lockdown will be extended beyond mid—february. and coming up this hour: storm orlena hits america's north—east coast — heavy snow and high winds bring new york city to a near standstill. hello and welcome if you're watching in the uk or around the world. door to door tests are being offered to 80,000 people in england after cases of a new south african coronavirus variant were found, with no links to travel. people across eight areas are being asked to take tests, whether they have symptoms or not, after the government said the uk must "come down hard" on the variant and find every case. andy moore reports. 10,000 home testing kits delivered to a fire station in woking in surrey. from today, the operation to deliver them door to door will begin. across england, 80,000 people over the age of 16 will be swabbed to find the true extent of the new variant. there's no evidence it's more deadly, but it may be more contagious. mobile testing units like this one in london will also be seen in the areas where the new variant has been found. the health secretary says it's imperative that people in the designated areas stick rigidly to the current guidelines. people should stay at home unless they absolutely have to leave. and anybody — anybody even thinking about stretching the rules in those areas must not. the places where the new variant has been discovered are southport, walsall, woking, broxbourne, maidstone, and three parts of london. it's really important that people see it as a way of surveillance, really. we're not unduly concerned that we've got a particular outbreak or... you know, this is covid — the same as the covid we've had since last march, so... the four nations have agreed tighter border controls that will see travellers from some high—risk countries quarantining in hotels at their own expense. but scotland's first minister, nicola sturgeon, said those measures don't go far enough. today, she will announce new measures which it's reported could see all arrivals into scotland face quarantine. andy moore, bbc news. ben bland is in woking in surrey where residents are being urged to take part in testing.— take part in testing. 10,000 of these home — take part in testing. 10,000 of these home testing _ take part in testing. 10,000 of these home testing kits - take part in testing. 10,000 of these home testing kits will i take part in testing. 10,000 ofi these home testing kits will be distributed in parts of woking, they have been gathering in these tents at the car park at the fire station, 150 volunteers are being briefed because these tests will be taken directly people's doors. there is a home test guide booklet and all the paraphernalia we have become so used to, the swab and the vial. people are being asked to test whether or not they had symptoms and the packaging will be collected, brought back and sent for processing. any tests that come back positive for coronavirus will be examined to check if they are the new south african variance, because in the woking area two cases of the south african variant have already been identified without links to international travel, so scientists are trying to figure out whether that variant is spreading in the community. the reason they are concerned is because the south african variant is thought easier to catch and pass on that the original coronavirus, so it somebody has it, although they might not have any more severe symptoms and it might not be any more deadly, anyone with that variant is more likely to pass it on to more people. the other big question is whether the vaccines people are getting protect them against the south african variant. early results are encouraging, suggesting that vaccines offer at least some level of protection against the new variant. the key question is whether any other variants come along. ending on a point of optimism and hope, scientists say with the modern types of vaccines, if they need to be tweaked or modified to protect against new variants like the south african one, it can be done within months or possibly as quickly as a matter of weeks. let's talk to our political correspondent damian grammaticas. does the government think it can pick up all the south africa cases this way? pick up all the south africa cases this wa ? ., , ., pick up all the south africa cases thiswa ? ., , ., _ pick up all the south africa cases thiswa? ., , ., _ , this way? the idea is that by this tar: eted this way? the idea is that by this targeted blanket _ this way? the idea is that by this targeted blanket testing - this way? the idea is that by this targeted blanket testing within i targeted blanket testing within these postcodes, specific postcode areas around where new cases have been identified, that they can scoop up been identified, that they can scoop up pretty much the local transmission, the question will be how widespread the spread is around the uk, 11 cases are identified as of yesterday, stretching from the south—east in kent to liverpool, a pretty wide geographic spread, unsure how it got that far. that leads to the active discussion about the border control measures, how you prevent more cases like this coming in and the issue about whether there should be a blanket quarantine for all arrivals. we had a report today in the times newspaper that scientists advising the government has warned a couple of weeks ago that it has warned a couple of weeks ago thatitis has warned a couple of weeks ago that it is the only effective way, all an effective way to do this was blanket border controls if you wanted to keep out new variants, today we have heard the government saying that it's not the full advice they were given at the time and this is what michelle donnellan, the universities minister said, basically that it was a partial account, the government account now is what the scientists advised. what sage actually said is they said that completely closing our borders can actually prove ineffective. the best strategy is one that combines quarantining and testing, which is exactly what we've been doing. but throughout the last year, we've been evolving and developing our approach to borders in line with the data and in line with the pandemic and the changes that we have seen, plus the scientific and medical advice. we've gone from quarantining right the way