This is bbc news with the latest headlines. A proposal to pay £500 to everyone who tests positive for covid 19 will be considered by ministers as they look for ways to encourage more people to stick to the rules. We have always had the £500 support payment for those on certain benefits. We have always kept that under review. We know that it is sometimes quite challenging to ask people to isolate for that length of time. We want to hear your thoughts on the possibility of payments to boost self isolation rates. Do you support them . Do you think theyll make a difference . Do get in touch with me on twitter Annita Mcveigh and use bbcyourquestions, and ill try to read out some of your comments. British retail sales saw their largest annual fall
in history last year as the impact of the pandemic took its toll. Japanese car maker nissan has told the bbc its sunderland plant is secure for the long term, because of the post brexit trade deal. Google threatens to withdraw its Search Engine from australia if the government passes a law forcing tech giants to pay local media for their content. And coming up this hour the release of the nextJames Bond Film has been delayed for a third time, because of the coronavirus pandemic. Anyone who tests positive for coronavirus could be given £500 to self isolate under plans being discussed by ministers. The leaked document from the department of health says the one off payment would be given to people to encourage them to get a test and stay at home. Under the proposals, introducing a £500 universal payment would cost the treasury £453 million a week. Thats more than 12 times the cost of the current scheme given to low paid workers told to self isolate. That initiative has faced widespread criticism after three quarters of applications for the current £500 grant were rejected. There are concerns the current Financial Support is not enough, and that some low paid workers cannot afford to self isolate. Andy moore reports. Its the news nobody wants to hear that they have to isolate because theyve tested positive. And the evidence is that many people dont follow that advice. A recent study from University College london found more than a third of people didnt
isolate for the recommended number of days when they developed symptoms of covid 19, while less than half of people who developed symptoms said theyd requested a test. A £500 payment is available for the lowest paid, but it can be difficult to get. This new suggestion is that there would be a universal payment of £500 to anyone who needed to self isolate because theyve tested positive. This is one of a number of proposals being looked at to revamp the current system. In the meantime, the government is keen to do whatever it can to reduce transmission rates. And so there was this announcement from the home secretary. Today i can announce that next week we will be introducing a new £800 fine for those attending house parties, which will double for each repeat offence to a maximum level of £6,400. These fines will apply to those who attend illegal gatherings of more than 15 people in homes. In Northern Ireland, coronavirus lockdown restrictions will be extended until at least the 5th of march, the first and deputy first ministers have said. But ministers were also told that restrictions may have to remain in place until after the easter holidays. The westminster government hasnt set any date for the lifting of restrictions in england. The scottish and welsh administrations are expected to give updates today. New cases are continuing to fall, with government figures showing there were 37,892 new infections recorded in the latest 24 hour period. 1,290 deaths were reported. A record 363,508 people were vaccinated in the latest 24 hour period, bringing the total number whove had their first dose to nearly five million. Another casualty of the restrictions is the Glastonbury Festival in somerset in june. Its the second year in a row that
its been cancelled, but the organisers said they were very confident 2022 would be a very special year. Andy moore, bbc news. Lets get more from our Political Correspondent ben wright at westminster. I think it is fair to call this an idea rather than a plan at the moment, isnt it . Idea rather than a plan at the moment, isnt it . Yes, thats right. It comes from moment, isnt it . Yes, thats right. It comes from a moment, isnt it . Yes, thats right. It comes from a report moment, isnt it . Yes, thats right. It comes from a report to moment, isnt it . Yes, thats right. It comes from a report to the it comes from a report to the guardian has this morning reporting on a leaked draft document that they said had been drawn up by officials with this in the mix as a potential idf are trying to get as many people as possible first of all to go and get a covid test if they are symptomatic and then of course to self isolate if they do have covid. The government already has as part of its strategy financial incentives in place to help people on low incomes who might be worried about the consequences to family finances
if they cannot work for ten days. There is the nhs test and trace support Payment Scheme which is for people who cannot work from home and they can claim a number of benefits and are on a low income can claim a £500 payment to help them through their self isolation. There is a separate Discretionary Fund that enables people to get a 500 pain payment but the proposal being talked about today is to make that universal that anyone who contracts covid would get this money. The environment secretary was talking about this this morning and he said this issue was always under review. We have always had the £500 support payment for those on certain benefits. We have always kept that under review. We know that it is sometimes quite challenging to ask people to isolate for that length of time. Of course, at the moment
we are in a full lockdown anyway so while people can leave to work in many cases people will be staying home anyway, but we constantly keep this under review. We have got to consider all sorts of policies in order to make sure people abide by the rules, are able to abide by the rules, and we get the infection rate down. Ido i do not think this is going anywhere, certainly not today. A government source told me this paper was drawn up by officials. It has not been anywhere near the Prime Minister and i think there is concern in government bills about the huge cost this would entail for the huge cost this would entail for the treasury of this was made a universal payment for everybody self isolating but also that it could create perverse incentives, have the opposite effect from the one the government was trying to achieve. It doesnt feel to me at the moment that this is going anywhere but the issue of financial incentives, trying to get people to self isolate, is clearly a very live discussion within government. Selfisolate, is clearly a very live discussion within government. Thank ou ve discussion within government. Thank you very much discussion within government. Thank you very much for discussion within government. Thank you very much for that. Martin mckee is professor of European Public health
at the London School of hygiene and tropical medicine, also a member of independent sage. Do you think the fact that this idea, the fact it is being discussed, if not exactly a plan yet, as an acceptance among some in government circles that the current tenants, the £500 grant, we have heard lots of people are being done being turned down for, and the test and trace support, are not working . I hope it is. From liverpool from the detailed pilot and the excellent work that has been done up there. What this proposal would do would be to bring speed and a certainty and this was highlighted in your interviewers. A lot of people who have been applying for the payment that believe that they were eligible have found they are being turned down. The other problem is people are not going further to be tested because they are concerned about the
financial implications. This has a lot of potential. We need to see the details. 0ne lot of potential. We need to see the details. One of the fundamental weaknesses in the find, test, trace, isolate, support system is above all the isolation and the support has really been a gap. The isolation and the support has really been a gap. Even if the test and trace element really been a gap. Even if the test and trace element was really been a gap. Even if the test and trace element was working i really been a gap. Even if the test and trace element was working at i and trace element was working at full tilt and everyone was playing their part in that, this is another issue entirely, isnt it . Getting people to accept and say they can afford indeed to isolate. We people to accept and say they can afford indeed to isolate. Afford indeed to isolate. We know from liverpool afford indeed to isolate. We know from liverpool that afford indeed to isolate. We know from liverpool that the afford indeed to isolate. We know from liverpool that the most from liverpool that the most deprived areas people were not coming forward to be tested in anything like the numbers should have been but also the work you referred to from ucl and elsewhere has highlighted best real problem are not many people simply cannot afford to isolate, and that i think
