the Vaccination Programme enters a new phase, there are further signs that the nhs is struggling to cope under the pressure of covid 19. In some hospitals in the midlands, they� ve called in the military to help out after too many staff called in sick or had to self isolate. Latest figures from the office for National Statistics shows that a further 6,586 deaths involving covid 19 were registered in the uk in the week to january the 8th. That brings the total registered deaths close to 96,000. With 20 of covid deaths occuring there in the past week. It� s a grim picture in care homes too with 20 of covid deaths occuring there in the past week. Data from the office for National Statistics also shows that more than 1300 people in care homes in england and wales died with coronavirus in the first week of january. And figures from the 0ns Infection Survey show that by the end of december, around one in ten of us in the uk had contracted covid. That number is higher in england where it� s1 in 8 people equivalent to 12 of the population. In scotland, first minister Nicola Sturgeon has extended lockdown
until the middle of february, but did say that transmission rates appear to be declining. Meanwhile in wales, the Health Minister has insisted there is an increasing urgency and increasing pace in delivering the vaccine. He was responding to allegations that the roll out was being withheld. And as i mentioned, military personnel in england are now helping out at hospitals in the midlands in shropshire, stoke and wolverhampton. Lots for the Health Secretary to look at he� ll have to do it from home. He� s self isolating after being pinged on the nhs test and trace app. Anna collinson reports london over the christmas period. Coronavirus cases were on the rise and pressures on hospitals were intensifying. Now it appears infections were more widespread at the end of 2020 than previously thought. New data suggests up to one in ten people in the uk tested positive for covid antibodies, which the body develops to fight off the virus. England topped the list with one in eight people,
or about 12 of the population, showing signs of recent infection. The data shows a rough doubling of antibodies in the uk since october except for in scotland, which was considerably smaller. Last night, i was pinged by the nhs coronavirus app so i will be self isolating and not leaving the house at all until sunday. This morning, another reminder that the risk is still very much there. As the Health Secretary announced he is self isolating after one of his close contacts tested positive. This is how we break the chains of transmission, so you must follow these rules. It� s hoped another way to prevent transmission is vaccinating and in slough, it is the turn of care home workers. All the residents in debra� s town have now received the jab, but other areas are not as far along. The government says the vast majority of over 80s and those who live in care homes should be vaccinated before moving onto lower priority groups. The vaccine has been certainly
the big thing that every provider is now desperate to get into their services and the roll out into their services and the roll out, it is happening but it� s not as quick as we� d all like, but i� m sure lots of other people would say the same. The uk is currently one of the World Leaders when it comes to vaccinations. But in stark contrast, it also has one of the highest death tolls. According to an analysis of death certificates, nearly 96,000 coronavirus deaths have been registered so far. It will be weeks before we start to feel the benefits of the vaccine roll out, which does not help a struggling Health Service now. In the midlands, the military has been called in to support a number of hospitals where routine surgery has already been suspended. It� s expected the filling of empty classrooms will be one of the first signs of possible normality returning. England� s deputy chief medical officer told mps reopening
after february half term was logical, but there are many unknowns. Everybody wants very certain planning and dates for opening and closing. Unfortunately, that� s not how the virus works and it� s highly likely that all global countries are going to see changes in mutations and new variants of this virus over the coming months and potentially years. For now, for many of us, life remains on pause for a few more weeks at least. The situation is described as precarious and the easing of restrictions will be gradual. Anna collinson, bbc news. Scotland� s first minister says lockdown restrictions will remain in place at least until the middle of february. Schools and nurseries would remain closed for most pupils until at least the middle of february. Nicola sturgeon said the decline in case numbers did suggest some cause for optimism, but that there was still a danger of hospitals being overwhelmed. We cannot afford to see the rate of infection start to rise again which, from such a high baseline, it could
all too easily do if we start to interact more with each other than we are doing right now. So it is for all these reasons that the cabinet decided this morning to maintain the restrictions which are currently in place. That means that the lockdown restrictions, including the strict stay at home requirement will remain in place across mainland scotland and some island communities until at least the middle of february day. Cabinet will review the situation again on the 2nd of february. 0ur scotland correspondent is alexandra mackenzie. No great surprise, but disappointment from some involved in education. ,. , , disappointment from some involved in education. , , education. That absolutely sums it u. Education. That absolutely sums it u. I do education. That absolutely sums it up i do not education. That absolutely sums it up. I do not think education. That absolutely sums it up. I do not think anyone education. That absolutely sums it up. I do not think anyone was up. I do not think anyone was expecting any real change today. I think that extension was what everybody was expecting. Scotland, all of mainland scotland and some of the islands, have been in lockdown since the beginning of the month and, as you said there, we are going to be staying in lockdown and nicola
sturgeon has said that will be until at least the middle of february with at least the middle of february with a review on the second. For everyone, it is at that stay at home a message and also for schools and nurseries, that will be again reviewed at the beginning of february and at schools and nurseries will not go back until at least the middle of february. 0bviously children of key workers and Vulnerable Children can go to school, but for most others, it is going to be a continuation of home schooling and online learning, which, the first minister admitted, is extremely tough. She did understand that. Many families are at home with two, three children at very different stages in other education and parents and carers are having to deal with that now on a daily basis with no specific end in sight. The first minister did say that there could possibly be a phased return to schools when that announcement was made, but she did say at this stage that it was just
too early to tell. She did also say there was a case for cautious optimism. The figures today were slightly down on new cases it was 1165. So that is slightly down, but you did mention there that the hospitals were possibly still at that stage where they could be overwhelmed and she did have quite a staggering statistic. She said that currently, now in hospital, we have a 30 more people than at the peak of the previous wave. Band a 3096 more people than at the peak of the previous wave. And alexandra, some criticism of the previous wave. And alexandra, some criticism of of the previous wave. And alexandra, some criticism of a of the previous wave. And alexandra, some criticism of a ruth of the previous wave. And alexandra, some criticism of a Ruth Davidson | some criticism of a Ruth Davidson from Ruth Davidson of the scottish conservatives about the pace of vaccination. Conservatives about the pace of vaccination. ,. , vaccination. Here in scotland, the fi. Ure for vaccination. Here in scotland, the figure for the vaccination. Here in scotland, the figure for the total vaccination. Here in scotland, the figure for the total number vaccination. Here in scotland, the figure for the total number of figure for the total number of people that have been vaccinated for todayis people that have been vaccinated for today is 2800 and, 284,000. The first minister has said that things are going well, but there has been
some criticism from politicians and also from gps saying the doses that they have had hasjust also from gps saying the doses that they have had has just been too patchy for them to get any vaccinations out as quickly as possible, but what are the first minister has said is that the priorities in scotland have been slightly different from england. The main priority is to get any vaccines, she said, to the most Vulnerable People and that is in care homes. Some of the statistic she gave, already 90 of the care home residents have had that first dose and a 70 of the care home staff have already had that first dose. She said that they are on track to meet those targets, despite the criticism from Ruth Davidson. Alexandra mckenzie and a rather dreich glasgow. Alexandra mckenzie and a rather dreich glasgow. Wales� s first minister has said 70 of the over 80s, care home residents and care home staff in wales will have received a covid 19 vaccine by the end of this week. It comes after Mark Drakeford was forced to deny claims earlier this week that supply was deliberately being held back. Speaking at first minister� s questions, mr drakeford said delivering vaccinations was his top priority. The part of the Welsh Government is to vaccinate as many people as quickly as possible priority. It is our top priority, it is the top priority of there was a very hard working people in our Health Service who, on top of Everything Else, that we ask of them, they are putting in of those long hours to make sure that 1000 people in care homes are being vaccinated every day. Here in wales. That� s by the end of this week, as a minimum, 70 of the over 80s and People Living and working in care homes will have been vaccinated in wales. When i spokein been vaccinated in wales. When i spoke in a first minister� s
questions last week, i said that her hope was that we would have 100 gp practices vaccinating by the end of the week. We exceeded that. We have to hundred and 50 gp practices by the end of the month, we will exceed that. The end of the month, we will exceed that. 250. We the end of the month, we will exceed that. 250. We will have a 45 mass vaccination centres. Not only is the wealth nhs doing everything we asked of it welsh nhs, it is doing even more everyday and that means that we can be confident that we will deliver vaccination to those atop four priority groups in line with our planet by the middle of february. It is to thanks to know is to thanks to those enormous efforts that everyone in the senedd will want to support. Withjust hours now untiljoe biden becomes the 46th president of the United States, the 45th president is clearly not going quietly. With mounting speculation about his choices for president ial pardons last night donald trump ordered travel bans to be lifted for visitors from most of europe
and brazilfrom next week. Joe biden� s spokeswoman countered immediately that would not be happening. Here� s our washington correspondent nomia iqbal. America� s capital city is eerily quiet, and so is its president. Mr trump has been largely silent after twitter permanently banned him. But there is some last minute business. He announced a covid 19 travel ban on much of europe would be lifted. The Incoming Biden Administration plans to reverse it, though. In a tweet, the incoming press secretary says in fact they will strengthen it. One thing they will not be able to stop are mr trump� s pardons. Like all outgoing president s, he plans to use his last bit of power to grant clemency to more than 100 convicted criminals. This is all against the backdrop of a city that has turned into a fortress. Up to 25,000 troops from the National Guard are here, the most since the civil war era. This nation is still reeling from the riots earlier this month. It� s emerged that some of them had connections to Law Enforcement,
and now all the Inauguration Security is being vetted by the army and the fbi. One of the bigger challenges will be identifying people in Law Enforcement who have sympathies for these groups or act in concert with them. And again Law Enforcement has all the authorities they need, the fbi hasjurisdiction to investigate civil rights abuses by Law Enforcement officers, theyjust need to prioritise that work. President elect biden will fly into the city for his inauguration at capitol hill, a trip he originally planned to make by train. President trump will not be there, the first time that has happened in more than 150 years. He plans to leave for florida wednesday morning with the first lady melania trump. She has delivered a goodbye address. In all circumstances, i ask every american to be an ambassador of be best. To focus on what unites us, to raise above what divides us. To always choose love over hatred,
peace over violence, and others before yourself. Four years on and President Trump will be leaving the white house just as he entered it, with chaos and without convention. He did get his wall, though just not the one he expected. Nomia iqbal, bbc news, washington. Let� s take a look at what is planned for Inauguration Day. The ceremony gets under way at 4 o� clock uk time. Lady gaga will sing the National Anthem in front of a small, socially distanced gathering without the crowds usually seen on the washington mall. People have instead been asked to watch from home. Vice president elect Kamala Harris will be sworn in first by Justice Sonia sotomayor. The first woman of colour to be Vice President being sworn in by the first woman of colour to sit on the Supreme Court. It is then the turn of president electjoe biden. He will take the oath of office and become president one minute
after President Trump� s term ends. He will give his inaugural address and take part in ceremonies with the military to reflect the peaceful transfer of power. The new president will then go to Arlington National cemetary to lay a wreath at the tomb of the unknown solider before receiving a president ial escort to the white house. In the evening, there will be a star studded gala event broadcast on television and social Media Channels in the us called celebrating america, hosted by tom hanks. Julia manchester is a reporter on the washington based news website the hill. That is the planet but there are some anxiety about whether everything will go to plan. There is absolutely some everything will go to plan. There is absolutely some anxiety. Everything will go to plan. There is absolutely some anxiety. You everything will go to plan. There is l absolutely some anxiety. You cannot go down the street typically in washington downtown washington, dc without seeing National Guardsmen. A number of streets are shut down and it is nearly impossible to get up close to the white house and capitol hill or the