through to testing as well. we have a robust system in place. this is an argument that has long gone on, some countries of course brought in very strict quarantine measures from the very, very early in the pandemic, early last year countries like australia had hotel quarantine for all arrivals, that is the sort of thing the labour party says the government should be giving up says the government should be giving up the stage. this is the shadow home secretary nick thomas—symonds. there are exceptions for particular people. the government already has an exception list for its quarantine policy, that is a very good starting point for that. but the government needs to act. this was introduced in australia back in march last year. the government has had over a year since the first coronavirus cases were found in the uk, it's had enough time, the government should not once again be behind the curve and should act now. now, what the government says is it is basically preparing its policy on hotel quarantines, which will be announced this week, so it is not in place yet but it is believed there is a list of 30 countries from which travel is banned and people coming from those countries would be going into hotels and staying there for ten days. those details are yet to be made clear, but along that the government mixture of measures is a better approach, government mixture of measures is a betterapproach, having government mixture of measures is a better approach, having the requirement that everyone gets a clear test before they are allowed in the country, but not then closing down all chapel and the exceptions you were hearing with the people working in food supply and the crew on cargo boats, people like that still be able to move around, they are important exceptions. these arguments will continue about what is the best way to protect the vaccine roll—out and protect people in this country from the dangers of imported variants all variants that has arrived with resistance to existing vaccines.— has arrived with resistance to existing vaccines. thank you, we will speak _ existing vaccines. thank you, we will speak to _ existing vaccines. thank you, we will speak to acas _ existing vaccines. thank you, we will speak to acas to _ existing vaccines. thank you, we will speak to acas to enter - existing vaccines. thank you, we will speak to acas to enter in . existing vaccines. thank you, we | will speak to acas to enter in any moment, the co—chair of the south african ministerial advisory committee. it is being reported that australia's cricket to south africa has been postponed because of the pandemic. this is the statement, following extensive due diligence it has become clear that travelling from australia to south africa at this current time poses an unacceptable level of health and safety risk to players, support staff and the community, so the tour of south africa is off for the moment. so what do we know about the south african variant, and how is the situation looking in south africa itself? let's speak to professor salim abdool karim, who is co—chair of the south african ministerial advisory committee on covid—19. professor, thank you for talking to us. what is the situation in your country with this variance now? fiur country with this variance now? our situation now _ country with this variance now? oi" situation now is we country with this variance now? ij' situation now is we are at the tail and of our second wave, what we had seen is the emergence of this variance that we noticed late in november, we estimated it had grown quite rapidly and by now constitute about 80 to 90% of cases and the virus, and the net effect has been that our second wave grew very rapidly. we had increased infectiousness, increase transmissibility, increased during tra nsmissibility, increased during the transmissibility, increased during the second wave was substantially higher, it puts a lot more pressure on the health care system because admissions rates were quite high. we are now over that part, yesterday the president was talking about easing of restrictions because we are inching towards the threshold for those transmission. 50 it are inching towards the threshold for those transmission.— for those transmission. so it is more contagious _ for those transmission. so it is more contagious but _ for those transmission. so it is more contagious but not - for those transmission. so it is i more contagious but not deadlier than the original covid strain. how worried are you? it is probably not appropriate to call this particular virus the south african variant, just like the way we didn't appreciate president trump calling at the china virus. that we didn't appreciate president trump calling at the china virus.— calling at the china virus. that is a really fair _ calling at the china virus. that is a really fair point. _ calling at the china virus. that is a really fair point. in _ calling at the china virus. that is a really fair point. in reality, - a really fair point. in reality, riaht a really fair point. in reality, right now — a really fair point. in reality, right now 31— a really fair point. in reality, right now 31 countries - a really fair point. in reality, right now 31 countries have l a really fair point. in reality, i right now 31 countries have this variant. when we look at the way in which there is variant has spread in south africa, as you rightly pointed out we had seen faster transmission, but the evidence so far does not suggest it is more pathogenic, causing more disease. it is still early days, we need to see the mortality rates at the end of the wave. as far as the biggest concern, the biggest concern is that this particular variant has a mutation of possession for hundred and 84, with the variant, there is a negative to negative charge which was causing the vibe is difficulty attaching has changed to positive and negative, the attachment is better meaning it is more difficult for antibodies to kill this virus, which applies to both national immunity and vaccine induced immunity. because people who have previously been infected, there antibodies are not able to kill this virus in about half of the patients, we are beginning to see more and more reinfection. as far as vaccines are concerned, it is deeply concerning we have a