it is also absolutely critical that it is also absolutely critical that it is also absolutely critical that it is universal because i know that has been quite controversial, because we need the speed, the certainty, and we need to remember that wealthier people will say they do not need the money, that is true, but for the very wealthy, 40 to 50 will go back in tax anyway, so it will go back in tax anyway, so it will be much less, and we have to be cautious with the figures because if we can get the isolation and support system working the number of cases will fall. This is a disease that either goes up rapidly or down rapidly and if we get the numbers right down that will be a success, it will be a win in terms of health and the financial implications. find and the financial implications. And our first and the financial implications. And your first answer and the financial implications. And your first answer you said we need speed and certainty. Does the government have much time that this is going to be given serious consideration to do this because one would imagine if they are trying to make all of this dovetail with
positive impacts from more people getting vaccinations it all needs to happen pretty quickly . Unfortunately the track record happen pretty quickly . Unfortunately the track record of happen pretty quickly . Unfortunately the track record of this happen pretty quickly . Unfortunately the track record of this government l the track record of this government has been to do everything right from the very beginning so i am not terribly optimistic and we have to look at the role of the treasury in this who launched the eat 0ut look at the role of the treasury in this who launched the eat out to help 0ut programme which clearly spread the virus during the summer. Many of these actions have not been particularly helpful. I hope the department of health will be able to make the argument very effectively in cabinet but i think this is a very good idea. There will be positioned within treasury but we need to push back a little bit and see their interventions have not always been particularly helpful. Thank you very much indeed, from the London School of hygiene and tropical medicine. A lot of you have been getting in touch. Peter says better to find people 500 parents who do not self isolate. I am sure a
lot of people would agree but the issueis lot of people would agree but the issue is how do you make sure people are self isolating . It is difficult to track everyone. The next one from hugh, those breaking covid like they are being targeted to get her payment will encourage those in this group to get covid. A few on a similar vein, group to get covid. A few on a similarvein, the group to get covid. A few on a similar vein, the £500 payment will mean people ignoring the rules even more in the hope that they will get the virus because they do not think it is serious. David says make the payments but removes s breaking the rules if someone is found to still be breaking the rules, anything to get rid of this virus. Keep your thoughts coming in. Thank you if you have already sent bills. You can do so on twitter. And the Prime Minister will be leading todays coronavirus downing street briefing at 5 oclock this afternoon. Well bring that to you live
on bbc one and the bbc news channel. Nissan has told the bbc that its plant in sunderland is now secure. The carmarker says the trade agreement reached between the uk and the eu was positive. Chief operating officer Ashwani Gupta said around 7,000 jobs in the uk were safe, and by implication tens of thousands more across the supply chain. Mr gupta has been speaking to our Business Editor simonjack, from nissans headquarters injapan. The sunderland plant being one of the best plants we have in the world, more than 25 years of history, we have invested more than £4 billion in this plant and we spend £3. 5 billion every year which goes to the uk economy. We are going to redefine the Auto Industry in the United Kingdom because brexit makes Nissan Sunderland plant competitive in the uk and outside of the uk
when it comes to exports. Im joined now by david bailey professor of business economics at the Birmingham Business school and an expert on the car industry. Uncertainty has been hanging over the plant for some time. This will be music to the ears notjust for the employees but to those in the local economy. The employees but to those in the local economy the employees but to those in the local econom. ,. ,. , ~ local economy. Very much so. A huge dose of goodness local economy. Very much so. A huge dose of goodness at local economy. Very much so. A huge dose of goodness at last local economy. Very much so. A huge dose of goodness at last at local economy. Very much so. A huge dose of goodness at last at nissan. I dose of goodness at last at nissan. Take uncertainty about the future of the plant. It was not long ago the boss of nissan in europe said their whole Business Model would be undermined if there was no deal. Meaning they can still make cars profitably at nissan. What we also had another very interesting interview is that nissan will be bringing more battery production to the uk to make sure there is enough
local content and some of the cars at sunderland. Tell local content and some of the cars at sunderland. At sunderland. Tell us about the detail of this at sunderland. Tell us about the detail of this and at sunderland. Tell us about the detail of this and why at sunderland. Tell us about the detail of this and why nissan detail of this and why nissan believes the deal with the eu is enough to commit to what they call the long term in sunderland. The deal means the long term in sunderland. Tue deal means there the long term in sunderland. Tte deal means there are the long term in sunderland. Tt2 deal means there are no tariffs on imports and exports of cars and components. In the event of no deal i think that would have been utterly catastrophic for the uk car industry to the point where some of the big plants like nissan will ultimately have left. The deal has avoided that. There are still extra costs from the deal in terms of what we call nontariff barriers like Customs Declarations and possible delays but nissan is effectively saying they can deal with that so there is a Business Case for going ahead with, for example, production of the nissan. A hugely successful car,
probably the most exported car from the uk. Nissan is seeing they can connect to the uk for the short term. There is a big part, which is that they have enough batteries from the battery plant at sunderland in the battery plant at sunderland in the short term. In the longer term we are going to have to see much more investment in battery making in the uk. � , more investment in battery making in the uk. ~ ,. , more investment in battery making in theuk. ~ , more investment in battery making in theuk. ~ the uk. Broadly and symbolically as we look to a the uk. Broadly and symbolically as we look to a greener the uk. Broadly and symbolically as we look to a greener future, the uk. Broadly and symbolically as we look to a greener future, how i we look to a greener future, how important is best for the uk for uk Business Environment generally . Hugely important. It says nissan can make cars profitably in the uk. It will be going electric in the future. The big question is what will happen at other car plants . For example the bringing together of the usual and fiat, the Investment Decisions are still hanging in the air, so some big Investment Decision still to come, but today at least
this is very good news indeed. Thank ou ve this is very good news indeed. Thank you very much the headlines on bbc news. A proposal to pay £500 to everyone who tests positive for covid i9 will be considered by ministers as they look for ways to encourage more people to stick to the rules. British retail sales saw their largest annual fall in history last year as the impact of the pandemic took its toll. Japanese car maker nissan has told the bbc its sunderland plant is secure for the long term, because of the post brexit trade deal. Last year saw a record drop in annual retail Sales Volumes according to new figures from the office for national statistics. Sales fell by 1. 9 the largest year on year fall since records began in 1997. Clothes shops have been
