Prepare for matches to resume without fans potentially as early as next friday after government approval. Hello there, good evening. Speed dating for the lockdown generation wejoin the singles hoping to find partners without leaving their homes. Good morning. Its a bit of a chilly start first thing this morning, but temperatures will be on the rise over the next few days. Watch out, though, for some heavy showers and thunderstorms. Ill have all the details for you throughout this mornings programme. Its thursday the 7th of may. Our top story the uks coronavirus lockdown will be reviewed by the government today, with signs that some restrictions could be eased from monday. The governments stay at home message is expected to be dropped in order to kickstart some sections of the economy, but most of the current lockdown measures are due to remain in place. The uk has now become the first country in europe to record more than 30,000 deaths linked to coronavirus, as jon donnison reports. 0lume and isi ivowi brothers and best friends, both victims of covid 19. 0lume died on good friday in luton. He was 46. Isi, who had downs syndrome, died nine days later, in milton keynes. He was 38. The family, who could not be by their sides when they died, and are urging people to stick to the lockdown. Social distancing, making sure you stay at home, dont go out if you dont need to, and if you do go out, follow the guidelines, listen to all the medical professionals because they are the ones that can really guide us through this and be sensible, because this does kill people. And the number dying continues to rise. 649 more deaths were confirmed yesterday, making the uk the first country in europe to pass 30,000. In online videos and elsewhere, the government is still urging people to stick to the lockdown, but its understood the governments core stay at home message is to be scrapped at the weekend. The Prime Minister is due to make an announcement on sunday, but Officials Say dont expect dramatic changes. Restrictions will most likely remain largely in place. We have to be sure that the data is going to support our ability to do this but that data is coming in continuously over the next few days. Well want, if we possibly can, to get going with some of these measures on monday. I think it will be a good thing, mr speaker, if people had an idea of whats coming the following day and that is why i think sunday, the weekend, is the best time to do it. Meanwhile, the government is still facing questions on testing. Here, the military are helping test key workers but since the weekend, the government has failed to meet its target of 100,000 deaths a day. And there are still concerns about protective equipment for the nhs. In april, an raf cargo plane was dispatched to fly in ppe supplies from turkey. The government has now confirmed that 400,000 surgical gowns that were delivered have been unusable because they did not meet the required safety standards. It will add to claims that the Health Service has not received the support it needs. Tonight, though, as on every thursday for the past six weeks, people will yet again take to the streets to clap for their carers. Jon donnison, bbc news. Political correspondent iain watson is in westminster. Good morning to you, iain. Talk us through this change in messaging expected on sunday. Well, thats right. At the moment i think eve ryo ne right. At the moment i think everyone has got it fairly clearly into their heads what the message is stay at home has been very much emphasised but the government is worried some people are staying at home who could otherwise go to work, some shops and businesses who wont required to close have done so, so they will be a change in messaging. Already theres been a hashtag used interchangeably on the downing street website which is staysafe rather than stayathome, so the emphasis will be on social distancing, keeping apart. There will be an easing of restrictions that will happen straightaway after the Prime Minister makes his statement on sunday. We would expect that to be things focused on Outdoor Activities because the virus is less vehement out of doors. For example, you may be able to exercise where you may be able to exercise where you please and exercise for much longer, you may be able to travel back to the countryside. A range of things like that. But the Prime Ministers not going to take his foot off the brake entirely, i think well have to wait a bit longer to some of the other measures that would constitute the new normal, including reopening schools. Lets talk a little bit about testing because the Prime Minister set a new ambition of 200,000 tests a day, but we know that for four days running, the existing testing target of 100,000 has not been met. Thats right. It reached the 100,000 of course on the deadline of april the 30th and not since, its been beneath that level since then, charlie, but what the government would say is thats perhaps a good thing because fewer key workers are being tested contracting the virus, partly because of the lockdown, and if the app, which is now being trialled on the isle of wight, is successful, then perhaps obviously you could extend testing to the wider public in due course. But hes gotan wider public in due course. But hes got an ambition for 200,000, that could also include immunity tests if theyre proven to work. Iain, thank you. The first patients in the uk have received plasma donations from people who have recovered from coronavirus. Its hoped the donated plasma, which is found in blood, will contain antibodies that can treat other Covid Patients and increase their chances of survival. The nhs hopes to roll the treatment out more widely if it proves to be successful. People on the isle of wight are being encouraged to start using a new Smart Phone App today as part of a government trial to track coronavirus. The app is already being used by the nhs and Council Workers on the island, and uses Blue Tooth Technology to link users phones. If the trial is successful, it could be available nationwide within weeks. Some of englands urgent dental centres, set up to offer emergency treatment during the lockdown, still dont have the right protective equipment to allow them to see patients. That admission has come from the Health Minister, jo churchill, as patients say theyre still struggling to get treatment, and some have resorted to taking their own teeth out. Dan johnson reports. I was in so much pain. I would have gone through birth rather than that pain, its horrendous. By the third week it was just, i couldnt cope with the pain anymore. Its literally immoral. Like, how can you do that . Patients who are in pain are facing some very limited options. It would just be removing the front tooth. So it would be living until, i dont know, the end ofjuly, august, without a tooth, which isnt great. Ive been told more antibiotics or tooth out and both those options arent feasible for me. Because i dont want to lose my front tooth. You know, and its like i feel like were just going back in time with dentistry. Protective equipments vital, working up close with procedures that create airborne particles. The Health Minister has now admitted there were delays in some centres still have issues more than six weeks after regular dentistry was put on hold. Were here. A fortnight ago we met mike, who was at work, but only giving telephone advice. Things have barely improved. The problem is there is a lot of knowledge on problems now that are being left, because of, basically, neglect. To say to the nhs is an essential service, and its oral health, which obviously impacts on Mental Health, physical health, itsjust being left by this. Itsjust beyond belief. Nhs england says 400 urgent care centres are open, but there are now huge questions about how practices can start seeing their own patients once again. Dan johnson, bbc news. Donald trump has said the coronavirus pandemic has hit america harder than the pearl harbor or 9 11 attacks. The us has recorded more than 70,000 deaths from the virus the highest number in the world. The president also blamed china for the outbreak, saying it would not have happened if the authorities there had acted quicker. This is probably the worst attack weve ever had, this is worse than Pearl Harbour, this is worse than the world trade center, theres never been an attack like this, and it should have never happened. It could have been stopped at the source, it could have been stopped in china. It should have been stopped right at the source. France will learn today whether its 8 week lockdown will be lifted on monday. If government conditions have been met, many shops will reopen, and people will be able to travel up to 100km from their homes. The country is in the midst of its worst recession since the Second World War, with tourism, construction and manufacturing badly hit. 0ur paris correspondent, lucy williamson, reports. Hotels and factories may be deserted but food banks are getting busier. This centre, run by one of frances biggest charities, saw a 40 rise in subscriptions last week. Coronavirus has meant finding new ways of operating and new kinds of people in the queue. This woman began coming here last month after the lockdown left her husband out of work. They ate through their savings in weeks, she told me. Frances biggest economic players have also been badly hit by coronavirus tourism, construction, manufacturing. Frances economy shrank by almost 6 in the first part of this year as the government brought in one of the strictest lockdowns in europe. We are all touched and the problem is that we had medically triggered artificial coma of all our economies and france is very good at that because france is totally centralised. Later today, the government will set out how to lift those restrictions, dividing the country into red and green zones, with the rules tailored to each area. Paris is likely to be a red zone. The virus is still circulating here and the hospitals are still under pressure. What exactly that means for residents and companies, no one yet knows. The government has suggested that some small tourist sites in green areas of the country could reopen from monday shops and primary schools are preparing to reopen from monday and people should be able to travel freely within 100 kilometres of their homes. The new message after weeks of confinement, dont stay at home a new mantra for the nations Economic Health. Lucy williamson, bbc news. She was the wartime sweetheart whos song well meet again has become a message of hope during lockdown. Today, a new official portrait of Dame Vera Lynn has been unveiled to mark the 75th anniversary of ve day. The oil painting is called the enduring sweetheart and is by the artist dan llywelyn hall. It has been commissioned to raise funds for the Dame Vera Lynn childrens charity. 6 12am is the time. After stopping the spread of coronavirus, many peoples next biggest concern is business and jobs and how quickly the economy will recover. The bank of england will make its latest announcements on this in less than an hour. Sean will be closely watching. What are you going to be looking out for, sean . So many questions about what tools the bank of england has to keep the economy moving forward. Good morning. Good morning to you both, and everybody. Its really important what the bank of england say because when they look at what they expect might happen to the economy in the future, they then make big policy decisions on the back of that that affect us all and we can look at a few things they might talk about this morning the one we often associate with the bank of england, Interest Rates, there are many happy piggy banks out there at the minute and what happens is a team at the bank of england decide whether to raise or cut Interest Rates. Now, in tough times, they would normally look to cut Interest Rates to make borrowing a bit cheaper and to encourage us borrowing a bit cheaper and to encourage us all to spend a little bit more, but they have havent got much room with Interest Rates at a record low. Another thing they could do to take borrowing cheaper is something called quantitative easing, and the question might be whether they will extend and do more of that. What is that . A central when they print little money, not banknotes, but they are creating cash in the system but ringing Interest Rate costs down by creating bonds, but it gets more cash into the system, and it helps businesses that need loans to survive the next few months, not necessarily to spend, but to get by, business might be able to access more easily and they have done that already and might do that today again. Stark figures from their predictions for the economy. Unemployment figures, how much of a hit the economy will ta ke how much of a hit the economy will take in the next few months, will the recession word be used, and can the recession word be used, and can the banks handle the system right now and can they do what businesses wa nt now and can they do what businesses want them to do right across the country . Lots of businesses therefore will watch what the bank of england are saying and will look for a bit of optimism and some idea of how they plan for the next few months. One of those is hsl in yorkshire, a furniture manufacturer that has 59 stores in places across the uk where they are making their equipment, and they are one of those businesses that are hoping to survive the crisis. During the course of the six week shutdown that we have now experienced, weve had a small team very much focused on how do we recalibrate our business . Very much focused on how do we recalibrate our business . Because we are fundamentally a people business, we offer a very personal service, all of our furniture is made to order and that is following a consultation in the store, in the home, which is a very personal service, so for us as a retailer its been extraordinarily challenging. We had to put in place, like many businesses, lots of new procedures and processes in our manufacturing and in our office and in our stores to ensure our team can be safe and well when theyre at work so everything from temperature checks as you come in to 1 way routings to two metres spacing between workstations, to new phasing of how people will come to work and, of how people will come to work and, of course, wherever possible, our teams are going to be working from home. Our business had a great year in 2019 and we started very strongly in 2020, so we recognise actually that covid 19 is a massively exceptionaljolt that covid 19 is a massively exceptional jolt and will that covid 19 is a massively exceptionaljolt and will have a big impact on our business in 2020, but oui impact on our business in 2020, but our business is still the fundamental one that came into covid 19, and while well have to recalibrate and our first and primary focus is how to get up and running ina primary focus is how to get up and running in a safe way, in fact we are still mis hit about the future. We will see how optimistic the bank of england is about the future. At 7am, there will be a lot to get into. All of those decisions it is making and it will be closely watched not just by making and it will be closely watched notjust by me but a lot of businesses across the country. Thank you very much. Lets take a look at todays papers the front page of the daily mail declares that freedom beckons. Its reporting that the Prime Minister will announce the government is to ease some lockdown measures on sunday. In stark contrast, the front page of the Scottish Daily mail reads you cant move too fast on lockdown and reports that scotlands first minister, nicola sturgeon, is urging Boris Johnson not to lift the lockdown too quickly. The daily mirror claims that the government has a five step plan for lifting the lockdown that will last from now until october. The paper gives details about how the lockdown might be lifted, and is reporting that primary schools could restart by the end of may, with pubs and restaurants reopening at the end of august. These reports from the paper, it should be said, at this stage we do not have any of the details by downing street or the Prime Minister. Pretty clear that nothing will be set until sunday when the Prime Minister reports its latest measures. Lastly, buzzfeed is reporting a rise in the number of assaults on key workers. It says police recorded 300 cases of coughing or spitting on emergency workers, according to a leaked report. I was looking for a picture, someone will tell me, of the big man. Did you see it . I did not but i have been told it was beautiful and it this morning a beautiful sunrise. This was the last super moon of the year, known as the flower moon in may, because it signifies the flowers blooming. It has other names, milkmen, hammond. It looks absolutely stunning. Isnt it beautiful. A film planned to be made on board the International Space station, tom cruise has been meeting with nasa. A film aboard the space station. You can recreate everything on the ground, i do not know what you can game from it. Of course you can. Shall i start again, tom cruise is making a film on the International Space station and the agency is excited to be talking about it. We do not know when or how. There is the picture of the super moon in the telegraph. Setting behind bournemouth pier. What are you having for breakfast this day . Have you changed your breakfast habit . It is always porridge. Even at home . Not at home, porridge. What people have been embracing in the uk is long forgotten morning routines. Sales of eggs and tea have soared. Many retailers sold out of egg cups. And also on coffee grinders and coffee pots, double digit growth. Loose tea, presumably because it ta kes loose tea, presumably because it takes more time and it makes more of a ceremony of the whole thing. Ceremony, that is the thing. There is no super moon this morning but a rather glorious view outside our studios said to be fair today. Lovely temperatures for many of us around the country. Sarah will bring us around the country. Sarah will bring us later on that later, in about seven minutes. Cruise ships have become a hotbed of concern during the coronavirus outbreak, but thousands of people are still on board, despite passengers being sent home weeks ago. Many ships are gathering in the sea around the philippines, with crew and staffmembers on board saying they havent set foot on dry land in months. 