vaccine result with 89% efficacy in the uk but only 49% efficacy in south africa, that should be worrying to anyone. so we need to keep — should be worrying to anyone. so we need to keep developing _ should be worrying to anyone. so we need to keep developing new - need to keep developing new vaccines? , ~ ., ~ , ., vaccines? yes, i think it makes two key points. — vaccines? yes, i think it makes two key points. the _ vaccines? yes, i think it makes two key points, the first _ vaccines? yes, i think it makes two key points, the first is _ vaccines? yes, i think it makes two key points, the first is that - vaccines? yes, i think it makes two key points, the first is that we - vaccines? yes, i think it makes two key points, the first is that we are l key points, the first is that we are a globalised world, even though this virus is na countries right now, within a matter of weeks and months it will become more widespread, and so we have to tackle it together. this is not something we will deal with individually, we have to stand together and for ways of selling down the spread of this variance, and it really points to the huge scientific challenge that we have to do better with the next generation of vaccines. longer—lasting amenity so we are not continually chasing our tails make a new vaccines —— longer—lasting immunity. it is heartening to vaccinate an entire population once, giving it repeatedly annually or however long it is required, will be a major challenge, so we want to generate a next set of vaccines that can do better. . ~' , ., , . next set of vaccines that can do better. ., ~ , ., , . ., next set of vaccines that can do better. . ~ ,, , . ., ,, better. thank you very much for your time, we appreciated, _ better. thank you very much for your time, we appreciated, professor - time, we appreciated, professor salim abdool karim, co—chair of the south african ministerial advisory committee on covid—19. the russian dissident alexei navalny is being held in a glass cage at a court in moscow where it's being decided whether his suspended sentence should be converted into an actual prison term. mr navalny was detained two weeks ago when he returned to russia from germany, where he'd spent months recovering from nerve poisoning. —— nurse agents poisoning. —— nerve agent. dozens of protesters outside the court were arrested this morning. it comes after thousands of pro—navalny activists were arrested at the weekend in the biggest protests in russia since 1991. 0ur moscow correspondent sarah rainsford is at the court in moscow what has been happening this morning? what has been happening this mornin: ? , . ., what has been happening this mornin: ? , _, ., what has been happening this mornin. ? , _, ., .,, , morning? outside court that has been a massive police _ morning? outside court that has been a massive police operation, _ morning? outside court that has been a massive police operation, a - morning? outside court that has been a massive police operation, a huge . a massive police operation, a huge number of riot police in place from early this morning, notjust lining the streets around the courthouse that even in regard to the apartment blocks, we had seen mounted police, police with german shepherd dogs and a perimeter has been set up around the court itself, metal barriers put in place and police have checked the documented everyone going through, if they do not have core business they are not allowed near the building, evenjournalists kept back. we had seen a number of people who have come to call for mr navalny�*s release being bundled away by riot police taken into police vans, a few moments ago a man stood up vans, a few moments ago a man stood up with a band that said freedom and it did not take long before police had detained him. more than 120 people had been detained in the vicinity of the court. we have not seen many protesters here because of the scale of the police operation, and all because of alexei navalny, inside court, inside a glass cage, broughton handcuffs from the prison he has been held in since arriving backin he has been held in since arriving back in russia to face calls from the prison authorities to convert his suspended sentence for embezzlement into real prison time, potentially facing at least a couple of years behind bars.— potentially facing at least a couple of years behind bars. thank you very much, of years behind bars. thank you very much. sarah — of years behind bars. thank you very much, sarah rainsford _ of years behind bars. thank you very much, sarah rainsford in _ of years behind bars. thank you very much, sarah rainsford in moscow, l much, sarah rainsford in moscow, where it is —19 degrees. the united states has threatened to impose sanctions on myanmar, following a military coup in the country. president biden has urged an international response to the power—grab, and called it a direct assault on democracy. troops are on the streets of the capital, naypyidaw, and the biggest city, yangon where a curfew has been put in place. the army is stationed at key checkpoints around the country's parliament and the main roads have been blocked. those detained include the head of the largest party, aung san suu kyi and other members of the civilian leadership. suu kyi remains a widely popular leader in the country — and citizens have been calling for her to be released peacefully. senior reporter nein chen from the bbc�*s burmese service filed this report from the streets of yangon. the city of more than 5 million people is trying to get back to normal. the streets are relatively quiet than usual this morning, and the security forces still could be seen stretching out at the major points of the main commercial city, yangon. most of the mobile and telecommunication services are back and private banks are resuming their services after temporary shutdown yesterday. and many people gathered to withdraw cash to brave the uncertain times ahead. over 200 miles away from yangon in myanmar�*s capital, naypyitaw, troops with trucks and tanks are still surrounding the country's parliament. hundreds of politicians and elected mps who had hoped to begin a new chapter in the second term of civilian government has spent the night under detention and some are under house arrest, including on aung san suu kyi and president win myint. it was a bloodless coup so far, but the impact of this nevertheless will severely hit, particularly in the time of economic downturn amid the covid pandemic. there will be possible sanctions from the internationals and uncertainty of the foreign investment, which will make people here frustrated and angry. 