Continue that accelerating curve of suwly as well continue that accelerating curve of supply as well supply as well. Thank you. I oin with members i supply as well. Thank you. I oin with members across supply as well. Thank you. I oin with members across the h supply as well. Thank you. I join with members across the house| supply as well. Thank you. I join with members across the house and sending my deepest condolences to the person who has passed away as a result of covid. I have people working tirelessly in my constituency. One of the Prime Minister thanked me injoining the organisations and all those who have done so much to protect the vulnerable and needy. 7 done so much to protect the vulnerable and needy. . I done so much to protect the vulnerable and needy. . Vulnerable and needy. . I will oin m friend vulnerable and needy. . I will oin my friend in fl vulnerable and needy. . I will oin my friend in paying i vulnerable and needy. . I will oin my friend in paying tribute h vulnerable and needy. . I will oin my friend in paying tribute to h vulnerable and needy. . I willjoin l my friend in paying tribute to those volunteers in the constituency. It might be one of the few consolations. Might be one of the few consolations. ,. ,. , , consolations. Now we go to debbie abrahams. Thank consolations. Now we go to debbie abrahams. Thank you. Consolations. Now we go to debbie abrahams. Thank you. Can consolations. Now we go to debbie abrahams. Thank you. Can i consolations. Now we go to debbie abrahams. Thank you. Can i also. Abrahams. Thank you. Can i also associate my abrahams. Thank you. Can i also associate my remarks abrahams. Thank you. Can i also associate my remarks with abrahams. Thank you. Can i also | associate my remarks with others abrahams. Thank you. Can i also associate my remarks with others and express my sincerest condolences to everyone who has lost a loved one in particularly the constituents i spoke with last night . A recent report pointed to the factors contributing to the high and unequal death total in the uk, identifying the government and political culture which has damaged social cohesion and inclusivity. The Widening Inequalities and the resources, the aggressive austerity policies over the last ten years and the declining Life Expectancy and healthy Life Expectancy. It is among the worst of all comparable. Professor. Has asked them to build back fairer. Will they listen to him . I asked them to build back fairer. Will they listen to him . Will they listen to him . I have a ve hiuh will they listen to him . I have a very high regard will they listen to him . I have a very high regard for will they listen to him . I have a very high regard for michael will they listen to him . I have a very high regard for michael marmot, i worked very closely with him for many years and i believe his advice is invaluable and we will indeed be looking at the way this pandemic has affected us and we will build back fairer. ,. ,. , fairer. Now we go to james stevenson. Fairer. Now we go to james stevenson. The fairer. Now we go to james stevenson. The vaccine fairer. Now we go to james stevenson. The vaccine rollout offers hepe stevenson. The vaccine rollout offers hope and stevenson. The vaccine rollout offers hope and relief stevenson. The vaccine rollout offers hope and relief to stevenson. The vaccine rollout offers hope and relief to Vulnerable People who have spent months living in fear and in isolation. To hear that 6. 8 million vaccines have been delivered is an amazing achievement and i thank everyone involved in this roll out for the mass vaccination hubs are an important part of the scheme but many of my constituents with Mobility Issues are worried they will miss out on their vaccine if they cannot make their vaccine if they cannot make the journey to one of these larger hubs. Could the Prime Minister give them the assurance that they will be offered a vaccine locally or even in their own homes, and anyone unable to travel will fully supported . The lad mac to travel will fully supported . The lady mac raises a great point. Matt the honourable lady raises a good point and they have to not have any anxiety about that. They can go to their gp surgeries will be visited in their own home. Has . To their gp surgeries will be visited in their own home. Now we go to julie visited in their own home. Now we go Tojulie Elliott visited in their own home. Now we go to julie elliott. Thank visited in their own home. Now we go to julie elliott. Thank you. Visited in their own home. Now we go to julie elliott. Thank you. Can visited in their own home. Now we go to julie elliott. Thank you. Can i to julie elliott. Thank you. Can i add my condolences to julie elliott. Thank you. Can i add my condolences to to julie elliott. Thank you. Can i add my condolences to those i to julie elliott. Thank you. Can i add my condolences to those already expressed to the victims and their families and friends of this awful illness. One of the challenges children and adults working from home. The time now for children extended today by the Prime Minister, in addition to devices and connectivity is a lack of Digital Skills. This week, i was made aware that online pot are asking people to put Financial Information into a fake but very plausible fake nhs website and order to get the vaccine. What is the Prime Minister doing to tackle this Criminal Activity . Praying on often Vulnerable People waiting on the vaccine. Preying on often Vulnerable People and to make sure people have the Digital Skills they need to protect themselves, learn from home and work from home. The honourable lady is absolutely right about the importance of Digital Skills and of connectivity, and that is why we are massively increasing for instance broadband across the country to get fast broadband and making sure that people have the technology that they need. She raises a particularly important point about online scams and these are a problem, and i can tell her that we are working across government to beat these fraudsters, to root them out, led by the Cabinet Office and if you would be kind enough to send me details of the case she mentions, we will feed it into our system immediately. Has . Case she mentions, we will feed it into our system immediately. Now we no to gre into our system immediately. Now we go to greg clark into our system immediately. Now we go to greg clark. Hi. Into our system immediately. Now we go to greg clark. Hi. Do into our system immediately. Now we go to greg clark. Hi. Do we into our system immediately. Now we go to greg clark. Hi. Do we have into our system immediately. Now we go to greg clark. Hi. Do we have the i go to greg clark. Hi. Do we have the sound go to greg clark. Do we have the Sound Working go to greg clark. H. Do we have the Sound Working for mr clarke . Go to greg clark. Hi. Do we have the Sound Working for mr clarke . Thank| Sound Working for mr clarke . Thank ou. Sound working for mr clarke . Thank yom whats Sound Working for mr clarke . Thank yom whats going Sound Working for mr clarke . Thank you. Whats going on . Sound working for mr clarke . Thank you. Whats going on . I Sound Working for mr clarke . Thank you. Whats going on . I apologise l Sound Working for mr clarke . Thank| you. Whats going on . I apologise to the honourable you. Whats going on . I apologise to the honourable member. You. Whats going on . I apologise to the honourable member. We you. Whats going on . I apologise to the honourable member. We appear| you. Whats going on . I apologise to i the honourable member. We appear to be hearing the honourable member. We appear to be hearing the sound engineers, perhaps be hearing the sound engineers, perhaps we will. Leave that for a moment perhaps we will. Leave that for a moment and perhaps we will. Leave that for a moment and come back to the honourable member for Tunbridge Wells honourable member for Tunbridge Wells and honourable member for Tunbridge Wells and meanwhile we are going to your, wells and meanwhile we are going to your, hopefully, to rachel maskell. Going your, hopefully, to rachel maskell. Going to your, hopefully, to rachel maskell. Going to york. The your, hopefully, to rachel maskell. Going to york your, hopefully, to rachel maskell. Going to york. The evidence shows that the easing going to york. The evidence shows that the easing of going to york. The evidence shows that the easing of lockdown going to york. The evidence shows that the easing of lockdown meant. That the easing of lockdown meant many people came to york despite warnings. The retail, hospitality and transport sectors meant they could travel to a lower tier and were off guard in my community and the result has been devastating, completely unsafe and completely avoidable. Well the Prime Minister commit not to return to a tiered system where people can freely move the infection from one place to another, and what steps will he take to ensure that catastrophe will not happen again . This to ensure that catastrophe will not happen again . Happen again . As soon as we are informed of happen again . As soon as we are informed of the happen again . As soon as we are informed of the extra informed of the extra transmissibility, the action we took was all the action we could and i would remind that the best thing we can do for the people of york now is to make sure we keep this virus under control. The tough measures that we have have all come forward for the vaccine and i would urge her to have her constituents coming forward to take the vaccine. My memory in yorkshire is higher than almost anywhere else in the country and i congratulate them but we are coming into The Last Furlong and wouldnt it be great to get 100 of the people of yorkshire in the course of the next few days . Thank ou. In all course of the next few days . Thank you in all the course of the next few days . Thank you. In all the gloom course of the next few days . Thank you. In all the gloom of course of the next few days . Thank you. In all the gloom of the course of the next few days . Thankj you. In all the gloom of the tragedy of covid, will my honourable friend pay tribute to the staff and volunteers working hard to step up the vaccinations and hollow and deliver the. The vaccinations and hollow and deliverthe. I the vaccinations and hollow and deliver the. I know you want schools and colleges to happen sooner rather than later and i welcome what he has said. Above all, the Education Plan for recovery. Will he ensure they catch up and allows those with Mental Health problems and work with the coalition of the willing, such as the privilege to get all those Children Backin Privilege to get all those children back in the classroom . Yes. Privilege to get all those children back in the classroom . Yes, indeed. I oin m back in the classroom . Yes, indeed. I join my friends back in the classroom . Yes, indeed. I join my friends and back in the classroom . Yes, indeed. Ijoin my friends and congratulating l ijoin my friends and congratulating the volunteers with the pharmacies in the volunteers making the vaccine roll out possible and i can tell my friend that we. We are putting extra funding into Mental Health problems and particularly for children and young people, the funding we have announced every year more than 2 billion or 3 billion extra that will go to helping 345,000 children as well. Mann extra that will go to helping 345,000 children as well. Now we go to judith cummins. 345,000 children as well. Now we go to judith cummins. Thank 345,000 children as well. Now we go to judith cummins. Thank you. 345,000 children as well. Now we go to judith cummins. Thank you. Key i to judith cummins. Thank you. Key workers and to judith cummins. Thank you. Key workers and those to judith cummins. Thank you. Key workers and those in to judith cummins. Thank you. Key workers and those in manual to judith cummins. Thank you. Key | workers and those in manualjobs. Workers and those in manualjobs. Are at highest risk of dying from coronavirus. Over1000 are at highest risk of dying from coronavirus. Over 1000 rand 40 have now died from the virus. When the most vulnerable groups are being vaccinated, will be Prime Minister ensure that priority is then given to Front Line Workers who have played such a key role in keeping the country going during the pandemic . Often with a high risk to their own personal safety including police officers, teachers, shop workers and taxi drivers, and many others who are just unable to work from home . So when will he publish his plan for the next stage of the vaccine roll out . Flan his plan for the next stage of the vaccine rollout . His plan for the next stage of the vaccine rollout . Can i congratulate the honourable vaccine rollout . Can i congratulate the honourable lady vaccine rollout . Can i congratulate the honourable lady for vaccine rollout . Can i congratulate the honourable lady for being vaccine rollout . Can i congratulate the honourable lady for being so the honourable lady for being so much more sensible than her party leader who is saying he wants to interrupt the vaccine roll out for the vulnerable groups . And decide politically to. You should get the vaccine . I think we should leave it to thejob of vaccine . I think we should leave it to the job of vaccination and immunisation and for the] cbi to do the. To sigh the most vulnerable groups which is what we are going to do and is the fastest way to deal with those who are most likely to die. She is shaking her head and disagreeing with the suggestion she has just disagreeing with the suggestion she hasjust made disagreeing with the suggestion she has just made but i think its an excellent suggestion she should stick to. ,. ,. , excellent suggestion she should stick to. ,. , excellent suggestion she should stickto. ,. , , stick to. Now we go to joy morrisey. Thank ou stick to. Now we go to joy morrisey. Thank you and stick to. Now we go to joy morrisey. Thank you and may stick to. Now we go to joy morrisey. Thank you and may i stick to. Now we go to joy morrisey. Thank you and may i thank stick to. Now we go to joy morrisey. Thank you and may i thank the stick to. Now we go to joy morrisey. | thank you and may i thank the Prime Ministerfor his thank you and may i thank the Prime Minister for his commitment to reopen schools . To reopen schools as soon as possible . And the vaccine roll out. What im asking today on behalf of children everywhere, as a mother of a nine year old, i can either children, Young Children, struggling and their Cognitive Development is determined at this stage. We are storing up a lifetime of problems, of anxiety, Mental Health, obesity by having all of our young primary age children at home and may i urge the Prime Minister to have courage in these final months to bring children, particularly primary age children, Back To School as quickly as possible . Mr; as quickly as possible . My honourable as quickly as possible . My honourable friend is completely right. We want our parents to feel comfortable about their children being back at school and fill the gaps in their own learning that may arise as a result of this and we will do everything we can to plug those gaps and she has heard about the investments that have been made. It will go notjust the investments that have been made. It will go not just this the investments that have been made. It will go notjust this year but next year and in this parliament, throughout, until weve made that up because those kids deserve it. We want to get schools open because it is open and proportionate. Thahk is open and proportionate. Thank ou. Is open and proportionate. Thank you many is open and proportionate. Thank you many people is open and proportionate. Thank you. Many people on is open and proportionate. Thank you. Many people on low is open and proportionate. Thank| you. Many people on low incomes is open and proportionate. Trisha; you. Many people on low incomes or in precarious work still cannot afford to self isolate on the uks meagre level of statutory sick pay and some are not entitled to that. Can i ask the Prime Minister what he thinks about the uk having such a low rate of the statutory sick pay with regard to the high death rate and will he urge people to do the right thing and stay safe . In addition to statutory sick pay and universal credit, there was of course also the £500 we make available to those in need of it and thatis available to those in need of it and that is the right way forward. Im afraid she is not right what she said about the levels of statutory sick pay in the country and it fares well in comparison to other countries around the world. Mann well in comparison to other countries around the world. Now we no to countries around the world. Now we go to peter countries around the world. Now we go to peter bone. Countries around the world. Now we go to peter bone. Thank countries around the world. Now we go to peter bone. Thank you. Countries around the world. Now we go to peter bone. Thank you. The i go to peter bone. Thank you. The government go to peter bone. Thank you. The government ordered go to peter bone. Thank you. The government ordered the go to peter bone. Thank you. The government ordered the covid i go to peter bone. Thank you. The government ordered the Covid Vaccine early, they have delivered it efficiently and we now have 11 of the population vaccinated. Compare that with the European Union where, because of their bureaucracy, inefficiency and petty politics, they order the vaccine late, they deliver that inefficiently and have only vaccinated 2 of their population. Prime minister, it is notjust a great credit population. Prime minister, it is not just a great credit to your leadership and your government that we have delivered the vaccination so quickly but also is it not one of the great advantages of having left the great advantages of having left the European Union . I. The great advantages of having left the European Union . The great advantages of having left the European Union . I. What i will sa is we the European Union . I. What i will say is we certainly the European Union . I. What i will say is we certainly were the European Union . I. What i will say is we certainly were able the European Union . I. What i will say is we certainly were able to the European Union . I. What i will say is we certainly were able to use | say is we certainly were able to use speed and agility to deliver on the programme we needed to do and i think it would have been a great pity if we follow the advice of the allure of the opposition of the labour party wanted to get rid of Big Pharmaceutical Companies in the Crazed Corba Night Agenda that stood at the last election. Corbynite agenda. I do think we have been able to do things differently and better in some ways but it is early days and its important to remember this is an international venture. We will continue to work with those friends and partners in the eu and beyond. I did not want to interrupt while he was in did not want to interrupt while he was in full did not want to interrupt while he was in full rhetorical flow but he knows was in full rhetorical flow but he knows he was in full rhetorical flow but he knows he mustnt address the Prime Minister knows he mustnt address the Prime Minister as knows he mustnt address the Prime Minister as you and say what are you doing. Minister as you and say what are you doing. Prime minister as you and say what are you doing, Prime Minister . He must address doing, Prime Minister . He must address the chair and he setting a bad example as a Senior Member of this house. Bad example as a Senior Member of this house, as are many Senior Members this house, as are many Senior Members of this house to new members who have members of this house to new members who have yet members of this house to new members who have yet to learn the proper mode who have yet to learn the proper mode of who have yet to learn the proper mode of address. We must be careful during mode of address. We must be careful during the mode of address. We must be careful during the time of virtual proceedings not to let standards fall. Proceedings not to let Standards Fatt We Proceedings not to let standards fall. We now go to andrew gwynne. Thank fall. We now go to andrew gwynne. Thank you fall. We now go to andrew gwynne. Thank you i fall. We now go to andrew gwynne. Thank you. I support. We fall. We now go to andrew gwynne. Thank you. I support. Thank you. I support. We will pull away from thank you. I support. We will pull away from that thank you. I support. We will pull away from that question thank you. I support. We will pull away from that Question Session. Thank