0ur correspondent, howard johnson, reports. The once broad blue expanse of manila bay now resembling a small city of towering cruise ships. More are arriving by the day because of the large number of returning filipinos who work in the cruise ship industry. But after 14 days of quarantine and testing on board these ships, theyre slowly being able to disembark. But for thousands of foreigners still on board these ships, they dont know how or when theyll be able to return home. So this is my cabin. This is where i spend about 22 hours of the day in. One of them is briton cassandra snowden. Shes a childrens entertainer on the Royal Caribbean ship voyager of the seas. She hasnt set foot on land for two months and has spent most of that time in self isolation in her cabin. Weve just been floating around the ocean like, turned away from ports, ordered to ger out of waters. Considering we disembarked our guests seven weeks ago, we havent got off since. The Philippine Government had been allowing foreign nationals to leave through the countrys main airport but, at the weekend, suspended all flights into the country for a week to reduce numbers in their quarantine centres. Cassandra says the not knowing when they will be allowed home is taking its toll on her health. I think its getting to a point where our basic human rights are forgotten about. You know, we talk about this virus and how it kills people, but Mental Health does and people want to go back to their mothers, their fathers, their husbands, wives, children. Just, something needs to be done. And it needs to be done fast. We contacted Royal Caribbean, who told us they have already helped more than 12,000 crewmembers to return home. They say for those still on board ships in manila bay, charter repatriations will be put on as soon the philippine authorities clear the way. The Philippine Government says it will lift the ban on flights this weekend, offering a potential way out for foreign crew. Howard johnson, bbc news, manila. And howard joins us now from manila. Good to see you. 10,000 people effect w league stranded. What do we know about that . Effectively. Ships, five kilometres away, the ruby princess ship arrived here early this morning and on these ships, 10,000 crews or waiting to come back in. The large majority of filipinos. They contribute a lot of workers to the cruise ship industry. Hundreds of britons on this ship, even the ms Queen Elizabeth is out there. People still in need of getting to dry land. It takes 14 days of quarantine before they are allowed back on and for foreigners, asi allowed back on and for foreigners, as i said in my report, they will have to wait for restrictions on flights to be lifted to be able to go home but hopefully that will happen this weekend. The ruby princess is at the centre of the spread of covid 19. That is on its way to where . It is on its way here. It is actually end of the bay of manila. Back in march it was in australia and it entered the port of sydney, and controversial manner. Numbers of people were let off, some 2700, and later they were connected to more than 600 cases of coronavirus and 21 deaths. Remains of single biggest source of coronavirus in australia. There is a criminal investigation looking at the ship and the people on the shore and looking at why it was allowed to disembark these people. At the moment itjust as the crew, some 400 foreign nationals, 200 filipino. They have been kept in isolation for 40 days before perhaps being allowed back on shore. This country is weary and does not want its own ruby princess scenario in the philippines. They re often called the greatest generation the men and women who worked and fought to win the Second World War. Over the next few days on breakfast, well be telling some of their stories. Tomorrow marks 75 years since ve day, the day victory in europe was secured. John maguire has been to meet 97 year old Audrey Gerrans who worked in munitions factories and married her sweetheartjoe, a soldier, during the war. Darling, please be careful of those flying bombs. Im so worried about you. Everything is ok with me, dear, and there is nothing i want you to send me. Unless you could get mum to wrap you up in a neat parcel, label it with utmost care and send it to me, urgent. My dearestjoe, i heard one of your songs on the radio at lunchtime. I remember when you used to sing it to me and sometimes play it on the gramophone at home and wed dance together, darling. I would love to be dancing with you just now. The words of lovestruck newlyweds, married in 1944 and kept apart by conflict. But through more than 700 letters, joe and Audrey Gerrans were never far from each others thoughts. And i wrote everything in those letters. I mean, people would say, what the hell do you write about every day . Because some of them were 17 and 18 pages long and joe used to say it was as if i was in the next room, he never, ever thought he was apart from me. Joe was a talented footballer who once met the king while playing for barnett. During the war, he served with the Royal Medical army corps while his young wife worked in a munitions factory. When you say munitions, it makes you feel you were brave. We made 3. 7, and they were the big guns on the coast, you know. Yep. Big bertha, we called our one that was on our kent coast. By all accounts, if they got scratched at all they wouldnt fire. Every time i was night work, i did everybodys hairfor them. I washed it and rolled it up when i went in, and i combed it out before they went home. And of course, the supervisor couldnt grumble because she was the one to have hers. Audrey was next tasked with helping to manufacture Aircraft Fuel tanks, just one of the two women in the factory small enough to crawl into the tank and by torchlight finish off its interior. And then they pulled us out by our feet. Withjoe now in northern germany, news came through on the radio at home that hitler was dead and the war, in europe at least, was over. People were dancing in the street so we joined them. All the lights were on. You know. And fairy lights and everything i thought that was the end of the war, and so did everybody else. Joe died in 1997, their romance born in war had lasted more than half a century. Now im happy, dearwife, that our love will remain as strong as yesterday. I hope youre not worrying about me too much, sweetheart, because you know i will be all right. John maguire, bbc news. It is really moving story and just pa rt it is really moving story and just part of our coverage over the next two days. Ve day, of course, tomorrow. The sun isjust popping up andi tomorrow. The sun isjust popping up and i think 20 of us will be enjoying a bit of sun over the next couple of days. Some beautiful sunrises out there this morning. A fantastic view of the moon last night. Quite a chilly start to the day and some mist and fog for some of us. Any mist and fog will be lifting pretty quickly. Temperatures on the rise over the next few days. Sunshine but also heavy showers around and some thunderstorms later on. High pressure not far away drifting off into the east. Weather fronts pushing north. A cloudier start to parts of Northern Ireland, the far south west of england, west of wales, with a few showers and some pushing into western scotland later in the day. Elsewhere, for the bulk of england, a lot of dry weather with blue skies. Warmer than recent days. Warmers in the south east. For many of us 16 20 celsius. With the heat building, we will see heavy showers and the threat of heavy storms in the south wales, but of his anger. A bit of rain overnight across the north west of scotland. Mcleod compared to last night. Many of us in double figures. Tomorrow, a mild upstart, quite a warmer day, more cloud in the west. Sunshine in many eastern parts of england but also a few showers as temperatures rise, 24 degrees for most of us. The threat of showers and thunderstorms later in the day. A change in the day through the weekend. Turning colder. For saturday, many of us seeing a largely dry start to the day. Raymond looking across northern scotland, pushing southwards across parts of scotland, Northern Ireland, Northern England into the south of that, a lot of and dry weather but again showers and thunderstorms particularly in south wales, the midland east anglia and lancashire. Much colder across parts of scotland. That colder air sinks its way south through saturday night and on into thunder as well so you can see the blue colours returning to the map and those cold arrows. A few showers pushing away. One of two wintry flurries across scotland. 0f snow in the mountains here. A cold northerly breeze for many of us. Temperatures 10 degrees cooler. A bit of dry and sunny weather to be hello, this is breakfast with Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty. Good morning. Well bring you all the latest news and sport in a moment, but also on breakfast this morning. Two weeks after the first human trial of a vaccine began, well hearfrom some of the volunteers taking part and discuss the possibilities for future treatment of the virus. Summer holidays with a difference well find out how Tourist Attractions across the uk are hoping to welcome back visitors when restrictions are lifted. And well be talking to lord of the rings star andy serkis as he prepares to show his support for nhs staff. Good morning, heres a summary of todays main stories from bbc news. The uks coronavirus lockdown will be looked at by the government today, with some restrictions likely to be eased from monday. The key stay at home message is expected to be dropped, in order to kickstart some sections of the economy. But most of the current lockdown measures are due to remain in place. The first patients in the uk have received plasma donations from people who have recovered from coronavirus. Its hoped the donated plasma which is found in blood will contain antibodies that can treat other Covid Patients and increase their chances of survival. The nhs hopes to roll the treatment out more widely if it proves to be successful. People on the isle of wight are being encouraged to start using a new Smart Phone App today as part of a government trial to track coronavirus. The app is already being used by the nhs and Council Workers on the island, and uses Blue Tooth Technology to link users phones. If the trial is successful, it could be available nationwide within weeks. Its that time of the morning where we have a chat with a gp. We can speak now to gp dr siema iqbal. Good morning. How are you . Good morning. Im well, thank you. How are things in the practice and the work and what is the situation more generally . The situation at the moment is we are generally . The situation at the moment is we are aware generally . The situation at the moment is we are aware awaiting more guidance from the government to see when we can ease the measures we have put in place for the pandemic, when well be able to see patients that possibly have waited for love than restrictions to ease, to Access Health care . We are expecting patients that have potentially not accessed health care over the past few months because they have either been afraid because of the pandemic and the risk of infection, or because they felt they could manage their symptoms or are waiting for restrictions to ease so they can get to their local gp. So we are expecting quite a huge amount of unmet need and we are just bracing ourselves ready for that moment to see what happens. So easy to sense that as government message changes and we wait to see exactly what that is, part of that may be that you will have a lot more patients coming to you for things that they might otherwise have done normally . Yes, definitely. I think weve managed things like, for example, smear tests, but there are a lot of women awaiting their smear tests. There are people who would be monitored for different medications, where the guidance was we could hold off on the monitoring for a short period of time, all those patients will need to be seen. We saw a 25 reduction in a e visits since lockdown has started. And we have noticed a reduction in people contacting us with more of their day to day health ca re with more of their day to Day Health Care needs, more of their chronic illness needs. And i think there reaches a point where patients can only manage for so long and then they will be coming to us with that unmet need that they have held in for many months, to try to get that sorted. Particular chronic diseases. There will be a lot of people who have held back and should probably have held back and should probably have sought help, despite our messaging, despite us saying, please come and seek help. We are available, we are open. People have been scared and reluctant to seek help. So we do expect a huge surge really in patients once things settle down. Lets get some questions. This one from lee who says, and this is related to the idea of getting back to work, he says, i fall into the vulnerable category, suffer from asthma and get a flu jabs. Where do i stand on going back to work in the next few weeks if i am asked . Going back to work in the next few weeks ifi am asked . I think going back to work in the next few weeks if i am asked . I think theres a few things in that question. He falls into the vulnerable category but is he a high risk patient. To be high risk and have asked matt you would have had to have had and icu admission in the past, or on a higher dose inhaler. If you fall into any of those categories you will be in higher risk and therefore you will have received a letter from the government asking you to shield. The government has just the government asking you to shield. The government hasjust extended shielding until the end ofjune. That means you cannot leave your house for anything really, and try to get others to help you with your shopping, getting medication and so on, or working from shopping, getting medication and so on, orworking from home. If the government were to lift its restrictions on working, the shielding would still apply. So if he has asthma and he is part of the shielding group, he would still have two stay at home and arrangements made for him to be able to work from home. If you are not in the shielded group of asthma patients, so you have not had an icu admission, you are not on high dose steroids and your asthma is well controlled, you fall into the moderate group because you still have the flu jabs. For those people it may be that they will be expected to go to work. But again, you will have to take precautions. They are at moderate risk of infection and developing quite a severe illness from the virus. Those things like wearing a mask, maintaining social distancing at work. It is important if you are in the shielded group, which is a very High Risk Group of patients who are at very high risk of becoming very u nwell are at very high risk of becoming very unwell if they were to contract the virus, they would still have to stay at home until the end ofjune. Thank you very much. Good luck with your work over what could be quite a busy patch. Thank you. Its thought the governments stay at home message will be replaced in the coming days, with some lockdown restrictions possibly being eased from monday. Lets get some thoughts on this with the acting leader of the liberal democrats, sir ed davey. Thank you very much forjoining us this morning. Every front page, every political report we are having, the implication is, and the briefing seems to be from downing street, that of the stay at home message will be dropped on a sunday or monday. What is your understanding . Everyone wants the lockdown to ease because of the impact on Peoples Health. We have seen impact on Peoples Health. We have seen what is happening in domestic violence. And we have obviously seen what is happening on the economy. But i do think we need to be cautious. When i speak to the Prime Minister later today, that would be my message. We have to make sure there is a plan in place for the health of our people. Where is the Testing Capacity, the tracing capacity, the isolation plan . And on the economy, things like the furlough scheme have worked but they are about to end. What happens then . There are millions of people worried about theirjobs. People who have yet to be helped. The government has to be clear what the plan is for them. I will talk about the economy injusta them. I will talk about the economy injust a moment. You mentioned caution. When it comes to the stay at home message being dropped, do you agree it is the time to do that . If we are going to ask people to do more exercise, if we are going to open things like garden centres, the message has to be relaxed, but the real question is, we dont want to give a false impression that things have changed dramatically and that life can go back to normal. It is essential the government gets the balance right. And i also think, because people will feel unsettled and worried, they do need to make sure that of the plan is developed, people can have confidence that there is a plan in place. People have been asking a lot of questions in the last few weeks. My colleagues have really been pushing the government to give those answers and we havent had too many yet. What a nswe rs we havent had too many yet. What answers do you think you should have been given that you havent been that are important . For example, at community level, working with local government, working with the volu nta ry government, working with the voluntary sector, to help deliver on things like the tracing work that has got to be done. Lets remember, if we do easily lockdown, people who test positive, there is going to be a huge effort needed to trace people who they have been in contact with. I think the government is putting a bit too much weight on technology. If you look at other countries they have been recruiting a small army of in local communities to carry out that the tracing element. That is going to be really important. So for the government has taken a very centralised approach and that has failed into many areas. What would you rather see . Id like to see the government embracing local government embracing local government board. Let me give you one example. Food vouchers for schools, for people on free meals, which is contracted to a private firm, just has not worked. If you compare that with wales, where they have been embracing the help of the local authorities, local communities, it has been far more effective in making sure that food gets to children and families who need it. And i really think they stopped an approach from the government, we saw them trying to use centralised laboratories and many more in the regions, that approach has not really work. So i wa nt approach has not really work. So i want to see a plan that does really ensure that the health of the nation really is sorted out with a proper testing, tracing and isolation of strategy, and the economy really cant be sustained, ensuring that employers have confidence that they dont have to start consulting on redundancy. Some people are telling me that is what they are planning to do next week unless the government comes forward with a proper plan. You will be aware the bank of england is going to release its thinking on where the economy is in around 15 minutes, just after seven oclock. You have made clear that a return to austerity is not what the uk needs, yet we have seen the government have to find money, almost half to find a bottomless pit, to fund following, Companies Going down etc. What pain are we going down etc. What pain are we going to have to experience after this pandemic is brought under some semblance of control . We will feel a lot of pain now. And we need to have a strategy which takes us away from that. I think a Growth Strategy is what is important. Many of us liberal democrats are arguing if we have a Growth Strategy, we are trying to build a new economy where we are focused on things like the Climate Change threat and so we are getting jobs in the green sector, the sustainable sector. We are also trying to make sure our economy is fairer by ensuring that Public Services that we have all relied on, that everyone says is critical, they are maintained and developed. I think you can do that. It is quite possible for the bank of england to lend money to the government. We saw that after the 2008 financial crisis. Now, even more so. This is an unprecedented crisis. I think the bank of england needs to be clear that it bank of england needs to be clear thatitis bank of england needs to be clear that it is prepared to lend the government of that money. In a country like ours, that is quite possible. With Interest Rates at re cord possible. With Interest Rates at record lows, that could be sustained for some time to come and we can focus on growth, not cuts. Ed davy, acting leader of the liberal democrats, thank you for your time. The time isjust the time is just coming up to 6 45am. The message to stay at home may be getting changed by the government, but is that leading you to think about planning your Summer Holiday here in the uk . If the lockdown rules allow it, it could be welcome news to the Tourism Industry, which has already taken a big hit. Adam mcclean has been to blackpool to see how businesses there are coping. Here in blackpool, the beaches are almost empty. For the very first time, spring didnt come with a wave of visitors. For businesses like this bed and breakfast, the timing couldnt have been worse. Youve refurbished, youve refreshed, youve redecorated, youve got your property ready for the coming season. And just when youre pushing the boundaries of your overdraft limit is when easter lands and ordinarily and the weather weve had this easter blackpool would have been absolutely chockablock. And that would have given us our First Financial burst, if you will. For these businesses every day in season count. Days lost in spring and summer will hit hardest later in the year. So weve come through the winter. If we dont come out of this until toward the end of the season when well have not had any money coming in for a full season and then we hit another winter, thats going to be so desperate. And i fear that many businesses wont survive. On a sunny day, blackpools beaches would normally be full of visitors. Today, there are just a few locals walking up and down the seafront. Many of them depend on tourism for their livelihoods. Youve spent the last 20 years of your life trying to persuade people to come here, and now youve spent the last sort of six or seven weeks trying to persuade people not to come here. Its quite a change. About 50 of our gdp is tourism. So if even if youre not directly in tourism in blackpool, then, you know, youre either in the supply chain or you benefit from it in some way. So, yeah, its a big hit on blackpool, but obviously everybodys suffering in these difficult times. At wartime blackpool today, munition makers and other war workers on a brief holiday. Blackpool was open for business during the Second World War. It was a haven from a Global Crisis with many here hoping our seaside towns can do the same again. Its about making people feel, you know, comfortable and safe coming to blackpool thats where weve got to put all our energies at the moment and hope that we come. We ease out of this before the end of the season. That would be my greatest hope, really. 