0ur south east asia correspondentjonathan head says myanmar�*s ruling military has given no response to the international condemnation and will likely ignore any threats especially from further afield. the responses from this region, and that's the one that myanmar cares most about, the countries that borders, the asian countries, southeast asia, and of course mostly china have been much more muted. simply expressing concern and asking for restraint. the condemnations have come from western countries, but you have to remember that sanctions as were applied in the old days of military more than 20 years ago were widely perceived to have been, well, really to have failed. they mostly heard poor people and didn't hurt the military and its business interest then. the us has been applying sanctions anyway to the military since the atrocities against the rohingyas. asa as a pariah. it is not clear to me what other sanctions (inaudible) , there is talk of sanctions but in reality, frankly, they will not listen. official figures just released show that covid—19 was involved in 45% of all deaths in england and wales in the third week of january. that's the highest proportion recorded during the pandemic by the office for national statistics. 0ur health correspondent nick triggle is here. still a very high number of steps with covid on the death certificate? these are the figures that look at mentions on the death certificate where covid had been mentioned, and when you include scotland, northern ireland and the office of national statistics figures it shows that the week ending the 22nd ofjanuary, just under 9000 deaths were linked to covid, up by 1300 on the week before, as you mentioned, that is over 40% of all deaths registered that week. that is the highest proportion out of total deaths during the whole pandemic. here we can see covid deaths versus pneumonia, they are much higher. i would point to the dark blue colouring, that is where the cause of death is attributed to covid all free, covid death star more likely to cause the persons death, the main actor, ratherthan to cause the persons death, the main actor, rather than a contributory factor —— covid —— are more likely. this is up to january the 22nd, when we look at the daily figures published by the government, that's within 28 days of a positive tests, the rates may be plateauing. these figures are out of date and there are some encouraging signs in the daily figures that we may have reached a peak. victoria: thank you, nick triggle. nicola sturgeon is expected to introduce new precautions for people arriving into scotland today. stricter measures could see all arrivals having to quarantine, after the scottish government last week said uk government measures "did not go far enough". james shaw has the latest from glasgow. what we are expecting to hear, victoria, is a range of measures that nicola sturgeon is going to talk about to help scotland start to ease out of the current lockdown, the strictest that's been since the first wave of the pandemic back in the spring. so that is going to start, we think, with nurseries and schools, and then measures to mitigate the effects of that, the possible risk of a jump in infections, when the measures start to ease. that is going to include, we think more testing in schools, mass testing in the community, and also in certain workplaces where there is an increased risk of infection. but as you've been saying, this key issue around quarantine, nicola sturgeon has said that she thinks the uk government's plans for supervised quarantine, people staying in hotels for ten days to make sure they self—isolate when they come in the country, she has said that that does not go far enough. so we might expect her to reveal some kind of plan that enhances that. possibly even to the extent that everyone who arrives from overseas in scotland will have to go into quarantine for ten days. the difficulty that she has, of course, is that people may arrive and other parts of the uk and then travel to scotland. and as far as we understand it, there is nothing to stop that happening. but nevertheless, we think she is going to make that case that there needs to be stricter quarantine, and perhaps she will also try and encourage the uk government to see things from her point of view on that issue as well. there's been some heavy snowfall across parts of northern england overnight. this is how it was looking on the m62 near rochdale earlier — the road had to be closed while the snow was cleared. the are reports of similar disruption in parts of south yorkshire, with more snow expected. a major winter storm has hit the northeastern united states, bringing heavy snowfalls and blizzard—like conditions to new york state, pennsylvania and new england. thousands of flights have been cancelled, schools have been closed and coronavirus vaccinations have been postponed. mark lobel reports. heavy snow and high winds force a state of emergency in newjersey and new york city. flights grounded, vaccination sites shut. with up to 22 inches of snow expected, and coastalflooding, new york's mayor warns of a new reason to stay at home. blizzard conditions, stay off the roads, stay off the streets and sidewalks, stay inside if there's any way you can avoid travelling. as this curtain of snow lifts the mood on broadway, it's most definitely snow time. in central park — as in europe recently... squealing. ..americans now savouring snow days at a time of otherwise virtual life. ijust wanted to enjoy the snow a little bit. he is also enjoying it, but i think he's done. this is a wonderful day today. it's not that often that we get this kind of snow in new york city. and this is one of the most beautiful places in the world to enjoy that snow. with the fight against climate change thrown a lifeline by america's new president, current conditions show what global warming can lead to. meteorologists say snow here has become less frequent, but more intense. it