you. I support. We will pull| away from that Question Session but who will keep an eye on it if any more images from that what we want to crack on the cause lets just update you are with what happened in the last hour. Borisjohnson telling people it will not be possible to reopen schools after the february half term as had been hoped. He said we will protect. In the plan would be for them to return from the eight mark but it was to early to contemplate relaxing the restriction of the situation remained perilous. I now have parents and teachers need as much certainty as possible, including two weeks notice of face to face teaching. Sol weeks notice of face to face teaching. So i must inform the house that for the reasons i have outlined, it will not possible to reopen schools immediately after the february half term and i know how frustrating that will be an will for pupils and teachers who want nothing more than to get back the classroom and for parent and carers who spent so many monthsjuggling their and for parent and carers who spent so many months juggling their day job not only with Home Schooling but with meeting the myriad of other demands of their children from breakfast until bed time. And i know, too, the worries well share about the Mental Health of our people during this prolonged period of being stuck at home stop our plan for leaving the lockdown set out our approach to reopening schools and if we achieve our target of vaccinating everyone in the four most vulnerable groups with their first doused by the 15th Of February and every passing day sees more progress towards that goal, then those groups who have developed immunity from the virus about three weeks later, then its by The 8th Of March. We hope it will therefore be safe to begin the reopening of schools from monday The 8th Of March. We can speak now to geoff barton, general secretary of the association of School College leaders. Previously, he was a english teacher and headteacher. Good to talk to you again. The 8th of march at the earliest . Yes. Good to talk to you again. The 8th of march at the earliest . Of march at the earliest . Yes, the Prime Minister of march at the earliest . Yes, the Prime Minister was of march at the earliest . Yes, the Prime Minister was careful of march at the earliest . Yes, the Prime Minister was careful with i of march at the earliest . Yes, the | Prime Minister was careful with the choice of words because too many occasions he has made promises which he has had to backtrack. There will be a collective sense that perhaps we were surprised by this given what is happening with the virus and there will be a collective sense of really needing as many young people to be back in our schools and colleges as possible so i hope the positive news from this is this gives us a window of time notjust to come up with a plan but you articulate that plan to the parents and particularly those young people who would just fill bill wielded by things changing all the time of the Revolving Door approach to education. He Revolving Door approach to education. Revolving door approach to education. ,. ,. ,. , education. He said that he would rolon education. He said that he would prolong free education. He said that he would prolong free school education. He said that he would prolong Free School Meals education. He said that he would prolong Free School Meals and i education. He said that he would i prolong Free School Meals and from conversations we have had, that has been a problem, a promise later broken and hes avoided that. He has and i have to broken and hes avoided that. He has and i have to say broken and hes avoided that. He has and i have to say the broken and hes avoided that. He has and i have to say the other broken and hes avoided that. He has and i have to say the other thing i and i have to say the other thing that has happened since we last spoke is the kind of dialogue we are having with the Department For Education has changed so we are starting to say there are certain things that your scientists need to do to reassure people about the safety of the. High school leaders. But why dont we work in a more constructive way . A sense of starting to do some scenario planning. You open some schools are some colleges in some regions so what might that be and what might the priority is being with particular year groups and primary is which starts with the youngest exam groups in further education and those with requirement for specialist equipment. Those have begun now and even that is reassuring on a day when many people feel disappointed that there will not be anything like Business As Usual in schools and colleges for a while yet. Pa. Usual in schools and colleges for a while et. �. , usual in schools and colleges for a while et. � ,. ,. ,. , while yet. A phased reopening of schools is fine while yet. A phased reopening of schools is fine but while yet. A phased reopening of schools is fine but we while yet. A phased reopening of schools is fine but we are while yet. A phased reopening of schools is fine but we are talking j schools is fine but we are talking about a period of time where, after only a few weeks, its the end of term anyway. Only a few weeks, its the end of term anyway only a few weeks, its the end of term an a. ,. Term anyway. One of the things which we could say term anyway. One of the things which we could say is term anyway. One of the things which we could say is given term anyway. One of the things which we could say is given the term anyway. One of the things which we could say is given the exams i term anyway. One of the things which we could say is given the exams are l we could say is given the exams are not running in the summer in what would normally be happening for this year 11 gcse students and those you are 15 vocational and a level students as they would be going out to a period of revision and exams and in a sense we have reclaimed teaching time. No one quite knows how much in person time there will be but we probably have more time for young people to learn things and study the curriculum then we would in normal times and its important we dont catastrophe eyes on the behalf of young people even though we are deeply concerned about their Mental Health and instead what we do is give them the reassurance that evenif is give them the reassurance that even if it looks like a phased return, but that may mean for you as youre going to have some time with your teacher and school physically being able to teach you and if there was a rota system for example, it might mean then doing some work the following week because we have to keep the numbers down and im simply speculating about what all that suggests is instead of the all schools are open, all schools are closed narrative which we had up until this point, we are starting to get the kind of nuance that we all crave, even if that does not mean Business As Usual and at least we are starting to do that planning. You say a sense of nuance you all crave but there is a sense of mute from you mood from you than we have seen before. Im from you mood from you than we have seen before. Have seen before. Im less grumpy, robabl. Have seen before. Im less grumpy, probably thats have seen before. Im less grumpy, probably. Thats what have seen before. Im less grumpy, probably. Thats what i have seen before. Im less grumpy, probably. Thats what i was have seen before. Im less grumpy, probably. Thats what i was going i have seen before. Im less grumpy, | probably. Thats what i was going to sa what probably. Thats what i was going to say what im probably. Thats what i was going to say what im trying probably. Thats what i was going to say what im trying to probably. Thats what i was going to say what im trying to be probably. Thats what i was going to say what im trying to be polite. I say what im trying to be polite. You touched on it here. There was a sense of realism in what we got from the Prime Minister and weve had too much of blustery rhetoric which we all become tired of, and today is a day with a very important report with the Education Policy Institute talking about the Mental Health of children and young people, and if what today will do is start helping others work collaboratively with the government in order to say, we have to get those very Young Children back into school because many of them havent developed habits of reading that they need to have and some of those socialising routines, if what today is doing is opening up some of that dialogue in a constructive way, we mightjust look back and think, while there is obviously disappointment that it is not Business As Usual, there is a sense of the government recognising that its promises cannot be delivered unless they work with the very people the government has looked to to lead our schools and lead our colleges. Looked to to lead our schools and lead our colleges. Many months down the line, 100,000 lead our colleges. Many months down the line, 100,000 people lead our colleges. Many months down the line, 100,000 people have i lead our colleges. Many months down the line, 100,000 people have died l the line, 100,000 people have died in that time, its a big late for that, isnt it . In that time, its a big late for that, isnt it . Well, it is too late and at some that, isnt it . Well, it is too late and at some point that, isnt it . Well, it is too late and at some point we that, isnt it . Well, it is too late and at some point we will that, isnt it . Well, it is too late and at some point we will look. That, isnt it . Well, it is too late. And at some point we will look back thinking, could things have been done differently . We made a proposal way back in april that actually a rota system and Rotor Systems will be a huge pain in the neck for parents of Young Children but for secondary children and children in further education, it means you can have more access to your teacher evenif have more access to your teacher even if youre there for one week or two weeks has said before, and you could have a plan whereby every child before the Summer Holidays have had some time back in school so use it as an example of when we look back, we will see we could have done things differently but we are where we are and at least that what youre saying now is we move towards The 8th Of March whatever it might look like, we can start to plan in of those children and young people and can de clutter the schools so we are not thinking about Performance Tables and ofsted inspections, and all those other things where we have teacher. Teacher is teaching children the best they possibly can and when they will look back and think it was like the evacuees, we were a generation who went through covid but we managed to get back into the routines and the rhythms of education. , into the routines and the rhythms of education. ,. ,. , ~. , education. Really good to talk to ou. Education. Really good to talk to you thank education. Really good to talk to you thank you education. Really good to talk to you. Thank you for education. Really good to talk to you. Thank you for your education. Really good to talk to you. Thank you for your time. I lets get reaction with our Political Correspondent jess parker. I will sound cynical. Weve been talking about people dying and it being raised in the House Of Commons. Looking at education, the announcement suits some people . Ministers have been under some considerable pressure despite the very sad news and the terrible milestone that we crossed yesterday, not least of all from some of their own conservative mps to be clear about the way out of lockdown over the coming weeks and months, and yes, yesterday was that 100,000 milestone that was passed and many felt the time to reflect and it did prompt questions and questions have been explored before what really prompted them again as to the governments handling of coronavirus and its something that sir kate starmer, the Labour Leader, has been keen to press today sir kier starmer. Asking why the uk has one of the worst death rates in the world and there is an interesting tension there because what the Labour Leader seems to be saying is if there is a proper discussion of what might have gone wrong or what mistakes might have been made, in his mind, that can help the government avoid those mistakes Going Forward because we are still in the teeth of the pandemic and what ministers seem to be saying as it is the wrong time right now to go into a deep discussion about that and there will be an opportunity in the future too, as they say, learn lessons and we know there will be some sort of enquiry in the future but we dont know exactly what form it will take or when it will be. At this afternoon, you say we have learned and we are talking about education because of that news which we kind of expected but now have confirmation of and we know we cannot reopen after that february half term or The 8th Of March in england. Half term or The 8th Of March in encland. Half term or The 8th Of March in encland. , ~ i. The row over access to vaccines in the European Union seems to be deepening the boss of the Pharmaceutical Company astrazeneca saying it was the eus late decision to sign contracts which had meant they had limited time to sort out supply issues. We can now speak to dr siddhartha datta, programme manager, from the vaccine preventable diseases programme, at the who Regional Office for europe. Thank you forjoining us and thank you for waiting. This row is presumably a row you would rather not see. Presumably a row you would rather not see. ,. , ~ i. Presumably a row you would rather not see. ~ , presumably a row you would rather not see. ,. , ~ i. Presumably a row you would rather not see. ,. , ~. , not see. Yes, thank you so much for havin not see. Yes, thank you so much for having me not see. Yes, thank you so much for having me and not see. Yes, thank you so much for having me and im not see. Yes, thank you so much for having me and im happy not see. Yes, thank you so much for having me and im happy to not see. Yes, thank you so much for having me and im happy to share i having me and im happy to share views on that. Just to let you know that the entire scale of this Covid Vaccine roll out is quite an undertaking in itself and while we understand that the demand for vaccine to be rolled out in all the countries in the world is not commensurate to the volume of the vaccine available at this time, and theissues vaccine available at this time, and the issues around Vaccine Production and availability of the vaccine has created an atmosphere where all the countries are trying to reach out for this protection for the global population, why are the manufacturers also trying their level best to ensure the commitments are made by the manufacturers with the countries are made available. While the manufacturers are also trying. There are issues around manufacturing at this time around countries and manufacturing boards are trying find an amicable solution. Are trying find an amicable solution are trying find an amicable solution. ~ ,. ,. ,. , solution. While you understand that, do ou solution. While you understand that, do you have solution. While you understand that, do you have sympathy solution. While you understand that, do you have sympathy with solution. While you understand that, do you have sympathy with the i do you have sympathy with the Pharmaceutical Companies who have spent billions of pounds, many months are very hard work developing this vaccine, and they say there has to be a commercial decision here. If we are in talks and sign a contract with one country, and a few months later, another block comes to us, we have to serve those first come, first served basis. Have to serve those first come, firstserved basis. Have to serve those first come, firstserved basis. There was a of asects i firstserved basis. There was a of aspects i want firstserved basis. There was a of aspects i want to firstserved basis. There was a of aspects i want to bring firstserved basis. There was a of aspects i want to bring here. I firstserved basis. There was a of aspects i want to bring here. Onej firstserved basis. There was a of. Aspects i want to bring here. One is vaccination is everybody� s responsibility and i think it is a responsibility and i think it is a responsibility starting from the government, ministries, of health of Different Countries also including the Vaccine Developers where they have said, who, from day one, that it is a global thing and the benefits should be available to everybody in the globe, irrespective of the countrys income level or the communitys capability to put the vaccine in. But it is a shared responsibility for everybody and thatis responsibility for everybody and that is where the effort made by the who among several other partners to ensure there is but there was a fair and equitable situation regarding the distributional vaccines and who should benefit from the vaccine and this is quite an important tool in the fight against the covid pandemic. That important tool in the fight against the covid pandemic. Important tool in the fight against the covid pandemic. That is all very well but of the covid pandemic. That is all very well but of course the covid pandemic. That is all very well but of course a the covid pandemic. That is all very well but of course a lot the covid pandemic. That is all very well but of course a lot of the covid pandemic. That is all very well but of course a lot of people i well but of course a lot of people seem to be missing this point, the eu hasnt actually given permission to use the astrazeneca vaccine yet. Yes, thank you for asking that question. Every countrys National Regulatory authority and for the European Union Member States, the European Union Member States, the European Medicines Agency evaluates the information from the Clinical Trials for safety and efficacy and quality of the vaccine and that relates to. We have heard from Pfizer Biontech and madonna and we are aware moderne moderne. The astrazeneca vaccine. We are aware that the rigorous quality check of the product is done and the population is being shared with this conclusion and the transparency in measuring the evaluation will eventually lead up to its trust of the population to receive the vaccine because having approval of the vaccine, getting the vaccine into a country, is one parameter but also the effect of the vaccine will only be happening if the population is a beneficiary of the vaccine receives it. This raises an issue over the w h o programme covax. Are you satisfied that covax is working sufficiently well at the moment . Do you have any criticism of countries, i dont know if the uk will be one of them, who are at the moment concentrating on looking after their own population . We do appreciate the efforts made by each and every member state to protect the population, which is understandable, and we also recognise the efforts made by every country. But we are within this Global Village and it is extremely critical that we make sure that these Vaccine Doses are available for everyone. We have heard it said quite often that when everybody is safe, when we protect everyone, only then will be keep making sure everybody is safe. So within that entire concept, there is covax, and unprecedented mechanism to ensure that everybody gets access to this vaccine. The low income and lower middle Income Countries will be supported wildly high income and upper middle Income Countries will be able to buy the vaccine and contribute to this process. At this point in time, the sufficient amount of deals and agreements are in place to ensure that the global participating countries get access to 2 billion doses of covid 19 vaccines by the end of the year. However these things are related to Production Capacity and vaccines being used according to Emergency Listings by who, and most important, the ability by the countries to access the vaccines and making sure that once the vaccines are imported they are distributed quickly. It is not only a matter of having a vaccination process, the system in the country will be critical for all countries in the world moving forward. {in countries in the world moving forward. ,. , countries in the world moving forward. ,. , countries in the world moving forward. , forward. On the basis that nobody is safe until everybody forward. On the basis that nobody is safe until everybody is forward. On the basis that nobody is safe until everybody is safe, forward. On the basis that nobody is safe until everybody is safe, and i forward. On the basis that nobody is safe until everybody is safe, and we| safe until everybody is safe, and we are talking globally here, when do you think