0ur beaches will be there to be enjoyed long after this pandemic. Those whove built livelihoods around them hope their businesses will be, too. Adam mcclean, bbc news. Gorgeous views there, blackpool. 6 47am is the time. Lets have a look at the sport with mike. Im very good. Managing to keep the old barnet intact. We are talking again about the return of football. Its getting closer in germany. As the premier league plans its return to action, managers may for the first time see the medical advice from doctors on restarting matches later today. Thats ahead of a meeting next week between clubs. England are watching whats happening in germany very closely their top flight is expected to resume as early as next friday, but itll be without fans, asjoe lynskey explains. They call dortmunds main stand the yellow wall. It wont look like this again for a while. But now, in less than a month, we will see footballs new normal. Games in empty grounds will start in germany in late may. Its reward for a country that so far has been a front runner in containing the virus. But this is still a timeline thats fraught with risk. In germany right now, theres still a lot of infection in the country. You still have that risk of transmission and amplification of transmission. And since players came back to training here, its not been easy. Salomon kalou filmed himself high fiving his team mates. Hes been suspended by hertha berlin. Across the clubs, ten players already have tested positive for the virus. Fixtures behind closed doors are called ghost games in germany. 0ne teams trying to improve the look with photos of their supporters in the stands. But not all german fans want football back like this. One group says that football is sick enough and belongs in quarantine, while many think covid tests should be saved only for key workers. The league says it needs less than 1 of germanys Testing Capacity to fulfil the season. And just like the rest of europe, its finances are under strain. My view is that, once it does come back, i think people will understand that this is the lesser of two evils because not having any football until this pandemic is over which could take another 12 months is going to be disastrous for all football, or we might not have any clubs left by then. Most teams have nine games left. The biggest victory of all would getting them all played. Joe lynskey, bbc news. So what of the premier league, then . Well know more on monday, when votes on various proposals including playing at neutral venues will take place. Many clubs are against the idea though, and the mayor of Greater Manchester, andy burnham, feels clubs shouldnt feel pressured to return, and finish the season. We mustnt get whipped up into a kind of situation here where were kind of talking ourselves into an Early Release and talking ourselves into bringing sport back more quickly than we should. Its got to be Peoples Health and safety at the forefront of this argument. So thats football and germany also leading the restart in horse racing, which returns this afternoon, with 12 races taking place in hanover, without a crowd. Back in the uk, organisers of two of the most famous flat races, the derby and 0aks, are hoping to hold the classic races, behind closed doors, onjuly the 4th at epsom downs. Theyve asked the local council to be flexible, and approve any saturday injuly or august and give permission for the venue to be fenced off and all surrounding footpaths closed for 24 hours. A resumption would depend on government approval. Now, many people are struggling with their Mental Health at the moment, but what about those with eating disorders . The charity beat have reported an alarming 30 rise in calls for help, with interactions on social media nearly doubling. 0ne former gb athlete who suffers with an eating disoder says its because normal ways of coping have been disrupted. People that potentially have an eating disorder, that maybe dont like exercise or kind of rely on the gyms, or rely on spinning or friends, or other social activities to kind of help them, obviously thats been taken away from everybody at the moment. So the control that potentially you get from something else, you are bringing in to what you can control, and theres not much in your flat that you can do really. Like suzy petty, one of rugbys most famous referees, nigel 0wens, has been battling an eating disorder for many years, but says people shouldnt suffer alone. If anybody out there is struggling with bulimia, or any eating disorder, then seek help with it, you know. Dont let it get the better of you. You can and you will get through it, but the sooner you deal with it, the better. Theres more information and advice on this from bbc action line thats on bbc. Co. Uk actionline. Like everything, it is finding ways to keep active and fit at home in isolation, whether going for that run or doing things in your own living room, turning it into a gym. Its amazing. For all your years as a sports journalist, its amazing. For all your years as a sportsjournalist, isnt its amazing. For all your years as a sports journalist, isnt it amazing how it has changed in terms of how open sports personalities and athletes are now about their personal experiences . Particularly when it comes to Mental Health or any disorders, in order to help those who look up to them and just to show they are not infallible. Yeah, absolutely. 0ne to show they are not infallible. Yeah, absolutely. One thing i really noticed is the way fans and players have connected. We have seen lot done by various football clubs over the weeks in lockdown, reaching out and connecting with fans in a way that has never really been seen before. Much more personable. Just all down to earth. We are all in the same boat, id be . Exactly, exactly. Mike, we will see you soon. Most leisure businesses have stood empty since the lockdown began in march but life continues to thrive behind the closed gates of the countrys zoos. Penguin chicks, mongoose pups and cheetah cubs are among the creatures to have been born while we were all shut out. Thankfully, their keepers have been doing some filming for us. Take a look. Music at the zoo do you know, every now and then at this programme brings me purejoy. And that was it i do love the job, dont get me wrong, but the baby lemurs. Which was your favourite of all the animals . It all works. There has to be one you like more. At the main thing is that those keepers working behind the scenes are having to carry on doing thatjob and u nfortu nately to carry on doing thatjob and unfortunately filming bits so we get to see it. Which was your favourite animal . I dont know, im not going to pick one what, do you think they will be offended . To pick one what, do you think they will be offended . Yes are you playing favourites . Do you want sarah to rescue . Its got to be the little kangaroo jelly for me, just peeking out, looking for someone to see him. They might be enjoying the quiet. To sarah, it looks lovely. Whats in store at . Temperatures on the rise over the next few days. It is looking lovely out there. Not quite everywhere, more showers and cloud around particularly in the we st cloud around particularly in the west but further east under the clear skies, a chilly start to the day. A bit of messiness around but that will burn away very quickly. Michael messiness. 0ver that will burn away very quickly. Michael messiness. Over the next couple of days, things will be largely warm and sunny but watch out for showers. They will be quite heavy and thundery as the temperatures rise. High pressure not far away, keeping things largely dry. Just starting to drift away to the east, allowing a few of these weather fronts to rush western parts of the uk. That brings more cloud to Northern Ireland this morning. Also western parts of wales, the far south west of england seem showers. Some of those pushing into western scotland, as well. For eastern scotland, as well. For eastern scotland, for the bulk of england we have blue sky and sunshine. Temperatures up to about 23 degrees in the warmest spots to the south east. Many of us somewhere between 16 to 20 degrees. With that heat building we will see a few heavy downpours particular for south wales, through the southern midlands in towards east anglia. Possibly the odd rumble of thunder overnight. If you heavy showers across the north west of scotland. More cloud across the uk tonight, so a milder night than we saw last night. Many of us double figures first thing friday. Through the day tomorrow, are largely dry day with sunshine, particularly for many eastern areas. They will be more showers bubbling up, especially for parts of south wales, towards east anglia. Northern ireland and western scotland also prone to heavy downpours later in the day. Again, there is temperatures warming up. Between 14 to 24. We could see 25 celsius across the southeast in one or two spots on friday. What about the weekend . You will really notice a change in the weather as things will gradually turn a lot colder. Pretty warm over the next few days. Again saturday largely won for much of the uk with some sunshine. You will notice the rain lingering across northern scotland, that will slowly shift south, bringing showers to southern scotland, Northern Ireland, Northern England and a few heavy showers and thunderstorms building during the afternoon for south wales and parts of southern england, as well. Again in the one, temperatures in the south east up to 24 or 25 degrees. A lot colder than that across northern parts of scotland. That colder air filters its way further south through saturday night and into sunday. The blue colour is sweeping and into sunday. The blue colour is sweeping across and into sunday. The blue colour is sweeping across the uk, these are northerly wind arrows. A really different feel to the weather through the day on sunday. In fact that air is cold enough for a few wintry flurries across northern and eastern parts of scotland. Further south, mostly dry. Some were cloud around but a different feel to the weather with a cold northerly wind, many of us by sunday will be about 10 degrees on sunday than it will be on saturday. Stay with us, the headlines are coming up shortly. Good morning, welcome to breakfast, with Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt. 0ur headlines today a likely end to the stay at home message from the government, as ministers prepare plans to reopen parts of the economy. But most of the lockdown restrictions are expected to remain, when the Prime Minister outlines the next steps on sunday. How quickly can the economy recover . In the next few moments well get the bank of englands view on the everything from unemployment to Interest Rates, and what it is doing to help the country bounce back. The first covid 19 patients in the uk have been given blood products donated by survivors as part of research to find a treatment for the disease. There are fresh warnings about the premier league returning before its safe to do so, as germanys top clubs prepare for matches to resume, potentially as early as next friday. Good morning. Its thursday the 7th of may. Our top story. The uks coronavirus lockdown will be reviewed by the government today, with signs that some restrictions could be eased from monday. The governments stay at home message is expected to be dropped, in order to kickstart some sections of the economy. But most of the current lockdown measures are due to remain in place. The uk has now become the first country in europe to record more than 30,000 deaths linked to coronavirus, as jon donnison reports. 0lume and isi ivowi brothers and best friends, both victims of covid 19. 0lume died on good friday in luton. He was 46. Isi, who had downs syndrome, died nine days later, in milton keynes. He was 38. The family, who could not be by their sides when they died, are urging people to stick to the lockdown. Social distancing, making sure you stay at home, dont go out if you dont need to, and if you do go out, follow the guidelines, listen to all the medical professionals because they are the ones that can really kill people. And the number dying continues to rise. 649 more deaths were confirmed yesterday, making the uk the first country in europe to pass 30,000. In online videos and elsewhere, the government is still urging people to stick to the lockdown, but its understood the governments core stay at home message is to be scrapped at the weekend. The Prime Minister is due to make an announcement on sunday, but Officials Say dont expect dramatic changes. Restrictions will most likely remain largely in place. We have to be sure that the data is going to support our ability to do this. That data is coming in continuously over the next few days. Well want, if we possibly can, to get going with some of these measures on monday. I think it will be a good thing, mr speaker, if people had an idea of whats coming the following day, and thats why i think sunday, the weekend, is the best time to do it. Meanwhile, the government is still facing questions on testing. Here, the military are helping test key workers but since the weekend, the government has failed to meet its target of 100,000 deaths a day, and there are still concerns about protective equipment for the nhs. 100,000 100,000 tests 100,000 tests a day. In april, an raf cargo plane was dispatched to fly in ppe supplies from turkey. The government has now confirmed that 400,000 surgical gowns that were delivered have been unusable because they did not meet the required safety standards. It will add to claims that the Health Service has not received the support it needs. Tonight, though, as on every thursday for the past six weeks, people will yet again take to the streets to clap for their carers. Jon donnison, bbc news. 0ur Political Correspondent iain watson is in westminster. Good morning. So we talk about the change to the government message, the stay message . Yes, it is going to change at the weekend. The Prime Minister will make that speech on sunday, setting out a basically a road map out of lockdown. But he is not going to go off in all sorts of different directions. We are told it is going to be a phased approach to lifting lockdown. So the stay at home message will change. But the government will be emphasising that not very much will change immediately on monday morning. They have to be careful and considered in their approach and look at the effect a ny their approach and look at the effect any changes have on driving up effect any changes have on driving up the infection rate, for example. Some of the things he will outline on sunday that they may do further down the line, may be further postponed. I dont think we are expecting very specific timetables. 0ne expecting very specific timetables. One thing expecting very specific timetables. One thing i think we will get on monday, they have set a time and again they believe the virus is less virulent out of doors. So there may bea virulent out of doors. So there may be a relaxation of exercise rules, more Outdoor Activities, more opportunities to go to the countryside, have a picnic. There will be some easing of restrictions but the idea that the Prime Minister is going to take his foot off the pedal is something downing street is keen to emphasise is not the case. What about the message when it comes to testing . We had a period of time where there was a focus on reaching 100,000. It was reached, 100,000 tests, in a form. Then the last few days that the target has been missed, yet we have had another target from the Prime Minister of 200,000 by the end of this month . Yes, there are the does seem to be a bit of a pattern here, the government is getting criticised for perhaps being too slow in some area and a new target suddenly appears. The Health Secretary gave us a target of 100,000. Yesterday, the Prime Minister 200,000 tests by the end of the month. What the government says, although the 100,000 target was only met on one day, the deadline that the Health Secretary had said, nonetheless it could be good news that theyre missing 100,000 at the moment because fewer of the key workers that have been tested are contracting the virus, partly as a result of the success of six weeks of lockdown. The 200,000, incidentally, would also include immunity tests if any of them were found to be reliable. 0k. Found to be reliable. Ok. We will be following that one, i am sure. Thank you. People on the isle of wight are being encouraged to start using a new Smart Phone App today as part of a government trial to track coronavirus. The app is already being used by the nhs and Council Workers on the island, and uses Blue Tooth Technology to link users phones. If the trial is successful, it could be available nationwide within weeks. An mp claims she was effectively sacked after speaking out on newsnight about ppe at her Part Time Job at a care home. Nadia whittome is the labour mp for nottingham east. She returned to work at lark hill retirement village to help with the coronavirus outbreak. Her employer extracare said there were no problems with ppe at the home. Patients are not being treated at some urgent care dental hubs in england because of a shortage of protective equipment. The centres were set up to offer emergency treatment during lockdown, but Health Ministerjo churchill said some of them had faced delays receiving ppe and some are still struggling. At least eight people have died, and more than a thousand have been taken ill, after a gas leak in south india. The incident happened at a Chemical Plant in southern india. Residents nearby complained of a Burning Sensation in their eyes and breathing difficulties. The gas is reported to have spread up to three miles from the plant. Donald trump has said the coronavirus pandemic has hit america harder than the Pearl Harbour or 9 11 attacks. The us has recorded more than 70,000 deaths from the virus, the highest number in the world. The president also blamed china for the outbreak, saying it would not have happened if the authorities there had acted quicker. This is probably the worst attack weve ever had, this is worse than pearl harbor, this is worse than the world trade center, theres never been an attack like this, and it should have never happened. It could have been stopped at the source, it could have been stopped in china. It shouldve been stopped right at the source. We have been promising you the bank of england is releasing an update on the state of the economy. Sean is taking a look at that. How much more candy of england help . Good morning. Good morning. When we look at what the bank of england has said in the last few minutes, it has kept Interest Rates on hold at that record all time low of 0. 