national mall. It is very eerily quiet right now. That goes for a number of state capitals across the country. There have been some protest planned any number of different states so some anxiety there as to what could happen. We have the federal government very much watching what happens on a inauguration very closely here in the us. This was always going to be a different inauguration anyway, but what about the fears that the fbi have of some sort of inside job, if you like in terms of transporters. There are fears there could be an insidejob when in there are fears there could be an inside job when in terms there are fears there could be an insidejob when in terms of there are fears there could be an inside job when in terms of Trump Supporters. There was talk that the qanon Conspiracy Group had talked about posing as National Guard ahead of the inauguration. We have not heard any confirmation that those debts have been set in stone are confirmed, but it is something us authorities are very much looking
into and keeping an eye on. It is remarkable into and keeping an eye on. It is remarkable just into and keeping an eye on. It is remarkable just looking at the pictures of washington at the moment. This is the capital of the United States of america. Absolutely. It is absolutely bizarre to think that there are more american troops in the city at the moment than there are in baghdad. You know i livejust moment than there are in baghdad. You know i live just blocks from the white house, my apartment entrance is boarded up. You see a lot of other businesses being boarded up. It kind of goes with the theme for the past year here in washington, we saw the unrest over the summer in the wake of the death of george floyd and you� re so a lot of businesses and apartments are being budged up then. Then i had at the election, there was concern there could be even more unrest so they boarded up then ahead of the election. There was not as much on there, but i think the capitol insurrection has been a change the game here and made it very clear that these threats still loom very
large. D0 that these threats still loom very [an e. ,. , that these threats still loom very lane. 4. , that these threats still loom very larae. ~. ,. ,. , large. Do we know how donald trump is sendin large. Do we know how donald trump is spending his large. Do we know how donald trump is spending his last large. Do we know how donald trump is spending his last day large. Do we know how donald trump is spending his last day in large. Do we know how donald trump is spending his last day in office . Is spending his last day in office . We do know that it is possible that he could issue a number of pardons today. Forthe he could issue a number of pardons today. For the former new York State Assembly speaker, pardons to potentially his former adviser, steve bannon, potentially his children, although that has not been confirmed. Even some american rappers such as lil wayne and kodak black. But we know he has leaving a president ial video before he leaves, breaking tradition with former president s who used to speak to the nation lie. Could he pardon himself . We have talked resources around that white house orbit we do not want a
build herjust yet, but it seems very unlikely that he would take that step. There is a lot of legal debate over whether the president could even pardon himself. Well what he did try to do is open all the birders, but that court quickly slapped down, wasn� t it . Birders, but that court quickly slapped down, wasnt it . Absolutely. I think slapped down, wasnt it . Absolutely. I think youre slapped down, wasnt it . Absolutely. I think youre going slapped down, wasnt it . Absolutely. I think youre going to slapped down, wasnt it . Absolutely. I think youre going to see slapped down, wasnt it . Absolutely. I think youre going to see a slapped down, wasnt it . Absolutely. I think youre going to see a lot slapped down, wasnt it . Absolutely. I think youre going to see a lot of. I think you� re going to see a lot of back and forth with the outgoing Trump Administration and the Incoming Biden Administration. Tramp may be trying to get some last minute measures through that he knows trump. That will go against the Biden Administration and they will shut that down very quickly if they do not agree with that. Who they do not agree with that. Who will show joe they do not agree with that. Who will show joe biden they do not agree with that. Who will showjoe biden around his new home . Will show joe biden around his new home . ~ ~ ,. , � will show joe biden around his new home . Well, i think youre probably auoin to home . Well, i think youre probably going to have home . Well, i think youre probably going to have some home . Well, i think youre probably going to have some officials home . Well, i think youre probably going to have some officials in home . Well, i think youre probably going to have some officials in the l going to have some officials in the white house that will take up that position and help him navigate the white house. You have to remember, joe biden is no stranger to the white house. He served as vice
president four years ago under barack 0bama and he is bringing a lot of farmer 0bama Administration Official so i think you� ll get to know itjust fine. Former 0bama administration. Igraffiti know itjust fine. Former 0bama administration. Administration. Will it get quite dull on hill administration. Will it get quite dull on hill the administration. Will it get quite dull on hill the next administration. Will it get quite dull on hill the next few administration. Will it get quite dull on hill the next few weeks | dull on hill the next few weeks or. It dull on hill the next few weeks or. Dull on hill the next few weeks or. ,. ,. , or. It is the question all asking. In terms or. It is the question all asking. In terms of or. It is the question all asking. In terms of capitol or. It is the question all asking. In terms of capitol hill, or. It is the question all asking. In terms of capitol hill, it or. It is the question all asking. In terms of capitol hill, it will. In terms of capitol hill, it will definitely pick up in terms of excitement in coverage because you� re going to have all of president elect biden� s cabinet nominees really come before the senate to be confirmed and you� re going to see debate over that and thatis going to see debate over that and that is starting today. You� re also going to see president elect biden deliver his address to the nation next month. He will detail further his stimulus package, Coronavirus Relief stimulus package, as well as another vaccine roll out. In terms of present trumper, we will have to see what he does next. Remember, he does not have his twitter handle available because twitter present
trump. It will be interesting to see how he will medicate with his pace now he is out of office. It is how he will medicate with his pace now he is out of office. Now he is out of office. It is a mark of now he is out of office. It is a mark of how now he is out of office. It is a mark of how serious now he is out of office. It is a mark of how serious things i now he is out of office. It is a i mark of how serious things are now he is out of office. It is a mark of how serious things are that if everything goes without a hitch, there will be a huge sigh of relief. Absolutely. It has been quite a year across the United States and well, but especially here in washington because there has always been the state of undress and we really saw that threat and fear come true at the Capitol Building state of unrest. There will be some sort of military presence until at least the end of the month and we see that authorities are taking no risks here. They want to keep precautions in place until they know that threats have been lifted, if you will. ,. Y. , threats have been lifted, if you will. ,. ,. , threats have been lifted, if you will. ,. ,. ,. , will. Julia, you have a long day ahead. Will. Julia, you have a long day ahead it will. Julia, you have a long day ahead it is will. Julia, you have a long day ahead. It is good will. Julia, you have a long day ahead. It is good to will. Julia, you have a long day ahead. It is good to talk will. Julia, you have a long day ahead. It is good to talk to will. Julia, you have a long dayj ahead. It is good to talk to you now. Thank you very much. We� ll have extensive coverage ofjoe biden� s inauguration throughout the day tomorrow. There will be full coverage from 4pm with a bbc news speciallive from washington presented by katty kay. The government� s to set up a new regulator for the Construction Industry, with powers to ban the use of dangerous Building Materials. The decision comes after deeply disturbing evidence of malpractice was heard at the inquiry into the Grenfell Tower disaster. The regulator will be able to remove any products from the market that pose a safety risk and prosecute any companies that are found to be flouting rules. Areas of northern, central and Eastern England are preparing for flooding as storm christoph approaches the uk. Yellow warnings have been issued for england, wales, Northern Ireland and southern scotland and the met office has issued an amber warning across a large swathe of the country, saying there could be a danger to life caused by floods, gales and snow. Rescuers in eastern china are continuing efforts to reach twelve miners who� ve been trapped six hundred metres underground for more than a week. A phone line has been set up to talk to the group. Medicine and porridge has been lowered to the miners. They have thanked teams on the surface, but said they particularly wanted sausages. You� re watching bbc news. A coroner has called for a review of smart motorways, saying they are a risk to drivers. His comments came after an inquest into the deaths of two men on a stretch of the m1. The hard shoulder was in use as a live traffic lane to increase capacity. The inquest heard the deaths may have been avoided had there had been a hard shoulder. Frankie mccamley reports. Injune 2019, jason mercer said goodbye to his wife claire at 8am as he left for work. 15 minutes later, he was dead. The 44 year old had a minor collision with another driver on the inside line of a smart motorway that had no hard shoulder. The cameras did not see them, the lane was not closed. Both drivers waiting for help were killed by a lorry driving at 56 mph. Since her husband� s death,
Claire Mercer has been campaigning against smart motorways. We need the hard shoulder back, that� s the only solution i� m going to accept long term. The coroner leading the inquest ruled the lack of hard shoulder contributed to this tragedy. He has called for a review of smart motorways. I� m still dazed, very surprised, in a good way. It was far better than we anticipated. You can� t remove the main safety feature and claim it� s safer. In a statement, highways england said. This footage shows a van almost missing a car in trouble with nowhere to go. It swerves just in time. Here is another near miss. They were first introduced in 2006 on the m42 and that pilot worked quite well because it had emergency refuge areas every 400 metres or so. But when they were rolled out, the refuge areas were every 2500 metres. If you are in a live lane and cannot get over to an emergency refuge area because there are not enough of them, then you have a problem. A government review has called for the removal of part time hard shoulders and better detection for vehicles in trouble. But as billions more is spent on the motorways, some question how smart they really are. Frankie mccamley, bbc news. It� s been a bumpy start to the year for schools, as teachers juggle remote learning, social distancing and covid testing. In england, schools will remain closed to all but the children of key workers and those classed as vulnerable until the february half term, though some fear
they could remain shut for longer. Speaking in front of the Education Committee this morning, england� s deputy chief medical officer, drjenny harries, said the level of infection in the community would continue to be monitored ahead of any decision to reopen after half term. I think the ambition should always be that schools should be open, wherever that is appropriate, epidemiologically, because we know how important education is for children. There is a caveat with that, i think, around the current epidemiology, and i know the department for education are working closely with the department of health and social care to ensure that information is fed in. And the reason i gave a caveat is i� m sure you and the public in general are very aware that we are currently, or we have very recently, seen very high rates of infection in the community, and of course we are dealing with trying to understand the implications of new variants of coronavirus. So i think with those caveats, it� s a timeframe which allows us to continue to monitor the infection
rates and to see the direction of travel, but it will continue to need to be observed and reviewed right up until that time period. Hsbc has announced plans to close 82 high street branches this year because more customers are turning to online services. The bank said most staff would be re deployed to other branches, and it doesn� t expect to make any redundancies. Now chris fawkes has the weather. Hello there. Storm christoph is going to be bringing problems weather wise over the next few days. First of all, we� ve got rain. Well, we� ve already had over 30 hours worth of that across parts of north west wales, but by the time we get to thursday, some of our more hilly areas could see over 150 millimeters of rain. And of particular concern is this area where rivers are already running at high levels. The rain combined with melting snow causing problems with flooding and probably some severe flooding