hit particularly hard with a record annual fall of more than a quarter. Retail sales grew in december but the growth was less than had been expected retail Sales Volumes rose byjust 0. 3 compared with the previous month. It comes as uk government borrowing hit £34. 1 billion last month the highest december figure on record. The figures come ahead of the chancellors budget on 3rd march. Ben thompson is on Oxford Street in Central London for us this morning. A very quiet 0xford a very quiet Oxford Street. We are getting used to that. Trying to find some good news, there was not much, a tiny increase in retail sales in december. Did the volume of sales shifter november perhaps as people were trying to get their Christmas Shopping done well in advance . Yeah. Shopping done well in advance . Yeah, there are some shopping done well in advance . Yeah, there are some glimmers shopping done well in advance . Yeah, there are some glimmers of shopping done well in advance . Tc t there are some glimmers of good news in this but as you said pretty tough reading for any retailers right now
but perhaps no great surprise. We know nonessential retail was closed for a good chunk of the year so even if he wanted to go out and shop you could not. The good news is for any retailer that had an Online Presence they did pretty well. The proportion of sales we get online was up by about 45 over the course of the year, suggesting because we couldnt get out onto the high street, we were all at home, clicking and getting it delivered, and because it is at home it is easier to get those parcels delivered. So much for retailers to contend with. 0rdinarily they would make most of their money in the lucrative run up to christmas which gets burned through the leaner months of january, february and march. November was a bit of a bright spot and they were able to salvage a couple of weeks of december across large parts of the country before the additional restrictions came into place. But the start of this year does look a bit bleak. The
british Retail Consortium was calling 2020 the worst year on record for retail. They suggest about 180,000 jobs were lost and it is probably going to get worse before it gets better. Debenhams is an administration, its big store around the corner is one of five that will not open. Topshop just this side of Oxford Street is also an administration. Topshop, dorothy perkins, miss selfridge, bertens, theirfuture perkins, miss selfridge, bertens, their future remains perkins, miss selfridge, bertens, theirfuture remains in doubt. Last night next, one of the big names in the frame to buy topshop, pulled out of that race, saying it was too expensive and they were no longer interested. The future for those brands remains in doubt although we expect topshop will find a buyer. Tt expect topshop will find a buyer. It would be difficult to imagine Oxford Street without that iconic headline stauffer topshop. Talking more
broadly, uk government borrowing £34. 1 billion last month. At that in context especially as we look to whether the government can offer more support whether to retail or other sectors. More support whether to retail or other sectors more support whether to retail or other sectors. Yes, we are talking about these other sectors. Yes, we are talking about these numbers. Other sectors. Yes, we are talking about these numbers. They i other sectors. Yes, we are talking about these numbers. They are i about these numbers. They are astronomical. £34 billion was borrowed. The highest december figure on record, the third highest for any month. If you look at the year as a whole, and remember we are not at the end of the Financial Year, which ends in march, the figure coming in pretty substantially, £270 billion we are on track for this Financial Year, thatis on track for this Financial Year, that is 212 billion more than last year. It gets you a sense of how much money this pandemic is coasting. Quite rightly the government says it is supporting business to make sure they are therefore the long term. Getting them through what it sees as a
temporary patch to come out the other side stronger and all the while it is spending money spending on things like test and trace infrastructure, support mechanisms for all of us, job support schemes, furlough, grants for businesses, all of that adding up. At the same time it is not getting in the same amount of money it usually would through income tax from all of us earning money, maybe we are earning less or not it back as much. Businesses paying less in Corporation Tax because they are not as successful and vat bills have had to be cut for and vat bills have had to be cut for a lot of businesses to try to give them a boost so we are spending a lot more, the government is earning less and therefore it needs to turn to the markets to borrow a bit of extra cash to see everyone through. Some astronomical figures. Very difficult to get our head around and i do not think we will see the extent of them until the end of the Financial Year but pretty
staggering, £270 billion borrowed so far, 212 billion more than last year. Crazy figures. Far, 212 billion more than last year. Crazy figures. Thank you for t in to year. Crazy figures. Thank you for trying to put year. Crazy figures. Thank you for trying to put that year. Crazy figures. Thank you for trying to put that into year. Crazy figures. Thank you for trying to put that into some i year. Crazy figures. Thank you for trying to put that into some sort. Year. Crazy figures. Thank you for. Trying to put that into some sort of context for us. Police in east london broke up in a Wedding Party with 400 guests last night and gave the organiser is a £10,000 fine. 0fficers the organiser is a £10,000 fine. Officers found the windows at a Girls Grammar School had been covered when they arrived at 915 last night. Guests fled the scene when officers arrived. Metropolitan Police Statement says there was clear evidence of a wedding having taken place. The organisers would given a £10,000 fine under coronavirus regulations. 0ther coronavirus regulations. Other guests issued with smaller fines. A
400 strong Wedding Group broken up last night by police in east london. More rain and flooding could be on the way for areas already hit hard by bad weather this week. Flood warnings remain in place, after thousands of people had to be evacuated from their homes in england and wales. 0ur correspondent adam mcclean is in northwich near chester. Whats it like there adam . We can certainly see plenty of water. , we can certainly see plenty of water. ,. ,. ,. , we can certainly see plenty of water. ,. ,. , water. The cleanup operation is continuing water. The cleanup operation is continuing here water. The cleanup operation is continuing here in water. The cleanup operation is continuing here in northwich i water. The cleanup operation isj continuing here in northwich this morning. Tractors have been tilling huge water tankers in and out every couple of minutes to take excess water away from this area. What it is being pumped back towards the river behind me. The floodwater has caused devastation to properties and businesses here in northwich and the Environment Agency have been here since tuesday. Dave brown is the flood risk manager. What is the
situation at the minute . Tt is flood risk manager. What is the situation at the minute . It is an improving situation at the minute . It is an improving situation. Situation at the minute . It is an improving situation. We situation at the minute . It is an improving situation. We have i situation at the minute . It is an improving situation. We have a| improving situation. We have a situation improving situation. We have a situation where the high water levels situation where the high water levels we experienced yesterday, the highest levels we experienced yesterday, the highest levels ever recorded, which we kept highest levels ever recorded, which we kept behind our flood defences, are on we kept behind our flood defences, are on the we kept behind our flood defences, are on the way down, and effectively that is are on the way down, and effectively that is an are on the way down, and effectively that is an improving situation but the problems brought word that the surface the problems brought word that the surface Water Infrastructure was unable surface Water Infrastructure was unable to surface Water Infrastructure was unable to cope with that amount of rainfall unable to cope with that amount of rainfall in unable to cope with that amount of rainfall in that small space of time and we rainfall in that small space of time and we then had a problem of surface water and we then had a problem of surface water rising and we then had a problem of surface water rising on the other side of the defences which has caused problems to businesses. Practically sueakin , problems to businesses. Practically speaking. How problems to businesses. Practically speaking. How do problems to businesses. Practically speaking, how do you problems to businesses. Practically speaking, how do you even problems to businesses. Practically speaking, how do you even begin i problems to businesses. Practically| speaking, how do you even begin to deal with this amount of water . What is taking place at the minute . Brute is taking place at the minute . We are trying to overcome the surface water are trying to overcome the surface water back are trying to overcome the surface water back to the reversal when the river level water back to the reversal when the river level is water back to the reversal when the river level is low the surface water can drain river level is low the surface water can drain to river level is low the surface water can drain to the river and when it