that may happen . This are talking globally here, when do you think that may happen . Than you think that may happen . As i mentioned you think that may happen . I mentioned earlier, the demand you think that may happen . Isi mentioned earlier, the demand for the vaccine is not commensurate to the vaccine is not commensurate to the vaccine is not commensurate to the Vaccine Volume that is available. Howeverwe the Vaccine Volume that is available. However we see more vaccines coming onto the horizon, the Clinical Trial faces of several vaccines are being evaluated and giving approval for use, including ljy giving approval for use, including by who. We do anticipate the easing of pressure on the Vaccine Volume as we move through too caught up one of 2021. But then also the processes of getting the Vaccine Volume into the country and the process to distribute it within the country will play a big role in ensuring how quickly the vaccine can be distributed and used in the country. At this point of time, around 50 countries in the world and 35 countries in the world and 35 countries in the who European Region have rolled out the vaccines, which is quite a great process given that we are only one year into the detection of the virus. So i think things will improve and i think we really need to make sure this tool thatis really need to make sure this tool that is available to us has Equitable Distribution Paramount for the entire global community, and thatis the entire global community, and that is a shared responsibility for everyone. That is a shared responsibility for eve one. ~ that is a shared responsibility for eve one. , ~ i. Now its time for a look at the weather. Be weather is very different to a day or two ago. It has turned a lot milder in the south of the country and the rain is sweeping in. It hasnt reached everybody yet. So far it has just been drizzling and damp in the south of the country. In the north it is still cold and clear but through this evening, a Weather Front will sweep across the country, bringing quite heavy rain and a speu bringing quite heavy rain and a spell of snow but that will fall across the Northern Hills. A very mild night in the south of the country tonight, temperatures may be no lower than 10 degrees in plymouth but still a thrust in the north of scotland. Wet and wintry weather across the hills and mountains in scotland. Max still ate frost in the north of scotland. The European Commission are halting a News Conference on the situation with the vaccines. Lets hear from them now. Ihie with the vaccines. Lets hear from them now with the vaccines. Lets hear from them now. ,. ,. , them now. We reect the logic of a first that may them now. We reject the logic of a first that may work them now. We reject the logic of a first that may work at them now. We reject the logic of a first that may work at the first that may work at the neighbourhood butchers but not in our advanced Purchase Agreement. There is no priority clause in the advance Purchase Agreement. There is also no hierarchy of the four Production Plants named in the advance Purchase Agreement. In the eu art two of them and two of them are in the uk. We intend to defend the integrity of our investments and the integrity of our investments and the taxpayers money that has been invested. We remain always open to engage with the company to resolve any outstanding issues, in the spirit of true collaboration and responsibility. That was always the spirit of our engagement with vaccine manufacturers, since last spring. This evening at 6 30pm, the Steering Board will meet again. I call on astrazeneca to engage fully to rebuild trust, to provide complete information, and to live up to its contractual, societal and moral obligations. Thank you very much. ,. Moral obligations. Thank you very much. , ~. ,. , moral obligations. Thank you very much. , ~. ,. , ~ much. Frankie, commissioner. We will now take questions. Much. Frankie, commissioner. We will now take questions. Much. Frankie, commissioner. We will now take questions. Thank much. Frankie, commissioner. We will now take questions. Thank you. I i now take questions. Thank you. Would like to now take questions. Thank you. 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I think that some of these questions were already answered by my Director General in the technical briefing. Ijust want my Director General in the technical briefing. I just want to touch on one or two points. The best effort clause is there because a vaccine hasnt been developed or authorised and that is why it is called an advance Purchase Agreement but we did select the company on the basis of its Production Capacity, so they are supposed to be able to produce in time. The logic was that the Company Makes a binding commitment to produce and to the best of its ability, taking a risk even before it gets authorisation, and we accept this, that if the authorisation is not given, we have invested at a loss, but we did not invest in the company on the assumption that they would not be able to pre produce. So investing and ramping up preProduction Capacity was one of the parts of our agreement. The other question was on the numbers, i think . In terms of the numbers from astrazeneca, although i think that number is confidential and can only be shared with the agreement of the company. Ihie be shared with the agreement of the com tan. ~. , be shared with the agreement of the coman. ,. , be shared with the agreement of the coman. , company. We have asked the company to tublish company. We have asked the company to publish the company. We have asked the company to publish the contract company. We have asked the company to publish the contract in company. We have asked the company to publish the contract in full, company. We have asked the company to publish the contract in full, to i to publish the contract in full, to be able to publish the contract in full, to be able to to publish the contract in full, to be able to provide the information rapidly. Be able to provide the information rapidly, publicly. Inaudible thank you very much for the question thank you very much for the question. 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Was the eu british to sign the contract. Was the eu simply british to sign the contract. Was the eu simply too british to sign the contract. Was the eu simply too late, british to sign the contract. Was the eu simply too late, and i british to sign the contract. Was the eu simply too late, and is i british to sign the contract. Was i the eu simply too late, and is the vaccine the eu simply too late, and is the vaccine that the eu simply too late, and is the vaccine that could the eu simply too late, and is the vaccine that could have the eu simply too late, and is the vaccine that could have been i the eu simply too late, and is the| vaccine that could have been used the eu simply too late, and is the i vaccine that could have been used in the eu vaccine that could have been used in the eu being vaccine that could have been used in the eu being used vaccine that could have been used in the eu being used in vaccine that could have been used in the eu being used in the vaccine that could have been used in the eu being used in the uk vaccine that could have been used in the eu being used in the uk and i the eu being used in the uk and elsewhere the eu being used in the uk and elsewhere instead, the eu being used in the uk and elsewhere instead, so the eu being used in the uk and elsewhere instead, so that the eu being used in the uk and elsewhere instead, so that we i the eu being used in the uk and i elsewhere instead, so that we are losing elsewhere instead, so that we are losing out . Elsewhere instead, so that we are losing out . Thank elsewhere instead, so that we are losing out . Thank you. Elsewhere instead, so that we are losing out . Thank you. Elsewhere instead, so that we are losing out . Thank you. Thank you. I really dont losing out . Thank you. Thank you. I really dont want losing out . Thank you. Thank you. I really dont want to losing out . Thank you. Thank you. I really dont want to go losing out . Thank you. Thank you. I really dont want to go into losing out . Thank you. Thank you. I really dont want to go into using i really dont want to go into using this opportunity that i have to share our position with you commenting on what the ceo has said. What i will say is what i said in my opening statement, and our contract it does not specify that any country has a priority because it signed earlier, including the uk. Our contract foresees a quarter by quarter schedule and if this was the case, astrazeneca should have proposed a clause in the contract acknowledging that they would prioritise, for example, deliveries to the uk, saying this. But there is no such clause in the contract. And let me add one thing, that we are here because we need to put in our best efforts in order to solve this situation. As many of you know, there were difficulties that we had with biontech, just under two weeks ago, we worked together, we solved them. So what were here of astrazeneca what we are asking here of astrazeneca is that they are transparent about the situation so we can move forward and resolve the situation for the benefit of european and not only european citizens. ,. European and not only european citizens. , ~ ,. , european and not only european citizens. Hello . It i european and not only european. Citizens. Hello . It will citizens. Thank you. Hello . It will be in french. Speaks french we will pull out. We heard the main part of what the European Commission it said and she has called on astrazeneca to rebuild trust. There is a meeting tonight. And she has called on them to live up to their moral obligations. Lets rejoin briefly. We will also shortly here from priti patel in the House Of Commons. I from priti patel in the House Of Commons from priti patel in the House Of Commons. , commons. I will do it in english. Would we commons. I will do it in english. Would we get commons. I will do it in english. Would we get this commons. I will do it in english. Would we get this best commons. I will do it in english. Would we get this best effort i commons. I will do it in english. I would we get this best effort Clause Problem would we get this best effort Clause Problem with would we get this best effort Clause Problem with the would we get this best effort Clause Problem with the next would we get this best effort Clause Problem with the next vaccine . 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Other Companies Wont have the same difficulties other Companies Wont have the same difficulties and other Companies Wont have the same difficulties and claim other Companies Wont have the same difficulties and claim that other Companies Wont have the same difficulties and claim that it other Companies Wont have the same difficulties and claim that it is difficulties and claim that it is only difficulties and claim that it is only a difficulties and claim that it is only a best difficulties and claim that it is only a best effort difficulties and claim that it is only a best effort clause, i difficulties and claim that it is only a best effort clause, not| difficulties and claim that it is| only a best effort clause, not a commitment . Only a best effort clause, not a commitment . If only a best effort clause, not a commitment . Only a best effort clause, not a commitment . ,. ,. ,. , commitment . If they follow and stick to our advanced commitment . If they follow and stick to our advanced purchase commitment . If they follow and stick| to our advanced Purchase Agreement, there wont be any problems and advance Purchase Agreement guarantees the manufacturing capacity. Thank you. Guarantees the manufacturing capacity. Thank you. Thank you. David . Thank capacity. Thank you. Thank you. David . Thank you. Capacity. Thank you. Thank you. I david . Thank you. Commissioner, Can Ou Clari David . Thank you. Commissioner, can you clarify and david . Thank you. Commissioner, can you clarify and follow david . Thank you. Commissioner, can you clarify and follow up david . Thank you. Commissioner, can you clarify and follow up on david . Thank you. Commissioner, can you clarify and follow up on the i you clarify and follow up on the point you clarify and follow up on the point about you clarify and follow up on the point about the you clarify and follow up on the point about the numbers . I you clarify and follow up on the point about the numbers . We i point about the numbers . We understand point about the numbers . We understand from point about the numbers . We understand from previous i point about the numbers . We i understand from previous briefings that the understand from previous briefings that the eu understand from previous briefings that the eu had understand from previous briefings that the eu had an understand from previous briefings that the eu had an expectation. I understand from previous briefingsl that the eu had an expectation. The contract that the eu had an expectation. The contract may that the eu had an expectation. The contract may have that the eu had an expectation. The contract may have said that the eu had an expectation. The contract may have said best that the eu had an expectation. 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That was changed by astrazeneca at the i changed by astrazeneca at the beginning changed by astrazeneca at the beginning of changed by Astrazeneca At The Beginning Of December changed by Astrazeneca At The Beginning Of December and i changed by astrazeneca at the i beginning of december and again changed by Astrazeneca At The Beginning Of December and again on friday beginning of december and again on friday could beginning of december and again on friday could you beginning of december and again on friday. Could you run beginning of december and again on friday. Could you run us beginning of december and again on friday. Could you run us through i friday. Could you run us through those friday. Could you run us through those numbers . Friday. Could you run us through those numbers . Also, friday. Could you run us through those numbers . Also, eu friday. Could you run us through i those numbers . Also, eu Member States those numbers . Also, eu Member States are those numbers . Also, eu Member States are not those numbers . Also, eu Member States are not the those numbers . Also, eu Member States are not the only those numbers . Also, eu Member States are not the only countries i states are not the only countries relying states are not the only countries relying on states are not the only countries relying on production states are not the only countries relying on Production In States are not the only countries relying on production in the i states are not the only countries relying on production in the eu, | states are not the only countries i relying on production in the eu, so i wonder relying on production in the eu, so i wonder if relying on production in the eu, so i wonder if you relying on production in the eu, so i wonder if you have relying on production in the eu, so i wonder if you have been relying on production in the eu, so i wonder if you have been in relying on production in the eu, so i wonder if you have been in touch| i wonder if you have been in touch with other i wonder if you have been in touch with other partners, i wonder if you have been in touch with other partners, for i wonder if you have been in touch with other partners, for example i with other partners, for example canada with other partners, for example canada or with other partners, for example canada or south with other partners, for example canada or south africa, with other partners, for example| canada or south africa, countries that also canada or south africa, countries that also have canada or south africa, countries that also have contracts canada or south africa, countries that also have contracts that i canada or south africa, countries that also have contracts that are i that also have contracts that are not relying that also have contracts that are not relying on that also have contracts that are not relying on the that also have contracts that are not relying on the first that also have contracts that are not relying on the first in that also have contracts that are not relying on the first in line i that also have contracts that are not relying on the first in line at| not relying on the first in line at the butchers not relying on the first in line at the butchers shop not relying on the first in line at the butchers shop as not relying on the first in line at the butchers shop as you not relying on the first in line at the butchers shop as you say, i not relying on the first in line at. The butchers shop as you say, and are worried the butchers shop as you say, and are worried now the butchers shop as you say, and are worried now that the butchers shop as you say, and are worried now that the the butchers shop as you say, and are worried now that the eu. I the butchers shop as you say, and are worried now that the eu. [i the butchers shop as you say, and i are worried now that the eu. I aim are worried now that the eu. I am ttoin to are worried now that the eu. I am going to pull are worried now that the eu. I am going to pull out are worried now that the eu. I am going to pull out of are worried now that the eu. I am going to pull out of that are worried now that the eu. Going to pull out of that and take you to the House Of Commons because the Home Secretary is going to give a statement on the quarantine of those who arrived from abroad. Mr mack yesterday i said the governments focus is on protecting the uks world leading Vaccination Programme and reducing new strains of the virus being transmitted from someone coming the uk. Yesterday it was announced there would be more support for countries to access the uks gene sequencing capacities, allowing identification of new strains of the virus. This is a vital step to support the Global Response to coronavirus but it is not enough on its own to reduce risk to the United Kingdom. However, it is clear that there are still too many people coming in and out of the country each day and today i am announcing further action to strengthen the Health Measures that we already have at the border to reduce the passage and float so that only a small number of people, for whom it is absolutely essential to travel, are doing so, and therefore reducing the risk to our world leading Vaccine Programme. To those entering the uk they will be a number of measures. Firstly, the police have stepped up checks and are carrying out more physical checks on addresses to make sure people are complying with self isolation rules. Second, we will continue to refuse entry to non uk residents from red listed countries already subject to the uk travel ban. Third, as the Prime Minister has said, we will introduce a new managed Isolation Process in hotels for those who cannot be refused entry, including those arriving home from countries where we have already imposed International Travel bans. They will be required to isolate for ten days without exception. And the Department Of Health and social care will set out further details on this approach next week. And for those travelling out of the uk, we will also be enhancing enforcement rules. Because despite the stay at home regulations, we are still seeing people not complying with these rules. The rules are clear, people should be staying at home unless they have a valid reason to leave. Going on holiday is not a valid reason. So we will introduce a new requirement so people wishing to travel must first make a declaration as to why they need to travel. This reason for travel will be checked by carriers prior to departure and this approach effectively mirrors the checks on arrival that are already in place with the Passenger Locator form. With police departments, we will increase Police Presence at airports. Anyone without a valid reason for travel will be directed to return home or they will face a fine. Third, we will urgently review the list of Travel Exemptions made to make sure that only the most important and with exceptional reasons are included. These are crucial new measures to protect us all but also to complement the robust action consistently taken at the border. And while these new measures are in operation, i would like to remind anyone seeking to enter our country to comply with the rules. This includes Dividing Evidence of a negative covid test before entering the United Kingdom. Also the completion of the passenger location form. Stepping up enforcement means if you do not follow the regulations you will face a fine. These