in places as well. Could be a few issues for wales and the midlands as well as that but overnight, the rain pretty much relentless across these northern and western areas. We� ll have a frost for northern scotland with showers and a risk of icy stretches, but for many across england and wales in particular, it stays mild. Now on into tomorrow, further outbreaks of rain, turning heavier across wales and northern england, so every hour that goes by, there� s an increased threat of those Flooding Issues. Further north in scotland, brighter weather here. But through wednesday night, we� re going to see heavy snow and blizzards arrive for some. Hello, this is bbc news. One in ten people across the uk had contracted covid 19 by the end of december. Hospitals in the midlands are short staffed and care homes remain on the front line. The vaccine has been the big thing that everyone is concerned to get into their services. The that everyone is concerned to get into their services. That everyone is concerned to get into their services. The rollout is happening into their services. The rollout is happening but into their services. The rollout is happening but not into their services. The rollout is happening but not as into their services. The rollout is happening but not as quickly into their services. The rollout is happening but not as quickly as l into their services. The rollout is| happening but not as quickly as we would like. Nicola sturgeon says scotland� s current lockdown restrictions are beginning to make a difference but will remain in place until at least the middle of february, with most School Pupils continuing to work from home. Pressure on the nhs continues to be very severe. We are still in a very precarious position. Fortress washington as donald trump spends his last full day in Office America anxiously waits for the inauguration of his successor a new regulator will be set up to ensure the safety of Building Materials after evidence of malpractice was heard at the inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire. Grave concerns over the future of the Justice System in england and wales as the covid pandemic creates a backlog of crown court cases. Good afternoon. India have been reflecting one of their greatest ever victories. The series win over australia clinched on the final day of the fourth test at the gabba in brisbane, without a number of their star names virat kohli to name one at a ground that� s been something of a fortress for australia in recent years. Patrick geary reports. For india, the task could hardly be more daunting. Up against history and velocity. And soon, without their opening batsmen not to mention their captain, at home on paternity leave india had been down and out, 36 all out earlier in the series. Just as well shubman gill did not dwell on the past. Brisbane means cricket at its most raw. Australia hunt here. Hit or be hit. Poor Cheteshwar Pujara was stuck with the latter. No matter, still not out. In brisbane, you� re never safe. Gill gone, soon Ajinkya Rahane too. Not for nothing do they call this ground the gabba toir, a place of terror for tourists. But rishabh pant was not daunted. He was planning an escape, smashing india ever closer. Pujara went, agarwal followed, pant continued. A late indian wobble did not affect him one last glorious shot in a remarkable series. India incredible one more doubt over australia� s captain. Im loving doing myjob. Its a difficultjob, and at times like this it can be bloody hard work when you are copping it left, right and centre, but thats what i signed up for. Weve got to keep perspective on it. Weve been outplayed. We had our chances to win the series and win this test match, and we did not take them. This has been a series you could not take your eyes off. And with the ashes approaching and the aussies losing, england will have watched with some interest. Patrick gearey, bbc news. With news that two players have now tested positive for coronavirus
since arriving in melbourne, the former Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka has issued an impassioned plea to herfellow tennis players to show understanding and empathy amid criticism of quarantine conditions there. As Katie Gornall reports. The build up to this season� s first tennis major has been like no other. Players confined to their rooms, training with whatever they can. But many aren� t happy, even comparing the situation to being in prison. And there were several complaints from the girlfriend of australian player bernard tomic. Well, it turns out there was mayo in bernard� s food, so. Urgh ugh, we have to orderfood again. We� ve been spending about 200 a day
on food, just because we� ve got dietary requirements that are not really being fulfilled. Not everyone competing in melbourne shares their views. I think we need to keep things in perspective. Theres a lot going on in the world right now that are more important. You know, obviously, this means everything to me and im very lucky and privileged to be in the position that i am. But, you know, ive come from a country which is struggling so much with coronavirus, and just to be in a country itself which doesnt have any, i think its very important that we respect that. Belgian qualifier greet minnen is supportive of the authorities but told me the conditions put players at a disadvantage. The problem is that there are a lot of top players at the moment in adelaide, and there they have different circumstances, they can practice more than us, you know, they can go outside more than us. So i don� t think that� s really fair, to be honest, and i think a lot of players think that way. Minnen and others were allowed out to train for five hours today, but positive cases on the flights over have forced 72 players to remain in full quarantine for two weeks. It� s angered some and led world number
one Novak Djokovic to call on organisers to relax the rules. Yes, its not an even Playing Field as far as preparation goes, but were going to play our part to try to even it up as much as possible. But every player coming down knew that if they were going to be a close contact or were going to test positive, these were going to be the conditions. It� s been a logistical minefield for tennis australia, but it� s nothing compared to what could lie in wait for organisers of this summer� s tokyo 0lympics, when 11,000 athletes are due injapan. The warning signs are there. Katie gornall, bbc news. Former Norway International hege riise will coach england� s women at their february Training Camp following phil neville� s early departure to inter miami. Riise is her country� s most capped player, winning the world cup and European Championship in the 1990s, as well as gold at the sydney 0lympics. She moved into coaching with the usa team, and then a club side in norway. The netherlands boss Sarina Wiegman takes over permanently in september. That� s all the sport for now. I� ll have more for you in the next hour. A fifth of deaths involving coronavirus in england and wales were in care homes. Figures from the 0ns show that the burden of the pandemic is falling harder on care residents than anywhere else. The data also shows that in the first week of january, more than 1,300 people died with coronavirus in care homes in england and wales. Mike padgham is the chair of the independent care group. This will not come as a huge surprise to you. What most people want to know, this light at the tunnel in terms of vaccination, are you beginning to have optimism . I will try to be optimism. First, i want to extend my sympathy to anyone who has lost a loved one to the virus, particularly in care homes. I hope the vaccines are a light at the
end of the tunnel, but it is a long tunnel. It will get worse before it gets better but i am optimistic that we will get better eventually but there is more pain to go through first, i� m afraid. There is more pain to go through first, im afraid. There is more pain to go through first, im afraid. How is it working at our first, im afraid. How is it working at your home first, im afraid. How is it working at your home is first, im afraid. How is it working at your home is in first, im afraid. How is it working at your home is in terms first, im afraid. How is it working at your home is in terms of first, im afraid. How is it working at your home is in terms of the i at your home is in terms of the vaccination . Brute at your home is in terms of the vaccination . At your home is in terms of the vaccination . ~. ,. ,. , vaccination . We have been fortunate. In veneral vaccination . We have been fortunate. In general it vaccination . We have been fortunate. In general it got vaccination . We have been fortunate. In general it got off vaccination . We have been fortunate. In general it got off to vaccination . We have been fortunate. In general it got off to a vaccination . We have been fortunate. In general it got off to a slow in general it got off to a slow start because of logistical issues with the first vaccine. But now things have speeded up. The Prime Minister made a mention a days ago about speeding up care homes, we have now got all our staff and care homes vaccinated, we are doing well in the north, it is more challenging other parts of the country, but so but so far so good. Haifa other parts of the country, but so but so far so good. Other parts of the country, but so but so far so good. How would you assess the but so far so good. How would you assess the mood but so far so good. How would you assess the mood of but so far so good. How would you assess the mood of staff but so far so good. How would you assess the mood of staff and assess the mood of staff and residents question mark those that have got the first vaccine are pleased to have got it and be protected. It pleased to have got it and be protected pleased to have got it and be rotected. W ,. ,. , ~ protected. It takes a time to kick in and we have protected. It takes a time to kick in and we have got protected. It takes a time to kick in and we have got to protected. It takes a time to kick in and we have got to have protected. It takes a time to kick in and we have got to have the l in and we have got to have the second dose. But they are relieved, they want others to have the vaccine as well. The message from them as well, to be cautious, you have the
vaccine, most people have in care homes, but we cannot take our foot off the accelerator, we have got to be cautious for a few months until everyone has the vaccine and then we can relax the rules a little bit. But that is some way off. By, can relax the rules a little bit. But that is some way off. A few more months . Presumably but that is some way off. A few more months . Presumably on but that is some way off. A few more months . Presumably on what but that is some way off. A few more months . Presumably on what you. But that is some way off. A few more | months . Presumably on what you are saying, the peak has yet to come . In care homes, sadly, yes. There is a lag. I think we are going to see more deaths because there is a bit of a lag. I say many months. I am not a public expert, or an expert on the virus, i am just going by what i have read, we have got to be cautious with hands, face, space. The virus is unforgiving. Everyone has been very patient. We need to be patient a bit longer and then we can see that light at the end of the tunnel. , . ,. ,
tunnel. The extra £120 million from government. Tunnel. The extra £120 million from government, how tunnel. The extra £120 million from government, how much tunnel. The extra £120 million from government, how much of tunnel. The extra £120 million from government, how much of a tunnel. The extra £120 million from. Government, how much of a difference does that make . It government, how much of a difference does that make . Does that make . It will make a lot of difference. Does that make . It will make a lot of difference. I does that make . It will make a lot of difference. I welcome does that make . It will make a lot of difference. I welcome the does that make . It will make a lot l of difference. I welcome the money. We need more support but i want to thank everybody, particularly the government, that is put that in place. It will make a difference. We have got to see it get to the front line and quickly because social care staff deserve more than they are getting. These figures from that 0ns are a grim reading, 21 of deaths in care homes. This will not come as a surprise to you . Homes. This will not come as a surrise to ou . , ~. , surprise to you . No. We were always auoin to surprise to you . No. We were always going to be surprise to you . No. We were always going to be in surprise to you . No. We were always going to be in a surprise to you . No. We were always going to be in a difficult surprise to you . No. We were always going to be in a difficult position. Going to be in a difficult position. The virus is unrelenting. People in care homes have got underlying conditions, they tend to be older, so it disproportionately affects them. We need to reassure People Living in care homes, staff are working so hard to keep them safe, using ppe, we have got the vaccines in, it is going to get better, but sadly those debts we have seen our cause for concern and we want to see
things get better for everyone. I want people to keep faith we are looking after them as best we can. How are you doing . Pare looking after them as best we can. How are you doing . Looking after them as best we can. How are you doing . Are you 0k . Yes. We will get how are you doing . Are you 0k . Yes. We will get a how are you doing . Are you 0k . Yes. We will get a break how are you doing . Are you 0k . Yes. We will get a break eventually. How are you doing . Are you 0k . Yes. We will get a break eventually. We we will get a break eventually. We just want to keep people safe. Mental health is important. Hopefully we will get a break later this year. We wish you well. Thank you to you and to all your staff. The four criminaljustice watchdogs for england and wales have warned that the huge backlog of court cases caused by the pandemic risks damaging the legal system for years to come. Thousands of cases may not go before a jury until next year. Dominic casciani reports. Deaths that shocked a nation, 39 vietnamese migrants suffocated in a lorry as they hoped for a new life in the uk. A crime that demanded justice. But thatjustice was delayed not once but twice as the prosecution of people smugglers was halted by the pandemic. A witness fell ill on day one
and then later, a juror twice had to isolate. A week of expensive old bailey time lost. And it� s delays like this on top of a complete halt to jury trials at the start of the crisis that has led four watchdogs to warn of grave concerns over the state of criminaljustice. There is now a backlog of 457,000 cases in all criminal courts in england and wales. 54,000 serious cases are waiting for a date in the crown courts. That means there are trials in 2022 for crimes detected last year. The four inspectorates say these delays are having a damaging effect over the whole ofjustice. There� s been a 35 increase in the waiting times for the Crown Court Trials for someone pleading not guilty and as i said, that means victims are having to wait until 2022 which is a huge concern to us. And it� s notjust the watchdogs making this unprecedented call for the government to take urgent action. From lawyers through to charities, experts warn time is running out