snows perhaps less often — or, i should say, it's mixed with rain or it changes to rain more often than it used to. but when we get a big storm, more often than not, they become blockbuster storms. from the frosty... ..to the fluffy. with the world seemingly sliding into freefall at times, this is one way to make the best of it all. mark lobel, bbc news. spain was one of the hardest hit countries in europe when the first waves of covid—19 struck last year. and although the third wave has hit the country later than many of its neighbours, spain is now starting to feel its force. in addition, spain is also being affected by the controversy surrounding vaccine dose deliveries. guy hedgecoe reports from madrid. in nature it —— in a midget hospital, health care staff are being vaccinated, that the recent reduction in vaccine deliveries has meant that doses are being privatised even more than before —— in a hospital in madrid. in privatised even more than before -- in a hospital in madrid.— in a hospital in madrid. in the sanish in a hospital in madrid. in the spanish capital, _ in a hospital in madrid. in the spanish capital, only - in a hospital in madrid. in the spanish capital, only those i in a hospital in madrid. in the l spanish capital, only those who in a hospital in madrid. in the - spanish capital, only those who have already received a testjab are currently being vaccinated. the dela of currently being vaccinated. the delay of the — currently being vaccinated. the delay of the vaccination programme, if it is— delay of the vaccination programme, if it is going — delay of the vaccination programme, if it is going to have clear replications on the control of the disease, — replications on the control of the disease, that repercussion is going to he _ disease, that repercussion is going to he on— disease, that repercussion is going to be on the number of patients that are getting _ to be on the number of patients that are getting infected aren't on the number— are getting infected aren't on the number of— are getting infected aren't on the number of deaths. this are getting infected aren't on the number of deaths.— are getting infected aren't on the number of deaths. this hospital was built in only — number of deaths. this hospital was built in only three _ number of deaths. this hospital was built in only three months _ number of deaths. this hospital was built in only three months in - built in only three months in response to the covid crisis. it openedin response to the covid crisis. it opened in december but already it is under strain. opened in december but already it is understrain. like many opened in december but already it is under strain. like many hospitals across the country. the third wave of coronavirus hit spain hard after christmas. infection rates now appear to be stabilising again. but the government says a highly contagious british strain will be the dominant one within the next few weeks. there has been a good deal of concern about pressures on the health care system recently but there has also been outraged due to a team that scandals involving public officials who appear to have used their position in order tojump the queue and be vaccinated early. among these, a number of small—town mayor live at the head of the armed forces, who was forced to resign. translation:— translation: this is a social dis race translation: this is a social disgrace and _ translation: this is a social disgrace and a _ translation: this is a social disgrace and a problem - translation: this is a social disgrace and a problem we . translation: this is a social. disgrace and a problem we have translation: this is a social- disgrace and a problem we have in spain. i don't know if this happens in other countries, it is the kind of thing you hear about in other areas of life, but this time it is more visible.— areas of life, but this time it is more visible. just really tired of the situation, _ more visible. just really tired of the situation, we _ more visible. just really tired of the situation, we are _ more visible. just really tired of the situation, we are just - more visible. just really tired of the situation, we are just sick i more visible. just really tired of| the situation, we are just sick of it that _ the situation, we are just sick of it that we — the situation, we are just sick of it that we do not see the end. it is really— it that we do not see the end. it is really upsetting that you had to actually — really upsetting that you had to actually responsible and the people in charge _ actually responsible and the people in charge are not. in actually responsible and the people in charge are not.— actually responsible and the people in charge are not. in recent months, local authorities _ in charge are not. in recent months, local authorities have _ in charge are not. in recent months, local authorities have been - local authorities have been introducing and lifting restrictions on movement and social activity according to infection rates. spain is trying to push through this latest wave of covid without introducing a full lockdown. it is hoping the recent vaccine distribution problems will not stop it. the headlines on bbc news... extensive testing has begun in eight areas of england where the south african variant of covid has been found. a uk government minister says a hotel quarantine for all arrivals into the country would be "unfeasible". the uk records the second highest weekly number of deaths since the beginning of the pandemic in figures released this morning. a court in moscow is due to decide whether to jail president vladimir putin's leading critic, alexei navalny. nicola sturgeon is set to confirm whether scotland's covid lockdown will be extended beyond mid—february. official figures just released show that covid—19 was involved in 45% of all deaths in england and wales in the third week of january. that's the highest proportion recorded during the pandemic by the office for national statistics. dr kit yates is a mathematical biologist at the university of bath. he's also a member of the independent sage group of experts, who are providing independent scientific advice to government and the public. iam sure i am sure you hope that the government will take notice of what you say, good morning to you. how do you say, good morning to you. how do you respond to the latest figures out this morning? 