is high can drain to the river and when it is high end can drain to the river and when it is high end gets locked so it cannot come is high end gets locked so it cannot come back is high end gets locked so it cannot come back but it means that cannot et come back but it means that cannot get away come back but it means that cannot get away which creates a problem and the rest getaway which creates a problem and the rest of get away which creates a problem and the rest of the infrastructure sometimes struggles and with the amount sometimes struggles and with the amount of info we have seen that has caused amount of info we have seen that has caused the amount of info we have seen that has caused the problem. All of the authorities combined, local authority and the water company, involved authority and the water company, involved with pumping that back and we have involved with pumping that back and we have contingency in place before the storm we have contingency in place before the storm but the sheer scale of the rainfall the storm but the sheer scale of the rainfall and the storm but the sheer scale of the rainfall and the amount of rainfall has caused that to be overwhelmed. Is has caused that to be overwhelmed. Is this has caused that to be overwhelmed. Is this out has caused that to be overwhelmed. Is this out of the ordinary for this area . Residents this is not something that usually happens here. This is quite different, isnt it, in terms of the amount of water . Yes, the highest river levels we have yes, the highest river levels we have ever yes, the highest river levels we have ever recorded over the last two days have ever recorded over the last two days we have ever recorded over the last two days. We have been running an operation days. We have been running an operation here since tuesday and it has been operation here since tuesday and it has been a operation here since tuesday and it has been a round the clock response from all has been a round the clock response from all those involved to try to mitigate from all those involved to try to mitigate it and what you are seeing is that mitigate it and what you are seeing
is that recovery phase as we try to basically is that recovery phase as we try to basically get the water out from the town centre away from those businesses and properties and allow people businesses and properties and allow people to businesses and properties and allow people to return back to normal. People people to return back to normal. People understandably nervous, many affected by flood warnings over the last 24 or 48 hours. What can be done to prevent things like this happening . How can people be reassured that where they live will not fall victim to flooding like this . Tt not fall victim to flooding like this . ,. , not fall victim to flooding like this . ,. ,. ,. , this . It is about preparation and the preparation this . It is about preparation and the preparation we this . It is about preparation and the preparation we dead, i this . It is about preparation and i the preparation we dead, everything done prior the preparation we dead, everything done prior to this event has been very good, done prior to this event has been very good, very large, we have cleared very good, very large, we have cleared the debris, we have undertaken contingencies but sometimes the sheer scale of events and events sometimes the sheer scale of events and events themselves do cause problems and events themselves do cause problems and that is what we have seen, problems and that is what we have seen. And problems and that is what we have seen. And if problems and that is what we have seen, and if people want to find out their own seen, and if people want to find out their own risk i would encourage them their own risk i would encourage them to their own risk i would encourage them to look at our flood map which is available them to look at our flood map which is available on our website. They can look is available on our website. They can look for is available on our website. They can look for their postcode and see
their risk can look for their postcode and see their risk and sign up to our flood plain their risk and sign up to our flood plain numberto their risk and sign up to our flood plain number to receive warnings prior plain number to receive warnings prior to plain number to receive warnings prior to events happening to ensure they are prior to events happening to ensure they are mitigated where they live. Some they are mitigated where they live. Some up they are mitigated where they live. Some up the scale of the response here. This is a picture taking place in towns across the country, but how much goes into a clean up operation like this . Much goes into a cleanup operation like this . ,. ,. , like this . Yes, that is what the authority are like this . Yes, that is what the authority are looking like this . Yes, that is what the authority are looking at like this . Yes, that is what the authority are looking at now, l authority are looking at now, working authority are looking at now, working together towards that. The pumping working together towards that. The pumping scenario you see behind me, the number pumping scenario you see behind me, the number of units on site, all trying the number of units on site, all trying to the number of units on site, all trying to effectively get that surface trying to effectively get that surface water back into the river away surface water back into the river away from surface water back into the river away from those premises and properties that are flooded so that cleanup properties that are flooded so that clean up kind again and then it is around clean up kind again and then it is around cleaning the infrastructure until the around cleaning the infrastructure until the public areas to make sure they are until the public areas to make sure they are safe and people can return to some they are safe and people can return to some kind of normality. Dave brown from to some kind of normality. Dave brown from the to some kind of normality. D22 brown from the Environment Agency, thank you. As the water level rose 48 people had to be evacuated. Dozens of pensioners from a nearby retirement village had to be moved to safety. As you can see, there is still so much work to do here. Those people who have been affected by flooding will be keeping a very close eye on the situation over the coming days. Good to see at least some blue skies behind you. Some comments on the idea of £500 being paid to people to get tested and self isolate if necessary. Someone says even my nine year old daughter commented why would they do that and where would they get this money from . He says i think it is a misuse of public funds. Alison, people find breaking the rules should be forcibly held in hotels for two weeks and have to pay for it. This would help the hospitality industry. She says some people are not only unable to afford
to self isolate but are unable to self isolate within the home. She suggests there should be voluntary self isolating hotels for people like that available with costs paid by the government. 0ne like that available with costs paid by the government. One more, hilary says the £500 will be a good idea but what about people who do not work and contract the virus . Would they get it as well . A lot of people not working would go out if they had to for food. £500 would enable them to for food. £500 would enable them to do Home Shopping she suggests. A lot of youre really interested in the story with lots to say about it so keep those comments coming in. Time for a look at the weather. Now its time for a look at the weather with matt taylor. Hello. River levels will continue to respond to this weeks rain in some parts of the country this weekend but overall, a lot more in the way of dry weather around and certainly this afternoon, plenty of sunshine across the central and eastern half of the country. More showers in the north and west,
sleet and snow increasingly across scotland and Northern Ireland but largely rain showers towards wales and the midlands, as well as the south west. Some of those heavy with a rumble of thunder and a bit wintry over Higher Ground and they will be pushed along by a keen breeze. Winds not as strong as yesterday but still there to make it feel colder than 3 8 celsius would suggest. A cold night to come, this evening and overnight, showers initially across southern parts, leaving lots of wet ground so there could be some ice later as temperatures drop. Sleet and snow showers across western scotland, Northern Ireland, northern england, north wales and the north midlands, giving another dusting or coating of snow in places and a very cold start to saturday morning, may be lower than 8 or 9 in parts of aberdeenshire. Sunshine and showers for saturday but by sunday, england and wales could see a bit more in the way of snow. Goodbye for now. Hello this is bbc news. The headlines. A proposal to pay £500 to everyone who tests positive for covid 19 will be considered by ministers as they look for ways to encourage