to prevent lasting damage to criminaljustice and to lives. So we are concerned that where there are continued delays in the system, victims may choose not to continue to engage in the process. There is a real risk thatjustice delayed could bejustice denied and the long wait for trials might lead to victims dropping out of the criminaljustice process altogether or perhaps being unwilling to engage again in the future. Crown court trials in england and wales are now sitting with covid Safety Measures in place, jurors are separated by plastic screens. The government has also opened so called nightingale courts to hear cases where defendants don� t need to be in cells. The ministry ofjustice says it� s pouring £450 million into the courts to help ease the crisis. There are already signs the backlog of minor cases is beginning to fall. But critics say far more is needed to solve a problem that is chronic and has been years in the making. Dominic casciani, bbc news. David lammy is labour� s shadowjustice secretary. At the heart of this as victims for whom justice delayed is for some justice denied. Justice denied. Absolutely. If you have been the justice denied. Absolutely. If you have been the victim justice denied. Absolutely. If you have been the victim of justice denied. Absolutely. If you have been the victim of murder, | have been the victim of murder, rape, domestic abuse, which has gone up rape, domestic abuse, which has gone up over this lockdown period, you want to see justice. I think people understand having to wait a year, maybe 18 months, but the chances are that the backlog now rising to over 53,000 cases is very likely that they won� t see justice for four years and the danger of that there is that evidence is lost, memories get fuzzy, and, i� m afraid, criminals walk free. What is the answer . If there was one
i am sure the governments would be looking at it but in the middle of a Global Pandemic what can you do . The head of Global Pandemic what can you do . Tie head of the Court Service said back in april that she would bring forward 200 new nightingale courts and that has not happened. As of today we have about 19. And not all of those coats are dealing with criminal matters. We have got civic centres, schools, universities sitting empty. We have got to have people socially distanced of course but why we couldn� t use those buildings i do not understand. The Justice System and thejustice secretary has moved very slowly indeed. It is important to remember that there were serious cuts over the last ten years in communities up and down the country, magistrates courts were shut, we did not fix the roof while the sun was shining, and now we have this serious problem
mounting. It now we have this serious problem mountina. Now we have this serious problem mountina. ,. ,. Mounting. It is not so much the buildinus mounting. It is not so much the buildings that mounting. It is not so much the buildings that are mounting. It is not so much the buildings that are the mounting. It is not so much the buildings that are the problem, j mounting. It is not so much the i buildings that are the problem, it is the staffing of them, isn� t it . Of course we have also been able to have remote healings so those staff can be at home. But the truth is you have to space people out, you have got to keep the integrity of the jury got to keep the integrity of the jury system going. Theyjust are not buildings to do it in. You need to commandeer other buildings in the community. We have seen a bit of it but it has been very slow, very small. As a consequence, victims will suffer and there may well be criminals that walk free. We have also got a rising prison population as a consequence of this. And you have got that virus now across our prisons, deaths are up. This is a serious problem facing the criminal Justice System. Where does the buck stop . That buck must stop with the
secretary of state forjustice who will need to come forward with what he is going to do very quickly indeed. If we are to support victims of crime. Democracy collapses from people who have committed crime gets away with it and victims suffer as a consequence. That is not a democracy, that is anarchy. We need to deal with this problem. Security has to be paramount and that takes time and it takes of people. That takes time and it takes of eo le. ~ that takes time and it takes of eole. ~. , that takes time and it takes of eole. ~. ,. ,. , people. We do need security, of course, people. We do need security, of course. In people. We do need security, of course. In our people. We do need security, of course, in our courts, people. We do need security, of course, in our courts, but people. We do need security, of course, in our courts, but it people. We do need security, of course, in our courts, but it is i course, in our courts, but it is important to remember that a of art magistrates courts now which deal with the vast majority cases at lower level have gone remotely, so this is about our crown court. This is about knife crime, gang crime, rape, murder, and we do have to see justice. Temporary pause might be
necessary but the truth is we have got to bring forward those arenas in which that justice got to bring forward those arenas in which thatjustice can� t be served and staffed and victims can be supported. Justice and staffed and victims can be supported. Justice can be served. Mps are continuing their inquiry into the streaming music market looking at whether artists are paid fairly by Services Like spotify and apple music. They� ve heard from industry experts, artists, and today the bosses of the warner, sony and universal record labels have been giving evidence. Colin paterson reports. The current number one single, drivers license, streamed in the uk last week 10. 9 million times, plays which will earn the 17 year old american and her collaborator an estimated £32,000. This morning the bosses of the uk� s three major record labels were being asked by mps if acts are being paid enough for their songss being streamed. At a previous hearing, the singer nadine shah argued that her earnings were so small, despite a Mercury Prize nomination, that she had to move back with her parents. There are lots of ways to approach this, streaming is not perfect yet, there are lots of ways and i have tonnes of ideas of how to improve streaming for artists. The ivors, representing songwriters, were watching along and not impressed. The record bosses refuted this. Modern deals are difficult, i do license deals, distribution deals, copyright deals, Different Things are important to different artists. The bosses spoke about how
profits are used to invest in developing new artists, but only one debut album released by a british act last year went silver, meaning sales of more than 60,000, it was only the 62nd bestselling album of the year and the organisation which makes sure artists are paid said there was a problem. Better deals need to be done to support the overall industry, notjust Record Companies but the thousands of performers struggling to make a living given the competition and the lower value of the overall marketplace. New acts, many struggling to make a living and finding themselves up against all time greats. So injust over 24 hours� time donald tump� s term of office comes to an end. For america, and the world,
it� s a chance to take stock after one of the most turbulent and difficult presidencies in American History. 0ur former washington correspondent, looks back at four eventful years. And a warning paul� s report contains some flash photography. From this day forward it is going to be only america first. His relentless frequently savage use of twitter has upended rules of communication. At home he inherited a booming economy and for the first three years added millions ofjobs. Successful appointment of three conservative judges to the Supreme Court will probably go down as his most enduring achievement. But under his presidency america� s divides have seemed to deepen. During last summer� s black lives matter protests, the president clamped down. Abroad, he withdrew from the iran nuclear deal. And indulge in a war of words with the leader of north korea. Later, the two men met for an extraordinary piece summits, all the little came of it. He has actively undermined International Institutions and agreements, taking the United States out of Global Climate change accords. And he has frequently appalled fellow western leaders over his approach to trade, alliances. He is always seems to favour autocrats over democrats. He said, it is not russia. His opponents he said, it is not russia. His opponents demanded his impeachment. It did eventually happen over the separate issue of relations with ukraine. Republicans stood by their man and the president survived. His final year in Office Brought a new enemy, coronavirus. Taste final year in Office Brought a new enemy, coronavirus. Final year in Office Brought a new enemy, coronavirus. We are prepared and we are doing enemy, coronavirus. We are prepared and we are doing a enemy, coronavirus. We are prepared and we are doing a great enemy, coronavirus. We are prepared and we are doing a great job. Enemy, coronavirus. We are prepared and we are doing a great job. It and we are doing a greatjob. It will go away. And we are doing a great ob. It will go awayfl and we are doing a great ob. It willaoawa. , ~ , will go away. Stay calm. Mr trump tried to plate will go away. Stay calm. Mr trump tried to plate down. Will go away. Stay calm. Mr trump tried to plate down. He will go away. Stay calm. Mr trump tried to plate down. He recommended and proven treatments, pressed ahead with packed pre election rallies. Ultimately he also succumbed to the virus. Bouncing back quickly with made for tv defiance but surveys show his approach to the pandemic was hurting him. On election day, 74 million americans voted for the president , butjoe biden did even better. Donald trump claim to the election was stolen. This
better. Donald trump claim to the election was stolen. Better. Donald trump claim to the election was stolen. This is a maor fraud on our election was stolen. This is a maor fraud on our nation. D election was stolen. This is a maor fraud on our nation. Afteri election was stolen. This is a major fraud on our nation. After weeks i election was stolen. This is a major fraud on our nation. After weeks ofj fraud on our nation. After weeks of incitement. Fraud on our nation. After weeks of incitement, the fraud on our nation. After weeks of incitement, the president s fraud on our nation. After weeks of incitement, the president s ardent| incitement, the president � s ardent followers stormed into congress causing death and mayhem. The president was forced to condemn it but impeachment for a second time. This man who was resolutely determined to tear down the things that we hold dear. Iunfith determined to tear down the things that we hold dear. That we hold dear. With a second trial looming that we hold dear. With a second trial looming donald that we hold dear. With a second trial looming donald trump that we hold dear. With a second trial looming donald trump says| that we hold dear. With a second i trial looming donald trump says he will not be around to see his successor sworn in. An ignominious end to a divisive extraordinary presidency. 32 million americans claim irish heritage, and one of the most famous of those is the president electjoe biden. His roots lie in the county mayo town of ballina with a population of just 10,000. 0ur reporter Charlotte Gallagher has been speaking to his relatives there. The people of this nation have spoken. They� ve delivered us a clear victory, a convincing victory. Supporters ofjoe biden celebrating in the us. And thousands of miles away, and across the atlantic, the irish town of ballina also marks the moment. In fact, the twists and turns of the Election Campaign were followed closely here, asjoe biden is the descendant of edward blewitt, a ballina man who emigrated to the us after the great famine. Joe biden may have been born in america, but here, he is seen as ballina� s famous son. Yeah, there� s been an enormous amount of excitement around ballina, because, obviously, it feels like we� re connected with someone so powerful now at this stage, the town itself. I suppose because of his trip here in 2016, while he was the Vice President , and he got to meet so many locals from the town, the day that he arrived. I suppose that� s what makes that connection even greater now. Being related to president elect biden is just incredible, it� s amazing. To know somebody so personally and have a relationship with somebody that� s that high up, it is pretty special. And it� s. 0bviously, we� ll do all we can to support him from this end in ireland. Joe biden� s irish family was there when he was surprised with the president ial medal of freedom in the white house and lorita spent time with him before the election. I was very fortunate to go on his campaign trail in february. I went to nevada, spent a couple of weeks there. And it was just amazing to experience that up close and personal. To spend time on the American Campaign trail of the president , of the now president of the United States. Joe biden isn� t the only president with roots in ballina. The first woman to serve as irish president , mary robinson, is from the town. He is also not the first
commander in chief with irish heritage. Barack 0bama, ronald reagan, and john f kennedy, to name but a few. And how isjoe biden feeling about becoming one of the most i got to speak to him and his team over the last couple of days and last couple of weeks so, yeah. 0bviously, they have a massive job to do and so much work on. But they� re all pretty happy and confident and looking forward to a big job ahead. Joe biden speaks proudly of his irish heritage, as the bbc� s nick bryant found out. A quick word with the bbc. Bbc . Im irish with britain having left the European Union and hoping for a trade deal with the us, officials in the uk will be hoping they can cultivate their own special relationship. Charlotte gallagher, bbc news. Now, chris fawkes has the weather. Hello, there. We are likely to see some disruptive weather from storm christoph over the next few days. First of all, we� ve got rain. It has already been raining for over 30 hours straight in parts of snowdonia in wales, but the rain is still coming in and we have a lot more of that to come over the next few days. By the time we get to thursday, some of our more hilly areas could see over 150 millimetres of rain. This area is a particular concern because rivers in this kind of area are already flowing at high levels, with the rain combining with snow melt likely to lead to flooding and potentially some severe flooding as well. There could be flooding elsewhere there could be a few issues, for example, in wales and the midlands. It will be mild with the rain. Probably not too much rain for south east england. Brighter skies and showers in the north of scotland, where it stays pretty cold. 0vernight tonight, outbreaks of rain continue. Turning heavier later in the night across parts of wales, all the while quite windy. But pretty mild for much of the country. The colder air still in scotland, where there will be frost and the risk of icy stretches to start the day on wednesday. For wednesday, more of the same. More heavy rain. It will get heavier, if anything, as low pressure pushes its way northwards and eastwards. Particularly heavy across wales and northern england, those are the areas that are saturated, so every hour that goes by will increase the risk of flooding. And we still have those temperature contrasts from south to north. For wednesday night, we will start to see the rain start to fall as snow in scotland. At lower levels, between five and ten centimetres that could cause a few issues. But, over the higher ground, we are looking at over a foot of snow in places. I would suggest it is not a night to be travelling, because even once the snowploughs have pushed through, snow will blow back onto those roads in the strong winds. We may well see vehicles getting stranded and some communities getting cut off. Through thursday, a risk of snow extends into the hills of northern england. We could see some accumulations here. It will be feeling colder for all of us and it will be very windy. For the next few days, a lot happening weather wise. We are likely to see Flooding Issues in parts of england in particular, then blizzards on the way to parts of scotland both are likely to cause disruption. This is bbc news, i� m ben brown. The headlines new figures show the scale of coronavirus in the uk one in ten people had contracted covid 19 by the end of december, with care homes again on the front line. The vaccine has been certainly the big thing that every provider is now desperate to get into their services and the roll out, it is happening, but it is not as quick as we would all like. Nicola sturgeon says scotland� s current lockdown restrictions are beginning to make a difference, but will stay in place until at least the middle of february, with most School Pupils continuing to work from home. The pressure on the national Health Service continues to be very severe. In short, we are still in a very precarious position. Fortress washington as donald trump spends his last