1 . A lot of what the bank is trying to do, and it is reiterating that this morning, is it is trying to support businesses around the country to try to get access to the cash it needs. A lot of that is by getting banks to lend them the money they need. By keeping Interest Rates low, thats what they hope to do with that. They are continuing with quantitative easing. Effectively the bank of england create money and put it into the system to help liquidity, to help people get access to the cash that they need to help businesses, so they are continuing with that. And they have taught david as well about the prospects of the economy on the back of this crisis. What will it look like. They have set out a scenario. We are going to get into the details of this over the course of the morning. It is one scenario, not a prediction. They say it will have a big hit onjobs not a prediction. They say it will have a big hit on jobs and not a prediction. They say it will have a big hit onjobs and it not a prediction. They say it will have a big hit on jobs and it will have a big hit on jobs and it will have an effect on peoples livelihoods, but they hope that actually, in this scenario, there is actually, in this scenario, there is a potential for a actually, in this scenario, there is a potentialfor a more rapid bounce back than maybe others might think. There is a bit of positivity in there. They are trying to say they are there for banks to give the economy what it needs. But the immediate outlook for the economy, as weve heard from many others as well, is not good. And particularly unemployment is going to be getting to levels that we have not seen for quite some time. Sean, thank you. I know you will dig through the detail of that. We will talk about it later. See you then. It is the first human trial of a Coronavirus Vaccine in europe two weeks ago volunteers were injected at a trial in oxford, as the hunt for a cure for the outbreak continues. Two of those taking part in the trial have kept a video diary for us, to keep us updated on how they are getting on. Lets take a look. Morning everyone. Im lydia, im from oxford and today i am due to be injected with a vaccine as part of the oxford covid 19 vaccine trials. My name is andrew and im a volunteer on the covid 19 vaccine trial. I work for 0xfam. Im a memberof the board for Amnesty International and i live in oxfordshire with my partner, where we currently home school our five children. It feels like a hopeful thing. Whenever i hear the academics and the researchers talking on the radio or on the news, ifeel my heart beats a little bit, thinking, im going to be a tiny part of that. So its the morning of the actual vaccination. Up until this point ive had very few nerves, but look at me, shaking like a leaf. I dont really know why. I dont know how i am feeling still. Its just unreal. But i dont regret my decision. Im really determined to go through with it. And im pleased to be part of this brilliant team. I dont know what it is going to be like. I really hate needles. Im hoping for a sticker and a lollipop, like i used to get when i was a kid. I think that would be nice. There is no backing out now. Ill speak to you on the other side. I feel really weird. One of my kids this morning said, will you know straightaway, will you feel different after you had to be vaccine, would you be able to tell . And i said to him, no, no, illjust be silly. But i cant help it. I do feel different. I know its psychological. I guess what i didnt reckon on was that being there, being part of the trial, being part of the clinical team, is a really strong, very tangible sense of progress and hope that is infectious just like the coronavirus, and you come away from the whole thing feeling very much like, you know, that things are tilting in our favour now and that all of this will end at some point. And it will end permanently. The main question for me was, did i think it was safe . And im a mum, ive got two kids. Ive got a husband, a family who care about me. Theres no way i would want to do anything i felt was seriously unsafe. Im not a reckless person. But i guess it comes down to, did i have faith in the trial team . And i did. Every step of the way they have been professional, kind, straightforward, honest with us. So im prepared to take that leap of faith and put my trust in them. Lets speak now to our medical correspondent, fergus walsh. Good morning. We spoke to andrew and lydia before the start of the trial. Really interesting hearing about it as it is progressing. What can you tell us about what has happened so far . I think we have to pay tribute to all the volunteers, more than 800 of them, in this particular trial. There is going to be another 5000. Without their input, then medical progress would not be made for any drug treatment or any vaccine. Now as farasi drug treatment or any vaccine. Now as far as i know, there are still people being immunised in this section of the trial, it is going to be opened up to a wider age group. This one was 18 to 55 year olds. Some questions about older people because they tend to not respond so well, their immune response doesnt respond so well, so perhaps they may need two doses of the vaccine. If it works. Will it work . I think we wont know for some time. There was some talk of, maybe we will have some talk of, maybe we will have some early results injune. But it depends on what is happening to the virus in the community. It sounds almost a twisted way of looking at it, but if the capital or number is coming down, there are fewer opportunities for all of us to be infected. How does that affect the trial when you want to see if the vaccine works with these people who are undertaking this trial . The team in oxford say they are trying to catch the last wave, the bit of the wave of this current epidemic, and now they are telling all the volunteers to just carry on with their normal daily lives, not to do anything risky, not to behave in any weight differently than we are being asked to do, so to maintain social distancing. And they have been recruiting quite a lot of Front Line Health Workers and people whose roles are public facing because they are more likely to get exposed to the virus. But they do need a certain number of people to get exposed so they can see whether the vaccine works. If that doesnt happen soon, then it could take months before they have adequate results to show whether it protects. Just to stay where you are for a moment because we are going to talk about plasma trials, as well. I want to ta ke about plasma trials, as well. I want to take people through some of that basics. As well as vaccine trials, there are also hopes for a treatment involving plasma donations from those who have recovered from the virus. The first patients have now received the treatment in the uk. Heres how it works. The technology for the treatment is straightforward. Someone who has had the virus needs to have fully recovered, their blood is then collected and the red and white blood cells removed. What is left behind is called plasma. This contains the antibodies they built up whilst fighting the virus. This is then given to someone who has covid 19, and the hope is that the donors antibodies then help the patient attack the virus. 0ne survivors plasma can be given to three other people. So, lets take a look at this. If the vaccine isnt a success, if the vaccine takes months and months and months, may be up to a year, who knows . This is treatment at least that could be helpful. The treatment isa very that could be helpful. The treatment is a very old bit of technology. Its actually been going around since the late 19th century. It was used during the spanish flu pandemic in 1918 used during the spanish flu pandemic in1918 and used during the spanish flu pandemic in 1918 and 1919, and is a proven technology. It was used also more re ce ntly technology. It was used also more recently in sa rs technology. It was used also more recently in sars and mers coronavirus outbreaks, where convalescent plasma was taken from people who had recovered and given to patients. It is a proven technology, but what we dont know is whether it will work in the case of this coronavirus. There is a trial going on. 1000 patients are going to receive two infusions of plasma within 48 hours of being admitted to intensive care. There have been a couple of very, very small trials in china that do suggest that convalescent plasma for coronavirus it doesnt work, but we cant be sure because the trials we re cant be sure because the trials were so cant be sure because the trials were so small and they were receiving other drugs. So it would be very helpful, but they would be limited numbers of people who could give this, and it does involve having an infusion, so its not a simple process. You address one of the fairly obvious things here, which is that you need people who have coronavirus in order to harvest the plasma. Yes, and they have to have been 28 days after recovering four antibodies to build up. And then as you said that is separated off and given in an infusion. You have to match the blood groups and things like that. So it is perfectly possible, but it would be a treatment for people who are already very seriously ill. Although there is also talk of trialling it for Vulnerable People as a protective measure. Now that would be a whole different idea, then doing that, but if you could give it to people potentially who were extremely vulnerable then perhaps you might be able to protect them. There is a small trial being planned there, as well. But mostly this is a treatment for people who are seriously ill. Thanks for taking us through all of that. Fergus walsh, our medical correspondent. 7 19am. Hate crimes against Chinese People have been more than three times as common in the first three months of 2020 than in the same period of the last two years according to new police figures. A new survey says a rise in anti chinese feeling across the uk since the coronavirus outbreak has left many people feeling too scared to go out. Were joined now by professor Binna Kandola who conducted the research, and also by lucy li, a nurse in london. Good morning to you both. Thank you for talking to us. Lucy, let me start with you. You have had experience in yourjob in everyday life and you have seen a change in attitudes towards you because of where people perceive you are from. Yes. I will start by talking about my daughter, who First Experienced at this at her high school. She started year seven in september. She had heard of the children say to others, dont play with chinese children because they are all infected with the coronavirus. And the latest victim was my son, he is seven. He was told by another young child on the playground that she didnt want his coronavirus. How do you explain to them why this is happening and why this is being said to them . At first i was quite lost and quite vulnerable because this is the first time that my children have experienced this. But as time went by, i do try to encourage them to find forgiveness and just to simply let go. You cant control what others say and do, but you can be mindful of how you want to interpret an negative situation and make it a positive one. I do try to also explain to them that there are a lot of misinformation out there, where it makes young people who are reading the information susceptible to believing that this information is true. And a lot of the anger and frustration, even though at their behaviour is unacceptable, but this isa behaviour is unacceptable, but this is a direct manifestation of fear. Fear of the unknown. Professor, it is profoundly depressing, hearing that very personal first hand account, but you have looked at the statistics and we have the police figures, as well. There is a pattern here, isnt there . And it is across the country. It is not isolated to certain parts of the nation. It is actually all over. And there is a pattern. We found that 50 of people of chinese heritage had experienced an increase in discrimination against them. Since the outbreak of covid 19. Against them. Since the outbreak of covid19. You collate these figures. Is there anything in practice that can be done to try. Do you try to inform People Better . How do you try to address it . I think information and raising awareness is really important. Thats what came out from the people that we interviewed. I think there is a sense of frustration that there is not enough attention that is being given to the attacks that are occurring. And by raising awareness. Particularly during the lockdown, because that will be lifted and so you would expect the incidences of discrimination against people of chinese heritage to have gone down. But as lockdown is lifted, the numbers could go up again and we have an opportunity here, for all of us, to be alert to these problems being faced by this community. It also requires Political Leadership to make really clear statements that this is unacceptable to them and to the vast majority of people in this country. Lucy, you spoke about what your children have experienced. I do not want to make any assumptions about your life, but i am assuming, as an adult, you can perhaps rationalise poor behaviour towards you. But have you seen this behaviour, abuse, increase significantly . I. Yes. When this first occurred and when the virus first occurred and when the virus first started emerging in the uk, there was a point where, you know, this was what we all talked about in our Whatsapp Group amongst family and friends, about how they fear. Ironically, its not that they are scared of the virus, it is about they are frightened of going out because of the people and how they may potentially be mistreated in public. Lucy, can i just may potentially be mistreated in public. Lucy, can ijust ask. The professor was talking about messaging. Do you feel let down that there hasnt been more emphatic messaging from whatever source and connection for what is an obvious problem . Yes. I feel that connection for what is an obvious problem . Yes. I feelthat there hasnt been enough senior political figures to come out and talk about this and address this more openly. Because i think that it would really help the Chinese Community significantly. Do you think, lucy. Im trying to think of the characteristics of various races, and there is no generalisation, but. How does the Chinese Community feel about speaking up when this happens . So i felt that a lot of these instances have gone unreported because culturally Chinese People are quite a reserved andi Chinese People are quite a reserved and i think a lot of people take that as a sign of weakness, but this attitude is more of an act of humility. Unfortunately it doesnt help with letting the public know the scale of this discrimination, segregation is happening on. So yes, imean, we segregation is happening on. So yes, i mean, we do need political input, but people also need to be brave and come forward and share their stories. Professor, on that theme, with that thought of being brave, when these incidences happen, as lucy has described so vividly, how do other people react . Because of course we know there is a small number of people who will openly say these things. But in almost all of these things. But in almost all of these situations there are other people around. What are people telling you about that . That they felt alone. As you say, a lot of these incidents happen in public places. There are other people around. Theyjust feel alone because very few people. There are very few occasions where we heard that other people had stepped in to help them and support them. I think in terms ofan them and support them. I think in terms of an action, and we talked about Political Leadership, actually there is a role for all of us, myself included, when the lockdown is lifted, to keep our eyes and ears open and when we see these things going on to step forward and step in and provide support to people who are the victims of this racism. Professor at Binna Kandola, thank you very much for your time. Lucy li, thank you for being so candid and honest. I genuinely hope that you dont have to experience anything like this again. Thank you for sharing your experiences. The time is 7 27am. Thats time to look at the weather. Sarah is in charge. Good morning. It is a dry, bright start for many out there today but the cloud is increasing from the west and we will have a few heavy showers on the cards later today. This is the picture first thing in east sussex. It is dry and bright with some sunshine. Many will see temperatures on the rise. 0ver the next few days things will warm up, but as the temperatures are building that will spark off those showers and thunderstorms in the mix. A lot of dry weather because we have this area of High Pressure just drifting off slowly to the east. A couple of weather fronts out to the west, just bringing a bit more cloud and a few showers to Northern Ireland, western parts of wales, and some of england seeing that cloud and showers. Some heavy showers pushing into north and west of scotla nd pushing into north and west of scotland later on this afternoon. For eastern scotland and much of england, things are set to stay dry for much of today. Temperatures in the one response up to about 23 degrees down towards the south east, but many typically 16 to 20 degrees. 