new measures are a necessary step to protect the public and our world class Vaccination Programme. Every layer of protection we have put in place will help to reduce the transmission of this virus and any new potential strain from entering the uk. As we have done throughout this Global Health emergency, we will continue to take all steps necessary to protect the public and help prevent the spread of this virus. I commend the statement to the house. I am trateful statement to the house. I am grateful to statement to the house. I am grateful to the statement to the house. I am grateful to the home statement to the house. I n grateful to the Home Secretary for her statement and advance sight of it. We stand here today in knowledge of the terrible fact that over 100,000 people have died as a result of this awful virus. We mourn all of those lost and think of those families for whom life will never be the same again. In marking this, it is not enough to say, let us wait to find out why britain has failed so badly. We must learn from past mistakes and crucially act now and one of the key areas where the government has clearly fallen short is on protecting borders. I am deeply concerned that the measures outlined today are yet another example of this, too little, too late. Yet again, the government is lurching from one crisis to another devoid of strategy. And limiting Hotel Quarantining to only a limited number of countries from which travel from uk residents was already banned, means that the Home Secretarys proposals do not go anywhere near far enough. Secretarys proposals do not go anywhere nearfar enough. Perhaps anywhere near far enough. Perhaps thatis anywhere nearfar enough. Perhaps that is why it appears there has been briefing to newspapers that the Home Secretary is personally not in support of the policy she is now advocating to the public. Mutations of the virus risk undermining the efficacy of the vaccines, threatening life at home. We cannot know where these mutations will emerge from next and the truth is the government is once again behind the government is once again behind the curve. Todays announcement is too limited. It leaves huge gaps in our defences against Emergent Strains. We note that the strains that emerged in africa and brazil have already reached our shores. Little wonder when controls have been so lax, with just three in every 100 people quarantining successfully contacted and Border Controls only introduced ten months after our first lockdown. We have seen his reluctance to be decisive from the start of the crisis. From the 23rd Of March last year, only a few hundred people were quarantining when millions arrived by air. A lot of the cases in the uk didnt come from china, they came from european imports and the high level of travel into the uk at the time. In april i wrote to the Home Secretary to ask her to learn the lessons but by may the uk was still an international outlier with no travel controls. Well be Home Secretary make the Home Secretary today belatedly introduces Hotel Quarantining and i would appreciate her addressing some questions. How can we be assured that travellers will not arrive with Emergent Strains via countries that are not on the control list . What support is being made available to ensure improvements to quarantine compliance . Frankly, why has it taken so long to step up checks, as the Home Secretary said today, when we know the system has been failing for months . What discussions had taken place with hotel chains to ensure the availability of rooms . And for those travelling out of the United Kingdom, again, why is the enforcement only being stepped up now . Well be Home Secretary ensure that sufficient support and resources are made available for these important tasks . And when will these important tasks . And when will the government announce a sector specific. Getting this policy right is absolutely crucial. The government cannot allow our Border Policy to continue to be the achilles heel of the heroic efforts of the british people during this pandemic. Of the british people during this tandemic. ,. ,. , pandemic. There are a number of comments pandemic. There are a number of comments i pandemic. There are a number of comments i would pandemic. There are a number of comments i would like pandemic. There are a number of comments i would like to pandemic. There are a number of comments i would like to make l pandemic. There are a number of i comments i would like to make before i come comments i would like to make before i come to comments i would like to make before i come to the honourable gentlemans questions i come to the honourable gentlemans questions i i come to the honourable gentlemans questions. I think it is fair to say that questions. I think it is fair to say that compared to this time last year. That compared to this time last year. And that compared to this time last year. And i that compared to this time last year, and i was here yesterday reading year, and i was here yesterday reading off the Endless Missions put in place reading off the Endless Missions put in place at reading off the Endless Missions put in place at the border since january last in place at the border since january iast year~ in place at the border since january last year. Including quarantine, Passenger Locator forms, flights and travei~ Passenger Locator forms, flights and travei~ i Passenger Locator forms, flights and travel. I think it is important to recognise travel. I think it is important to recognise that because of the incredible work that we have in this country incredible work that we have in this country with regards to the vaccine, our world country with regards to the vaccine, our world leading Vaccine Programme, we are our world leading Vaccine Programme, we are in our world leading Vaccine Programme, we are in a our world leading Vaccine Programme, we are in a very different situation now than we are in a very different situation now than last year because of the additional now than last year because of the additional risk to Public Health caused additional risk to Public Health caused by new variants. It is this variant caused by new variants. It is this variant we caused by new variants. It is this variant we should be focused on because variant we should be focused on because that could have implications for the because that could have implications for the vaccine. So it is important that we for the vaccine. So it is important that we reduce risk by reducing the number that we reduce risk by reducing the number of that we reduce risk by reducing the number of people who enter our Country Number of people who enter our country and could be a new threat. We have country and could be a new threat. We have already implemented numerous measures we have already implemented numerous measures and protections to reduce that risk measures and protections to reduce that risk. These are a number of new additional that risk. These are a number of new additional levels of protection at our disposal that are being announced today. The honourable gentleman has also made the point About Gentleman has also made the point about travel. The fact of the matter is, there about travel. The fact of the matter is, there are about travel. The fact of the matter is, there are reductions in travel already is, there are reductions in travel already. The number of people travelling has reduced by 90 compared to this time last year but obviously compared to this time last year but obviously this number will become iower obviously this number will become lower through various travel bans that are lower through various travel bans that are to lower through various travel bans that are to be put in place. He has touched that are to be put in place. He has touched on that are to be put in place. He has touched on Enforcement Measures and the ias touched on Enforcement Measures and the ias and touched on Enforcement Measures and the ias and police enforcement. There the ias and police enforcement. There are the ias and police enforcement. There are a number of enhanced measures there are a number of enhanced measures that will increase the checks measures that will increase the checks that will take place. From tomorrow. Checks that will take place. From tomorrow, over5000 checks that will take place. From tomorrow, over 5000 people will be checked tomorrow, over 5000 people will be checked in tomorrow, over 5000 people will be checked in by is. Police presence, i have checked in by is. Police presence, i have spoken checked in by is. Police presence, i have spoken today about enhanced police have spoken today about enhanced Police Presence at ports and borders Police Presence at ports and borders. They will be an increase of around borders. They will be an increase of around 1000 visits a day and this at around 1000 visits a day and this at a time around 1000 visits a day and this at a time when around 1000 visits a day and this at a time when the numbers are reducing speaks a time when the numbers are reducing speaks about the stringency of these measures speaks about the stringency of these measures and that speaks to the point measures and that speaks to the point about giving assurance around these point about giving assurance around these particular Enforcement Measures. I think it is disappointment, the honourable gentleman being critical of government measures. I have set on a number government measures. I have set on a number of government measures. I have set on a number of occasions, from january last year. Number of occasions, from january last year, we have had a layered approach last year, we have had a layered approach to our measures at the border~ approach to our measures at the border. This is clearly about the travel border. This is clearly about the travel ban border. This is clearly about the travel ban and the Ban On Travel From travel ban and the Ban On Travel From countries that oppose a high risk from countries that oppose a high risk there from countries that oppose a high risk. There are measures in place and we risk. There are measures in place and we are risk. There are measures in place and we are building upon those but for his and we are building upon those but for his part and we are building upon those but for his part in particular to claim they for his part in particular to claim they have for his part in particular to claim they have been calling for tougher restrictions from the start of this Pandemic Restrictions from the start of this pandemic is nonsense. They have been Flip Flopping as i said yesterday, in terms Flip Flopping as i said yesterday, in terms of calling quarantine a blunt in terms of calling quarantine a blunt instrument and the Transport Secretary blunt instrument and the Transport Secretary saying Quarantine Measures should secretary saying Quarantine Measures should be secretary saying Quarantine Measures should be lessened shadow transport should be lessened shadow Transport Secretary. We have always taken Transport Secretary. We have always taken an Transport Secretary. We have always taken an approach to managed risk. On the point he made in regard to support packages, there is work taking place across government, with other government departments, we are working together on that. In terms of discussion with hotel chains, those discussions are under way. That is not for me right now to talk about those, but there is a lot of work taking place and i think again it is important, madam deputy speaker, to recognise that these measures and all measures, have logistical operational implications as well as challenges. We work through those practicalities with all our stakeholders, all our partners. My colleagues in government will come to the house and the honourable gentleman would expect with updates on hotels, sectorial packages, the dialogue taking place and it would finally like to say, madam deputy speaker, i think the British Public absolutely recognise that this is a deeply challenging period for our country. No one will dispute that these are difficult times throughout this global pandemic, but there is no simple or single binary approach that can be taken. It is right that we manage risk and do so in this layered approach, but also i think the British Public, our constituents in particular, it would like to see all the Political Parties come together at this important time to look at how we can bring in these measures and support these measures so we can protect Public Health. Hurst so we can protect Public Health. Huw merriman. Thank so we can protect Public Health. Huw merriman. Thank you so we can protect Public Health. Huw merriman. Thank you very so we can protect Public Health. Huw merriman. Thank you very much i so we can protect Public Health. Huw merriman. Thank you very much and| merriman. Thank you very much and can i thank merriman. Thank you very much and can i thank the merriman. Thank you very much and can i thank the home merriman. Thank you very much and can i thank the Home Secretary i merriman. Thank you very much and can i thank the Home Secretary for l can i thank the Home Secretary for her statement. Can i thank the Home Secretary for herstatement. I can i thank the Home Secretary for her statement. I very much welcome the evidence and nuance based approach that the Home Secretary has outlined today as opposed to the Blanket Approach that seems to be advocated by her shadow, which i believe would lead to impacts on trade and those that do need essential business, our ability to halt our quarantine so many people i dont know he takes seriously the need of the aviation industry. Hotel quarantine so many people. I welcome the government has micro approach. Can i ask the Home Secretary this . Knowing that some countries may be added on and so may be taken off the list were Hotel Quarantine is required, will that criteria be published and also will it be subject to both further scrutiny and perhaps votes from this place . Thank you. He scrutiny and perhaps votes from this place . Thank you. Place . Thank you. He raises some imortant place . Thank you. He raises some important points place . Thank you. He raises some important points and place . Thank you. He raises some important points and it place . Thank you. He raises some important points and it absolutely| important points and it absolutely right, i started yesterday speaking about the importance of freight and the work the government has done over recent months, in fact in the run up to christmas, to keep freight moving despite various closures of borders which took place which make the honourable gentlemans point at which you simply cannot have that Blanket Approach, there are logistical challenges and clearly government is working through many of these. He makes an important point obviously about changes to guidance, changes to advice, across government, from the deposit of health to the Department For Transport to the cho who play a very Important Role here as well in terms of Public Communications and assurance of the public around changes that take place. Clearly the government will publish that and come to the house and the commons to share that information. I would just like to conclude my comments though, madam deputy speaker, by saying that the current guidance is clear that people should be staying at home unless they have really exceptional reasons to travel and of course going on holiday is not a justifiable excuse or reason. Home going on holiday is not a justifiable excuse or reason. Now we to to the justifiable excuse or reason. Now we go to the spokesman justifiable excuse or reason. Now we go to the spokesman for justifiable excuse or reason. Now we go to the spokesman for the justifiable excuse or reason. Now we go to the spokesman for the snp, i go to the spokesman for the snp, joanna go to the spokesman for the snp, Joanna Cherry. Go to the spokesman for the snp, Joanna Cherry go to the spokesman for the snp, joanna cher. ,. ,. ,. , Joanna Cherry. Thank you and i would like to thank Joanna Cherry. Thank you and i would like to thank the Joanna Cherry. Thank you and i would like to thank the home Joanna Cherry. Thank you and i would like to thank the Home Secretary i Joanna Cherry. Thank you and i would like to thank the Home Secretary for| like to thank the Home Secretary for her statement and advance sight of it. My Scottish Government colleagues are concerned, as she knows, that her proposals do not go far enough and i would be grateful if she would confirm that she would listen to their representations. It is of course her departments responsibility to control the United Kingdoms external borders. Her department, the border force were put to her. It is right that the Home Secretary is the one to address the risks raised by transmission of the risks raised by transmission of the virus by rivals from abroad. I am going to repeat the questions asked yesterday during the urgent question on the same topic to which the Home Secretary did not answer at that time. I hope that having had 24 hours notice to think about my questions and to discuss them with her colleagues and advisers, she will now answer them. In april and may of last year, i wrote to her asking for comprehensive Health Protections of the uks external borders and are referred to the measures that were being introduced in other countries in europe and across the world. Other honourable members and the Home Affairs Committee were making similar requests are backed by evidence for stock last week, the Home Secretary admitted that we were right and she said she thought the United Kingdom should have closed its borders earlier. So can she now tell me why she failed to take the precautions that she knew it when needed at the start of the pandemic . What stopped her from closing the start of the pandemic . What stopped herfrom closing the borders . Was It Herfrom Closing the borders . Was it her cabinet colleagues and if so, why did she not resign and speak out, given the risk of increased risk from transmission from people entering the country . Have a government commissioned an assessment of what contribution the failure to close the borders earlier has made to the dreadful death toll across the uk and will she put the results in the Public Domain . These are questions that concern notjust my constituents and those of my snp colleagues, but they consent people across the four nations, so will she please answer them . Thank you. Thank ou, please answer them . Thank you. Thank you. Madam please answer them . Thank you. Thank you. Madam deputy please answer them . Thank you. Thank you, madam deputy speaker. Please answer them . Thank you. Thank you, madam deputy speaker. First, i will repeat very much what i said yesterday about working with all the devolved administrations and clearly the government is doing that and the honourable lady, right honourable lady, will be well aware of that. With regards to everyone at now going retrospective in terms of thinking they were first advocate of bringing in Health Measures at the border, clearly that was not the case and i recall this from the select Committee Last april and i mentioned that yesterday as well and if i cannot reacquaint the right honourable lady with the measures that have been brought in from january 2020, from the minutes of self isolation advice that was given from the fco at the time, from sage recommendations around self isolation for specific countries, on the 10th Of February to the new regulations and Statutory Instruments that were bought in, new powers and medical professionals and the police to detain individuals suspected of symptoms of covid to the guidance of uk airports to the travel advice that was put up from the cho or from travel advice that was put up from the cho orfrom february to travel advice that was put up from the cho or from february to march with self isolation measures introduced with specific countries, introducing mandatory quarantine and a Passenger Locator forms introducing mandatory quarantine and a Passenger Locatorforms back in june last year, to closing the border to denmark with at the first identification of a new strain it, which of course we were able to deal with because of our genomic sequencing. Capacity in the uk. To ban flights from south africa, which is clearly still in place, to carry our ability free travel testing and pre travel tests. These measures, each of these measures, we have introduced and added another layer of protection against transmission of protection against transmission of the virus and that reduces the risk of new and dangerous strains being imported into the uk and i think the honourable lady, right honourable lady, should