full day in office, america prepares for the inauguration of his successor. A new regulator will be set up to ensure the safety of Building Materials after evidence of malpractice is heard at the Grenfell Tower inquiry. Grave concerns over the future of the Justice System in england and wales as the covid pandemic creates a backlog of crown court cases. Ladies for babies and goats for love. The best way to make notes how the world� s musicians are turning to streaming to guarantee a reliable income. Good afternoon. New figures show the scale of Coronavirus Infections across the uk, demonstrating just how far the virus has spread around the country. Data from the office of National Statistics show about one in ten people tested positive for covid 19 antibodies in december that� s roughly double the 0ctoberfigure. According to the 0ns figures which are different from the daily government death toll nearly 96,000 people have died with covid on the death certificate. Nearly a quarter of those deaths were in care homes. The 0ns figures show more than 1300 deaths were registered in care homes in england and wales in the first week ofjanuary alone. In scotland, first minister Nicola Sturgeon has extended lockdown until the middle of february, but did say that transmission rates appear to be declining. Meanwhile in wales, the first minister has had to say that nobody there is holding back vaccines. Anna collinson reports. London over the christmas period. Coronavirus cases were on the rise and pressures on hospitals were intensifying. Now it appears infections were more widespread at the end of 2020 than previously thought. New data suggests up to one in ten people in the uk tested positive for covid antibodies, which the body develops to fight off the virus. England topped the list with one in eight people, or about 12 of the population, showing signs of recent infection. The data shows a rough doubling of antibodies in the uk since october except for in scotland, which was considerably smaller. Last night, i was pinged by the nhs coronavirus app so i will be self isolating at home and not leaving the house at all until sunday. This morning, another reminder that the risk is still very much there. As the Health Secretary announced he is self isolating after one of his close contacts tested positive. This is how we break the chains of transmission, so you must follow these rules. It� s hoped another way
to prevent transmission is vaccinating and in slough, it is the turn of care home workers. All the residents in debra� s town have now received the jab, but other areas are not as far along. The government says the vast majority of over 80s and those who live in care homes should be vaccinated before moving onto lower priority groups. The vaccine has been certainly the big thing that every provider is now desperate to get into their services and the roll out, it is happening but it� s not as quick as we� d all like, but i� m sure lots of other people would say the same. The uk is currently one of the World Leaders when it comes to vaccinations. But in stark contrast, it also has one of the highest death tolls. According to an analysis of death certificates, nearly 96,000 coronavirus deaths have been registered so far. It will be weeks before we start to feel the benefits of the vaccine roll out, which does not help a struggling Health Service now. In the midlands, the military has been called in to support a number of hospitals where routine surgery has already been suspended. It� s expected the filling of empty classrooms will be one of the first signs of possible normality returning. England� s deputy chief medical officer told mps reopening after february half term was logical, but there are many unknowns. Everybody wants very certain planning and dates for opening and closing. Unfortunately, that� s not how the virus works and it� s highly likely that all global countries are going to see changes in mutations and new variants of this virus over the coming months and potentially years. For now, for many of us, life remains on pause for a few more weeks at least. The situation is described as precarious and the easing of restrictions will be gradual. Anna collinson, bbc news. Well, for more on this we can speak now to professor lawrence young, who� s a virologist at Warwick Medical School. Hejoins us live from birmingham. Just give us your reaction to these latest figures we have had from the cns latest figures we have had from the 0ns which show that one in ten people in the uk, roughly, tested positive for covid antibodies in december. That is a huge number of the population. December. That is a huge number of the population the population. Yes, it is a huge number and the population. Yes, it is a huge number and in the population. Yes, it is a huge number and in a the population. Yes, it is a huge number and in a way, the population. Yes, it is a huge number and in a way, it the population. Yes, it is a huge number and in a way, it is the population. Yes, it is a huge number and in a way, it is not i the population. Yes, it is a huge number and in a way, it is not a| number and in a way, it is not a surprise because we know that what we are doing here in measuring antibodies, which of course tell us about past infection, is tracking the second wave of infection which began in the uk in the summer so it attracts that infection that took place earlier. It is a surprise if you look at the numbers for england and wales, you have got more than 3 million increase in infected individuals from september to december. Individuals from september to december individuals from september to december. ,. ,. , december. Yes, i mean that this was a doublin december. Yes, i mean that this was a doubling from december. Yes, i mean that this was a doubling from the december. Yes, i mean that this was a doubling from the month december. Yes, i mean that this was a doubling from the month of a doubling from the month of october, wasn� t it . A huge increase. 0ctober, wasn� t it . A huge increase. It is a huge increase and i guess it also tells us, perhaps something about this more infection variant of the virus that we know is fuelling
the virus that we know is fuelling the infections from last year and i guess, part of what we� re seeing here is that increased transmissibility of there� s a new uk variant virus. Brute transmissibility of theres a new uk variant virus transmissibility of theres a new uk variant virus. We have obviously got any vaccine. Variant virus. We have obviously got any vaccine, which variant virus. We have obviously got any vaccine, which is variant virus. We have obviously got any vaccine, which is going variant virus. We have obviously got any vaccine, which is going into any vaccine, which is going into more and more arms, more than 4 million so far. But also the fact that so many people now have antibodies, does that mean it is getting harder and harderfor the getting harder and harder for the virus getting harder and harderfor the virus to spread . Getting harder and harder for the virus to spread . Getting harder and harder for the virus to spread . Well, the hope is that this is virus to spread . Well, the hope is that this is giving virus to spread . Well, the hope is that this is giving us virus to spread . Well, the hope is that this is giving us some virus to spread . Well, the hope is that this is giving us some form i virus to spread . Well, the hope is| that this is giving us some form of, did i mention, herd immunity. A very controversial, no, but they were infection that is, and the more we are seeing in these antibodies that make very controversial, i know. It is not a survey of people admitted to hospital or in care homes, it is telling us that there is more protective immunity out there than we previously thought. I5 protective immunity out there than we previously thought. We previously thought. Is that conce t
we previously thought. Is that concept of we previously thought. Is that concept of herd we previously thought. Is that concept of herd immunity, i we previously thought. Is that concept of herd immunity, is l we previously thought. Is that l concept of herd immunity, is it still viable in any way . Were also told that immunity only lasts maybe five months after infection. That told that immunity only lasts maybe five months after infection. Five months after infection. That is ri. Ht. The five months after infection. That is right the big five months after infection. That is right. The big issue five months after infection. That is right. The big issue at five months after infection. That is right. The big issue at looking five months after infection. That is right. The big issue at looking at i right. The big issue at looking at the antibody responses, clearly we have a whole bunch of Different Things going on. We have folks who were infected and perhaps weeks, if you weeks ago, and people who might have been affected a few months ago. What this does not tell us is anything about the levels of those antibodies. Because we all understand from this type of infection that antibody levels are wane after a while and that is the biggest problem with relying on herd immunity. Antibody levels will fade. The sale immunity, the t cell response should still be there, but we do not know really what that means for subsequent reinfection. And in terms of the current severe restrictions are right around the united kingdom, when do you think we are going to reap the benefits, if you like, from those restrictions in
terms of the figures that we see every day, in terms of cases, hospitalisations and deaths . H every day, in terms of cases, hospitalisations and deaths . I think we will reach hospitalisations and deaths . I think we will reach a hospitalisations and deaths . I think we will reach a crossover hospitalisations and deaths . I think we will reach a crossover point. Hospitalisations and deaths . I think we will reach a crossover point. We| we will reach a crossover point. We have seen, thank goodness, reductions, good signs of reductions in the number of daily cases. We know, sadly, hospitalisations and deaths lag behind that. But this later today on antibodies, along with the enormous effort that is going into vaccination suggests there will be an a Tipping Point which will take us, probably, until early march and by that time, i think we will see enough to convince us that at least some of these locked in measures can be relaxed. Lockdown measures. Lockedin measures can be relaxed. Lockdown measures. Lockdown measures. Professor lawrence yun. Lockdown measures. Professor lawrence yun, thank lockdown measures. Professor lawrence yun, thank you lockdown measures. Professor lawrence yun, thank you very lockdown measures. Professor. Lawrence yun, thank you very much indeed, there are just at Warwick Medical School lawrence young. In terms of a number of deaths, this is, i think a record,
in terms of a number of deaths, this is, ithinka record, if in terms of a number of deaths, this is, i think a record, if not the largest number of uk covid deaths. Certainly one of the largest daily totals. 1610 deaths within 28 days of a positive covid test. That was 599 yesterday, that figure, but there is the weekend like that includes so it is usually bigger nature is usually bigger natures in any monday. In terms of a number of cases, 33,355 new cases. That is down a bit. And a 37,000 yesterday. In terms of the vaccinations, which we were talking natalie professor about and we are seeing that that has gone up by about 200,000. 11. 2 7,000,001st doses have now been given of the coronavirus vaccine. We will get more on those figures as we details four. 27 million. Scotlands first minister says lockdown restrictions will remain in place at least until the middle of february. Schools and nurseries would remain closed for most pupils until at least the middle of february. Nicola sturgeon said the decline in case numbers did suggest some cause for optimism but that there was still a danger of hospitals being overwhelmed. We cannot afford to see the rate of infection start to rise again which, from such a high baseline, it could all too easily do if we start to interact more with each other than we are doing right now. So it is for all these reasons that the cabinet decided this morning to maintain the restrictions which are currently in place. That means that the lockdown restrictions, including the strict stay at home requirement will remain in place across mainland scotland and some island communities until at least the middle of february. Cabinet will review the situation again on the 2nd of february. Nicola sturgeon there. Waless first minister has said
70 of the over 80s, care home residents and care home staff in wales will have received a covid 19 vaccine by the end of this week. It comes after Mark Drakeford was forced to deny claims earlier this week that supply was deliberately being held back. Speaking at first ministers questions, mr drakeford said delivering vaccinations was his top priority. The policy of the Welsh Government is to vaccinate as many people as quickly as possible here in wales. There is no other policy. It is our top priority, it is the top priority of those very hard working people in our Health Service who, on top of Everything Else that we ask of them, are putting in those long hours to make sure that 1000 people in care homes are being vaccinated every day here in wales. That, by the end of this week, as a minimum, 70 of the over 80s and People Living and working in care homes will have been vaccinated in wales. When i spoke in first ministers questions last week, i said that our hope