0ne but many typically 16 to 20 degrees. One of them in recent days and less breezy. You will notice a few of those heavy showers for south wales, through the midlands towards east anglia come into this evening and overnight. The odd rumble of thunder around, still some showers continuing across the north west of scotla nd continuing across the north west of scotland and more cloud last night compared to last night, so it will be milder with many of us staying in double figures first thing friday. Friday is a milder day. It more cloud compared to today. Still some showers across parts of scotland and later in the day we will see more showers building for Northern Ireland, parts of wales, central england. Towards the south east we are likely to see 24 or 25 degrees. Certainly warming up, light winds, but many up into the high teens or low 20s on friday. What about the weekend . We will notice a real change in the weather which only happens gradually through the course of the weekend. Things are turning much colder. After a one few days, colder air on the way. On saturday we see the colder air into the north of scotla nd we see the colder air into the north of scotland with heavy rain. Some rain pushing further south across scotland, Northern Ireland, the far north of england at times, and some heavy showers once again through parts of the midlands, central and southern england and into south wales. Down to the south east, you will probably escape most of the showers and temperatures once again in the mid 20s, 25 celsius or sell possible to the south east. Much colder already across the north of scotland. That colder air it sinks its way south through saturday night and on into sunday. You can see the blue colours returning across the map and these very cold northerly wind arrows. Very different feeling day on sunday. Quite a bit of dry weather still, early showers likely in the south and then a few wintry flurries could see some snowfall, even to low levels across the north east of scotland on sunday. Bit of a wind chill as those winds come in from a northerly direction. Temperatures only about six to perhaps 40 degrees for most, one is in the far south west but around 10 degrees colder at least compared to saturday. Things are turning quite a bit colder particular through the second half of the weekend. Huge contrast. Thank you very much. Hello, this is breakfast with Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty. Good morning. Lets update you with the well news. The countrys economy is in the middle of a sharp recession, according to the latest bank of england assessment. Within the past half an hour, the bank has confirmed it expects uk growth to plummet by nearly a third in the first half of the year, which would mean a substantial increase in unemployment. It does say the recovery will be relatively rapid. The uks coronavirus lockdown will be looked at by the government today, with some restrictions likely to be eased from monday. The key stay at home message is expected to be dropped, in order to kickstart some sections of the economy. But most of the current lockdown measures are due to remain in place. Lets talk now to the Northern Ireland secretary, brandon lewis. Thank you very much for your time. I just want to first ask you about those figures from the bank of england, which we havejust those figures from the bank of england, which we have just received in the last half an hour. For those that have not already seen them, the bank of england is warning coronavirus will push the uk economy towards its deepest recession on record. Can i get your reaction . Well, look, ithink record. Can i get your reaction . Well, look, i think its a real wake up call to the impact of the virus. I have not seen the specific figures. I have been going from a skype studio to skype studio. I think it is a clear reminder of the damage this virus can do. We did say right at the very beginning. Inaudible. We knew it would have a huge impact on our economy. That is why we put huge support packages there for individuals and businesses, determined to make sure we can continue to put in as much support as we can. But as you dished just described, hopefully there will be a swift recovery when we get to the other side of this virus and we have to make sure the economy is ina we have to make sure the economy is in a position where it can recover. We believe we may be over the peak of the virus but we have a little way to go yet. We are having some problems with the line but it is worth continuing. The images freezing. 0n the specifics of what the bank of and have said, if i may, they have said the Unemployment Rate is expected to double to around 9 . Well, we have obviously put in place the furlough scheme so companies can put their staff into further when they are not required for the business itself, hopefully that will require and save a lot more jobs than otherwise would have been the case. This will be continually reviewed in terms of the time frame to make sure we keep it there as long as we need to. We will review it and extended if we need to. But we have always understood this would have a big impact on our economy. We are looking to make sure that we put whatever support we can in place. Sadly, we will lose no doubt some businesses as we go through this virus but we want to make sure that as we start to come out of the virus and as we get to the other side, those businesses can come as the bank of england has outlined, recover very quickly and we can see a chance for the economy to blossom and grow again. Do these figures correspond with what the government themselves had imagined and predicted would happen . Im afraid ive been back to back in interviews for the last 45 minutes. Ive not seen for the last 45 minutes. Ive not seen exactly what the bank of england published. But we were a lwa ys england published. But we were always clear, and we were very open with people, that this would have a big impact on our economy. Thats why we put an unprecedented support package out of their and why we have been determined and we will continue to be determined to do everything we can to make sure the support is there so people from a health and economic point of view. When we come to the other side of this virus, we have a Good Opportunity for the economy to recover as quickly as possible. Can i ask you about what we are expecting from the Prime Minister . He has told us he will be making a statement to the nation on sunday. But its being reported that the stay at home message will go, it will be changed on sunday. Is that true . Well, we havent made any final decisions on theseissues havent made any final decisions on these issues yet. We have cabinet later this morning where we will be discussing these propositions and options. We will be having conversations with the devolved authorities as we have been through the course of the last few weeks, i would just say to viewers and people watching and listening, i would urge some caution around. Although we believe we are through the peak of this virus, we are cautious to ensure we dont get a second peak. This virus is one that spreads so brilliantly, so fast, and as we see, tragically, can be so deadly, that we have to make sure we have real caution Going Forward to make sure that we are protecting peoples out as much as we possibly can. L. Use a caution, but you look at the front pages of the papers this morning, the sun for example, happy monday, go out and exercise as much as you like, sit in parks with your pals, pubs and cafe is planned to reopen. The Daily Telegraph says stay at home advice is to be scrapped. Is there a danger that in the absence of other information people are going to think it is time to go outdoors again . |j people are going to think it is time to go outdoors again . I would say to people the government position is quite clear. 0r people the government position is quite clear. Or you can work from home you should. We should stay at home you should. We should stay at home where we can. Where you can work from home you should. Through today we are looking. 0ne work from home you should. Through today we are looking. One thing that will be at the forefront of our minds is that we do not see a fast and deadly second peak to this virus. As we move forward, we are going to have to make sure we have some caution around making sure we are protecting Peoples Health. I would say to people to continue to follow the government guidelines. The Prime Minister will make a statement over the next few days. But at the forefront of our minds is making sure we do everything we cannot just to protect the economy, as we were talking about earlier, but to be cautious as we come through this, so we dont have a second peak. Iwould just through this, so we dont have a second peak. I would just say to people to not get too carried away with what we may be reading and wait until the pmis statement. Will give a very clear position. Do you understand there is a very real danger that the messaging here is one clear and we are coming up to a bank holiday weekend, we know the weather is going to be good. It would appear that there is a very real danger that the messaging seems to suggest something is changing and people might make decisions for themselves . And i fully appreciate people who have been in lockdown for a considerable number of weeks, in difficult circumstances, Small Properties with families, and i am very, very keen, particularly if we do see the good weather being promised this bank holiday weekend, but i would just say to people, i would urge caution. The safest thing to do at the moment with this virus the weight spreads, is where you can stay at home, yes, get out and do that daily exercise, and where you cant, the guidelines are there. But we have to continue doing what we can to ensure peoples safety. We can to ensure peoples safety. We can all play our part in that. At the moment that means continuing to stay at home. I want to ask you about the gowns that were imported from turkey, 400 surgical gowns imported, that were deemed to be unusable when they arrived. They were a number of stories related to that. When they finally got here, they were unusable. Do you know how much that cost and how it was that we got to that position . Were securing ppe from around the world and across the united kingdom, as you may well now. We had over 10,000 applications into the government lines from companies and individuals who want to and are able to supply ppe. That is fantastic. We want to explore every opportunity. But we do have to make sure that the quality of ppe is the right quality for our front line staff. Obviously this ppe, when it arrived in the uk and the teams have looked at it and tested, they have taken the view it is not good enough for our front line staff. I think it is our experts are ensuring the quality. We also have guns that came from Northern Ireland that have been pa rt from Northern Ireland that have been part of that ppe network. Were securing ppe from a wide range of sources. We are competing with countries around the world this pandemic. They are all looking for ppe. I think it is right that our experts take a view about what they believe is the right quality and weight is not the right quality, they have taken the decision it is not appropriate. Testing is another subject that does not go away. The Prime Minister is set an ambitious target of 200,000 tests. People slightly confided by the notion on one day that we have achieved the target of 100,000 tests. What is the point in setting a figure so way beyond what we are yet to achieve on a regular basis . Well, we are determined that confident we can get to the capacity of 2000 a day by the end of the month. But i would just stresses while the capacity level has remained over 100,000 over the last few days. The number of tests has fallen below 100,000. It was about 69,500 yesterday. But there has been a bit of an issue, a technical issue. It is not surprising with a completely new test and a new diagnostic system we have put in place. That technical issueis have put in place. That technical issue is now dealt with. We can see that capacity and demand levels coming up. It has remained above 100,000. We have continued to increase capacity, to increase the access for people to be able to get to. Obviously we have been opening more mobile sentries to allow people to have testing at home and we want to have testing at home and we want to see that continue to grow. 0ur focus on a city was always going to be on the front line staff who mostly needed those tests. Thank you very much for your time. Good morning to you. Time to talk to mike and find out what is happening with sport. There has been so much speculation about what, when, if certain sports will return. We are hearing news from germany that might get football fans here a little bit excited, perhaps . Yes indeed, it is starting to happen in germany. The return of sport is all about the medical advice. Premier league managers, are hoping to get a first look today at the medical advice from doctors on how to restart the season. All eyes will be what is happening in germany. Thats ahead of a meeting next monday, between clubs, and england, are closely watching whats happening in germany. Their clubs are back in training and the top division is expected to resume as early as next friday. Itll be the first Major European League to return. Clubs are meeting today to finalise, dates, with nine matches of the season to go. Barcelonas lionel messi and real madrid boss Zinedine Zidane were among the many players and coaches in spain being tested this week, so clubs there can return to training again for the first time in two months. Its expected theyll train for at least four weeks before a possible restart of matches injune in empty stadiums. And in italy, preperations are under way for the season to return on may the 27th. Players are training on their own this week, with Team Training likey to resume in 11 days. The English Premier League clubs will vote on monday on various proposals, including playing behind closed doors at neutral venues, but theres a warning from the mayor of Greater Manchester that clubs shouldnt feel pressured to return and finish the season in this way. We mustnt get whipped up into a kind of situation here where were kind of talking ourselves into an Early Release and talking ourselves into bringing sport back more quickly than we should. Its got to be Peoples Health and safety at the forefront of this argument. Players have already spoken about how strange it will be, playing matches without fans. Youll remember last week, there was also a leaked recording heard by the bbc, highlighting fears that fans might not be able to go to a game, in the English Football League until next year. Well one way of helping players cope could be this . Cardboard cut outs of fans, placed in their usual seats at german club, borussia monchengladbach, 4,500 cardboard supporters are already in place, and 12 thousand have been ordered. Fans anywhere in the world can send a photo in and buya place in the ground. If this is the strange new future, it could be a way of getting your face on much of the day on a saturday night. You would have to pick a good photo. You certainly would. Thank you. Within the past half an hour or so, the bank of england has released its latest update on the uk economy, saying the outlook remains unusually uncertain. Seans been looking through the details for us. Just paint us the picture of how they are looking to what the future might look like for this country . Good morning. Good morning everybody. 0utlook good morning. Good morning everybody. Outlook on certain but some historic figures from the bank of england this morning on what will happen to our economy. There are a few assumptions its made as we come out of the lockdown period. They think right now we are probably in the deepest recession on record. What that means is that the economy is shrinking for two quarters in a row. In the First Quarter of the year they think the economy will have shrunk by about 3 and then in the next three months to the end ofjune, the period we are in right now, they think the economy will shrink by 25 . You look at the effect of that on jobs, they say the Unemployment Rate could more than double. A substantial increase in unemployment to 9 . We are just around 4 right now. That would mean well over a million more people out of work. That will not be a surprise to many people out there who are putting in applications for universal credit over recent weeks. We have seen a big spike. Huge impact on the economy. They think they will be a bounce back into next year as a social distancing measures resume. Are relaxed over the months to come. But that is over another four month period after we this lockdown period at some point in earlyjune. These are all assumptions made by the bank of england in a given and they do say other things may well happen but this enables us all to get an idea of what bank of england is thinking. It has frozen Interest Rates at 0. 1 , an all time low, and keeping the money pumping in to the country through quantitative easing. Lets get some reaction to those announcements now with labours shadow chancellor, anneliese dodds, whojoins me from oxford now. What do you make of these figures from the bank of england this morning . They are unfortunately in line with many other predictions, which have suggested that by the end of the year we will have seen a contraction approaching one third, so about 30 in Economic Activity, and as you mentioned, a real rise in the Unemployment Rate up to 9 . Obviously behind these figures and these are very stark numbers that we are seeing, there is many families who are very worried about their future and obviously those families that we have got to be calling on government to protect at these times. What do you think the main think government should be doing right now to improve this recovery, to try to have a better set of figures and the bank of england are laying out in this scenario here . Well, we have been seeking to work with government and other actors in businesses and trade unions to do all we can to help people. U nfortu nately all we can to help people. Unfortunately some kind of an Economic Impact was unavoidable given the social distancing measures. The big question is what we do now. First of all we are seeing the so called furlough scheme, that needs to be made more flexible. 0ther scheme, that needs to be made more flexible. Other countries have schemes that support short hours working, where you can go back to working, where you can go back to work for some time but still have a top up on that salary. That is really important because otherwise we will not have those businesses ready to climb out of this lockdown when the time comes. We are also seeing, and have had a number of discussions of government with this, about the guidelines for different workplaces, which really needs to be watertight, clear and well understood. There needs to be a process for dealing with any problems because if workers do not have confidence that they will be safe at work and if consumers dont have confidence they will be safe when they interact with businesses, that will really hold back our recovery. We have said to government that we need to fix this, we want to work with you to get these problems ironed out. A couple of things. If we talk about the furloughing scheme, thejob retention scheme, paying 80 of peoples salaries, but they are not allowed to work for the company they are on the payroll of in that time. The bank of england has said this morning that that scheme, more people are being furloughed, they are not able to look for other work and keep the economy going by going into jobs they are more needed. That is a problem, so where would you start reducing that furloughing scheme . What sectors, what ways of working would you start reducing that payment and the amount of money the government and the taxpayer is having to pay on that right now . First of all, i would say the most critical thing, as i mentioned, is not necessarily that people cannot be searching for otherjobs, that assumes they will be becoming unemployed. In many cases, if people we re unemployed. In many cases, if people were able to work for their existing firm when they are on the furlough scheme, that enables the firm to be ina good scheme, that enables the firm to be in a good position to start operating when we start to lift the lockdown measures. This is critically important and i have talked to so many businesses are saying they are very frustrated that they cannot have, for example, their staff working on developing a digital presence, on ensuring that premises are up to date, for example, because of those stipulations. We really needed to get that sorted out, something we have urged government to do for weeks. It is a big difference between the british scheme and that in other countries. When it comes to other sectors, what we are seeing is what would be very damaging is to switch this scheme off all at once. We have heard a few suggestions over the last few days that that could happen, that we could see a closure of it all at the same time. That would mean a huge number of people all going into thejob market potentially at the same time, particularly from those sectors that have been very badly hit like hospitality and tourism. That would obviously be very bad for them but also for our economy because it is very difficult to integrate a large number of people like that back into employment at that stage. So