50. you respond to the latest figures out this morning?— you respond to the latest figures out this morning? so, the report is our old out this morning? so, the report is our gold standard _ out this morning? so, the report is our gold standard gauge _ out this morning? so, the report is our gold standard gauge of- out this morning? so, the report is our gold standard gauge of how - out this morning? so, the report is i our gold standard gauge of how many people have died because it looks at deathings in which covid is mentioned on the death certificate. the problem is it is lagged by at least 11 days so the deaths reported this morning are coming from the week ending the 22nd january so from at least 11 days ago. this is probably still the best metric we have to compare between different waves because others rely on testing so the one we have reported every day is people who have died within 28 days of a positive test so this week think is the second highest reported number of deaths in the pandemic in the uk, for covid, 84,222. it is about 1200 a day, for that week xxx 8,422. so about 1200 a day previously. so we have reached similar levels of peak death and this second wave has been significantly broader than the first, and quite a shocking statistic is a quarter of all uk covid deaths have occurred within the last month.— covid deaths have occurred within the last month. ,, �* ., ., the last month. goodness. and how do our fi . ures the last month. goodness. and how do our figures compare _ the last month. goodness. and how do our figures compare to _ the last month. goodness. and how do our figures compare to those _ the last month. goodness. and how do our figures compare to those around i our figures compare to those around the world? 50. our figures compare to those around the world? ~' our figures compare to those around the world? ~ ., �* ., the world? so, i think we don't do well in any — the world? so, i think we don't do well in any comparison. _ the world? so, i think we don't do well in any comparison. we - the world? so, i think we don't do well in any comparison. we have i the world? so, i think we don't do | well in any comparison. we have to be cautious because not all countries are recording their deaths in a consistent manner but in terms of overall deaths we are fifth on the list, we have the highest in umber of deaths in europe, you could say we have a big population and thatis say we have a big population and that is true, but if you divide by the size of the population to ghat is called the per capita death rate, then we are third on the list, so we really don't come out of it very well, and unfortunately this is indicative of how badly let down we have been by the handling of the pandemic by this government, in this country. pandemic by this government, in this count . �* pandemic by this government, in this count . ~ ., country. apart from the vaccine programme? — country. apart from the vaccine programme? sorry _ country. apart from the vaccine programme? sorry i _ country. apart from the vaccine programme? sorry i missed - country. apart from the vaccine l programme? sorry i missed that. aart are programme? sorry i missed that. apart are the _ programme? sorry i missed that. apart are the vaccination - programme? sorry i missed that. - apart are the vaccination programme? would you say or not? yes. would you say or not? yes, absolutely. _ would you say or not? yes, absolutely, the _ would you say or not? yes, absolutely, the vaccination | absolutely, the vaccination programme is the shining light, the positive thing that is, that is keeping everyone going, i think, you know, we hope by vaccinating the elderly and the most vulnerable we will dramatically reduce the death toll from covid because these are the groups who are most likely the die. it shows if you give a public health problem to a public health body like the nhs rather than with test trace and isolate spending billions on the private sector with relatively little public health expertise how well it can be delivered. delivered.- expertise how well it can be delivered. delivered. what can we exect to delivered. delivered. what can we expect to happen _ delivered. delivered. what can we expect to happen to _ delivered. delivered. what can we expect to happen to the _ delivered. delivered. what can we expect to happen to the data - delivered. delivered. what can we expect to happen to the data in i delivered. delivered. what can we | expect to happen to the data in the coming weeks? 50 expect to happen to the data in the coming weeks?— expect to happen to the data in the coming weeks? so deaths are already cominu coming weeks? so deaths are already coming down. — coming weeks? so deaths are already coming down, although _ coming weeks? so deaths are already coming down, although this _ coming weeks? so deaths are already coming down, although this ons i coming down, although this 0ns figure we can expect to stay the same or maybe to go up because it is lagged by a couple of weeks and we know peak deaths were round a couple of weeks ago, but death, that we see reported in daily figures are already starting to come down, cases have been coming down four four weeks now which is good new, it shows this lockdown is having an impact, so, yeah, we can expect to see the death figures coming down in the not too distant future. thank ou for the not too distant future. thank you for talking — the not too distant future. thank you for talking to _ the not too distant future. thank you for talking to us _ the not too distant future. thank you for talking to us this - the not too distant future. thank. you for talking to us this morning. he isa he is a member of the sage group, some of whom have been critical of the way the government has handled the way the government has handled the pandemic. the way the government has handled the pandemic. as the covid—19 vaccination programme continues to move ahead at pace, there are some families who say they've been left behind when it comes to being given priority for the jab. young adults living with learning disabilities don't fall into the government's top four priority groups for immunisation — many of these youngsters either live in care homes or live at home and are cared for by their parents. i'm joined now by tracy and stephen quirke, parents of a 14—year—old boy who has autism and learning disabilities. tracy and stephenjoin me from northamptonshire. you told us about your son ewghan. he has lived in a care home for the last five years, how would you describe his needs?