more people to stick to the rules. We have always had the £500 support payment for those on certain benefits. We have always kept that under review. We know that it is sometimes quite challenging to ask people to isolate for that length of time. British retail sales saw their largest annual fall in history last year as the impact of the pandemic took its toll. Japanese car maker nissan has told the bbc its sunderland plant is secure for the long term, because of the post brexit trade deal. Google threatens to withdraw its Search Engine from australia, if the government passes a law forcing tech giants to pay local media for their content. And coming up this hour. The release of the next James Bond Film has been delayed for a third time because of the coronavirus pandemic. Just a reminder of the breaking news in the last few minutes that the metropolitan police broke up a Wedding Party with 400 guests last night, and gave the organisers a £10,000 fine. Police in east london found the windows at the Girls Grammar School in Stamford Hill had been covered when they arrived shortly after 9pm, and they say that the guests fled the scene when the officers arrived, but not all of them, some of them were issued with smaller vines, while the organisers were given a £10,000 fine for a clear breach of coronavirus regulations. Policing east london broke up the Wedding Party last night with 400 guests giving the organisers a £10,000 fine and issuing other guests with smaller fines. We will let you know as we
get more detail. Sport and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, heres mike bushell. Starting with the cricket, i believe . Good morning. Once again, James Anderson has proved to be englands standout bowler on the first day of the second and final test against sri lanka in galle. Anderson reduced the hosts to 7 2 early on. Sri lanka staged something of a recovery but anderson returned to dismiss Lahiru Thirimanne for 43. That made it 76 3. Since then, though, its been hard going for englands bowlers and Angelo Matthews has passed his half century. At tea, sri lanka were 155 3. If you know any burnley fans, theyll have the biggest on grins this morning after their team managed something that no other team has managed for nearly four years beating liverpool at anfield in the premier league. Burnley defended brilliantly, digging in for most of the match. Keeper nick pope making
some fantastic saves, and then late on they got a break at the other end when liverpool keeper alisson fouled ashley barnes, and it was barnes who dusted himself off to score and move burnley away from trouble in the lower half of the table. But what about the defending champions, now six points off the top . We have to work harder, to do the right things more, for longer, more consistent, all these kind of things. But not talking like its an easy race, its not, its not. It shows a lot of things, it shows how incredible, how good the boys, how consistent the boys were. But that was never something that anyone should have taken for granted. Because now we see they are all human beings. We had to work very hard for the performance as you do in these places performance as you do in these places i performance as you do in these places. I said they had to be diligent places. I said they had to be diligent and do theirjobs, they were. Diligent and do theirjobs, they were. I diligent and do theirjobs, they were, i thought that shape was good and the were, i thought that shape was good and the energy. We created enough at and the energy. We created enough at a place and the energy. We created enough at a place like and the energy. We created enough at a place like this. We had a golden
transom a place like this. We had a golden transom dwight mcneil, getting across transom dwight mcneil, getting across the front stick. We kept searching across the front stick. We kept searching the best we could. They are a searching the best we could. They are a top searching the best we could. They are a top side and they keep the ball well are a top side and they keep the ball well but youve got to the basics ball well but youve got to the basics and i thought we did the basics basics and i thought we did the basics very well. Japans Prime Minister has insisted that the tokyo 0lympics will go ahead this year, despite a report in the times this morning claiming the government has privately concluded the event will be cancelled, with the city aiming to secure the games in 2032. Speaking in parliament, Prime MinisterYoshihide Suga said . Well thats a view that has been endorsed by the Australian Olympic committee overnight, who also say that the report on the games being cancelled was without foundation. Rumours will only create more anxiety for the athletes in our sports. The tokyo games are on. The
flame will be lit on the 23rd of july 2021. Sadly, ceremonies and cultural aspects of the games will be reduced. Decisions on spectators, local and international, are still to be made. Planning will go to all the necessary measures to ensure the australian athletes are covid free and arrive safely into tokyo, into the village in tokyo. She was once british number one, but now laura robson says shes not sure where a third hip operation leaves her tennis career. Robson, who turned 27 yesterday, posted this picture on social media saying, for my birthday this year, i got crutches. And that following the advice of the surgeon and other doctors, a decision has been made to prioritise the Long Term Health of my hip. In december, robson practised for the first time in a year, but said another operation was unavoidable because of so much pain. And before i go, just a reminder that you can follow all the latest from golf� s abu dhabi hsbc championship on the bbc sport website. Rory mcilroy has the clubhouse lead on 8 under par, and hes due to tee off at around
10. 15 ourtime. Thats bbc. Co. Uk sport. Thanks, mike, a busy sports bulletin. We arejust thanks, mike, a busy sports bulletin. We are just going to return to the news that police in east london broke up a Wedding Party with 400 guests last night, giving the organisers a £10,000 fine. 0fficers the organisers a £10,000 fine. Officers found the windows at a Girls Grammar School in Stamford Hill had been covered when they arrived shortly after 9pm. When it became known to the people inside that the police were there, some guests fled the scene but some were issued with smaller fines, the organisers were given a £10,000 fine. This was at a Girls Grammar School in Stamford Hill and the
abbey is home to the uks largest ultraorthodox jewish abbey is home to the uks largest ultraorthodoxJewish Community and ultraorthodox Jewish Community and we ultraorthodoxJewish Community and we are learning ultraorthodox Jewish Community and we are learning that the principal of the school, died of covid last year. And the area is home. There is an article in thejewish chronicle, saying the rabbi died last year after contracting coronavirus, he was the principal at the school and was described as a tireless representative of the Jewish Community in Stamford Hill, a local councillor and the principal of the school in which 400 people gathered last night for a Raiding Party a Wedding Party, clearly in contravention of coronavirus regulations, hence the police arriving after someone reported an event going on. Police arrived and find the organisers £10,000, and other guests were issued with smaller fines. Other guests were issued with smallerfines. I suppose other guests were issued with smaller fines. I suppose the other guests were issued with smallerfines. I suppose the big question is, who sanctioned that this event could take place in the