was that we would have 100 gp practices vaccinating by the end of the week. We exceeded that. We were to have 250 gp practices by the end of the month, we will exceed that. That we would have 35 mass vaccination centres. Were going to have a5. Not only is the welsh nhs doing everything that we have asked of it, it is doing even more everyday and that means we can be confident that we will deliver vaccination to those top four priority groups in line with our plan by the middle of february. It is thanks to those enormous efforts, which i think everybody in the senedd will want to support. Mark drakeford mark dra keford there. Withjust hours now untiljoe biden becomes the 46th president of the United States, the 45th president is clearly not going quietly. With mounting speculation about his choices for president ial pardons last night donald trump ordered travel bans to be lifted
for visitors from most of europe and brazilfrom next week. Joe bidens spokeswoman countered immediately that that would not be happening. Heres our washington correspondent, nomia iqbal. Americas capital city is eerily quiet, and so is its president. Mr trump has been largely silent after twitter permanently banned him. But there is some last minute business. He announced a covid 19 travel ban on much of europe would be lifted. The Incoming Biden Administration plans to reverse it, though. In a tweet, the incoming press secretary says in fact they will strengthen it. One thing they will not be able to stop are mr trumps pardons. Like all outgoing president s, he plans to use his last bit of power to grant clemency to more than 100 convicted criminals. This is all against the backdrop of a city that has turned into a fortress. Up to 25,000 troops from the National Guard are here, the most since the civil war era. This nation is still reeling from the riots earlier this month. Its emerged that some of them had connections to Law Enforcement, and now all the Inauguration Security is being vetted by the army and the fbi. One of the bigger challenges will be identifying people in Law Enforcement who have sympathies for these groups or act in concert with them. And again Law Enforcement has all the authorities they need, the fbi hasjurisdiction to investigate civil rights abuses byLaw Enforcement officers, theyjust need to prioritise that work. President elect biden will fly into the city for his inauguration at capitol hill, a trip he originally planned to make by train. President trump will not be there, the first time that has happened in more than 150 years. He plans to leave for florida wednesday morning with the first lady melania trump. She has delivered a goodbye address. In all circumstances, i ask every american to be an ambassador of be best. To focus on what unites us, to raise above what divides us. To always choose love over hatred, peace over violence, and others before yourself. Four years on and President Trump will be leaving the white house just as he entered it, with chaos and without convention. He did get his wall, though just not the one he expected. Nomia iqbal, bbc news, washington. Lets take a look at what is planned for Inauguration Day. The ceremony gets under way at 1600 uk time, which is 1100 on the east coast. Lady gaga will sing the National Anthem in front of a small, socially distanced gathering, without the crowds usually seen on the washington mall. People have instead been asked to watch from home. Vice president elect Kamala Harris will be sworn in first byJustice Sonia sotomayor
the first woman of colour to be to sit on the Supreme Court. It is then the turn of president electjoe biden. He will take the oath of office and become president one minute after President Trumps term ends at noon eastern time. He will give his inaugural address and take part in ceremonies with the military to reflect the peaceful transfer of power. The new president will then go to Arlington National cemetary to lay a wreath at the tomb of the unknown solider before receiving a president ial escort to the white house. In the evening, there will be a star studded gala event broadcast on television and social Media Channels in the us called celebrating america, hosted by tom hanks. Lets speak to our washington correspondent gary odonoghue. Incredible security there in washington, dc. I mean, thousands
and thousands of troops, more than in baghdad, i think, at the moment. If you add up the troops in baghdad, afghanistan, somalia, you have more on the streets in washington, dc than in those places of the bed is quite extraordinary, if you think about it. We have our own green zone their offences, barriers, they are putting up barriers so there is no line of sight, would you believe, from surrounding areas to the balcony on the west branch of the capitol where joe balcony on the west branch of the capitol wherejoe biden and Kamala Harris will take their oath of office, it is that serious. And there are checkpoints everywhere. And a lot ofjitteriness, people worried in the aftermath of those attacks on the capitol, people believe anything is possible. Talk us throu. H believe anything is possible. Talk us through the believe anything is possible. Talk us through the last few hours of the trump presidency. What might he do
or not to. In terms of pardons, this rather strange president ial tradition that the outgoing president can issue a lot of pardons. It is a pretty powerful rights that the president has. It is rights that the president has. It is re rights that the president has. Ut 3 pretty untrammelled in rights that the president has. Ut 2 pretty untrammelled in many ways, certainly untested in the courts. But yes, he has the power of the padding, the power to commute sentences as well. We are expecting quite a number of those to a power of the pardon. 50 to 100 or may be more than 100. There has been talk in recent days he may do a pardon for himself or family members. That sort of speculation has receded a little, but i would not rule anything out, to be honest. People will be looking at whether there are pardons for people like Rudy Giuliani or steve bannon, his former campaign adviser. Banning is facing fraud charges. Giuliani is not facing any charges at the moment, but you cannot have the sort of protective pardons for things you
might have done. That is possible, Richard Nixon got one, as you know. We assume he is working on Natalie White because, frankly, the daily note that tells us working on in the white house. The daily note says that he has been working from Early Morning until late evening and will be having many meetings and making many calls. That is it. Let be having many meetings and making many calls. That is it. Many calls. That is it. Let me ust end with the fi many calls. That is it. Let me ust end with the big i many calls. That is it. Let me ust end with the big question. I many calls. That is it. Let me just end with the big question. What l many calls. That is it. Let me just| end with the big question. What is thejoe biden presidency going to be like because he has talked a lot about healing america and uniting america . How easy or difficult is that going to be after the last four turbulent years . J that going to be after the last four turbulent years . That going to be after the last four turbulent years . I think that is one of those things turbulent years . I think that is one of those things that, turbulent years . I think that is one of those things that, what turbulent years . I think that is one of those things that, what metric l of those things that, what metric 2. 2 to measure success or failure . In terms of hearing america i am not sure how you demonstrate that in the short or indeed any medium term. But what he does have, like ian barack
0bama had in 2008, as a crisis. Like he and barack 0bama. A crisis of global proportions that he has to deal with. The us is around at the 400,000 deaths mark they speak in terms of covid. 400,000 deaths. That is almost as many people as the americans lost in world war ii. It is that kind of scale of losses to this pandemic. So there is the economic fallout from that that he has got to deal with and he has got to deal with getting the vaccines into people pass my arms, the unemployment issue to deal with and, at the same time, he is trying to rebuild international relationships, get america back into the Climate Change agreements, back into the iran agreement and to rebuild a relationship with the nato Members Around the world. Im in, the list goes on and on and on. That is
before he and his party have presided over the impeachment trial of donald trump so his presence will continue hang over this time for some time to come. Continue hang over this time for some time to come. Gary, good to talk to many some time to come. Gary, good to talk to many thanks some time to come. Gary, good to talk to many thanks indeed. Some time to come. Gary, good to talk to many thanks indeed. Gary l talk to many thanks indeed. Gary odonoghue, ourwashington correspondent there. A momentous turning point in American History and we will have extensive coverage ofjoe bidens inauguration throughout the day tomorrow on the bbc news channel. There will be full coverage from 4pm with the bbc new special live from as presented by katty kay. Lets remind you of those letters coronavirus figures in the last few minutes and it has been announced that a further 1610 people died within 20 days of testing positive for covid 19. That is confirmed as the highest number of uk deaths are reported on a single day since the pandemic began. We have also seen a
further 204,000 people receiving the first dose of the vaccine. Lets talk to a Health Correspondent nick. Talk us through the trends that have led to that figure today. The through the trends that have led to that figure today. That figure today. The numbers of deaths have that figure today. The numbers of deaths have been that figure today. The numbers of deaths have been rising that figure today. The numbers of deaths have been rising for that figure today. The numbers of deaths have been rising for a that figure today. The numbers of. Deaths have been rising for a number of weeks. We know that during december, the infection levels rose sharply. Around christmas time, we were seeing about 500 deaths a day on average. This is no increased to over 1000 a day. The figures reported today, 1610, are inflated by delays reporting over the weekend, but certainly, sadly, the number of deaths are going up. However, there is some good news in the figures. 0r however, there is some good news in the figures. Or at least some positive signs. The numbers of
infections, new infections that have been confirmed, has dropped again. Just over 33 thousand cases. We have now had three days where it has been below 40,000. We were seeing an average of 60,000 new cases a day and that cases are falling means that any couple of weeks we will see hospital cases falling and then the number of deaths, but it does take a number of deaths, but it does take a number of deaths, but it does take a number of weeks because people being affected today are next weeks hospital admissions and exit� s hospital admissions and exit� s hospital admissions, some of them will then die probably a week or so later next weeks hospital admissions. Later next weeks hospital admissions. Later next weeks hospital admissions. � ,. ,. , admissions. Lets ask you about the latest vaccination admissions. Lets ask you about the latest vaccination figures, admissions. Lets ask you about the latest vaccination figures, public latest vaccination figures, Public Health england saying 4,266,000 people in the uk have received their first dose. That is a rise of around 204,000. We know the government is aiming for 2 204,000. We know the government is aiming for2 million 204,000. We know the government is aiming for 2 million vaccinations a week so, according to that kind of
deal if they are, they are not quite getting there yet. Deal if they are, they are not quite getting there yet getting there yet. They are not yet on that trajectory, getting there yet. They are not yet on that trajectory, are getting there yet. They are not yet on that trajectory, are they . Getting there yet. They are not yet on that trajectory, are they . We. On that trajectory, are they . We know last week they were about a million vaccinations are done. This week it looks as if they will do about 1. 5 million. What is crucial, though, is supply. The nhs has a Strong Network of local vaccination centres, but when i talk to the gps and the nurses running the centres, they talk about supply being the key issue. And ministers have accepted this that supply is a little bit lumpy at the moment. Vaccination centres are not necessarily getting enough supply every day, however, it is Getting Better each week. We know that pfizer has had some manufacturing issues so it will be a slightly slower supply of pfizer, but in the next reveals there will
be in the next few weeks there will be more of the astrazeneca vaccine. Some ministers work confident these numbers will keep going up and the office they have to increase if the government is to meet its target of offering everyone over the age of 70, health and care workers, and extremely clinically vulnerable a vaccine by mid february. Vulnerable a vaccine by midfebruary. Vulnerable a vaccine by midfebruary. Vulnerable a vaccine by midfebrua. , vulnerable a vaccine by midfebrua. , midfebruary. Nick, thank you very much for that midfebruary. Nick, thank you very much for that update. The business secretary, kwasi kwarteng, has admitted there is a slight tension between government Climate Policy and the approval of a new coal mine in cumbria. The proposed woodhouse colliery coal mine is for the first deep coal mine in england in over 30 years. Speaking to mps on the business, energy and industrial strategy committee, mr kwarteng said there was tension about the decision to open the mine in light of the governments push to stop using coal. Lets have a listen to what he said earlier. Youre right, there is a slight tension between the decision to open this mine and our avowed intention to take coal off the gas grid. Ill just say a couple of things about this. Obviously, there are two types of coal were talking about. In terms of thermal coal, which is burnt for electricity generation, we want to take that off the grid by 2025 and we look to do so by 2024, so its a rare example of a government target actually being reached ahead of time, as it were. The coking coal, which is used in industrial processes, is a different issue, and there was a debate, i can be frank about that. There was a debate in the government about what we could do about this, but as you will know, mrjones, i mean, this was a local decision. This was a local planning decision. And the argument, i think, is a fair one, which says that we have steel processes, we have industrial processes which use coking coal, and if we dont have sources of coking coal in the uk, we would be importing those anyway, so the real mission, my mission as secretary of state is to try and decarbonise the industrial process, and weve got an industrial decarbonisation strategy coming out