we need to have a more subtle approach to this, and why flexible one, and above all i have said to government, please lets look at what other countries are doing to try to deal with these problems and learn from them. And the chancellor, rishi sunak, has set himself this week that he doesnt expect there to be a cliff edge on the furlough scheme and there are discussions going on. When you talk about the safety for people going to restaurants, for workers going into their offices, into construction sites around the country, the union body at the tuc has said this week that it is concerned, doesnt just has said this week that it is concerned, doesntjust businesses to put in place what is needed for staff, do you just businesses to keep staff safe . I think the vast majority of businesses want to do the right thing. As with the vast majority of employees and consumers. I share the tucs concerns around the guidelines. It was only ten or 12 hours of consultation on those guidelines and yet they are critically important. If we compare the guidelines being put forward in the guidelines being put forward in the uk to those being used in other countries, there is far more ambiguity in the uk guidelines and i think whether you are a worker or an employee, looking at these guidelines, in the vast majority of cases you will want to be doing the right thing. We need to make sure that bad employers do not do the wrong thing. We need to make sure there is enforcement. The uk scheme doesnt have enough in it to ensure that. This is criticalfor Economic Health because if people do not have confidence in their safety going back to work and in their safety using different businesses as consumers, we will have a much longer recession than we need to have and it is not clear to me yet that government has fully understood that government has fully understood that and obviously i have been urging them to get a grip on this issue and make those guidelines much stronger. On this idea of the bank of england saying, we are in this sharp recession, a collapse in the economy that we have not seen ever, since records began hundreds of yea rs since records began hundreds of years ago, do you realistically think, like the bank of england is a saying, that we can bounce back next year, that there was a social distancing measures will be relaxed enough over the next few months for that to happen . I wouldnt make any predictions about what is going to occur. I think, predictions about what is going to occur. Ithink, unfortunately, we are seeing that this disease is very, very difficult to conquer. We seem very, very difficult to conquer. We seem to have been hit particularly badly buy it in the uk. Now we need to obviously make sure that we have got that Testing Capacity really up to scratch so that we can try and get ourselves into more of a situation like applies, for example, in south korea. If we get there it wont necessarily be Economic Activity as usual, so i think we have to be sanguine about this. We need to think about all of these issues in quite long term perspective, provide as much support as we can to try to keep the productive capacity of our economy going, try to protect peoples income, and then when that recovery comes, hopefully people will be in a better place but i dont think it is sensible for any politician to say we are immediately going to be recovering quickly because i dont think we can predict the future. Anneliese dodds, thank you. Shadow chancellorjoining us this morning. It is those predictions, it is why people value what the bank of england, and we had from the office for budget responsibility, when they put scenarios forward and come to some conclusions about what they think might happen, that people look at these so because you see figures of 9 unemployment. That is a lot of peoples lives affected if that is what plays out. If there are slight adjustments, if social distancing measures take longer to get to get to know more than the bank of england is predicting, they think those figures could be worse than that. Thank you very much. We will speak to you more through the programme on those figures. 7 54am. When self confessed wet wet wet superfan sam emmonds was admitted to hospital with coronavirus, there was one thing that was guaranteed to lift her spirits. She recieved a dedicated song from lead singer marti pellow, who even urged his followers to sing along for sam. Lets ta ke a look at that special performance. Hiya, buddy. I cannot believe the response to me singing the song for sam. It was unbelievable. And i hear that shes on the mend i got some messages from her family. I feel it in my fingers. I feel it in my toes, yeah. Her love is allaround me. And so the feeling grows. Mmm. Well, were pleased to say that sam has now been discharged, and shejoins us now with her husband dennis and her daughter libby. Good morning to you all. Sam, how are you firstly . Im fine, thank you. Getting better, slowly. Just glad to be home. I see you are struggling to speak, or its difficult for you to speak, so we will try to take it easy and speak to the family, as well. Dennis, obviously you are living with a superfan, obviously you are living with a super fan, wet wet wet super fan. More importantly you have had a very worrying time. It must be great to have sam back. Its definitely great to have her back. Weve had quite a horrendous five weeks. It wasnt looking too clever over the easter bank holiday, but she has pulled through, the hospital has done wonders. That is something we hear time and time again about how well the nhs has done and other stuff and i know you would love to say thank you to the staff at the Queen Alexandra hospital for the way they treated you. Sam, one of the things that help to you while you work in hospital where these messages from marti pellow and the singalong. I understand your sister helped to set that up. Yes, totally surprising. Would never have thought it would have happened in a million years to me, anyway libby, your mum is struggling with her voice and we understand why. Can you describe for us how big wet wet wet fan is your mum . Shes a really big fan, she has loved it since she was around. When she was a teenager and she has loved it ever since. Well, i think, live it, you can tell usjust loved it ever since. Well, i think, live it, you can tell us just how surprised perhaps your mum is when you watch mum watching this. Sam, we have another surprise for you. Marti has also recorded you a special message. Have a listen to this. Good morning. Hi, sam. Fantastic. I am so made up. I saw the video of you leaving hospital and being greeted by your family and your kids and all the happy, Smiling Faces of everybody in the nhs at the Queen Alexandra hospital in portsmouth waving you goodbye. What a win. I mean, absolutely fantastic. And, you know, for me to be part of that by singing the song when your family approached me to ask, you know, would i sing the song . And i thought, absolutely thats what i do. And this is when these social media platforms become so powerful, you know, and all the goodwill messages that were left on the site by thousands of people i hope you got a chance to read them, you know. Best fans in the world, and they were all rooting for you and it was great it was great to be part of that. And i think thats a wonderful thing. And, sam, the next time im in your neck of the woods and im doing a gig. I really hope you come and see me and we can have a wee dance cos im so happy, so made up. Nhs whoa. Fantastic. Take care. There you go, sam. He blew a little kiss at the end. Im not sure if you could see that, i know you could hear it because i can see your reaction. What does that mean to you . Its amazing another thing to treasure out of a bad situation that happened. You have been through a really terrible time. The good news is that next time marti pellow is in town, youve got the invitation there, you are going to the gig. And by then, hopefully you will have a voice so you will be able to sing along. The tracheostomy wound is healing but its fine, it can take as long as it likes. Im Getting Better and im home with my family andi better and im home with my family and ijust better and im home with my family and i just cant thank the staff at the hospital enough for everything theyve done. Ill never have enough words to say thank you to them. Thank you is not enough. Libby, if i canjust thank you is not enough. Libby, if i can just say to you, it is my favourite image of the day, is your arm around your mum that is my image of the day. Good luck to you. My image of the day. Good luck to you. My son has been a good son, as well, a superstar, but he is not cool enough it is not cool enough for him to be on tv. Lovely speaking to you, and good luck to all of the family and we wish you well in your recovery. Thank you. Thank you. Lets find out what is happening with the weather. There was some sunshine with that hook from libby and sam. Bring us some more. Sunshine with that hook from libby and sam. Bring us some morem warms the heart. The temperatures are going to be warming up over the next couple of days. We have quite a bit of sunshine around. This is the picture this morning in the scottish borders. Blue sky not quite everywhere. We have a bit more cloud building from the west and through the course of the day we will see some of those heavy showers. 0ver the next few days with that warm, sunny weather, some of the showers could be quite heavy and potentially thundery, as well. We have High Pressure keeping things mostly dry this morning but a couple of weather fronts in the west. They are bringing more clout to parts of Northern Ireland, the west of wales, by south west of england at times. 0ne by south west of england at times. One or two showers here and one or two working into the west of scotla nd two working into the west of scotland later in the day. For eastern scotland and much of england, it stays dry and fine and sunny. Those temperatures warmer than recent days, up to about 23 degrees in the warmest spots. Typically about 16 to 20 degrees today. With that heat building, we will see heavy showers, particularly for south wales, through pipes of the midlands to east anglia so you can hear the odd rumble of thunder this evening. Overnight also a bit of patchy rain continuing across the north west of scotland. More cloud tonight than last night. Things will be milder. Many of us start friday in double figures. Through the day tomorrow, another largely dry day with some sunshine. More cloud, particularly in the north and west, with rob showers. Some showers across wales, southern inwood, Northern Ireland, could be heavy and thundery later on. In sunny spells, temperatures up to 24 or 25 degrees. Things will turn gradually colder through the course of the weekend. Stay with us, we have the headlines coming up next. Good morning, welcome to breakfast with Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt. 0ur headlines today. Coronavirus is pushing the country towards the deepest economic recession on record, according to the latest bank of england assessment. Within the past hour, the bank says the size of the economy could shrink by nearly a third and unemployment could more than double. A likely end to the stay at home message from the government as ministers prepare plans to re open parts of the economy. But most of the lockdown restrictions are expected to remain, when the Prime Minister outlines the next steps on sunday. The story of the young couple separated by the Second World War and how they celebated the end of the conflict in europe 75 years ago this week. Its thursday, 7th may. Our top story. The country is heading towards the deepest economic recession on record, according to the latest bank of england assessment. Within the past hour, the bank has confirmed it expects uk growth to plummet by nearly a third in the first half of the year because of the coronavirus outbreak. Sean can explain more. Take us through what they have said. They have said a lot this morning and made a decision on Interest Rates that i often do, keeping them on hold but it is their views on the economy, putting a scenario in place that looks at the lockdown gradually winding down from earlyjune over the course of the following four months. Based on that relaxing of measures, they have come to the conclusion that the economy will shrink in size in the first half of this year by nearly 30 . Unemployment will spike to 9 which in reality means well over a million more people out of work. They say that if those assumptions are what plays out, they would see a recovery in the economy next year, bouncing back, if it was going to shrink over the whole of this year by 14 as it is predicting, they would expect the bounce back of the 15 next year, but that is based on those assumptions. So it is a very stark set of numbers for the economy in the next few months, saying that right now we are in the middle of the sharpest recession we have ever had in the uk. When you hear recession, it sounds so severe but we re recession, it sounds so severe but were there any predictions on how long this would last . The main prediction was, based on the assumptions, was the bounce back if assumptions, was the bounce back if a social distancing measures are relaxed as the bank of england is assuming, they will be a bounce back in the economy but it does say that for every few weeks almost that social distancing measures might be in place, that will be an increased hit to the economy and it plays out in reality, to the businesses we are speaking to. If they cant get as many workers back into work safely as they would like, they will not be as they would like, they will not be as productive as beforehand. For all those workers who are either furloughed, sitting at home at the moment, being paid their wages are subsidised by the government and wanting to work, they might have to be off work longer than they intended or their bosses wanted them to be the government wanted them to beat. You can see all of these things, if the assumptions are worse, if it plays out in reality to be worse than the banks assumptions, these figures could be worse but they expect the economy to have a quick bounce back when the measures are relaxed. Thank you very much for taking us through that. The coronavirus lockdown will be reviewed by the government today, with signs that some restrictions could be eased from monday. The governments stay at home message is expected to be dropped, in order to kick start some sections of the economy. But most of the current lockdown measures are due to remain in place. 0ur Political Correspondent iain watson is in westminster. Clearly there is a link between those figures and the economy and the lockdown but an important couple of days coming up and sunday, Boris Johnson will be making a statement in relation to the lockdown and this has real significance . Thats right, the cabinet is meeting today and im sure theyll be discussing the economic backdrop to this and we will get a statement from the Prime Minister on sunday and some changes on monday. I think part of the government message given the state of the economy is that in some areas, shops and businesses that did not need to close in the current lockdown have nonetheless done so. Done is opened also, i dont do it lockdown has been pretty good among the workforce, better than the government expected so i would expect some encouragement for people to go back to work or can. Others will still be expected to stay at home. But the government is to reassure people that workplaces will be safe, social distancing measures will be in place. Yon that, i think the government will be taking a very cautious approach to this. If you talk to people in government looking at these measures, they want to emphasise that this will be phased and things will happen bit by bit and things will happen bit by bit and if the infection rate goes up, they can be stopped and it wont necessarily be something which sta rts necessarily be something which starts here and ends at a particular specific time. What i would expect on monday, because the virus is less virulent out of doors, i would expect some relaxation of the exercise ruled and people can perhaps go out and enjoy themselves a little more in the sunshine but dont expect too much more than that, dont expect a return to normal anytime soon. You for the moment. A much needed shipment of surgical gowns ordered from turkey has not been given to frontline nhs staff, because it failed british safety standards. Some 400,000 gowns were flown to the uk by the raf, but are now stuck in a warehouse. Its not clear if the government will seek a refund from the suppliers. The cargo was announced after a row over the supplies of ppe, and it arrived in the uk after several delays. We do have to make sure that the quality of the ppe is the right quality of the ppe is the right quality for our front line staff. Obviously when this ppe arrived in the uk and the teams looked at it and tested it, they took a view it is not good enough for our front line staff and it is reassuring that our experts are very focused in ensuring the best quality equipment. The first patients in the uk have received plasma donations from people who have recovered from coronavirus. Its hoped the donated plasma, which is found in blood, will contain antibodies that can treat other Covid Patients and increase their chances of survival. The nhs hopes to roll the treatment out more widely if it proves to be successful. An mp claims she was effectively sacked after speaking out on the Bbcs Newsnight about ppe at her Part Time Job at a care home. Nadia whittome is the labour mp for nottingham east. She returned to work at lark hill retirement village to help with the coronavirus outbreak. Her employer extracare said there were no problems with ppe at the home. Patients are not being treated at some urgent care dental hubs in england because of a shortage of protective equipment. The centres were set up to offer emergency treatment during lockdown, but Health Ministerjo churchill said some of them had faced delays receiving ppe and some are still struggling. At least eight people have died and more than a thousand have been taken ill after a gas leak in south india. The incident happened at a Chemical Plant. Residents nearby complained of a Burning Sensation in their eyes and breathing difficulties. The gas is reported to have spread up to three miles from the plant. It is nine minutes past eight, one other story for you. She was the wartime sweetheart whose song, well meet again, has become a message of hope during lockdown. Today, a new official portrait of Dame Vera Lynn has been unveiled to mark the 75th anniversary of ve day. The oil painting is called the enduring sweetheart and is by the artist dan llywelyn hall. It has been commissioned to raise funds for the Dame Vera Lynn childrens charity. Lets take a look at the scene outside our studio this morning. Hazy sunshine, what a delight and it will be sunny for many of us across the country today and up until saturday and then the excitement, a change in weather. Sarah will bring you all the latest on the weather in about 15 minutes. Thought we would show you that because its lovely it is ten minutes past eight. Lets talk a little more about the economy and how it has affected businesses in particular. Its a tough time for Many Companies and employers. One area thats already been badly hit is the tourism trade. So how have businesses been affected and what can they do to cope . Adam mcclean reports from blackpool. Here in blackpool, the beaches are almost empty. For the very first time, spring didnt come with a wave of visitors. For businesses like this bed and breakfast, the timing couldnt have been worse. Youve refurbished, youve refreshed, youve redecorated, youve got your property ready for the coming season. And just when youre pushing the boundaries of your overdraft limit is when easter lands and ordinarily and the weather weve had this easter blackpool would have been absolutely chockablock. And that would have given us our First Financial burst, if you will. For these businesses every day in season count. Days lost in spring and summer will hit hardest later in the year. So weve come through the winter. If we dont come out of this until toward the end of the season when well have not had any money coming in for a full season and then we hit another winter, thats going to be so desperate. And i fear that many businesses wont survive. On a sunny day, blackpools beaches would normally be full of visitors. Today, there are just a few locals walking up and down the seafront. Many of them depend on tourism for their livelihoods. Youve spent the last 20 years of your life trying to persuade people to come here, and now youve spent the last sort of six or seven weeks trying to persuade people not to come here. Its quite a change. About 50 of our gdp is tourism. So if even if youre not directly in tourism in blackpool, then, you know, youre either in the supply chain or you benefit from it in some way. So, yeah, its a big hit on blackpool, but obviously everybodys suffering in these difficult times. At wartime blackpool today, munition makers and other war workers on a brief holiday. Blackpool was open for business during the Second World War. It was a haven from a Global Crisis, with many here hoping our seaside towns can do the same again. Its about making people feel, you know, comfortable and safe coming to blackpool thats where weve got to put all our energies at the moment and hope that we come. We ease out of this before the end of the season. That would be my greatest hope, really. 