reflect upon the fact that there is not a single measure that mitigates risk entirely stopped every measure that has been brought in helps reduce risk, helped protect the vaccine and helps importantly to protect the British Public and Public Health. Lets pull away from that rather frosty last exchange there between. And the snp. Lets pick u. Between. And the snp. Lets pick u on the between. And the snp. Lets pick up on the business between. And the snp. Lets pick up on the business side between. And the snp. Lets pick up on the business side of between. And the snp. Lets pick up on the business side of this. I between. And the snp. Lets pick up on the business side of this. As | up on the business side of this. As far as the business side of this, it is the lesser of the two evils they were facing. Is the lesser of the two evils they were facing is the lesser of the two evils they were facing. Yes, absolutely right. We were talking were facing. Yes, absolutely right. We were talking about were facing. Yes, absolutely right. We were talking about the were facing. Yes, absolutely right. J we were talking about the Scottish National party and labour saying to priti patel that the measures dont go far enough. The Home Secretary reiterating the points you made yesterday that she is in favour of a layout, nuanced response to stemming the new variant of controlling passenger numbers to the uk and also protecting business. We heard from the airport, airlines uk, both saying they were against any further restrictions on people entering the uk than you already had some of the strictest restrictions on the role than any tighter controls would be catastrophic the industry nonetheless, what you Home Secretary day is that 22 countries has been added on to this new authority on the list, namely countries from south america, Southern Africa and also portugal, and what it means as people cannot be barred from entering the uk from those countries, namely residents and people resident right, can still enter the uk but will be forced to quarantine in a hotel at their own expense for up to ten days and you Home Secretary outlined how that would happen, people would be exported directly from the planes to these hotels, and also repeated that all of the previous restrictions will still be enforced and beefed up, that police will have Greater Authority to make spot checks to ensure self isolation is happening and there will be a greater Police Presence at airports and borders, with what has happened up until this point being, prior to entering the uk, passengers from hot spots are made to produce a negative test which done 72 hours before getting on the plane within five days of entering the uk, they can repeat that test and if it is negative, here in england, they can exit self isolation but if the police, who are allowed to carry out the spot checks, find out they have broken the rules, they are allowed to hand out fines of up to five but today, £500 but out fines of up to five but today, £500 but they have reiterated this layout make the layer of protection with british citizens arriving from these 20 through covert hotspot countries max 22 covid countries will now have to isolate in a hotel at their own expense. Isolate in a hotel at their own exense. , ~ isolate in a hotel at their own expense isolate in a hotel at their own expense isolate in a hotel at their own exense. , ~ � , isolate in a hotel at their own exense. , � , isolate in a hotel at their own exense. , ~ � , expense. Thank you. Lets pick up on this. Surinder arora is the founder and chief executive of the arora group and owns a number of airside hotels including at heathrow at gatwick airports. Your reaction. Ive been saying this is one of the your reaction. Ive been saying this is one of the dues, your reaction. Ive been saying this is one of the dues, we your reaction. Ive been saying this is one of the dues, we could i your reaction. Ive been saying this is one of the dues, we could have l is one of the dues, we could have done this last march or april but better late than never. As a hotelier at heathrow, gatwick and stanford, and i happy to fill my hotel this way . No, because i think long term, we dont want to shut down our economy or our businesses. The travel, leisure industry brings in more than 10 of our gdp so what this will do actually is limit the number of people coming into the country for a while but overall its also something we have to look at and make sure, why is all this happening . We are in uncharted territory, something no one in their lifetime has ever experienced before, and then im watching on the news on the Home Secretary and other mps having a date each other, when really the politicians should all be coming together and saying, what is the best for all possible way . A self keeping our economy. Sorry to interru t, self keeping our economy. Sorry to interrupt. I self keeping our economy. Sorry to interrupt. I can self keeping our economy. Sorry to interrupt, i can imagine self keeping our economy. Sorry to interrupt, i can imagine many self keeping our economy. Sorry to l interrupt, i can imagine many people are nodding as you are saying this. Ijust wonder, given are nodding as you are saying this. I just wonder, given that you will be on the front line of this, has anyone from the government approached ewan ask you for details of how it would work . Yes. Details of how it would work . Yes, our hotels details of how it would work . Yes, our hotels are details of how it would work . Yes, our hotels are a details of how it would work . Yes, our hotels are a bit details of how it would work . Jes our hotels are a bit different from normal Typical Hotels that you stay in. We are used to very unusual circumstances, you can have a hotel at heathrow, gatwick and stansted were a flight goes at ten or 11pm and all the passengers have to come off and be put into a hotel, and then they have to be fed and looked after until a new replacement vehicle can take them a few hours later or the next morning, so we are used to looking after unusual circumstances, but we actually started last september testing in our hotels where guests could come in and stay overnight, have a test and for the flight early in the morning after their test, so we now have a lab as well, a testing lab of testing the aircrews of terminal five and as well as the other hotels, so we are here to work with the government and all the folks coming back to making it as comfortable and pain free as we can and its never easy if you are coming back to your home country, then you will have to put in a hotel for ten days to. For ten days to. What are the tractical for ten days to. What are the practical difficulties for ten days to. What are the practical difficulties that i for ten days to. What are the practical difficulties that will | for ten days to. What are the i practical difficulties that will be presented . The enforcement of this will be crucial to it working. Yes. Will be crucial to it working. Yes, what it is happening will be crucial to it working. Yes, what it is happening in will be crucial to it working. Jes what it is happening in other countries, you have australia, singapore, hong kong and we can do it and do it very effectively with the Border Agency and the other departments of the government. It is making sure, can we make sure we keep our guest as comfortable as possible . Of course there are challenges with hotels having 600 bedrooms and we then have to deliver room service to all our guests instead of them coming to the bar or restaurant but weve gone through and been working on this for months where my team have gone through over 300 checkpoints on what if, so what if a guest has covid or symptoms, and the air conditioning breaks down or the tap doesnt work, or something goes wrong with the tv, how do we make sure we fix it and keep them and ourselves safe, so weve gone through over 300 points on a checklist to keep the guests and our hotel staff safe. Im sure the hotels are fantastic, staff fantastic, service fantastic, but would you go abroad on the basis that you knew when you came back he would have to quarantine for ten days wherever you would have to end up . This is what i say that you cannot blame the airlines either to say, if we shut down all borders, we are then shutting down everything. The stop flying, people stop travelling, so we have to get the right balance. There are countries around the globe that some are on a complete shutdown and some are working pretty well with the virus, so we put it the best we can and i think its just finding a happy medium and wejust think its just finding a happy medium and we just need to hope and pray the politicians all come together regardless of anything and keep the population safe, keep our folks, families and friends say. Thats what we should be doing and what we aim to do with all our guests as well as our staff and even when it comes to our partners, so are linen supplies and laundry suppliers. How do we take the linen out of a room . We double wrap it, keep it in our separate storage area for up to 72 hours before we send it to the laundry company, so weve been through that site and i think we can deliver it as safely and effectively, and hopefully better than some of the other countries are doing in singapore and hong kong and so on. ,. , doing in singapore and hong kong and soon. ,. , doing in singapore and hong kong and 00. ,. ,. , doing in singapore and hong kong and soon. ,. ,. ,. , ~. , so on. Great pleasure to talk to ou. So on. Great pleasure to talk to you you so on. Great pleasure to talk to you you for so on. Great pleasure to talk to you. You for your so on. Great pleasure to talk to you. You for your time so on. Great pleasure to talk to you. You for your time this i you. You for your time this afternoon. Its been a busy afternoon and we heard an announcement from the Prime Minister in the lock down england saying we will continue to the 1st of march with the first open to being schools. The government would plan for all pupils to return to school from The 8th Of March saying it is too early to contemplate relaxing restrictions as the situation remains perilous. I know how parents situation remains perilous. I know how parents and situation remains perilous. I know how parents and teachers situation remains perilous. I know how parents and teachers need i situation remains perilous. I know how parents and teachers need as much certainty as possible including two weeks notice of the return of face to face teaching. So i must inform the house that for the reasons i have outlined, it will not be possible to reopen schools immediately after the february half term and i know how frustrating that will be for pupils and teachers who want nothing more than to return and for parents and carers who spent so many monthsjuggling for parents and carers who spent so many months juggling their dayjobs many months juggling their day jobs not many months juggling their dayjobs not only with Home Schooling but with meeting the myriad of other demands of their children from breakfast until bedtime. And i know, too, the worries we all share about the Mental Health of our young people during this prolonged being stuck at home. So our plan for leaving the lockdown, set out our approach to reopening schools. If we achieve our target of vaccinating everyone in the form most vulnerable groups with the first doses by february and every passing day sees more progress towards that goal, then those groups that have developed immunity from the virus about three weeks later, that is by The 8th Of March, we hope it will therefore be safe to begin the reopening of schools from monday The 8th Of March. Were joined by freddie whittaker, chief reporter and Political Editor at schools week. Good afternoon. From march eight. Yes, that is the hope and its quite heavily caveat it, that hope, as borisjohnson was saying that hes basically said they will only meet that if the target of vaccinating those first four Priority Groups is achieved by february 15 on the rationale then is within three weeks they will have that immunity and that should be safe to start opening schools, but that is a heavy caveat and they do have to reach that target first. And they do have to reach that target first and they do have to reach that tartet first. , ,. , target first. Yes, but presumably that is better target first. Yes, but presumably that is better from target first. Yes, but presumably that is better from the target first. Yes, but presumably that is better from the past i target first. Yes, but presumably that is better from the past with | that is better from the past with the things that were promised that have then been changed. We are not getting that. Have then been changed. We are not getting that getting that. Yes. The government did say when getting that. Yes. The government did say when it getting that. Yes. The government did say when it partially getting that. Yes. The government did say when it partially closed did say when it partially closed schools in january that they wanted them to reopen after february half term, so it has been an element of overpromising and under delivery but they had been downplaying that over they had been downplaying that over the last couple of weeks with ministers saying half term may not replan any more, but the march eight date is good in a way to have a date on it but this so many Unanswered Questions about it and they cannot just leave this announcement at the vague date they want to have things back. Head teachers need to know how schools will reopen and notjust when vickers ministers dont seem keen to use rotors but we know staggered returns with certain your group to something being discussed but those discussions need to involve schools now so what happens on march eight or later if it is later, are clear. Is very practical level whereby the staggering should be introduced . Is it easier to introduce them if they are younger for older . I dont think it is about whether it is easier per se. I think the government approach will be based on what the science says in the ministers have been pretty clear to point out they believe young people are less affected by the virus than older, younger than older being less affected so if it is driven by that, we may well see Primary Schools going back first but there is a call for serious consideration of the idea of certain going firstjust basically because obviously schools were closed in the first place to limit Community Transmission and that risk of Community Transmission caused by schools will notjust disappear overnight, so there will be a need to sort of manage that reopening and do it in a way that is safe. The word community, do it in a way that is safe. The word community, that could be regional differences and there probably will be, regional differences and there probably will he, went there . Yes. Probably will be, went there . Yes, its something probably will be, went there . Yes, its something theyve probably will he, went there . fie its something theyve said is probably will he, went there . 23 its something theyve said is up for discussion but they have said nothing really is off the table and nick gibb, the schools minister, was asked about a regional approach earlier this week and he was noncommittal and we know it is something being discussed along with the staggered reopening is for different year groups, but yes, there was a regional approach taken before christmas or there was due to before christmas or there was due to be a regional approach taken after christmas as well but then they announced the partial school closures, so it is fair to assume they could revert to Something Like that, a system where different areas go back at different times but Boris Johnson has been keen to say that this will be a nationwide approach and i dont think he wants to see different regions because that brings up a question of differential learning and gives in one area of the country being back at school while others are not. Thank you. Theres been delays, criticism and confusion but now it seems some clarity. The Eu Commission has confirmed that a meeting with the drugs Maker Astrazeneca will go ahead in the wake of a row over delays in the supply of its coronavirus vaccine. Brussels claimed the company pulled out of a planned meeting without explanation but astrazeneca said that was not the case. It comes after their chief executive, pascal soriot, hit back at criticism of his company. Pascal soriot said his team was working 24 7 to fix the very many issues of production of the vaccine. But he added that they that were approximately two months behind schedule. He went on to say that vaccines were not being taken away from europe for profit. The eu has signed deals for a total of 2. 3 billion doses from six different vaccine makers to cover the whole 27 nation bloc. The largest of these is Pfizer Biontech which is providing 600 million doses. But so far theyve been uable to supply the expected numbers. The eu signed a deal with astrazeneca for up to 400 million doses they had hoped to start delivery as soon as the vaccine was approved. 00v and they have also as soon as the vaccine was approved. And they have also made deals with curevac and Johnson Johnson both those companies will be providing up to 400 million doses each. The eus Health Commissioner made clear the European Union would hold astrazeneca to its contract. The 27 European Union Member States are united that astrazeneca needs to deliver on its commitments in our agreements. We are in a pandemic. We lose people every day. These are not numbers, they are not statistics. These are persons. With families, with friends, and colleagues. They are all affected as well. Pharmaceutical companies, Vaccine Developers have moral, societal responsibilities which they need to uphold. A view that they can break company is not obliged to deliver because we signed a best effort agreement is neither correct nor this acceptable. Nathalie moll is the Director General of the European Federation of pharmaceutical industries and associations and joins us from brussels. What do you make of what is going on . ,. , , what do you make of what is going on . ,. ,. , what do you make of what is going on . ,. ,. , ~ what do you make of what is going on . Good afternoon and thank you for the invitation. On . Good afternoon and thank you for the invitation. Indeed on . Good afternoon and thank you for the invitation. Indeed we on . Good afternoon and thank you for the invitation. Indeed we are on . Good afternoon and thank you for the invitation. Indeed we are nearly i the invitation. Indeed we are nearly 12 months into this pandemic and as the commission are very well says, this is about people and not statistics or numbers. The objective that we all share in the pharmaceutical industry in particular is to vaccinate as many people as quickly as possible. You will remember that about 12 companies pledged to develop and manufacture a vaccine that would be successful by the end of 20 or 21 and today we have two approved and hopefully one soon as well, the astrazeneca, but its. As well so we are focused on having successful vaccines and there is a discussion, just in one month since the approval of the first vaccine, Pfizer Biontech, the eu has been supplied with 7 million doses of vaccine, that quite incredible if you think just 12 months on we are already within you vaccine that is supplied to 7 Million People and more vaccines being approved and the capacity also increasing and delivery as well, but manufacturing as explained in the interview, manufacturing a vaccine is not manufacturing a vaccine is not manufacturing a vaccine is not manufacturing a chemical, it consists of microorganisms and very complex and biotechnological steps that at times can create fluctuation in doses and amounts, and that is what has happened in some companies, and with working day and night to fix those issues, they are not necessarily foreseeable with biology and i think the efforts being made are outstanding. Looking at the scientific manufacturing, the logistical capacities of institutions, governments, health regulators, it isjust institutions, governments, health regulators, it is just unprecedented and really something to recognise. We are all in all of the fact that it has been achieved in ten months when it would normally take ten years and this has been lauded in the pharmaceutical industries have been applauded for this, and now here we are very quickly in the middle of a rather weak row with the European Commission saying that Pharmaceutical Company is not being honest with us and now calling for it