in the First Quarter of this year. We have a clean steel fund, which is encouraging steel manufacturers to decarbonise their manufacturing process. But youre quite right, there is a slight tension between the opening of this mine and our avowed intention to decarbonise. Well, we can speak now to our energy and environment analyst, roger harrabin. Greta thunberg and other environmental campaigners would say it has more than a slight tension. They are livid about this. Then;r it has more than a slight tension. They are livid about this. They are. And it is extraordinary they are livid about this. They are. And it is extraordinary to they are livid about this. They are. And it is extraordinary to say they are livid about this. They are. And it is extraordinary to say a and it is extraordinary to say a slight tension. The government at the end of the year is hosting this huge un Climate Summit and ministers describe it has the Biggest International meeting ever held in the uk. As part of the preparations for the summit, the uk has actually launched an international coalition
called powering past cole and is starting to go out and tell people in other countries are not to burn coal. The government could have called a ten and over it if they wanted to. The fact that they have chosen not to, irrespective of where it is cooking coal or thermal coal has sent a shock wave around environmentalists coking coal who have caused this hypocrisy and asking other people to stop mining coal when it is starting to mine coal when it is starting to mine coal itself. Coal when it is starting to mine coal itself coal itself. Thank you for that u date. Coal itself. Thank you for that update. Lets coal itself. Thank you for that update. Lets pose coal itself. Thank you for that update. Lets pose and coal itself. Thank you for that update. Lets pose and have l coal itself. Thank you for that | update. Lets pose and have a coal itself. Thank you for that update. Lets pose and have a quick look at the Weather Forecast with chris. Hello there. Storm christoph is going to be bringing problems weather wise over the next few days. First of all, weve got rain. Well, weve already had over 30 hours worth of that across parts of north west wales, but by the time we get to thursday, some of our more hilly areas could see over 150 millimeters of rain. And of particular concern is this area where rivers are already running at high levels. The rain combined with melting snow causing problems with flooding and probably some severe flooding in places as well. Could be a few issues for wales and the midlands as well as that but overnight, the rain pretty much relentless across these northern and western areas. Well have a frost for northern scotland with showers and a risk of icy stretches, but for many across england and wales in particular, it stays mild. Now on into tomorrow, further outbreaks of rain, turning heavier across wales and northern england, so every hour that goes by, theres an increased threat of those Flooding Issues. Further north in scotland, brighter weather here. But through wednesday night, were going to see heavy snow and blizzards arrive for some. Hello, this is bbc news. The headlines. The uk records a further 1,610 daily covid deaths the highest figure reported in a single day since the pandemic began. New figures show the scale of coronavirus in the uk one in ten people had contracted covid 19 by the end of december, with care homes again on the front line. The vaccine has been the big thing that every provider is desperate to get into their services. The roll out is happening but not as quickly as we would all like. Nicola sturgeon says scotlands current lockdown restrictions are beginning to make a difference but will stay in place until at least the middle of february, with most School Pupils continuing to work from home. The pressure on the nhs continues to be very severe. In short, we are still in a very precarious position. Fortress washington as donald trump spends his last full day in office, america prepares for the inauguration of his successor. A new regulator will be set up to ensure the safety of Building Materials after evidence of malpractice is heard at the Grenfell Tower inquiry. Sport and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, heresjohn watson. India have been reflecting one of their greatest ever victories. The series win over australia clinched on the final day of the fourth test at the gabba in brisbane, without a number of their star names virat kohli to name one at a ground thats been something of a fortress for australia in recent years. Patrick geary reports. For india, the task could
hardly be more daunting. Up against history and velocity. And soon, without their opening batsmen not to mention their captain, at home on paternity leave india had been down and out, 36 all out earlier in the series. Just as well shubman gill did not dwell on the past. Brisbane means cricket at its most raw. Australia hunt here. Hit or be hit. Poor Cheteshwar Pujara was stuck with the latter. No matter, still not out. In brisbane, youre never safe. Gill gone, soon Ajinkya Rahane too. Not for nothing do they call this ground the gabba toir, a place of terror for tourists. But rishabh pant was not daunted. He was planning an escape, smashing india ever closer. Pujara went, agarwal followed, pant continued. A late indian wobble did not affect him one last glorious shot in a remarkable series. India incredible one more doubt over australias captain. Im loving doing myjob. Its a difficultjob, and at times like this it can be bloody hard work
when you are copping it left, right and centre, but thats what i signed up for. Weve got to keep perspective on it. Weve been outplayed. We had our chances to win the series and win this test match, and we did not take them. This has been a series you could not take your eyes off. And with the ashes approaching and the aussies losing, england will have watched with some interest. Patrick gearey, bbc news. Two players have tested positive for coronavirus, ahead of the Australian Open, as well as another person whos linked to the tournament. The news comes amid growing frustration from players under the most strict quarantine rules. Great britains Katie Boulter is one of the lucky ones allowed to leave their rooms to practice for up to five hours a day. She says they all have to appreciate the bigger picture. I think we need to keep things in perspective. There is a lot going on in the world right now that is more important. Obviously, this means everything to me and i am lucky and privileged to be in the position i am,
but i have come from a country which is struggling so much with coronavirus and just to be in a country which doesnt have any, i think it is important that we respect that and im very lucky to be here and that is how i feel about it at the moment. Bath rugby have been forced to close their Training Ground after a covid outbreak at the club. All players and staff are isolating at home after a number of positive tests were returned this morning. Due to the cancellation of the final two rounds of European Champions Cup Group games, baths next fixture isnt until the 29th january when they face local rivals bristol. There are two premier League Fixtures this evening. Leicester and chelsea at the king power, while west brom are looking to close the gap on those above them at the bottom. They beat local rivals wolves on saturday and go to west ham tonight. We are still in a massively difficult position. We are still
under and we difficult position. We are still underand we are difficult position. We are still under and we are still drowning. The only way we get our head above water is to get to the same points. When you win two games on the trot at this time of the year that becomes massive because that puts the fear of god in everyone else above us. As we mentioned, leicester could go top if they beat chelsea tonight. The foxes are unbeaten in their last five premier league games but Brendan Rodgers is refusing to get carried away. You do not get too carried away at this stage. There are still so many games to go. It is a consistent run of form. But whatever form you are in, that does not matter, you have to have a hunger and a desire, and thatis to have a hunger and a desire, and that is something that thankfully the players show every day, and because they are so young, they want to improve. I want them to continue with that mindset. And the former Norway International hege riise will coach englands women at their february Training Camp following phil nevilles early departure to inter miami. Riise is her countrys most capped player, winning the world cup and European Championship in the 1990s, as well as gold at the sydney olympics. She moved into coaching with the usa team, and then a club side in norway. The netherlands boss Sarina Wiegman takes over permanently in september. Thats all the sport for now. Englands deputy chief medical officer has confirmed that schools in areas with high Covid Infection figures are likely to stay closed longer than those in places with a lower number of cases. Drjenny harries told the Education Select Committee that there could be a regional approach to re opening schools at the end of the national lockdown. She said the level of infection in the community would continue to be monitored ahead of any decision to reopen after half term. The ambition should always be that schools should be open whenever that is appropriate because we all know how important education is for children. There is a caveat with that around the current epidemiology. I know the department for education and work closely with the department of health and social care to make sure that information is fed in. The reason i give a caveat is, and i am sure you and the public in general are very aware, that we have very recently seen very high rates of infection in our community, and of course we are trying to understand the implications of new variants of coronavirus. With those caveats, it is a time frame that allows us to continue to monitor the infection rates and see the direction of travel, but it will continue to be observed and reviewed up until that time period. Dr clare wenham is an assistant professor of Global Health policy and the London School of economics. How important is it to get the school is open again as soon as possible. It school is open again as soon as ossible. ,. ,. ,. , possible. It is vital to our society. Possible. It is vital to our society, vital possible. It is vital to our society, vital to possible. It is vital to our society, vital to our possible. It is vital to our society, vital to our children, their education, well being, Mental Health, social skills. The question should be how do the open safely. We need to know that when they open there will still be risks involved in that so how can we make sure schools are empowered and funded to be able to do things like implement good social distancing, have a smaller class sizes, have good ventilation, those are the key things we should be asking of government now. Things we should be asking of government now. ,. ,. ,. , government now. How much damage do ou think government now. How much damage do you think School Government now. How much damage do you think School Closures government now. How much damage do you think School Closures are government now. How much damage do you think School Closures are doing you think School Closures are doing to our children and young people . L to our children and young people . I do not think we know the answer to that yet. The ramifications of having a large chunk of time out of school is going to have a longer
term effect and we do not know that because we have not been through this before, to understand the lockdown effects. But we should not just focus on the impact on schools. On the children, sorry. When schools close the ramifications are wider. We have seen a disproportionate impact on working mothers. Seven out of ten working mothers, last week according to a survey, were not granted farrell on childcare grounds by their employers. That means these women are having to take unpaid leave which might be financially disastrous, or increasingly they are working around the clock, getting up at five oclock in the morning, working until one oclock in the morning to balance paid work with childcare responsibilities. We have to think about this more holistically. Were not granted furlough on childcare grounds. In terms of haves and have nots, people who do not have laptops, who do not have great broadband and so on . We do not have great broadband and so on . ~ do not have great broadband and so on . 2. , do not have great broadband and so on . ,. ,. , on . We saw a cross that last year the entrenchment on . We saw a cross that last year the entrenchment of on . We saw a cross that last year the entrenchment of inequalities | the entrenchment of inequalities that covid is compounding. This is another one. Children who are at home who have got a parent you can sit with them to make sure they are doing the home schooling and have the facilities to do that than have access to computers or whatever they need are going to be developing much better than those children, children of key workers, parents are having to work full time and have not got energy to spend with them, or have not got the resources. We have to try and figure out ways to get those services to children and make sure that when they come back those children who have been disadvantaged are given all the support so that they can catch up as quickly as
possible. We have talked a lot about schools. Universities, also a huge hole in the education of University Students. L the education of University Students the education of University Students. ,. ,. Students. Iagree. Iam a lecturer m self, students. Iagree. Iam a lecturer myself. I students. Iagree. Iam a lecturer myself. I am students. Iagree. Iam a lecturer myself, i am living students. Iagree. Iam a lecturer myself, i am living the students. Iagree. Iam a lecturer myself, i am living the effects. Students. Iagree. Iam a lecturer myself, i am living the effects of| myself, i am living the effects of that. Different effects for University Students who are able to learn independently, who are able to learn independently, who are able to learn online, compared to Primary School children who are not able to interact for hours on end facing a screen in the same way. There are certain groups who are more affected by this and our focus should be on those children. News from the United States. Ahead of Inauguration Day we were talking about the huge presence of National Guard officers in washington to preserve security. There was talk of