0ur beaches will be there to be enjoyed long after this pandemic. Those whove built livelihoods around them hope their businesses will be, too. Adam mcclean, bbc news. Lets get some more views from the Tourism Industry. Patricia yates is from visit britain and rosie kennars Family Business has eight Holiday Parks across southern england. Very good morning to you both. Rosie, first of all, you are front and centre in this business so what is happening and what has happened so far . You presumably had to shut down completely . We did, charlie. We got the news on the 20th of march that restaurants and pubs had to close and then on the 23rd we were instructed to close our Holiday Parks completely. And on that day we had quite a lot of holiday home owners as well as holiday makers on parks. The first thing we had to do was send them home and, as you can imagine, a lot of people were not very keen on that, they were quite happy to be where they were and also they couldnt actually understand why they couldnt self isolate in their holiday home units. So, yes, we had to send our staff home, we furloughed 90 of our staff. And very much reflecting on what your previous lady said from blackpool, this is a terrible time of the year for us because we have invested very heavily over the winter to make sure we have the very best facilities, accommodation and Service Available for our numerous customers. This time last year, we would have entertained over 12,500 holiday makers already and that is not to mention our 2500 owners that we have who privately owned holiday homes on our parks. We are taking a big hit at this time. Patricia, ceo of visit britain, you will have a very good idea and will have seen the numbers of the message getting through to people that you cant go to your holiday home, your second home, to stay at home and not to travel unless absolutely necessary. What has been the impact on the Tourism Industry in plain numbers . It has been huge because the Tourism Industry was hit first and hardest. When we look at forecasts, we reckon about a £15 billion drop in inward tourism from a £27 billion industry and domestic even worse, £22 billion drop on an industry normally worth about £80 billion. If you think tourism employs over 3 Million People right across the country, it really is a job creating industry. Many of those people are out on furlough and the businesses are really not sure how they will survive. Patricia, when you here today in the last hour we have had the bank of england assessment on the bank of england assessment on the economy, the worst recession on record we are in a severe recession now and unemployment speculated to rise, even if lockdown is eased sooner rise, even if lockdown is eased sooner rather than later, plus you have the Prime Ministers message this sunday. What you expect in terms of how quickly the Tourism Industry recovers if at all of this year . I think we are hoping and absolutely accepting the lockdown. We are not trying to push against medical advice at all. But hoping that the Prime Minister will set out to some principles and a timeline, so to some principles and a timeline, so give the industry a bit of a heads up so it knows when it can start a business. Because it will ta ke start a business. Because it will take businesses a few weeks to get up take businesses a few weeks to get up and running again if they have been closed for that length of time. The real hope of the industry is that we can rescue some of the summer. That we can rescue some of the summer. As your people have talked about, tourism businesses are very seasonal, they normally make their money in the summer and hang on for the winter. If we lose the Summer Season that would put more and more businesses at risk. Rosie, can i pick up with you some of the practicalities, we have played some overhead shots of your caravan park and im looking at how they are arranged to ponder this is happening in all workplaces and environments but how are you thinking practically about if and when you can open, whether you can operate with social distancing in place . Actually, as you can see from our accommodation, we are ideally placed for social distancing because our units are quite separate, they are completely self contained. There is no reason for people to mix unless they are with family members. Apologies, rosie, you might be back with us. Sorry, our accommodation is com pletely sorry, our accommodation is completely separate from each other. We are ideally placed for social distancing. The only thing that people will not be able to do immediately im sure is to use our facilities, our restaurants and bars, possibly swimming pools, we are waiting for guidance on all that sort of thing. But we are hoping for some sort of three tiered introduction system. Everybody is talking about a slow introduction to any sort of normality but we are hoping that some of our holiday home owners will be able to come back and use their holiday homes, which they can do quite separately and quite individually. They are completely self contained with wonderful kitchens and living areas and what have you. And later on, when it is deemed safe by the government, to introduce holiday makers, letting, and later on open up our facilities but clearly we will not be able to immediately offer everything to people as we would normally do. Thank you very much, rosie. And also patricia from visit britain. Thank you very much for your time. Coming up you very much for your time. Coming up to 20 past eight, thank you for joining us this morning on brea kfast. They re often called the greatest generation the men and women who worked and fought to win the Second World War. Over the next few days on breakfast, well be telling some of their stories. Tomorrow marks 75 years since ve day, the day victory in europe was secured. John maguire has been to meet 97 year old Audrey Gerrans, who worked in munitions factories and married her sweetheartjoe, a soldier, during the war. Darling, please be careful of those flying bombs. Im so worried about you. Everything is ok with me, dear, and there is nothing i want you to send me. Unless you could get mum to wrap you up in a neat parcel, label it with utmost care and send it to me, urgent. My dearestjoe, i heard one of your songs on the radio at lunchtime. I remember when you used to sing it to me and sometimes play it on the gramophone at home and wed dance together, darling. I would love to be dancing with you just now. The words of lovestruck newlyweds, married in 1944 and kept apart by conflict. But through more than 700 letters, joe and Audrey Gerrans were never far from each others thoughts. And i wrote everything in those letters. I mean, people would say, what the hell do you write about every day . Because some of them were 17 and 18 pages long and joe used to say it was as if i was in the next room, he never, ever thought he was apart from me. Joe was a talented footballer who once met the king while playing for barnet. During the war, he served with the Royal Medical army corps while his young wife worked in a munitions factory. When you say munitions, it makes you feel you were brave. We made 3. 7, and they were the big guns on the coast, you know. Yep. Big bertha, we called our one that was on our kent coast. By all accounts, if they got scratched at all they wouldnt fire. Every time i was night work, i did everybodys hair for them. I washed it and rolled it up when i went in, and i combed it out before they went home. And of course, the supervisor couldnt grumble because she was the first one to have hers done. Audrey was next tasked with helping to manufacture Aircraft Fuel tanks, just one of the two women in the factory small enough to crawl into the tank and by torchlight finish off its interior. And then they pulled us out by our feet. Withjoe now in northern germany, news came through on the radio at home that hitler was dead and the war, in europe at least, was over. People were dancing in the street so we joined them. All the lights were on. You know. And fairy lights and everything i thought that was the end of the war, and so did everybody else. Joe died in 1997, their romance born in war had lasted more than half a century. Now im happy, dearwife, that our love will remain as strong as yesterday. I hope youre not worrying about me too much, sweetheart, because you know i will be all right. John maguire, bbc news. So many touching stories that should never be forgotten. Joining us now are Bomber Command veteran jack watson, who served in world war ii as a flight engineer, and his great nephew, andrew dearing, a Flight Lieutenant in the raf. Good morning to you both and thank you very much for talking to us this morning. Jack, i will start with you, looking resplendent in your outfit with your medals, thank you for making the effort for us this morning what does ve day mean to you . It was a strange feeling really. 0n the 23rd of march 1945, we landed back when we had been the master bomber on a target in germany to be greeted with the news that, after 77 trips, we were to be taken off flying and not allowed to fly any more and within about ten days we had all been posted apart. I was sent to a wellington Operational Training unitand sent to a wellington Operational Training unit and there was no need forflight engineers Training Unit and there was no need for flight engineers i Training Unit and there was no need forflight engineers i didnt know anybody and when ve day was announced i was completely on my own because most of the people on the camp when you there anyway. And i went out to a Little Village and went out to a Little Village and went to the pub until they closed at two. Went outside and sat on the grass underneath a big tree waiting for them to open again when they did,i for them to open again when they did, i met up with a farmer and his family and there was the usual laughing and joking going on. When they finished, the pub closed and they finished, the pub closed and they invited me back to their house. And what a spread there was a huge long table in a big room and there was ham and cheese and butter ive never seen so much was ham and cheese and butter ive never seen so much food in all my life its so interesting, because often when we talk about ve day, we talk about the horrors of war but one of the things that comes out is the camaraderie of war. You were with co workers you spent time with in and out of the office, so to speak . I was with the same crew from the beginning of november in 1943. The wireless operator and the mid upperghana, we the wireless operator and the mid upper ghana, we clicked, and we were never out of each Others Company for 15 months upper gunner. To suddenly be taken away and split up, it was as though you had lost family. Speaking of family, lets bring in andrew. Flight lieutenant andrew deering, your great nephew. I think we are getting a little sense of why jack is such think we are getting a little sense of whyjack is such an inspiration, hearing some of his stories and i know he has been a real inspiration for you going back many years. Absolutely, a very early age i had an interest in flying and my dad encouraged that but to have jack in the family obviously gives you a pretty big inspiration forjoining up pretty big inspiration forjoining up and a big sense of service. It does make me immensely proud to be in the airforce does make me immensely proud to be in the air force and when i put my best dressed uniform on, thinking of him, itsa best dressed uniform on, thinking of him, its a big influence. Tell me if ive got this right, but you have flown with jack . I did, i was very privileged at the end of my flying training up in lincolnshire, get to ta ke training up in lincolnshire, get to take your family flying, something we used to do back in 2008. And i asked the powers that be in the air force if i could take my 84 year old godfather flying he walked out to be aeroplane with a Walking Stick and an escort from the other students and as he got to the bottom of the steps, the student offered to help him up and he just handed his Walking Stick across and ran up the stairs it was amazing to watch, like going back in time for 65 years i cant see you smiling, jack, as you hear that a story that i can see you. A lot of people at the moment are drawing a parallel between the difficult times we are going through at the moment and a small degree of what you went through during the war in the times then. Do you reflect at all on that yourself . I often think about, i dont think a day goes by you dont think about the people who made that victory possible and paid their lives to achieve it. I think sometimes, that loss gets lost by people, they dont realise the sacrifice that was made on their behalf. But ive been lucky in my life. I got a beautiful daughter who looks after me and today is her birthday so happy birthday, sue. It was. I suppose its difficult to look back and think about all those things without thinking about the people who lost their lives and, yeah, ive got a couple of medals but we often looked at it like they represented the untold acts of bravery that went on in the aircraft that were shut down and the cruise that were shut down and the cruise that never got out. Nobody knows what went on the aircrews. And i have had an affinity with the air force ever since. It was lastjuly when the Bomber Command memorial had their annual service that a friend of mine listened to the air vice Marshal Murray giving a talk they we re Marshal Murray giving a talk they were looking for veterans and he put my name forward because he knew that i had my name forward because he knew that ihada my name forward because he knew that i had a really decrepit kitchen that needed doing and the airforce have really done me proud and build me a beautiful kitchen, new washing machine and its a pleasure to go out and cook. Sometimes i get my daughter to come up from down the road to help me but now i can manage. And it has made life so much easier. The bottom service that i did has been repaid by the kindness of the royal ever the wartime service. Its so important. I have read about what the fund did in orderfor you to have read about what the fund did in order for you to have that kitchen, i think your oven is now at eye level and you had your washing machine updated, almost the simplest things can make life so much better point and andrew, i know youre both very keen to raise awareness of the Raf Benevolent Fund because, for very different and personal reasons, you and your family have been benefited. Absolutely. In 2016, we had a daughter, born 15 weeks early. Unfortunately, four days later, she did not make it, ialmost unfortunately, four days later, she did not make it, i almost lost my wife at the same time. Unfortunately, she passed away. At the time, we looked for counselling and support full bereavement because initially we were completely forgotten about by an admin oversight. Subsequently, we have had phoebe, she was monitored very closely in the pregnancy through Queens Medical Centre in nottingham and she is now two and a half going on 13, i think. And she is now two and a half going on 13, ithink. She and she is now two and a half going on 13, i think. She did and she is now two and a half going on 13, ithink. She did not and she is now two and a half going on 13, i think. She did not sleep very well, and quite soon after sleep deprivation hit my wife, it became apparent she was suffering from quite Severe Health anxiety. Anxiety attacks take a very similar sort of view as a heart attack and unfortunately her anxiety was centred around her health. On occasions, there would be an ambulance at the door because she convinced herself she was having a heart attack because such is the power of the anxiety. A friend of ours put us in touch with the welfare team at the raf and they suggested we put a request into the Raf Benevolent Fund for subsistence because counselling privately is very expensive. When i took the application for £500 to the welfare coordinator, he screwed it up, handed me the bigger form and said, fill this out. I think your story as such you need a bit more support. The Benevolent Fund financed a whole raft of counselling for my wife and today, you would not believe the difference. The support made the difference. The support made the difference. Thank you for sharing that story with us. So important we re that story with us. So important were helped in that way. A final thought, jack. What will you be doing tomorrow to mark ve day . |j doing tomorrow to mark ve day . think one of our neighbours has organised a front garden. The correct distance apart. He is going to play some music. I will probably have a different happier look at it than i did all those years ago. Pleasure to talk to you this morning. Thank you. Glad your kitchen is sorted and you are in a good place. Thank you. And thank you for your time as well, andrew. On friday, the nation will commemorate the 75th annivesary of ve day. Were planning lots of special coverage here on breakfast and, as part of that, wed love to see your pictures from that time. You can e mail them to bbcbrea kfast bbc. Co. Uk or tweet us using the hashtag bbcbreakfast. Heres sarah with a look at this mornings weather. Good morning. Things are going to be warming up over the next couple of days. Many waking up to blue sky and sunshine this morning. This is the picture in lincolnshire first thing. Not a cloud in the sky. More cloud further north and west. As temperatures built, a few heavy showers, perhaps thunderstorms as well. That continues over the next couple of days. High pressure was largely in charge of the weather at the moment. Setting off towards the south east. A couple of weather fronts in the west bringing mcleod to Northern Ireland and the far west of wales and South West England and west of scotland. Showers here. For eastern scotland, the bulk of england, staying dry for a good part of the day. 22, 23 likely in the south east. Typically for many 17 20 today. Some of the heavy showers later this afternoon and this evening particularly