school . We have been asking you today what your thoughts are about the idea, it is not a plan certainly yet but the idea that the government would pay people to get a test and self isolate if necessary, of £500 payment. 0n self isolate if necessary, of £500 payment. On twitter, hugh has said in response to the story, if 400 wedding guests contract covid, then under the £500 for a positive test, the government would pay out £200,000 for breaking lockdown rules, and it is clear from your comments today that you are absolutely divided over whether this would be a good idea or not. Some people think that payment would encourage behaviour that is less than careful. 0ther encourage behaviour that is less than careful. Other people saying it is a necessary payment to allow people to survive through the pandemic so i would try to read some of your comments in a while. Lets get more on the 0ns figures which suggest that last year saw a record drop in annual retail Sales Volumes. Sales fell by 1. 9 , the largest year on year fall since records began in 1997. With me is peter corr whos Centre Manager at designer 0utlet ashford. Also im alsojoined by retail analyst kate hardcastle. They show we dont have better news to talk about but not surprising that these figures are as grim as we are, gonna take your thoughts . Brute are, gonna take your thoughts . We are, gonna take your thoughts . 2 are changing the way we shop, there has been a huge growth online, especially demographic areas that have been a bit wary and preferred to shop in traditional stores, so the over 55s particularly. We have to understand that retail is the Bigger Picture now, it is notjust a case of bricks and mortar versus online, it is a more collaborative piece, and it is said the synergy of those organisations using the opportunity to best get advantage across channels which is going to help the future of retail. Certainly, when it comes to traditional bricks and mortar, our
nervousness is there, even when we could return to stores, football has been diminished and low, people have wanted to stick to the bare essentials. When it is not the essentials. When it is not the essential products like food, we are bound by the fact that we feel we can afford to spend or afford to spend the time browsing, or we actually pull back. We have seen growth in areas that made sense last year like hobbies and schooling and home office equipment, but we have seen a huge decline in areas like fashion. I think the figures tell us exactly what we know, we are shopping relative and reacted to the situation born out of covert. Situation born out of covert. Peter, ickin u situation born out of covert. Peter, picking up on situation born out of covert. Peter, picking up on something situation born out of covert. Peter, picking up on something kate i situation born out of covert. Peter, j picking up on something kate said, do you think we should look as retailers won collaborative enterprise, physical shops and online or is there a clear tension now because of the events of the last year between physical presence and Online Presence. And Online Presence. Macro in the last ten years
and Online Presence. Macro in the last ten years we and Online Presence. Macro in the last ten years we have and Online Presence. Macro in the last ten years we have seen i and Online Presence. Macro in the last ten years we have seen a i and Online Presence. Macro in the i last ten years we have seen a move between online and bricks and mortar, i think the two can exist and they have been coexisting successfully over the last few years. What this has done in the last views, it has accelerated that online has given people the chance to shop safely from the home. But im with kate to an extent, however, im with kate to an extent, however, i would say that what we have seen definitely in the uk when we were open is that people were much more focused in their shopping and actually, what we did see is that even though there was a dip in footfall and sales compared to the previous year, what we did see is more focused shopping, and people spending more money so they came out and spend more money and what we are going to see is people return and as kate said, shopping has changed and retail has to change with that and part of that will be about being more safe. Health and safety is much more safe. Health and safety is much more of a key focus and we know from the guests we surveyed, 95 of the guests surveyed were happy with the Safety Measures introduced and actually, highly satisfied guests in terms of health and safety, spent 10 more money and dwell longer in
the shopping mall. The shopping mall. Kate, i presume there is a huge the shopping mall. Kate, i presume there is a huge level the shopping mall. Kate, i presume there is a huge level of the shopping mall. Kate, i presume there is a huge level of pentup i there is a huge level of pent up demand for the normal activity of going shopping, and people can. Taste going shopping, and people can. We are going shopping, and people can. 2 are just social beings, we want to be together and we want places to dwell. Shopping is so much more than a purchasing experience when you do it right. Particularly outlets that have offered much more of a day out and an experience has been the ones that been able to embrace consumers when they have felt safe to do so but we have got to understand that it is certainly going to be, if it is an in store retail offer, it has got to be service led. It has got to be about excelling the opportunity to serve the customer rather than just putting garments out to sell. 0nline can facilitate that with ease. Also, you know, we have to be realistic about online, it has gone through such grace right now that there are teething problems that a lot of major organisations have had. We have heard about Major Service issues there, too, particularly in
returns and delivery slots. There might be a bit of a push back where people level out there spending because they have had some bad experiences with the surge of online. All in all, the customer is king and queen and retailers who are reflective of that and respectful of that are going to be the beneficiaries in the years to come. This is very much the tail wagging the dog. This is very much the tail wagging the do. ,. ,. , the dog. Peter, at the outlet you manaue, the dog. Peter, at the outlet you manage. How the dog. Peter, at the outlet you manage, how are the dog. Peter, at the outlet you manage, how are retailers i the dog. Peter, at the outlet you l manage, how are retailers coping . How are they getting through this period with still no definite news on when they may be able to reopen again . T on when they may be able to reopen auain . ~ on when they may be able to reopen auain . , ~. , again . I mean, i think in the last few months. Again . I mean, i think in the last few months, since again . I mean, i think in the last few months, since we again . I mean, i think in the last few months, since we reopened | again . I mean, i think in the last. Few months, since we reopened in june, i think people have responded well. I think people realise that we are in the middle of a Global Pandemic and the priority is peoples safety, notjust pandemic and the priority is peoples safety, not just the customers visiting but the staff and the people working in the centres across the uk. I think that once people are able to come out of that, and i believe we will come out of it, i believe that this will be the last big national lockdown, i think that we will return to some kind of, you know, new shopping behaviours
and i think people are desperate to get out and have a day out and the shopping malls and centres that manage it well like ourselves will be the beneficiaries because people will be looking for that relaxation and the opportunity to have a coffee and the opportunity to have a coffee and walk around and experience a nice environment. As kate said, that will be the different. Will be the different. Absolutely, and we all hope will be the different. Absolutely, and we all hope you will be the different. Absolutely, and we all hope you are will be the different. Absolutely, and we all hope you are right i will be the different. Absolutely, j and we all hope you are right but just finally and briefly, if you would, kate, clearly, the online operation of many retailers is keeping and allowing the physical stores to stay there, dormant, for the moment. Do you think it is inevitable we may see some of those retailers full completely or perhaps move just to an Online Presence . Sadly, we have got to understand, we were looking into thousand nine around day one in four micro vacancy rate in some places and i think that is going to be much higher next couple of years. Their challenge is making sure the plans to reinvent the high street which cannotjust be around retail move much faster than they have been doing. This has been a conversation for ten years now and we need to see speed. A conversation for ten years now and we need to see speed. Thank you for oininu us. We need to see speed. Thank you for joining us good we need to see speed. Thank you for joining us. Good to we need to see speed. Thank you for joining us. Good to have we need to see speed. Thank you for joining us. Good to have you we need to see speed. Thank you for joining us. Good to have you with i joining us. Good to have you with us. For the majority of people who become infected with covid 19, their symptoms are mild and over relatively quickly, but a sizeable minority are left with symptoms from the annoying to the debilitating. An estimated 5 10 of patients remain ill two months after being infected. One of those is lennie prosper, who was taken ill with the virus in march last year and ended up spending five days on a covid restricted ward. He is still suffering the long term effects of the virus. And we can speak to lennie now. Thank you forjoining us. It began with you not realising it was covid at all, feeling slightly unwell and then nine or ten days later it all changed . Then nine or ten days later it all chanced . ~ changed . Yes, it changed, like, i couldnt breathe changed . Yes, it changed, like, i couldnt breathe or changed . Yes, it changed, like, i couldnt breathe or catch changed . Yes, it changed, like, i couldnt breathe or catch my i changed . Yes, it changed, like, i. Couldnt breathe or catch my breath. I actually passed out when the mask was put on me. Yes, i was really, really, not under the weather. It took me completely. Paramedics were