— last five years, how would you describe his needs? complex and challenging. _ describe his needs? complex and challenging. at — describe his needs? complex and challenging, at times. _ describe his needs? complex and challenging, at times. he's, i describe his needs? complex and challenging, at times. he's, he i describe his needs? complex andj challenging, at times. he's, he is describe his needs? complex and i challenging, at times. he's, he is a really lovely boy, but he got to a point where when he was at home, his needs become too much for us, and we had to make the difficult decision for him to leave home. fight! had to make the difficult decision for him to leave home. and steven, ew: han for him to leave home. and steven, ewghan used _ for him to leave home. and steven, ewghan used to _ for him to leave home. and steven, ewghan used to come _ for him to leave home. and steven, ewghan used to come hoesmry i for him to leave home. and steven, i ewghan used to come hoesmry week, how many time have you seen him since last march?— since last march? since last march we saw him _ since last march? since last march we saw him on _ since last march? since last march we saw him on a _ since last march? since last march we saw him on a couple _ since last march? since last march we saw him on a couple of - since last march? since last march i we saw him on a couple of occasions. i believe... we saw him, when was it, i believe... we saw him, when was it. was— i believe... we saw him, when was it. was it _ i believe... we saw him, when was it, was it around june, july time? we couldn't— it, was it around june, july time? we couldn't even see him for his birthday, — we couldn't even see him for his birthday, which was injune, and we saw himm — birthday, which was injune, and we saw himm a — birthday, which was injune, and we saw him... a couple of times, again, i saw him... a couple of times, again, i believe _ saw him... a couple of times, again, i believe for. — saw him... a couple of times, again, i believe for, no, we saw him once for the _ i believe for, no, we saw him once for the second lockdown, and we saw him christmas day, and that was the last time _ him christmas day, and that was the last time we — him christmas day, and that was the last time we actually saw him. we saw him last time we actually saw him. - saw him between lockdowns. the contact�*s not the same, because we used to see ewghan1 between us, we are not together, and so between us we used to see him three times a week. and unlike lots of care homes for particularly elderly, where families go to visit, ewghan comes home to see us and his siblings, and that's, you know, that was the difficulty, because you know, it just wasn't possible.— difficulty, because you know, it just wasn't possible. yeah. and what have ou just wasn't possible. yeah. and what have you been _ just wasn't possible. yeah. and what have you been told _ just wasn't possible. yeah. and what have you been told about _ just wasn't possible. yeah. and what have you been told about the - just wasn't possible. yeah. and whatj have you been told about the vaccine and whether your son will get it? well, as far as we're aware, the vaccine is for adults, it's not something we thought about because we knew it was only for adults and thatis we knew it was only for adults and that is where the difficultty comes with children's care home, which, has not been publicised at all, it has not been publicised at all, it has been about older person's care home, because it makes very little difference difference as far him being vaccinated. 0bviously difference difference as far him being vaccinated. obviously the care home staff can be vaccinated. we will need to wait our turn to be vaccinated, and there's no end to you know, when we can start to see him again on a regular basis because there's no way out of this at the moment. there is so many families like ours, that are in this situation, and in limbo again, and we went through this last, during the first lockdown, and we tried to get our voice heard, we started a campaign, and, and nobody wanted to listen, and... campaign, and, and nobody wanted to listen. and---— listen, and... what would you change? _ listen, and. .. what would you change? if— listen, and... what would you change? if you _ listen, and... what would you change? if you could - listen, and. .. what would you change? if you could talk- listen, and... what would you change? if you could talk to i listen, and... what would you i change? if you could talk to the prime minister right now what would you you change in order to be able to see your 14—year—old son with autism? to see your 14-year-old son with autism? , ., , to see your 14-year-old son with autism? , ., . ., , ., autism? they need to come up we a [an of, a autism? they need to come up we a plan of. a way _ autism? they need to come up we a plan of. a way out. _ autism? they need to come up we a plan of, a way out, which _ autism? they need to come up we a plan of, a way out, which is - autism? they need to come up we a plan of, a way out, which is really i plan of, a way out, which is really difficult at this thyme, and we understand that, because... but it miaht be, understand that, because... but it might be. sorry — understand that, because... but it might be, sorry to _ understand that, because... but it might be, sorry to interrupt. i understand that, because... but it might be, sorry to interrupt. the plan might be the plan they have got, which is the vaccine programme, by autumn all adults will be vaccinated and then you will be able the see your son. but vaccinated and then you will be able the see your son.