a possible, the number of Trump Supporters with violent intentions being amongst the security forces, and we have just heard that two National Guard officers have been pulled from inauguration duty after vetting, according to Us Government officials, two National Guard officers being pulled from inauguration duty. There has been a lot of vetting going on off security personnel in washington. That is the result, it seems. More on that as it comes into us. Oxford university has been given £100 million for a new institute dedicated to research into antibiotic resistance. The donation by the chemicals company, ineos, is one of the largest in the universitys history. Researchers will develop new drugs and promote more responsible use of the antibiotics we have, as antibiotic resistant superbugs become more common. With me now is david sweetnam, he is an adviser to the ineos oxford institute. Antibiotic resistance, that can kill 1. 5 Million People per year at is projected to kill more by the year 2050. , ,. ,. , projected to kill more by the year 2050. ,. ,. ,. 2050. This is important research. This is incredibly 2050. This is important research. This is incredibly important 2050. This is important research. This is incredibly important not i this is incredibly important not least because of the scale. It is the same scale as covid. This is more of a sue nami, it is building slowly, but numbers of deaths across the globe this is more of a tsunami. Total deaths from cancer. Once covid hopefully leaves as we
must face the fact we have a dwindling supply of antibiotics to treat infections, it is important to do the groundwork now. Share treat infections, it is important to do the groundwork now. Treat infections, it is important to do the groundwork now. Are we about these big global do the groundwork now. Are we about these big Global Health do the groundwork now. Are we about these big Global Health issues do the groundwork now. Are we about these big Global Health issues more i these big Global Health issues more because of covid . Our minds have been concentrated . That because of covid . Our minds have been concentrated . Because of covid . Our minds have been concentrated . That is a good oint. The been concentrated . That is a good point. The answer been concentrated . That is a good point. The answer is been concentrated . That is a good point. The answer is yes. Been concentrated . That is a good point. The answer is yes. There i been concentrated . That is a good point. The answer is yes. There is | point. The answer is yes. There is such a thing as a Silver Lining to the covid, which there probably is not, it is that we should be thinking ahead. The only reason we have prospect of getting out of lockdown is because there has been some brilliant scientists across the world, not least in oxford and cambridge, who have been doing Ground Breaking work for decades to stop that Ground Breaking work has created the foundation on which the vaccines that are going to help us have come. If we do not do that
foundation homework now, and this growing menace of bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics, we risk leaving we risk returning to the world of our grandparents, a chest infection, a cat, you could die. This is a generous grant. One of the biggest in the history of oxford university, if not the biggest. Ls university, if not the biggest. I2 it enough . The answer is, it is enough. I have worked as an adviser and met the board. They did not take much persuading. They have been ludicrously generous in supporting this first class scientific institute. This is seed capital. The
sums involved in getting a new drug to actual use are colossal. This is a securing tenure for five years at oxford which means we can attract Brilliant Minds from around the world to work in this institute, to join the leaders of the leaders in theirfield. The governments to set up a new regulator for the Construction Industry with powers to ban the use of dangerous Building Materials. The decision comes after deeply disturbing evidence of malpractice was heard at the inquiry into the Grenfell Tower disaster. The regulator will be able to remove any products from the market that pose a safety risk and prosecute any companies that are found to be flouting rules. Campaigners are bringing a judicial review for indirect sexual discrimination on thursday. They say the way the self employed income support scheme is calculated by averaging out profits between 2016 to 2019 is unfair to around 75,000 women whove taken Maternity Leave in that period. The government insists using a three year average is the best way of reflecting a self employed workers income. Jess sims is a mum of four and a freelance singing teacher affected by the scheme. Give as your thoughts on this. I was affected by this. The three years that were chosen, two of them i was on Maternity Leave for. When they worked out the average of 80 and then 70 of my income, i received about one quarter of what i would have received had they not been on Maternity Leave during those
years. Been on Maternity Leave during those ears,. ,. , been on Maternity Leave during those ears. ,. ,. , years. Campaigners are bringing a udicial years. Campaigners are bringing a judicial review years. Campaigners are bringing a judicial review on years. Campaigners are bringing a judicial review on this. Years. Campaigners are bringing a judicial review on this. What years. Campaigners are bringing a judicial review on this. What are i judicial review on this. What are the chances of success . I am hopeful of success. When you look at it, it is a blatant six discrimination. If i were a man i would not have lost any of that money. Would not have lost any of that mone. , would not have lost any of that mone ,. , would not have lost any of that mone. , money. Tell as about the campaign and what is money. Tell as about the campaign and what is behind money. Tell as about the campaign and what is behind it. Money. Tell as about the campaign and what is behind it. The money. Tell as about the campaign | and what is behind it. The campaign is run b a and what is behind it. The campaign is run by a wonderful and what is behind it. The campaign is run by a wonderful charity, is run by a wonderful charity, campaigning tirelessly throughout the pandemic on a number of different issues to do with partners in labour wards and also this indirect discrimination on income support schemes for women who have had children and were on maternity
leave. They have been an amazing support for lots of women, and 75,000 women have been affected by this particular thing. This particular thing. Indirect sexual discrimination, this particular thing. Indirect sexual discrimination, is this particular thing. Indirectj sexual discrimination, is this deliberate, accidental . How would you characterise the motivation behind it . The chancellor described Maternity Leave is the same as sick leave or holiday. That is evidence that perhaps the government are not completely aware of what Maternity Leave entails. It is an unpaid job thatis leave entails. It is an unpaid job that is 24 7, no sick pay, no holiday pay, a thankless task at times. To describe it as a holiday is insulting to those of us who are trying to raise children to be functioning members of society. You are busy very
functioning members of society. You are busy very angry about this . I functioning members of society. You are busy very angry about this . I am j are busy very angry about this . I am are busy very angry about this . I am a little angry are busy very angry about this . I am a little angry about are busy very angry about this . I am a little angry about it are busy very angry about this . I n a little angry about it because i think we cannot argue that if i was a man and i was self employed and i was asked to give my earnings for those three years, i would have received a far bigger payout from the government than i myself have received. Good to talk to you. Thank you for giving us your thoughts. The four criminaljustice watchdogs for england and wales have warned that the huge backlog of court cases caused by the pandemic risks damaging the legal system for years to come. Thousands of cases may not go before a jury until next year. Dominic casciani reports. Deaths that shocked a nation, 39 vietnamese migrants suffocated in a lorry as they hoped for a new life in the uk. A crime that demanded justice. But thatjustice was delayed not once but twice as the prosecution
of people smugglers was halted by the pandemic. A witness fell ill on day one and then later, a juror twice had to isolate. More than a week of expensive old bailey time lost. And its delays like this on top of a complete halt to jury trials at the start of the crisis that has led four watchdogs to warn of grave concerns over the state of criminaljustice. There is now a backlog of 457,000 cases in all criminal courts in england and wales. 54,000 serious cases are waiting for a date in the crown courts. That means there are trials in 2022 for crimes detected last year. The four inspectorates say these delays are having a damaging effect over the whole ofjustice. Theres been a 35 increase in the waiting times for the Crown Court Trials for someone pleading not guilty and as i said, that means victims are having to wait until 2022 which is a huge concern to us. And its notjust the watchdogs making this unprecedented call for the government
to take urgent action. From lawyers through to charities, experts warn time is running out to prevent lasting damage to criminaljustice and to lives. So we are concerned that where there are continued delays in the system, victims may choose not to continue to engage in the process. There is a real risk thatjustice delayed could bejustice denied and the long wait for trials might lead to victims dropping out of the criminaljustice process altogether or perhaps being unwilling to engage again in the future. Crown court trials in england and wales are now sitting with covid Safety Measures in place, jurors are separated by plastic screens. The government has also opened so called nightingale courts to hear cases where defendants dont need to be in cells. The ministry ofjustice says its pouring £450 million into the courts to help ease the crisis. There are already signs the backlog of minor cases is beginning to fall. But critics say far more is needed
to solve a problem that is chronic and has been years in the making. Dominic casciani, bbc news. Mps are continuing their inquiry into the streaming music market looking at whether artists are paid fairly by Services Like spotify and apple music. Theyve heard from industry experts, artists, and today the bosses of the warner, sony and universal record labels have been giving evidence. Colin paterson reports. The current number one single, drivers license, streamed in the uk last week 10. 9 million times, plays which will earn the 17 year old american and her collaborator an estimated £32,000. This morning the bosses of the uks three major record labels were being asked by mps if acts are being paid enough for their songs being streamed. At a previous hearing, the singer nadine shah argued that her earnings were so small, despite a Mercury Prize nomination, that she had to move back with her parents. There are lots of ways to approach this, streaming is not perfect yet, there are lots of ways and i have tonnes of ideas of how to improve streaming for artists. The ivors, representing songwriters, were watching along and not impressed. The record bosses refuted this. Modern deals are difficult, i do license deals, distribution deals, copyright deals, Different Things are important to different artists. The bosses spoke about how
profits are used to invest in developing new artists, but only one debut album released by a british act last year went silver, meaning sales of more than 60,000, it was only the 62nd bestselling album of the year and the organisation which makes sure artists are paid said there was a problem. Better deals need to be done to support the overall industry, notjust Record Companies but the thousands of performers struggling to make a living given the competition and the lower value of the overall marketplace. New acts, many struggling to make a living and finding themselves up against all time greats. Now its time for a look at the weather. Hello, there. We are likely to see some disruptive weather from storm christoph over the next few days. First of all, weve got rain. It has already been raining for over 30 hours straight in parts of snowdonia in wales, but the rain is still coming in and we have a lot more of that to come over the next few days. By the time we get to thursday, some of our more hilly areas could see over 150 millimetres of rain. This area is a particular concern because rivers in this kind of area are already flowing at high levels, with the rain combining with snow melt likely to lead to flooding and potentially some severe flooding as well. There could be flooding elsewhere there could be a few issues, for example, in wales and the midlands. It will be mild with the rain. Probably not too much rain for south east england. Brighter skies and showers in the north of scotland, where it stays pretty cold. Overnight tonight, outbreaks of rain continue. Turning heavier later in the night across parts of wales, all the while quite windy. But pretty mild for much of the country. The colder air still in scotland, where there will be frost and the risk of icy stretches to start the day on wednesday. For wednesday, more of the same. More heavy rain. It will get heavier, if anything, as low pressure pushes its way northwards and eastwards. Particularly heavy across wales and northern england, those are the areas that are saturated, so every hour that goes by will increase the risk of flooding. And we still have those temperature contrasts from south to north. For wednesday night, we will start to see the rain start to fall as snow in scotland. At lower levels, between five and ten centimetres that could cause a few issues. But, over the higher ground, we are looking at over a foot of snow in places. I would suggest it is not a night to be travelling, because even once the snowploughs have pushed through, snow will blow back onto those roads in the strong winds. We may well see vehicles getting stranded and some communities getting cut off. Through thursday, a risk of snow extends into the hills of northern england. We could see some accumulations here. It will be feeling colder for all of us and it will be very windy. For the next few days, a lot happening weather wise. We are likely to see Flooding Issues in parts of england in particular, then blizzards on the way to parts of scotland both are likely to cause disruption. This is bbc news, im ben brown. The headlines at 5pm. The uk records a further 1,610 daily covid deaths the highest figure reported in a single day since the pandemic began. New figures show the scale of coronavirus in the uk. The number of people in the uk with covid 19 antibodies doubled between october and december to one in ten people. Nicola sturgeon says scotlands current lockdown restrictions are beginning to make a difference, but will stay in place until at least the middle of february, with most School Pupils continuing to work from home. The pressure on the national Health Service continues to be very severe. In short, we are still in a very