called and rushed me to hospital. I was on 100 oxygen immediately. So from being at home to 100 oxygen, what are your memories of the early daysin what are your memories of the early days in hospital, then . Thea;r what are your memories of the early days in hospital, then . They were. The were days in hospital, then . They were. They were terrible. Days in hospital, then . They were. They were terrible. You days in hospital, then . They were. They were terrible. You are days in hospital, then . They were. They were terrible. You are locked. They were terrible. You are locked into a ward where there is no contact with any outside persons, no phone calls, no nothing. The only thing i had was morning tv for about three hours, where they were reporting the deaths from what i was suffering from. I was surrounded by people that were dying. I watched three people pass away alongside me. I assumed i was next. Stand three people pass away alongside me. I assumed i was next. I assumed i was next. And then on the niuht i assumed i was next. And then on the night of i assumed i was next. And then on the night of your i assumed i was next. And then on the night of your birthday, i assumed i was next. And then on the night of your birthday, you i i assumed i was next. And then on | the night of your birthday, you were told that you are moving into another room, to be put on a ventilator, and that really marks. It could have been a decisive. 1 way or the other but it marked a really big changing point, a change in your
story. Could have been decisive, one way or the other. T story. Could have been decisive, one way or the other. One way or the other. I decided ri. Ht one way or the other. I decided right there one way or the other. I decided right there and one way or the other. I decided right there and then one way or the other. I decided right there and then i one way or the other. I decided right there and then i wasnt i one way or the other. I decided i right there and then i wasnt going to die on the same day, i decided to get out of bed and start walking and i paste the ward for four, may be six hours a day. Apparently, that improved my oxygen levels. It meant i did not have to go on the ventilator. I did not have to go on the ventilator. ,. , ventilator. How did you find the strenath ventilator. How did you find the strength to ventilator. How did you find the strength to do ventilator. How did you find the strength to do that . Ventilator. How did you find the strength to do that . You i ventilator. How did you find the strength to do that . You were l ventilator. How did you find the i strength to do that . You were on the point of being put on a ventilator but somehow you found the will to get up and start moving. Tt but somehow you found the will to get up and start moving. But somehow you found the will to get up and start moving. It was. I could notjust get up and start moving. It was. I could notjust lie get up and start moving. It was. I could notjust lie there get up and start moving. It was. I could notjust lie there and get up and start moving. It was. I could notjust lie there and allow. Could notjust lie there and allow things to just happen to me. I needed to put some kind of effort in to trying to save my own life. So i got out of bed and pushed for it. It worked. ,. ,. Got out of bed and pushed for it. It worked. ,. ,. , worked. Sheer force of will, it sounds like. Worked. Sheer force of will, it sounds like. Totally, worked. Sheer force of will, it sounds like. Totally, yes. It. Worked. Sheer force of will, it l sounds like. Totally, yes. It was that or nothing. Sounds like. Totally, yes. It was that or nothing. And sounds like. Totally, yes. It was that or nothing. And then i sounds like. Totally, yes. It was that or nothing. And then you. Sounds like. Totally, yes. It was. That or nothing. And then you are discharged. That or nothing. And then you are discharged. I that or nothing. And then you are discharged, i know that or nothing. And then you are discharged, i know you that or nothing. And then you are discharged, i know you have i discharged, i know you have described that as happening very suddenly and like being in a dream,
suddenly and like being in a dream, suddenly you are in a taxi making your way home. But tell us about the long term effects because obviously, thatis long term effects because obviously, that is a really key point that we want to hear about as we discuss the longer term impacts of covid, and how it has changed your outlook on life . ,. ,. ,. , life . The longterm effects, one of them was anxiety life . The longterm effects, one of them was anxiety and life . The longterm effects, one of them was anxiety and panic life . The longterm effects, one of| them was anxiety and panic attacks. I did not even realise i was suffering from them. It sounds odd but one of my favourite things to do during the week is to pop into a local supermarket and just look at the stuff in there, well know this. What we would all love to do that,. Yellow it took me seven attempts to get to the store. I got in the car and i could not physically drive it to the end of the road, the first few attempts. I eventually drove there and sat in a car park and watched people in the queue with masks, queueing up to going i could not physically get out of the car. I drove home again. At a ridiculous
speed because everybody overtook me. I couldnt walk into a shop. My whole body was rattling. I was fortunate that my Partners Employer gave me access to a counsellor, a return to work counsellor and she took me through the anxiety and panic attacks and gave me coping mechanisms but i am still, i am still suffering from them now. Along with physical still suffering from them now. Along with physical and still suffering from them now. Along with physical and muscle still suffering from them now. Along with physical and muscle pains i still suffering from them now. Along with physical and muscle pains and aches and tiredness . Yes. With physical and muscle pains and aches and tiredness . Yes, tiredness, lethar . I aches and tiredness . Yes, tiredness, lethargy i want aches and tiredness . Yes, tiredness, lethargy. I want to aches and tiredness . Yes, tiredness, lethargy. I want to sleep, aches and tiredness . Yes, tiredness, lethargy. I want to sleep, im aches and tiredness . Yes, tiredness, lethargy. I want to sleep, im tired i lethargy. I want to sleep, im tired all the time but then i have insomnia, so i cant sleep. I have got breathing difficulties. I cant catch my breath most of the time. Four flights of stairs was not a problem before but now i cant speak when i get to the top. My eyesight. T when i get to the top. My eyesight
when i get to the top. My eyesight. When i get to the top. My eesiaht. ,. ,. , eyesight. I was ust going to say, i have eyesight. I was ust going to say, i have absolutely eyesight. I wasjust going to say, i have absolutely no eyesight. I wasjust going to say, i have absolutely no doubt eyesight. I wasjust going to say, i have absolutely no doubt that i eyesight. I wasjust going to say, i have absolutely no doubt that he | i have absolutely no doubt that he will continue to do your very best to get better and back to where you were before covid, a remarkable story, and we are very glad that you are here with us today, to tell us about it. Good luck to you and keep Getting Better. About it. Good luck to you and keep Getting Better google has threatened to switch off its Search Engine in australia if the government passes a law forcing digital giants such as it and facebook to pay local Media Outlets for using their news content. If they cant agree, a government arbitrator would set the price. Though australia is far from googles largest market, the proposed news code is seen as a possible global test case for how governments could seek to regulate big tech firms. To tell us more about this, were joined by tecnhologyjournalist, chris stokel walker. Presumably it is because the potential Global Implications why google is fighting this i widen australia. Tt