parts of south wales, and the east midlands. More cloud than last night. It will be milder and many seen temperatures in double figures first thing tomorrow morning. Fridays whether, if you are commemorating ve day at home, looks largely dry fridays weather. Later showers creeping further east across parts of england as well. Temperatures again on the warm side. Possibly 25 degrees in spots in the south east. Most of us in the high teens, low 20s. Through the weekend, well change in the field to the weather, but only gradually, turning colder. Saturday, a lot of dry, sunny weather, rain lingering in northern scotland, active cold front, if that precious outcome introducing colder airfrom north. Showers and thunderstorms in parts of england and wales. The south east, once again, temperatures 24, 25 on saturday, but overnight into sunday, colder air spilling south across the british isles. Blue returning to the map as well as fairly cold northerly wind arrows. A few rain shadows likely in the south eastern detention turning to wintry flurries in northern scotland. Very different day attention turning. Thank you very much. This is breakfast with Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty. Plenty coming up. Want to tell you, quite excited, we are going to be talking to andy serkis, the actor famed for playing gollum in lord of the rings. Have you read the hobbit . Many years ago, yes. Before the films existed. If you were to read it from beginning to end, how long would it take, out loud . Five, six books, iam not would it take, out loud . Five, six books, i am not sure. Just the hobbit. It is a whole series. Anyway, andy serkis is going to read it starting to name tomorrow, taking 1012 it starting to name tomorrow, taking 10 12 hours, he will be talking to us in 10 12 hours, he will be talking to usina 10 12 hours, he will be talking to us in a few minutes starting at 10am tomorrow. While many of us are spending more and more time at home, for mother and daughter mar lynn and jodie, its much safer for them to be somewhere else. Theyre self isolating together in a room at the marie curie hospice in belfast, where mum, mar lynn, is receiving care for pancreatic and liver cancer. We can talk to them now. Good morning to you. Mar lynn, how are things . Good today, yes. Give us an idea of how the circumstance came about. You are in the home, you had about. You are in the home, you had a choice to make about what happens next. Well, it was a choice of in the hospital or be moved to a hospice which i had never been in before and this was the First Experience and its been absolutely wonderfulfrom start to experience and its been absolutely wonderful from start to finish because my daughter was able to come and spend the time with me. Sorry for interrupting. How long have you been there with marlyn . Two weeks . It is actually three weeks tomorrow. We came in on 17th april. How has it been because when i have read about the relationship you and marlyn have, i must say, it reminded me of the one i have with my mum . I will say this live on television, in the notes, when our producer spoke to you, you said, we have lots of stories to tell, but most of them are not broadcast double on bbc brea kfast. Are not broadcast double on bbc breakfast. Im assuming there is a lot of laughter between you two. How are you spending the time . Laughing. When mum is sleeping, i have quiet time to myself, catching up with my family, my brother, my sisters. My daughter, my partner. I am grateful to be here because for other families, it isnt this case. I am just glad to be with my mother. How do some of the practicalities work out, marlyn . What happens in the room . Who sleeps worth . We both have a bed each. It all works fine, never a bed each. It all works fine, never a problem. Who wakes up first . Sorry . Who wakes up first . Me. Do you then wake upjodie or let her sleep . I try my best, unless there is an emergency, to let her sleep. 0ne is an emergency, to let her sleep. One of the things you have changed in your life is not seeing your daughter as well and i must have been a very tough decision and she isi been a very tough decision and she is i think 13. How has she understood the decision you have taken . Well, she understands that granny is ill and she understands that she is my daughter and if it was the other way about, ellie would be with me. Good i have had the opportunity to come in with mum because i have a good partner, good, strong home life, which has made that possible. Lovely scene the two of you together. I am intrigued, naga hinted at. Sometimes relationships can get strained, confined circumstances, do you have a code you give each other for one you just need a bit of space, albeit you just need a bit of space, albeit you cant go anywhere . You just need a bit of space, albeit you cant go anywhere . No, we know each other very well, no code. She knows by their eyes. You just get the look. Lovely to catch up with you. An amazing thing you are doing for your mother and you are clearly having a good time, the most important thing. We wish you very well. Thank you very much. Just to add that this is run by the public and for families like us, for it to be possible, donations for marie curie, as the coronavirus has made that difficult for the fundraising side of it and we love all of the staff. We just want to thank them all from the bottom of our hearts. Im sure they appreciate that greatly. It is really good talking to both of you, jodie and marlyn. We wish you well with your treatment, marlyn. The message we are hearing about charities in general, many are struggling. We saw the 26. 2 challenge, all of the charity is coming together to raise funds, we will keep talking about that on brea kfast. Love during a time of lockdown comes with its challenges whether its being stuck indoors with your significant other or not being able to see your partner because you dont live together. So, how has dating changed and how have couples been coping . Brea kfasts Jayne Mccubbin has been finding out. Give me your ten second introduction. Sell yourself. Oh, wow. Hi, my namesjohn, orjohn patrick, my family call me. Or maverick, as some of my friends call me. Ok, so im natalie. 38 years old, live in chelmsford. I am the most amazing man you ever meet. Im the funniest man. Im fit, im sporty, i love fun things. I like travelling, wine bars, restaurants. Yeah. Always make you laugh. Dating is rarely easy, but finding love in lockdown, thats a real challenge. Whats it felt like being single in lockdown . Thats a good question. Physical contact. Ive not had physical contact for quite a while i miss the whole getting ready, maybe going out to choose something new to wear. Dunno, just being around people, just talking to other people, being there in the moment with them and having to share a drink, sharing a meal, sharing an experience together. Even the most simple of experiences. And forjohn, even a bad date night could be better than no date night. Even if those events are train wrecks, you can still have a laugh with your friends. Which they can at me. Can they . Oh, yeah. Lockdown has seen a huge surge in virtual video dating, which the twojohns, natalie and i are about to dip our toes into. More on that in a minute. But some, like aaron and reed, knew the single life couldnt possibly be their lockdown life. Gentlemen, five dates was all it took. Yeah. They were taking things slowly, with only five dates under their belt, when news broke. In the midst of it, boris locks the country down. And so he just stayed. Yeah. And how has that been . Really good. I think weve got on really well. Weve, you know, been keeping ourselves busy with cooking and running and watching loads of netflix series, things like that. I think its actually surprised us to know we got on a lot more than we even initially thought we did. The tension point was really cutting my hair, though. Thats ok this is my work. There was a second round of it because the first round, i looked a little bit like a north korean dictator. So there is definitely a future, with or without the lockdown . Ill let reed answer first. course there is, yeah. Yeah. Heres to you, fellas. But for those still on the quest for lockdown love. Hello, everybody. Hi. Can you hear me 0k . Welcome to my kitchen. And also to virtual dating. Theres this. Were going to be hosting an event for everyone this evening. For one night only, theyre letting me parachute in to virtual dates. Hello hello. Hi. You must be nikki. I am, and youre john. Tell me what you guys are looking for. Love the whole reason for wanting to date. Nothing, not even a global pandemic, will stop your search for romance. In the real world, everybodys on the fast track. And i think this will slow things down that you actually take that time. I think its a lot of fun. Its just something to do and i would like to meet someone. Ive done speed dating face to face, but not like this. That interactions lost a bit because its not in person. So, what do you do . Im definitely intruding now. Im definitely intruding. Im going to make a smooth exit. Lockdown might have forced people indoors, but not offline, where romance is farfrom dead. We can re enact some of this right now live but fired the median eve ryo ne now live but fired the median everyone is using. Tom and sophie. You have formed a relationship of sorts and knock down. Do you want to say what you said at the beginning . What do you do . We were just chatting on twitter and i suggested. I think it was a few hours after we started talking, we should video call. Sophie said yes. We video called, quite nerve racking, the first couple of video calls, but we video call now every night for five weeks for a couple of hours, getting on really well, getting to know each other really well, maybe that you dont normally do when it is not online. Sophie, straightaway, im thinking, every night for several hours . That is quite something. It is. It really is. We have had to be creative over time. We have been doing date nights. Tom organised a 70s night and we watched the concert, i got a little shout out as well and we had a couple of drinks and had a little dance. That was really nice. We have also had a comedy night. We have watched stand up comedy, one of toms friends as a stand up comedian. We watch that. We were the audience. That was really fun. We have done laughter yoga, never heard of that before. We have done some of that as well. Just about being innovative, really. Thinking about what we can do. Is the plan, sophie, that he will actually. Sounds like you are having loads of fun online. Is the plan you will meet up in real life, once restrictions are eased . Yeah, definitely. We have definitely said we are going to meet, we dont know obviously one, but we are really excited to meet and see if it translates into the real world. I feel like i know tom really well in the space of a couple of weeks. It isjust such a the space of a couple of weeks. It is just such a crazy situation, really, to be in. Tom, can i ask . Five weeks, a few hours a night, are you still making an offer in terms of dressing up . Have you got to the point where you are quite relaxed . Are you looking at the video call . I have not had a haircut for two months. Same as all of us. Are you still making an effort . Has it got into comfortable slippers stage yet . Probably somewhere in between. Generally, pretty comfortable. 0nce you have talked for hours and hours. You have to remember, a conventional date i guess you would take once a week or something and maybe text in between. We have. It is really intense. 0n between. We have. It is really intense. On a video call, you cannot watch tv, look at the view together, something, you have to keep the conversation going. You do get to know each other really well and it makes it more comfortable. Sophie, one last thought, you said i think you did a bit of dancing. Do you separately dance . I have this vision in my head of tom on his own dancing around in front of the camera. How does that work . I dance more than him. He just laughs at me. I have got my glass of wine, ijust have a little dance. Good for you. You need to step up to the plate, i think, tom. We want to see it. Maybe we dont i want to say, good luck, keep at it, whatever comes out of it, well done for giving it a go. Brought some love and joy this morning. Thank you very much, both of you. Good to see the smiles. A lot of happiness. And the creativity that has gone into it and the effort. Lets talk to a psychologist, honey langcaster james, who takes a look at these relationships, so interesting. When you think about how difficult it must be to establish a relationship, maintain a relationship, online, those two were doing really well. Absolutely. I am all for it. Whatever can help us get through this very strange situation has got to be a good thing. Of course, relationships in knock down is not an entirely new thing. I have been working for many years and reality television, i worked on love island, the circle, all about people getting to know each other online before they met in person. We know a little bit about what can happen. What we were hearing was quite difficult. You find you get very intimate in terms of what you know about each other but in other ways things slow down. The physical contact things slow down. The physical co nta ct pa rt things slow down. The physical contact pa rt of things slow down. The physical contact part of things has not even happened yet. Who knows how that will go but at least this gives space to hear about each others lives and how wonderful they are coming up with creative ways to spend time together. Tom and sophie, a perfect example, clearly working for them. I a perfect example, clearly working forthem. Iam a perfect example, clearly working for them. I am thinking, the bit they can replicated but the body language thing, reading someone with them, that is different. But you work out different ways of achieving the same thing. That is right. You can get quite a lot of information over a video call, just like this. You can still see facial expressions, how you respond to one another. It is obviously not the same as seeing another. It is obviously not the same as seeing someones demeanour and the nonverbal communication we get from how people move their bodies in tandem to one another. For many years, we have been analysing the way people flirt and go on dates and you can see from quite far away whether someone is attracted and they are leaning on or not very interested and sitting back. Of course of that meaning will be lost but i still think that you can have a meaningful relationship with someone over a a meaningful relationship with someone over a video call, even over the telephone. I work with an awful lot of my clients based all around the world by video call and you get used to it and in some ways it actually heightens the senses and focuses the mind on to what people are actually saying and we listen to people more sometimes. It is an insight, certainly. The way the world is changing. Honey langcaster james, psychologist, thank you for talking to us this morning. In the last few weeks, the greatest adventure most of us have undertaken is a quick stroll around the local park, but at least we can turn to books for some escapism. And if you likejrr tolkiens the hobbit, then weve got a very precious treat for you. Its being read by the actor andy serkis, who played the voice of gollum in the hobbit and lord of the rings films. Hejoins us now from 0xfordshire. Good morning, how are you . good morning, how are you . I am grateful to you all right . Surviving . Yes, that is the whole thing, surviving. You are going to give people who love the hobbit a treat. What is the plan . The idea came from the idea that people have been trapped indoors for so long, able not to get out and exercise or dream of going on adventures. suddenly came to the notion, but if one could do a complete telling of the hobbit in one sitting live . Not to compete with captain tom in doing a marathon, but a sort of hobbit marathon. From page one, i reckon it will take 12 hours, to raise money of course for the Nhs Charities and another Favourite Charity of mine, best beginnings, child Health Charity associated with the nhs too. That is it, all in one hit. I will sit for 12 hours and read the entire story, i want everyone to gather around, sit down, join for some of it, if not all of it, go on the greatest adventure ever written. It, if not all of it, go on the greatest adventure ever writtenm will be called the hobbitathon. Are you going to be doing all the characters . Will you get any help at all . I am going to read the entire thing and all . I am going to read the entire thing and i will read all of the characters and try and bring them to life in some way, shape or form. Characters and try and bring them to life in some way, shape orform. Im closer to one of them. Talking of that one, i see you have the upper third of gollum with you, what exactly third of gollum with you, what exa ctly d o third of gollum with you, what exactly do you do with that . That is handy. Almost like it was planned. Looks like it could be quite a creative weapon, if anyone bothers you. What do you do with it . This was actually a cast of one of the original designs from the movie, lord of the rings. When they were working at the early designs of how gollum would look on screen, lots of different facial skulls and that was one of the early ones. Your gollum voice, your creation, much mimicked by many people. A lot of people try to do it and replicate it. What time is it now . Just before 9am, thursday morning. Can you just deliver a little bit . Do you have to get yourself fired up . I have to get into character and im saving that for the big marathon, i dont want to give it away now. I could do, but im not going to. To give it away now. I could do, but im not going to. I think that is actually good because if you want people to be listening and support it, great. What is the aim in terms of how much you want to raise . So difficult these days, so many charities. We spoke to people in marie curie earlier, so many charities, desperate for funding at this moment in time. Of course. The idea is, the major idea, to support the nhs who have been incredible, the nhs who have been incredible, the front line workers. You can do that by going to the Hobbitathon Covid 19 appeal at gofundme. People have been generous but these people who have been fighting this battle for us under extreme circumstances need support still and that is the aim. Everyone has been very generous, everyone is aim. Everyone has been very generous, everyone is tired and exhausted, i am sure. Another reason for doing this. The main reason. To offer some sort of, yeah, i dont know, escapism, pure escapism, to go inside this book, this extraordinary world, middle earth, and enjoy it, but if you can give as well, amazing. If you are going to give naga advice how to do the gollum voice, what would that be . naga advice how to do the gollum voice, what would that be . I will tell you, some people know this, people who have followed the genesis of gollum and how it was created, i basedit of gollum and how it was created, i based it on my cat at the time back in the day, 1999, auditioning for the role nearly 20 years ago. That is what i am going to pick up on. Sorry, we are out on time. Basing it on the cat. I have three cats. U nfortu nately, on the cat. I have three cats. Unfortunately, andy serkis, doing the hobbitathon to confine the details on the internet, we are out of time, no gollum voice. Back tomorrow. Goodbye. This is bbc news with the latest headlines. Boris johnson reviews the coronavirus lockdown with his cabinet, having suggested some rules could be eased from monday, but the government are still urging caution. We have got to continue on the process we have had,