to uphold its legal and moral obligations. How has it come to this so quickly . I obligations. How has it come to this so cuickl . ~ , so quickly . I think everything is unprecedented so quickly . I think everything is unprecedented and so quickly . I think everything is unprecedented and as so quickly . I think everything is unprecedented and as you so quickly . I think everything is unprecedented and as you mentioned, the speed is incredible and the companies have had to work with partners, make sure they can increase capacity of manufacturing and they are doing so in the right way, and that is completely unprecedented and would have taken a much longer time and i would say the level of tension for all of us, we are here sitting at home and most of us are in a very new world at the moment, and i think we are forgetting perhaps that we are dealing with biological systems and if you imagine that these vaccines are produced in a thousand litre or 2000 litre via, and all the fluctuation you can imagine when producing a vaccine from a biological system, you have to be a little bit more aware. If you think back a few months ago when we were trying to foresee when the first vaccine would be available, and i dont know if you remember that what no one would be able to give a date and we are talking about an incredible advance in science in a very short amount of time that there has to be all the safety requirements met and its not easy to scale up to that, so the vaccine. To scale up to that, so the vaccine. To scale up to that, so the vaccine. ~ , vaccine. While i get that, the eumpean vaccine. While i get that, the European Commission, vaccine. While i get that, the European Commission, their i vaccine. While i get that, the European Commission, their argument appears to be, hearing in mind what you said, the vaccine is available more in the uk than it is at a factory in belgium, they should have call on what is being produced in the uk but many people are pointing out the fact that the europeans ordered, from astrazeneca, later and paid less for it, and we are talking about commercial decisions, and of course the europeans have yet to give the 0k to the vaccine. Indeed, we are planning give the 0k to the vaccine. Indeed, we are planning and give the 0k to the vaccine. Indeed, we are planning and they give the 0k to the vaccine. Indeed, we are planning and they are we are planning and they are vaccinating before christmas, we are all very envious of our colleagues in the uk getting to vaccinate but the timing is not really our place to comment on how Different Countries have run their vaccination campaigns and that is not the issue but for us it is to make sure we can supply it globally and make sure the trade and various components how they are to supply the safe vaccine to as many people as quickly as possible and i think that is something we have never done before. We are learning, solidarity has been the line of this entire pandemic though at the beginning, countries panicked and closed borders, and it was very much a lack of solidarity, i think we really learned what a lack of solidarity can do and what restrictions can do in terms of posing serious obstacles to the movement of goods and the movement of protecting personal equipment make protective personal equipment and medicine so we cannot afford that again but the supply chains and vaccines are global and we need to make sure we protect those supply change so we can be as efficient as possible in getting the vaccines to as many people as possible. Thank you very much. I am grateful for your time. Thank you very much. I am grateful foryourtime. Now look thank you very much. I am grateful for your time. Now look at the weather. Its very different out there for most of us compared to a day or two ago. Its turned a lot milder, particularly in the south, and the rain is sweeping in. It hasnt reached everybody yet. So far, its just been drizzly and damp in the south of the country. In the north, its still cold and clear. Through this evening, a Weather Front will sweep across the country, bringing some quite heavy rain and a spell of snow, but the snow will fall mostly across the Northern Hills. A very mild night in the south of the country tonight. Temperatures wont full any lower than ten in plymouth, but still a frost in northern scotland. Thursday if very wet and wintry across the hills and mountains of scotland, but rain at lower levels. Elsewhere, a pretty cloudy day, really mild. Possibly up to 14 cloudy day, really mild. Possibly up to iii degrees in london. Hello. This is bbc news. The headlines. The Prime Minister says it wont be possible to reopen schools in england before the february half term. He says the aim is for pupils to return to the classroom by 8th march. We hope it will therefore be safe to begin we hope it will therefore be safe to begin the we hope it will therefore be safe to begin the reopening of schools from monday begin the reopening of schools from monday The 8th Of March, with other economic monday The 8th Of March, with other economic and social restrictions being economic and social restrictions being removed thereafter, as and when being removed thereafter, as and when the being removed thereafter, as and when the data permits. Borisjohnson also said ministers would set out plans towards the end of next month for a gradual and phased route out of the lockdown. The government has also revealed uk nationals and residents returning from 22 red list countries will be placed in quarantine in provided accommodation, such as hotels, for ten days. Anyone leaving the country will need to declare why they are travelling. And the row between the European Union and the drugs firm astrazeneca deepens the eu says the pharmaceutical giant must guarantee deliver of its Covid Vaccine without delay. Sport, and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre heres gavin ra mjaun. Good afternoon. We should have more clarity in the next hour or so about the tokyo games later this year. There are significant doubts about whether theyll go ahead, with the International Olympic committee currently holding a virtual meeting. The games which were first postponed last summer are less than six months away. The ioc president , thomas bach, insist theres no plan b, but Public Opinion injapan is predominantly against the event going ahead. Double olympic triple jump champion Christian Taylor is the president of the athletes association, and says a decision cant be put off too long. It cannot be a last minute thing. Its the same thing we were pushing last year, just let us know. Of course, with respect and hope, we want to see what happens with the vaccine, what happens notjust in the uk but globally, in terms of making sure the vaccines are available and we can get out and see what happens with this trend, but i agree that, end of march, going into april, we need to say, ok, this is where we are and go from there. Theres another busy evening of premier League Football ahead. Thomas tuchel will take charge of chelsea for the first time, just a day after he was confirmed as Frank Lampards replacement. Theyre at home to wolves, and their manager Nuno Espirito santo says he has great sympathy for lampard losing hisjob. When there is support and patience and cooperation in a situation, things improve, and you can see numerous examples last season, this season, at the clubs. Teams struggle, and their support, you can see the work of the men coming through and teams improving their performances. But its a realisation that this is football. Professional cricketers in england are going to take part in workshops this year as a part of whats being called a zero tolerance approach to racial discrimination. The player Education Programmes being introduced by the professional cricketers association. In a survey last year, it found ia of its 2a black, asian and minority ethnic members had witnessed or experienced racism. Former england player and nottinghamshire all rounder samit patel says hes had to deal with it in the past. Opportunities for other cricketers were going to be easier to come by than for me as an asian cricketer growing up. In my head, it was like i had to be twice as good as anybody else. I always had to put a lot of price on my wicket and i would have to score the runs on a consistent basis, otherwise i dont think it would have gone my way. Thats all the sport for now. Ill have more for you in the next hour. Analysis of the governments two main economic support schemes during the pandemic has found one and half Million People who missed out on help could be included at a relatively cheap cost. The study carried out for bbc news by the institute for fiscal studies says there are clear injustices in the way the schemes work. The liberal democrat leader, sir ed davey, is calling for a comprehensive plan to help self employed people including the 3 million excluded. And hejoins me now. A comprehensive plan meaning what . We need to make sure all those people who have been excluded, the newly self employed, the directors, people such as paye freelancers, people such as paye freelancers, people excluded by the 50 50 muck rule, these people have been forgotten by the government, and we have been arcing for months that to have been arcing for months that to have 3 Million People left behind during this pandemic is unacceptable. The heart rending stories you hear from constituents who have been without any support, any Financial Support for ten months, itsjust any Financial Support for ten months, its just unbearable, any Financial Support for ten months, itsjust unbearable, and what i want to say to the government is, dont wait for the budget, bring forward these proposals now. There are emergencies in peoples lives, so the lib dems welcome some of these ideas from the ifs, but the governors has to move fast. We have we have governors has to move fast. We have we have been governors has to move fast. We have we have been using governors has to move fast. We have we have been using the governors has to move fast. We have we have been using the phrase i we have been using the phrase people falling through the cracks, but each one of those is a personal story. You presumably have spoken to some. , , story. You presumably have spoken to some. , , , some. Too many constituents to mention had some. Too many constituents to mention had fallen some. Too many constituents to mention had fallen through some. Too many constituents to mention had fallen through the l mention had fallen through the cracks, and these are people who have worked all their lives, paid all their taxes, and arejust have worked all their lives, paid all their taxes, and are just asking for a little bit of help, and they dont understand what this conservative government has ignored those pleas for months on end, and people have put forward really workable schemes. In april, i wrote to the chancellor with a scheme we work on with accountancy groups, and i dont understand why the chancellor is doing it. Even if he doesnt have the compassion for these people who he is treating so badly, he should think about the recovery. Its badly, he should think about the recove. � ,. , badly, he should think about the recove. H ,. , , badly, he should think about the recove. ,. , , recovery. Its a bit harsh to say he lacks compassion recovery. Its a bit harsh to say he lacks compassion even recovery. Its a bit harsh to say he lacks compassion even that recovery. Its a bit harsh to say he lacks compassion even that he recovery. Its a bit harsh to say he | lacks compassion even that he has what he said he cant save every job, the huge amount of money he has helped people with the furlough scheme, which everybody has loaded, its unfair to use a phrase, particularly when we have just talked about 100,000 people dying, accusing members of the government of having a lack of compassion, is that fair . I of having a lack of compassion, is that fair . , ,. , ~ of having a lack of compassion, is that fair . ,. , ~. , that fair . I was to talk about the awful of the that fair . I was to talk about the awful of the 100,000. That fair . I was to talk about the awful of the 100,000. | that fair . I was to talk about the i awful of the 100,000. I questioned the Prime Minister on that and our hearts go out to the families. I was focusing on this 3 million, people who have lost huge amounts, their savings have all been eaten up in many cases, and i am going to accuse the chancellor of not being compassionate to those. He has been told for months and months and he has done literally nothing, and thats just not acceptable. His job surely is notjust to help people but to prepare for the economic recovery, and these are people with Small Businesses, people who are self employed, people who are entrepreneurial. If we are going to get our country out of this economic mess, the worst economic recession for 300 years, these are the people we will depend on, and if the chancellor doesnt act urgently, it should have happened before, but if he doesnt act on mouth these peoples livelihoods, they will not be able to play the part they want to in our countrys economic recovery. So i urge the chancellor, is the lib dems have been doing for months, he has got to change his mind. , ,. , , � mind. The irony is that it wouldnt cost that much, mind. The irony is that it wouldnt cost that much, given mind. The irony is that it wouldnt cost that much, given how mind. The irony is that it wouldnt cost that much, given how much i mind. The irony is that it wouldnt i cost that much, given how much has already been spent. I5 cost that much, given how much has already been spent. Already been spent. Is precisely, and the for already been spent. Is precisely, and the for fiscal already been spent. Is precisely, and the for fiscal studies, already been spent. Is precisely, and the for fiscal studies, the. Already been spent. Is precisely, l and the for fiscal studies, the bbc and the forfiscal studies, the bbc commissioned a report from them, and it was clear. The amounts we are talking about are not huge compared to the huge amount he has spent, and we welcome that. We welcome what he has done, but there are 3 Million People who havent been helped, and i think that is not acceptable. That is why the liberal democrats are championing the self employed and Small Businesses and saying, you need to be there for them, chancellor. I am just worried that they are going to be in this limbo for another six weeks, two months, and they need help now. The government is keen to talk about the Vaccination Programme, which will support, and the nhs and our scientists have done a fantastic job, but if we can see the end in sight, surely now is the time reach out with some support for these Small Businesses and self employed people. Small businesses and selfemployed eole. ,. , Small Businesses and selfemployed eole. ,. , ~ Small Businesses and selfemployed neale,. ,. ,. , ~ , people. Earlier i was talking to the boss of a big people. Earlier i was talking to the boss of a big hotel people. Earlier i was talking to the boss of a Big Hotel Chain people. Earlier i was talking to the boss of a Big Hotel Chain about people. Earlier i was talking to the boss of a Big Hotel Chain about the current team proposals that being brought in, but he made the point that he was getting fed up with watching Television News and seen politicians effectively bickering with each other at a time when he wanted all of the politicians to be united and get back together. Is that something that you feel we should be witnessing, rather than the recriminations that we are already seeing premised questions earlier . To already seeing premised questions earlier . ,. , , earlier . To be fair to the opposition. Earlier . To be fair to the opposition, all earlier . To be fair to the | opposition, all opposition earlier . To be fair to the opposition, all opposition parties, notjust liberal democrats, have worked very constructively throughout this. This is a national effort. We need to come together, as your interviewee said, and work hard, but there are questions that our constituents are asking, so when i asked a question to the Prime Minister today about the need for an enquiry, which he promised me in an answer last summer that he would hold, i was asking notjust on behalf of the opposition parties but on behalf of bereaved families. These are our constituents. It is the bereaved families who want the enquiry which the lib dems then championed or whether it is the Small Businesses and self employed who feel excluded, i think its completely legitimate for opposition parties to ask questions that their constituents, who they are elected to represent, are asking. I dont think thats undermining the national effort. Its trying to improve it so we learn lessons and make sure the country is ready for the economic recovery, which will be so essential. The economic recovery, which will be so essential so essential. Your message to the 3 million excluded, so essential. Your message to the 3 million excluded, the so essential. Your message to the 3 million excluded, the purpose so essential. Your message to the 3 million excluded, the purpose of. Million excluded, the purpose of this interview, is what . What advice would you give to them, given that, what you are saying is that the government doesnt appear to be listening at the moment . Keep campaigning listening at the moment . Keep campaigning. Write listening at the moment . Keep campaigning. Write to listening at the moment . Keep campaigning. Write to your listening at the moment . I22n campaigning. Write to your mp, particularly if it is a conservative mp who is backing the government all the way, and there have been some good conservatives who have worked with other colleagues from other parties on the all Party Parliamentary group, chaired by my parliamentary colleagues jamie stone. They need to stand up to the Prime Minister and the chancellor, who had been quite stubborn in refusing requests, reasonable requests. Just as the ifs report, which the bbc commissioned, shows, this doesnt involve huge amounts of money. Surely it is right to support these people who are not wealthy, they are not rich people, the vast majority were struggling to make ends meet before the pandemic. Surely it is right to ensure they have some support. Many of them have been excluded even from universal credit, because they had a few savings that they put beside, either for the business or a rainy day, and they are being penalised for having savings. The government needs to look in the mirror and realise it needs to act on both compassionate grounds but also thinking ahead to the economic recovery. Its grounds but also thinking ahead to the economic recovery. Of you to give us your time. Thank you forjoining us. Its Holocaust Memorial day and people are being asked to light a candle in their window at 8pm this evening to remember the millions of victims. Purple lights will also being shone on National Landmarks across britain. A special ceremony will be streamed online to mark the genocide ofjews and other minorities at the hands of the nazis. We can speak now to hannah lewis, who is a trustee of the Holocaust Memorial day trust. During the nazi occupation, hannah and her family were rounded up by the nazis and taken to a camp in adampol, where sadly she witnessed her mother being killed. Its good of you to join us. If i can pick up at that point, you were taken to this camp. What happened then . , , , , then . They sort it out the people who are elderly then . They sort it out the people who are elderly or then . They sort it out the people who are elderly or frail, then . They sort it out the people who are elderly or frail, and then . They sort it out the people who are elderly or frail, and they| who are elderly or frail, and they were not ever seen again. We were lucky, if you can call it that, because the camp that was in adampol, which was a small village, and my family knew the village elder, because they traded with him. He was allowed to ask for help in his farm and his house, and so he asked whether my mother and i and my cousin, little cousin, would be assigned to work for him, so we lived in the camp, we ate in the camp, but we went out to work. As did a lot of the inmates, because they were utilised. You mentioned our they were utilised. You mentioned your mother they were utilised. You mentioned your mother. She they were utilised. You mentioned your mother. She was they were utilised. You mentioned your mother. She was not they were utilised. You mentioned your mother. She was not to they were utilised. You mentioned i your