google is fighting this i widen australia. Google is fighting this i widen australia. , ~ ,. ,. , australia. It is, australia has around 90 australia. It is, australia has around 90 million australia. It is, australia has around 90 Million People i australia. It is, australia has. Around 90 Million People who australia. It is, australia has around 90 Million People who use google everything a month. That is out of a population of 25. 5 million. In the grand scheme of things, that is not really a lot as you say, this kind of sets a precedent and it means that if all stadium lawmakers decide that google has to pay up, then suddenly, people in the uk, europe, in america, everywhere else, may say, actually, we want you to sportjournalism as well. Supports journalism. Sportjournalism as well. Supports journalism. Sportjournalism as well. Supports journalism. Supports ournalism. What kind of sums supports journalism. What kind of sums are we supports journalism. What kind of sums are we talking supports journalism. What kind of sums are we talking about supports journalism. What kind of sums are we talking about that i sums are we talking about that google is being asked about a local news outlets, any idea . This google is being asked about a local news outlets, any idea . Google is being asked about a local news outlets, any idea . This is part ofthe news outlets, any idea . This is part of the problem news outlets, any idea . This is part of the problem with news outlets, any idea . This is part of the problem with the news outlets, any idea . This is part of the problem with the legislation, google says they cannot sign up did this because there is no upper limit and tim berners lee, the inventor of the world wide web, says he has some qualms as well. Basically, this is an issue that there is a recognition of the problem, that google essentially piggybacks off producing journalism by news organisations
like the bbc and others without necessarily giving back to those news organisations. But they have not actually say it set in australia and upper limit for what they would charge google which is why they are so keen to fight this. Thank you forjoining us. The release of the next James Bond Film has been delayed for a third time because of the coronavirus pandemic. No time to die had orginally been due to hit screens last april but will now debut globally on the 8th of october. The film is the 25th instalment in the bond franchise, and marks Daniel Craigs final appearance as 007. How disappointing is this for bond fans, and for movie fans in general . Im joined now by ajay chowdhury, from the james Bond International fan club. Good to have you with us. Good morning good to have you with us. Good morning. Basically, good to have you with us. Good morning. Basically, the good to have you with us. Good i morning. Basically, the producers have decided, morning. Basically, the producers have decided, whereas morning. Basically, the producers have decided, whereas other have decided, whereas other producers have thought, lets put the state to view on tv, they are
holding out for a time when there can be, hopefully, a red carpet and all the fanfare that normally accompanies the release of a James Bond Film. Are you happy to wait . Brute bond film. Are you happy to wait . We are bond film. Are you happy to wait . 2 are not happy to wait but wait we must. We have to wait for christmas, we have to wait for lots of good things in life and the James Bond Film, the 25th one, we have waited, there have been several delays now but unfortunately, it is just the way of the world. When the picture comes out in cinemas, hopefully on the 8th of october, 2021, i think it will be the third or fourth delay but you know, a bond film is a clarion call, it is a return to normality, it is total entertainment. In this awful, covid times we have been living in, a bond film will represent escapism and a brief respite from reality, which bond films have always done. At their best, they are entertainment, they are fun for generations, people all around the world, they are fun for men and women and huge amounts
of people that look for cinema and cinematic shared enjoyment of something that is hugely and uniquely entertaining and of course, a little bit, you know, risque, a little bit exciting. Daniel craigs last bond film has become the most commercially successful and critically lauded actor to play james bond. It is an event movie anyway and now after all of these delays, bond fans are like alka seltzer in a float of bollinger, fizzing with excitement. Seeing movies on tv is great but i guess the producers are thinking, as this is the 25th instalment, they want it to be that clarion call, as you put it, and a sign of normality and with all the fanfare it would normally have. But would you have preferred them to put it straight to view on tv . Preferred them to put it straight to view on tv . No, i personally would not have. View on tv . No, i personally would not have a view on tv . No, i personally would not have. A bond view on tv . No, i personally would not have. A bond film, view on tv . No, i personally would not have. A bond film, if view on tv . No, i personally would not have. A bond film, if you i view on tv . No, i personally would not have. A bond film, if you are i not have. A bond film, if you are lucky enough to see them at the cinema, they get rerun at the
cinemas and they are made for the cinemas and they are made for the cinema and the director has a powerful track record and the whole sense of what a bond film is has always been enjoyed at the cinema. 0f always been enjoyed at the cinema. Of course, we end up watching them on tv, it is a british tradition, watching ajames on tv, it is a british tradition, watching a James Bond Film a christmas or bank holiday, but that comes later. You know, they delay and anticipation has proved one thing, absence makes the heart grow bonder. Did thing, absence makes the heart grow bonder. ,. , thing, absence makes the heart grow bonder. , ,. , bonder. Did you practise that line . Just a bit. Bonder. Did you practise that line . Just a bit ive bonder. Did you practise that line . Just a bit. Ive had bonder. Did you practise that line . Just a bit. Ive had a bonder. Did you practise that line . Just a bit. Ive had a lot bonder. Did you practise that line . Just a bit. Ive had a lot of bonder. Did you practise that line . Just a bit. Ive had a lot of time i just a bit. Ive had a lot of time to practise because it has been delayed so many times. This James Bond Film is like a kite courting a hurricane, it is beyond the powers of the producers at the studio and the worldwide media, and we really hope. Theres lots, thousands of jobs employed by cinema people, exhibitors, everyone that gets your popcorn, people doing good, honest work. Cinema is one of the great inventions of the last century and we hope it survives this covid period. James bond will return. Goad period. James bond will return. Good to talk to you period. James bond will return. Good to talk to you. Thank period. James bond will return. Good to talk to you. Thank you period. James bond will return. Good to talk to you. Thank you for joining us. Now its time for a look at the weather with matt taylor. Hello. River levels will continue to respond to this weeks rain in some parts of the country this weekend but overall, a lot more in the way of dry weather around and certainly this afternoon, plenty of sunshine across the central and eastern half of the country. More showers in the north and west, sleet and snow increasingly across scotland and Northern Ireland but largely rain showers towards wales and the midlands, as well as the south west. Some of those heavy with a rumble of thunder and a bit wintry over Higher Ground and they will be pushed along by a keen breeze. Winds not as strong as yesterday but still there to make it feel colder than 3 8 celsius would suggest. A cold night to come, this evening and overnight, showers initially across southern parts, leaving lots of wet ground so there could be some ice later as temperatures drop. Sleet and snow showers across western scotland, Northern Ireland, northern england, north wales and the north midlands, giving another dusting or coating of snow in places and a very cold start to saturday morning, may be lower than 8 or 9 in parts of aberdeenshire. Sunshine and showers for saturday but by sunday, england and wales could see a bit more in the way of snow. Goodbye for now. This is bbc news. These are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. The British Government is playing down expectations it could adopt a proposal to pay £500 to everyone who tests positive for covid 19, saying it could create perverse incentives, but ministers are looking at support for those who have to isolate. We have always had the £500 support payment for those on certain benefits. We have always kept that under review. We know that it is sometimes quite challenging to ask people to isolate for that length of time. Police in east london broke up a Wedding Party with 400 guests last night and handed the organisers a £10,000 fine. What do you make of that People Holding a 400 strong