mother. She was not to survive. No, my mother, largely all my family disappeared, and there was just my mother and i. Disappeared, and there was just my motherand i. My disappeared, and there was just my mother and i. My father was lucky. On a work detail, he managed with another friend on a work detail, he managed with anotherfriend to on a work detail, he managed with another friend to escape, and he joined the partisans, and what pot i sensed it amongst other things was to sabotage the nazis wherever they could. What partisans did. And they carried news, there was going to be an action, and action was when special killer squads came and executed on site, practically. I just remember that it was the last winter of the war and i got sick, very sick, and i wasnt getting better, and my mother was desperate to make me better, and it was very. As we were assigned to the village elder, who lived with his niece, because he was a bachelor, he lived with his niece, her husband and their daughter, he also had another niece, who came to live with him, who was very nice, and my mother was terrified of them, the married lady, and did whatever was requested almost instantly. My father, as i said, disappeared and joint the partisans, and my mother and i were left there. And i were left there. Forgive me, but he witnessed and i were left there. Forgive me, but he witnessed her and i were left there. Forgive me, but he witnessed her death. And i were left there. Forgive me, but he witnessed her death. Yes, | and i were left there. Forgive me, | but he witnessed her death. Yes, it was the last but he witnessed her death. Yes, it was the last winter but he witnessed her death. Yes, it was the last winter of but he witnessed her death. Yes, it was the last winter of the but he witnessed her death. Yes, it was the last winter of the war but he witnessed her death. Yes, it was the last winter of the war and i j was the last winter of the war and i got very sick, and my mother asked whether we might sleep in the kitchen for one night, to make me better. And they agreed, the old man agreed, and sometime during the night there was a tap tap on the window, and my mother got up to see who it was, and what it was, and it was my father. He had come to warn that there was going to be an action, the next day. And he wanted my mother to come with him, and my mother said she couldnt because i wasnt well, and he said, bring her with, and she said, shell never make it, and i dont know what happened, whether it was a patrol or a searchlight. My father disappeared and my mother and i settled together, and then, first thing in the morning, there were the usual signs and noises, and my mother and i were lying there quietly, and suddenly there was this rap on the door and my mother got to her knees, and very calmly gave me a huge hug and very calmly gave me a huge hug and a kiss and walked to the door, opened it and closed it firmly behind her. And when she didnt come back, i decided to go and look for her, so i opened the door and i remember it was so cold that the stone steps were icy. At first, i didnt see her. We always made eye contact, and i saw her being ushered. There was a well. There was no electricity or water in the village, so my mother used to go to this well for five times a day to get water to cook, clean, whatever you need water for. Get water to cook, clean, whatever you need waterfor. And get water to cook, clean, whatever you need water for. And they were being lined up, and i saw them. She didnt look at me, she didnt seem to acknowledge me and, just as i thought i would maybe go down and take her hand as i had done many times before, somebody shouted an order and they started to shoot, and i saw herfull, and i saw order and they started to shoot, and i saw her full, and i saw the blood of the snow. And i knew why she didnt look at me, and i knew that i mustnt make a sound. Didnt look at me, and i knew that i mustnt make a sound. Hannah, thank ou for mustnt make a sound. Hannah, thank you for telling mustnt make a sound. Hannah, thank you for telling the mustnt make a sound. Hannah, thank you for telling the story. Mustnt make a sound. Hannah, thank you for telling the story. Its you for telling the story. Its clearly a difficult every time you have to repeat it. Ijust wonder why, on this day, with fewer and fewer survivors as the years pass, why you feel its important to go through the pain of telling that story . I through the pain of telling that sto . ~ � , through the pain of telling that sto . ~ � ,. , story . I think its very important. Its very important story . I think its very important. Its very important that story . I think its very important. Its very important that people i story . I think its very important. I its very important that people know what power can do, and what charismatic leaders, what they can persuade people to do, because they have the power and they think the absolute right, and they have the decision between life and death. You, i think, decision between life and death. You, ithink, has been decision between life and death. You, i think, has been back to adampol a couple of times. I have. Presumably adampol a couple of times. I have. Presumably its adampol a couple of times. I have. Presumably its changed adampol a couple of times. I have. Presumably its changed quite adampol a couple of times. I have. Presumably its changed quite a adampol a couple of times. I have. | presumably its changed quite a lot, but it wont have changed your memories. It but it wont have changed your memories but it wont have changed your memories. , ,. , memories. It was very strange. One of my biggest memories. It was very strange. One of my biggest memories memories. It was very strange. One of my biggest memories was, memories. It was very strange. One i of my biggest memories was, because there wasnt water, that my mother went to the well to get water, as i said, umpteen times, and the well was something that was absolutely always in my worst nightmares. When we got there, it was dusk, and there was nobody around, and i couldnt see the well, and i was desperate, you know, id waited for so long, 36 years later, and then luck was on my side, because there was no one around. An old lady came out, looking for her grandson. And i said to our polish driver, please ask her where there is the well. So, when she came up, she said, what does she want . The other men hanging around said, shes talking about a well. We told her there is no well. She said, why do you want to know about the well . It was almost sure had. I said, i was here during the war. And she nodded and she took a big look at me. She said, actually, there were two wells, one she pointed and i said, no, were two wells, one she pointed and isaid, no, the were two wells, one she pointed and i said, no, the well between the camp and fairly near to the old man. I never knew his name. What was ostensibly the big house. And she said, come with me. So i followed her, and a short distance, there was this white shed, and i looked at it and said, what is it . She said, move it, move the planks. And i moved the planks, and there was my well, with the two buckets still attached to it. And then i did something else. I ran up the steps of the house that they mother worked in, and i stood on the steps where i watched my mother, with others, murdered, and i knew that i hadnt imagined it. It wasnt something i heard. It happened, and i know it happened, because i was there. Hannah, its a great privilege to talk to you and to hear your story, and thank you very much forjoining us this afternoon on this world holocaust day. Lets get a weather forecast. Its going to be considerably milder across the uk in the coming days. It is already in the south of the country. On top of that, a lot of cloud, outbreaks of rain. The rain is currently spreading across the uk. But we are not done with the snow yet snow to come for the Northern Hills and mountains of the uk. Weather systems are spiralling in the atlantic. Weather fronts heading our way. The jet stream has also bulged to the north, allowing for that milder air from the south to creep in, but it hasnt quite reached northern parts of the country, so here it is still a chilly afternoon and early evening. You can see temperatures not far off freezing in aberdeen. To the south, in wet cornwall and devon, temperatures of around ten degrees and outbreaks of rain. The Weather Front spreads across the country through the course of this evening. It will eventually bump into the cold air in the north, so we will see wintry weather across the pennines, the hills and the mountains of scotland. To the south of that it will be raining quite a lot and of course very mild. These are overnight temperatures, no lower than ten in plymouth, nine in london, but in scotland we still have a frost. Where it is below freezing it is snow, so this is hill and mountain weather here when you can see the snow. To the south of that, rain and sleet mixing across the pennines. It really will not be very pleasant. Some Higher Elevations will almost certainly get a fresh covering of snow. South of that its just the rain, which is a real nuisance. Weve had a lot of rainfall across this part of the world. More to come. Thursday, for the bulk of england and wales, the afternoon is looking mostly dry. It will probably be drizzly and murky in places. But very mild, iii potentially in london. In scotland, still cold, and we have that snow falling. How much snow could we get . For some of the high elevations, may be 15 to 30 centimetres, but it really will be higher up. South of that, another spell of rain heading our way on thursday evening and into friday. So, its going to be very mild, there will be snow across the hills and mountains, but also a lot of rainfall and probably rainfall in areas where we dont want it. Temperatures at the end of the week will be around 12 degrees in london, only four in aberdeen. This is bbc news, im clive myrie. The headlines at four. The Prime Minister says it wont be possible to reopen schools in england before the february half term. He says the aim is for pupils to return to the classroom by 8th march. We hope it will therefore be safe to include the reopening of schools from monday The 8th Of March with other economic and social restrictions being removed thereafter as and when data permits. Borisjohnson also said ministers would set out plans towards the end of next month for a gradual and phased route out of the lockdown. The government has also revealed uk nationals and residents returning from 22 � red list� countries will be placed in quarantine in provided accommodation such as hotels for 10 days. Anyone leaving the country will need to declare why they are travelling. And, the row between the eu and drugs firm astra zeneca deepens the eu says the pharmaceutical giant must guarantee delivery of its Covid Vaccines including doses manfactured at its uk plants. Borisjohnson says it will not be possible to reopen schools in england after the half term holiday in february. But, the Prime Minister told mps that if the gfx government meets all but, the Prime Minister told mps that if the government meets vaccination targets, it may be safe to start a return to face to face teaching from The 8th Of March. It comes as borisjohnson promises plan next month for � phased easing of lockdown. Also today the Home Secretary has announced new plans that will see british residents arriving in england from covid hotspots will have to quarantine in hotels. And on vaccines the European Union is demanding that the vaccine manufacturer astrazeneca gives it access to the companys two british production sites, to ensure the firm meets its contract to deliver the vaccines across europe. Well have more on all those stories but first lets start with schools. The Prime Minister said it was too early to contemplate relaxing restrictions as the situation remained perilous. I know how parents and teachers need as much certainty as possible including two weeks notice of the return of face to face teaching. So i must inform the house that for the reasons i have outlined, it will not be possible to reopen schools immediately after the february half term and i know how frustrating that will be for pupils and teachers who want nothing more than to return and for parents and carers who spent so many months juggling their dayjobs not only with Home Schooling but with meeting the myriad of other demands of their children from breakfast until bedtime. And i know, too, the worries we all share about the Mental Health of our young people during this prolonged being stuck at home. So our plan for leaving the lockdown, set out our approach to reopening schools. If we achieve our target of vaccinating everyone in the form most vulnerable groups with the first doses by february and every passing day sees more progress towards that goal, then those groups that have developed immunity from the virus about three weeks later, that is by The 8th Of March, we hope it will therefore be safe to begin the reopening of schools from monday The 8th Of March. We hope it will therefore be safe to begin the reopening of schools from monday The 8th Of March. Lets speak to our Political Correspondentjessica parker. The Prime Minister has made it clear reopening schools is the priority as a result him saying march ate this when children may be able to go Back To School. , , to school. That is the beginning, we all seem to to school. That is the beginning, we all seem to figure, to school. That is the beginning, we all seem to figure, of to school. That is the beginning, we all seem to figure, of the to school. That is the beginning, we all seem to figure, of the easing to school. That is the beginning, we all seem to figure, of the easing of| all seem to figure, of the easing of the lockdown from early march. figs the lockdown from early march. Sis youse the lockdown from early march. S youse completely the lockdown from early march. Is youse completely suggest, it is contingent on a number of actors, released of all the continued success of the roll out of the vaccine but what we got today is a bit of a road map to a road map if you like, so we know now have some clarity over what we kind of already knew to some extent that there would be a review in mid february about the situation when borisjohnson said the data would be clear, he suggested to daily data is not clear enough to set out a more certain timetable and then when mps return from recess, recommencing the 22nd of february, that is when he will out more details in terms of a plan to ease restrictions and the earliest date of The 8th Of March when schools could start to reopen and there was a suggestion that would be a staggered start potentially for School Reopening in england and why maciej . That is to don from the mid february target date when those top four Priority Group sets out will have been offered and it takes a view for the vaccine to kick in and be effective, so that is the broad timeline at the moment but as weve seen time and time again with coronavirus, uncertainty can be thrown and i think that is why ministers are striking a pretty conscious town. And one of the things that could jump uo and one of the things that could jump up and causes problems in the middle of that relative timetable is the possibility of someone from outside bringing in a variant of the vaccine that could cause problems, and as a result, we are seeing a tightening of british borders. Weve been exoeeting tightening of british borders. Weve been expecting this tightening of british borders. 22 been expecting this announcement and talking about it for some days now but the Home Secretary confirming what will happen with british citizens and those with citizenship returning from rental is countries or areas as they are being called at the moment, basically places they are already travel bands like south africa, brazil, where there are concerns about variance. When you return home, quarantining at a hotel for ten days, so that is the plan being announced. Labour saying it will be too little too late. Along with other measures they have indicated all travel corridors that it is robust enough about this is partly to ensure that when people do return from high risk areas that they do indeed self isolate and will be closely monitored in hotels, but i think it is a deterrent. There are travel bans and places for countries that are red are listed. I will call some of them out. Even at saint pancreas, people have been turning up with their skis and that is clearly unacceptable. We see plenty of influences on social media with plenty of influencers showing off about where they are, maybe being in sunny parts of the world. Being on holiday is not an exemption. The alma you Home Secretary saying people are turning up secretary saying people are turning up with skis on social media influences. How widespread an issue is this . We dont know because at the moment people dont have to declare a reason as to why they are travelling but as part of the toughening up of measures, that will change. Toughening up of measures, that will chance. , ~ toughening up of measures, that will chance. ~ i. , toughening up of measures, that will chance. , ~. ,. , lets speak to the chair of the Home Affairs Select committee the labour mp yvette cooper. Thank you forjoining us. Can we pick up on those points made byjess parker and the Home Secretary today about tightening the borders for people coming in from hotspots . It seems eminently sensible. It is welcome and seems eminently sensible. It s welcome and sensible as a measure. They just dont welcome and sensible as a measure. Theyjust dont go far enough and the difficulty weve got is brazil and the south africa variant that everyone is so worried about to make sure we dont undermine the Vaccine Programme, have already been identified across several continents and if we learn the lessons from the first wave, we did have some measures in place for china but less than i of uk cases came from china and the vast majority came from european communities with people returning home. That is what we have to guard against now and the problem in the government was weak measures as they are not addressing the issues for all the people coming from other countries not on the red list and not on the hotspots, and youll still be arriving, going on to public transport and well there are still significant risk we have to address. Are still significant risk we have to address are still significant risk we have to address. , �. , to address. Youre anyone coming in from abroad to address. Youre anyone coming in from abroad should to address. Youre anyone coming in from abroad should quarantine . To address. Youre anyone coming in l from abroad should quarantine . There has to be a conference from abroad should quarantine . There has to be a conference of from abroad should quarantine . Iu22 has to be a conference of quarantine and testing system so that could be done with Quarantine Hotels for everyone returning to the country and it could also be done by the south korea approach where they have testing centres and to arrival testing centres and to arrival testing and they do have Quarantine Hotels for some people and quarantine taxi arrangements for safe taxis home and additional safeguards and enforcement on whom quarantine for others but either way, it has to be a rigorous and comprehensive system and it has to make sure we are doing Everything Possible to prevent that south africa variant of the brazil variant entering the country because if you look at things other countries have done like south korea, australia, singapore, measures they did at the very beginning. Free go back to the beginning before we lost 100,000 people to the crisis, we would be taking measures at the border. As we deal with these new variants. What deal with these new variants. What do ou deal with these new variants. What do you make deal with these new variants. What do you make of deal with these new variants. What do you make of this deal with these new variants. What do you make of this very deal with these new variants. What do you make of this very loose timetable . It does depend on the stats leading up to the first week of march but suggestion that the earliest children could go Back To Schools is probably march eight. I think this is very difficult to go Back To Schools and get education going again. We dont want that to escalate the spread of the virus but it will be helpful if we get teachers vaccinated during the half term break and that might then help us get schools back going again and get children back as soon as possible. Get children back as soon as possible get children back as soon as ossible. , possible. Leading into the beginning of february and possible. Leading into the beginning of february and hospital possible. Leading into the beginning of february and hospital cases possible. Leading into the beginning of february and hospital cases going down for covid. Me of february and hospital cases going down for covid. Down for covid. We are in. Where we want the down for covid. We are in. Where we want the vaccine down for covid. We are in. Where we want the Vaccine Programme i down for covid. We are in. Where we want the Vaccine Programme asj we want the Vaccine Programme as quickly as possible. We want to prevent any risk to the Vaccine Programme. The school should be the priority and that is why having the support staff in. I think it would help escalate the pace of things there. ~ , i am nowjoined by traveljournalist jill starley grainger. We are talking about some of the comments made by priti patel regarding people having to quarantine if they come in from covid hotspots into the uk. Good to see you, thanks for being with us. Does it sound like a good idea to you to limit those who come in and have to quarantine, focusing on people coming from just the hotspots . Or should it be a wider more broadbrush approach which is what labour are suggesting . Im more broadbrush approach which is what labour are suggesting . Im not a medical exoert what labour are suggesting . Im not a medical expert so what labour are suggesting . Im not a medical expert so i what labour are suggesting . Im not a medical expert so i cannot what labour are suggesting . Im not a medical expert so i cannot really i a medical expert so i cannot really comment on that point of view but what other countries have done, the ones that have been more successful, have applied blanket bans, so new zealand for example, if youre going to new zealand and youre planning to new zealand and youre planning to stay there for fewer than 90 days, you have to stay in one of those hotels, so they do have exceptions for residents were returning home but beyond that, they have been quite strict, but im not a medical adviser so i cannot advise on that situation. A medical adviser so i cannot advise on that situation. Sure, no problem, but the fact on that situation. Sure, no problem, but the fact is on that situation. Sure, no problem, but the fact is this on that situation. Sure, no problem, but the fact is this will on that situation. Sure, no problem, but the fact is this will discourage i but the fact is this will discourage people coming here, right . Definitely. Obviously that is the goal, to try to people from going on and keeping people from going out of the uk because as weve seen, the uk has one of the worst rate of coronavirus in the world, so honestly the rest of the world doesnt necessarily want us taking our gems there as well, so i think this whole thing about people travelling for holiday with the skis, i think that is a bit of a red herring because the majority of people who are continuing to travel are doing it not to go on holiday but they are doing it because they feel they have to do for many reasons that are to do with holidays, but unfortunately, limits my industry and i love it, now is definitely not the time to take a holiday. Definitely not the time to take a holida. � , definitely not the time to take a holida. H , , holiday. Its interesting because eo le holiday. Its interesting because people have holiday. Its interesting because people have to holiday. Its interesting because people have to travel holiday. Its interesting because people have to travel abroad. Holiday. Its interesting becausej people have to travel abroad for work for whatever reason, they are clearly through this policy, this new policy, discouraged from doing that yet if they are here, its ok for them to travel to work if they cannot work from home. That for them to travel to work if they cannot work from home. For them to travel to work if they cannot work from home. That is very confusin cannot work from home. That is very confusing and cannot work from home. That is very confusing and there cannot work from home. That is very confusing and there are cannot work from home. That is very confusing and there are people. I confusing and there are people. Why would people have to travel for work . There are perfectly valid reasons that people will travel abroad for work including major infrastructure project. They may work in the transport industry or with freight, so there are many reasons people who have to travel abroad for work and they should still be allowed to do that freely with these tests, but as you say, if people cannot work from home in the uk, that is a very confusing mix messaging and we are getting that from the government and the government forcing its own people like the dvla to work from an office, its really questionable decision making. It office, its really questionable decisionmaking. Office, its really questionable decisionmaking. At what point do ou see decisionmaking. At what point do you see this decisionmaking. At what point do you see this kind decisionmaking. At what point do you see this kind of decisionmaking. At what point do you see this kind of ban decisionmaking. At what point do you see this kind of ban being i you see this kind of ban being rescinded . What would need to be in place for that to happen . Mr; rescinded . What would need to be in place for that to happen . Place for that to happen . My hope is that b late place for that to happen . My hope is that by late spring. Place for that to happen . My hope is that by late spring, early place for that to happen . My hope is that by late spring, early summer, i that by late spring, early summer, what is a significant once a significant percentage of the population has been vaccinated, these restrictions will be lifted. I dont see it happening before then but even so, i would be hesitant to book anything. Everyone wants to know when they can book the next holiday, including me, buti know when they can book the next holiday, including me, but i would be hesitant to begin anything you cannot get a full refund for because we just dont know what will happen and i might feel comfortable booking and i might feel comfortable booking a holiday for the end of this year or next year to be on the safe side but fingers crossed, hoping if everything goes smoothly with the vaccinations, maybe i [ate everything goes smoothly with the vaccinations, maybe i late spring we will be travelling again. Ind vaccinations, maybe i late spring we will be travelling again. Will be travelling again. And some breakin will be travelling again. And some breaking news will be travelling again. And some breaking newsjust will be travelling again. And some breaking newsjust coming will be travelling again. And some breaking newsjust coming in i breaking newsjust coming in involving the uk Aviation Authority apparently giving clearance for the boeing 737 max to resume flights. Youll remember that is the aircraft that has been involved in a couple of serious accidents involving the deaths of hundreds of people, but following the federal Aviation Authoritys clearance for it to fly again in the united states, the eu has followed this morning giving it clearance to fly again in the uk Aviation Authority has given several months of tests and checks on this plane, any more on that we will bring to you. The Eu Commission has confirmed that a meeting with the astrazeneca Pharmaceutical Company will go ahead later today as a row escalates over delays in the supply of its vaccine. Furious officials had earlier accused the british Swedish Company of pulling out without explanation. Astrazeneca has denied that eu supplies have been diverted elsewhere. The eus Health Commissioner made clear the European Union would hold astrazeneca to its contract. The 27 European Union Member States are united that astrazeneca needs to deliver on its commitments in our agreements. We are in a pandemic. These are not numbers, they are not statistics. These are people with families, friends and colleagues. They are all affected as well. Pharmaceutical companies. There are contractual responsibilities that we have to uphold. The company is not obliged to deliver because we signed a best effort agreement that is neither correct nor acceptable. The headlines on bbc news. The Prime Minister says it wont be possible to reopen schools in england before the february half term. He says the aim is for pupils to return to the classroom by 8th march. Borisjohnson also said ministers would set out plans towards the end of next month for a gradual and phased route out of the lockdown. The government has also revealed uk nationals and residents returning from 22 � red list� countries will be placed in quarantine in provided accommodation such as hotels for 10 days. Anyone leaving the country will need to declare why they are travelling. Lets return to schools where children in england face another six weeks of Home Schooling at least. Bryony baynes as the headteacher of Kempsey Primary School in worcester. Shejoins me now. When you heard that the earliest may be march eight and not in february, what went through your mind . So many thins. What went through your mind . So many things. Truthfully, what went through your mind . So many things. Truthfully, it what went through your mind . So many things. Truthfully, it wasnt what went through your mind . So many things. Truthfully, it wasnt a things. Truthfully, it wasnt a surprise. Ive been expecting Something Like this, i think most head teachers have. What was a surprise was hearing about it now rather than in three weeks atime on the 14th of february, so in that respect, im really pleased because it gives us time to plan. Obviously i feel really sad that the children are coming back are not coming back. Sad doesnt reallyjustify it. I want them back, i want the school to get back to normal and i feel deeply saddened that it will not be happening now but it has to happen in a way that is safe and possible, so it was kind of expected but nonetheless, disappointing if that makes sense. Nonetheless, disappointing if that makes sense. ,. ,. ,. , makes sense. Sure, it does. How have the been makes sense. Sure, it does. How have they been dealing makes sense. Sure, it does. How have they been dealing with makes sense. Sure, it does. How have they been dealing with all makes sense. Sure, it does. How have they been dealing with all this . I i they been dealing with all this . I think like parents across the country, they have been fairly amazing and i hope they are listening. They have really. This time round particularly, weve noticed parents really have rallied round and they have been so supportive of what we, as a school, trying to do. I think they are also, though, much more anxious and they want to get it right, they want to feel that the education that they are giving their children is helping, and last time round, the weather was lovely, we. It was a bit of a novelty. Now its sinking in and parents are very anxious understandably about what will happen to their children in the long run, and what they can do at home to help, and to support us in our Home Learning efforts. Learning efforts. There is no sense then from some learning efforts. There is no sense then from some of learning efforts. There is no sense then from some of the learning efforts. There is no sense then from some of the parents, i then from some of the parents, possibly the faculty of teachers as well, that with the right resources, perhaps you could have opened up in the middle of all this . The middle of all this . Thats a tricky question, the middle of all this . Thats a tricky question, isnt the middle of all this . Thats a tricky question, isnt it . Im i the middle of all this . Thats a | tricky question, isnt it . Im not an epidemiologist, i dont know. Could 150 children be on a basis in the school at the moment . It is about one half to one third of what we normally have, could we have them all in safely . I dont know. We have to trust however hard it is at times, i have to trust that the government, the dfe, know what they are doing in telling us and telling children to stay at home. I do know this time round, we have had more positive cases to deal with in the first lockdown, the first time schools were closed, we didnt. We closed bubbles now and it has come much closer to home. If that is any indication. Its much closer to home. If that is any indication. � , , much closer to home. If that is any indication. � ,. ,. , much closer to home. If that is any indication indication. Its a Primary School oure indication. Its a Primary School youre running. Indication. Its a Primary School youre running. What indication. Its a Primary School youre running. What are i indication. Its a Primary School youre running. What are the i indication. Its a Primary School youre running. What are the effects of being off school . Mr; youre running. What are the effects of being off school . Of being off school . My biggest concern. Of being off school . My biggest concern i of being off school . My biggest concern. I know of being off school . My biggest concern. I know a of being off school . My biggest concern. I know a lot of being off school . My biggest concern. I know a lot of of being off school . My biggest concern. I know a lot of people | of being off school . My biggest i concern. I know a lot of people talk about the childrens learning and yes, that is important, but Primary Schoolchildren are incredibly resilient and incredibly hard wearing, and they will come back from this. What worries me the most from this. What worries me the most from my children and for my parents and staff is the emotional impact. Children are struggling at home, the primary children really miss their friends. They miss the contact with the shares and however hard we try to provide that online with daily greetings or stories, it isnt the same thing. I think particularly if you are an only child and you dont have siblings, and youre at home all day, is really difficult. I think there are also children who are struggling with a myriad of things at home that are perhaps things at home that are perhaps things we cant even contemplate at 430 pm in the afternoon and they are out of touch with the people who provide them with the security and safeguarding so we are missing out on the opportunity to check up on children that way, so it is that sort of social and emotional impact that worries me the most. Sort of social and emotional impact that worries me the most. There are so many reverberations that worries me the most. There are so many reverberations and that worries me the most. There are so many reverberations and ripplesl so many reverberations and ripples from lockdown and schools being closed, and we now it is a big, big problem. Are there children that you know are in your school who perhaps are suffering as a result, directly as a result, of not being able to go to school . , , ~ as a result, of not being able to go to school . To school . Yes, yes, i think there are children to school . Yes, yes, i think there are children in to school . Yes, yes, i think there are children in every to school . Yes, yes, i think there are children in every school, i to school . Yes, yes, i think there are children in every school, in i are children in every school, in every country, in every town, and that could be for a myriad of reasons, as ive said. It could be because they are missing the contact with friends, it could be because they are home situation is not supportive, is not kind, for want of a better word. It could be that they are suffering from lack of food or care, our love, orany number of things, as well as the fact that they are missing out on their learning, on the essentials. We have children in my school who are four and five, and now is the time when they should setting the Building Blocks of that education, learning to read, learning to write, pencil holding, all of those things, let alone interaction from their peers and they are missing out on that. I read a statistic the other day that said in the past year, children have had 13 weeks of school and that is. I dont know if its exactly right but Something Like that and thatis right but Something Like that and that is incredibly sobering when you think about it. It does worry me a lot. , ~ think about it. It does worry me a lot. ~ ,. , think about it. It does worry me a lot. ~ i. , think about it. It does worry me a lot. ~. , lot. Thank you and good luck. Hopefully lot. Thank you and good luck. Hopefully you lot. Thank you and good luck. Hopefully you will lot. Thank you and good luck. Hopefully you will all lot. Thank you and good luck. Hopefully you will all be i lot. Thank you and good luck. Hopefully you will all be back| lot. Thank you and good luck. I hopefully you will all be Back To School for us we will will have to see. Thank you forjoining us. Bit of breaking news for you. The latest coronavirus statistics from the government, the uk has recorded 25,308 new coronavirus cases, that is in the last 24 hour period compared to 20,089 in the previous day. 1725 new deaths have been reported compared with 1631 a day earlier. And as far as the vaccine totals are concerned, the vaccinations, the figures show 17. 16 Million People have received their first dose of vaccine, that is 7. 16 million. People. Have received their first dose of Covid Vaccine. Thats a very latest numbers weve got for you. Youre watching bbc news, much more coming up but. As the weather. Now its time for a look at the weather with tomasz. Its going to be considerably milder across the uk in the coming days. It is already in the south of the country. On top of that, a lot of cloud, outbreaks of rain. The rain is currently spreading across the uk. But we are not done with the snow yet snow to come for the Northern Hills and mountains of the uk. Weather systems are spiralling in the atlantic. Weather fronts heading our way. The jet stream has also bulged to the north, allowing for that milder air from the south to creep in, but it hasnt quite reached northern parts of the country, so here it is still a chilly afternoon and early evening. You can see temperatures not far off freezing in aberdeen. To the south, in wet cornwall and devon, temperatures of around ten degrees and outbreaks of rain. The Weather Front spreads across the country through the course of this evening. It will eventually bump into the cold air in the north, so we will see wintry weather across the pennines, the hills and the mountains of scotland. To the south of that it will be raining quite a lot and of course very mild. These are overnight temperatures, no lower than ten in plymouth, nine in london, but in scotland we still have a frost. Where it is below freezing it is snow, so this is hill and mountain weather here when you can see the snow. To the south of that, rain and sleet mixing across the pennines. It really will not be very pleasant. Some Higher Elevations will almost certainly get a fresh covering of snow. South of that its just the rain, which is a real nuisance. Weve had a lot of rainfall across this part of the world. More to come. Thursday, for the bulk of england and wales, the afternoon is looking mostly dry. It will probably be drizzly and murky in places. But very mild, 14 potentially in london. In scotland, still cold, and we have that snow falling. How much snow could we get . For some of the high elevations, may be 15 to 30 centimetres, but it really will be higher up. South of that, another spell of rain heading our way on thursday evening and into friday. So, its going to be very mild, there will be snow across the hills and mountains, but also a lot of rainfall and probably rainfall in areas where we dont want it. Temperatures at the end of the week will be around 12 degrees in london, only four in aberdeen. This is bbc news, im clive myrie, building up to the latest Coronavirus Briefing from the government, led by the Prime Minister. The headlines Boris Johnson says schools in england wont re open before early march, and that depends on whether vaccination targets are met. We hope it will therefore be safe to begin the reopening of schools from monday The 8th Of March, with other economic and social restrictions being removed thereafter, as and when the data permits. The Prime Minister also says ministers would set out plans towards the end of next month for a gradual and phased route out of the lockdown. Another 1,725 people have died with covid 19 in the uk. More than 7 Million People have now had their first dose of the vaccine