— the see your son. but that is autumn- _ the see your son. but that is autumn- i — the see your son. but that is autumn. i know. _ the see your son. but that is autumn. i know. i— the see your son. but that is autumn. i know. i know. i the see your son. but that is| autumn. i know. i know. how the see your son. but that is i autumn. i know. i know. how can the see your son. but that is - autumn. i know. i know. how can we not see our— autumn. i know. i know. how can we not see our son _ autumn. i know. i know. how can we not see our son between _ autumn. i know. i know. how can we not see our son between now- autumn. i know. i know. how can we not see our son between now and i not see our son between now and autumn? and it is not about not seeing him. it is about him coming home. his siblings haven't seen him apart from a few hours on christmas day they haven't seen him since beginning of november. when we do video chats with ewghan he is nonverbal so it is very one—sided, you know, the last time he saw his siblings on video chat, he displayed challenging behaviour, slightly after that, and we thought that that was because he had seen his siblings and he was upset, and so, you know, they are missing him too. it's it is so difficult. if testing was better, so difficult. if testing was better, so that maybe we could be tested before we saw him, you know, that would be one solution in the short—term, but even, there is no long—term plan. short-term, but even, there is no long-term plan-— short-term, but even, there is no long-term plan. no, everyone with testin: long-term plan. no, everyone with testing you — long-term plan. no, everyone with testing you would _ long-term plan. no, everyone with testing you would have _ long-term plan. no, everyone with testing you would have to - long-term plan. no, everyone with testing you would have to be i long-term plan. no, everyone with| testing you would have to be tested on one day, and then tested again three days later to make sure that the symptoms weren't incubating. it is tricky this is what the government say about the vaccination programme. they are following the advice from independent experts on who to prioritise, thejcvi looked at all the available data including that on people with learning difficulties and advised the most immediate priority should be to prevent deaths of vulnerable individuals and protect health and care staff on the front line. that is what they say. at the moment there doesn't seem to be any suggestion that they are going to change the priority groups because the plan is being rolled out. i mean, if no—one listens to you, you arejust going to mean, if no—one listens to you, you are just going to have to sit this out, which is tough, i know. it is out, which is tough, i know. it is 'ust so out, which is tough, i know. it is just so unfair. — out, which is tough, i know. it is just so unfair, victoria. - out, which is tough, i know. it is just so unfair, victoria. they, i can't _ just so unfair, victoria. they, i can't understand, we have discussed this, we _ can't understand, we have discussed this, we can't understand why there is no _ this, we can't understand why there is no reason — this, we can't understand why there is no reason care homes cannot be given— is no reason care homes cannot be given protocol or whatever, to allow parents _ given protocol or whatever, to allow parents and — given protocol or whatever, to allow parents and siblings to see ewghan in his— parents and siblings to see ewghan in his care — parents and siblings to see ewghan in his care home, byjust getting us covid _ in his care home, byjust getting us covid tested, so we can have a chance — covid tested, so we can have a chance of— covid tested, so we can have a chance of seeing him. if that, if that— chance of seeing him. if that, if that was— chance of seeing him. if that, if that was allowed, even that is some way forward but it isjust not been allowed _ way forward but it is 'ust not been allowed. ' . ., allowed. the difficult with ewghan he doesn't understand _ allowed. the difficult with ewghan he doesn't understand social i he doesn't understand social distancing, that was part of the problem during, during the lockdowns, because you know, he doesn't understand that he needs to stay away, and that would cause him a huge amount of distress r and that would be really hard for to us, as it is for other people that are struggling, not seeing their loved ones too. ., ., , ., ones too. you are right it is round testin: , ones too. you are right it is round testing. if— ones too. you are right it is round testing. if you _ ones too. you are right it is round testing, if you were _ ones too. you are right it is round testing, if you were tested - ones too. you are right it is round testing, if you were tested and i testing, if you were tested and covid free and had multiple tests the and he was tested and was covid free, then you could do it, without ppe, you could hug him, you know. the lot. , ppe, you could hug him, you know. the lot.- listen _ ppe, you could hug him, you know. the lot.- listen i _ ppe, you could hug him, you know. the lot. yes. listen i am going to wish ou the lot. yes. listen i am going to wish you all— the lot. yes. listen i am going to wish you all the _ the lot. yes. listen i am going to wish you all the best, _ the lot. jazz listen i am going to wish you all the best, thank you tracey, thank you for getting in touch. than you stephen and i hope you get to see ewghan very soon. thank you. you get to see ewghan very soon. thank you-— thank you. thank you very much. if ou thank you. thank you very much. if you want _ thank you. thank you very much. if you want to _ thank you. thank you very much. if you want to get _ thank you. thank you very much. if you want to get in _ thank you. thank you very much. if you want to get in touch - thank you. thank you very much. if you want to get in touch please send us an e—mail. let's have more on the coronavirus pandemic now — and while there's been a lot of talk about vaccines in recent days, for many people, the best protection for now still remains social distancing — and mask wearing. but the advice on face coverings hasn't been consistent — and can vary widely from country to country. here's our science editor, david shukman. all over the world, people are now covering their faces in a million different ways. there is a lot of choice about what type to wear, and in some countries the advice is changing, as we learn more about how the virus spreads. so what are the options? well, a home—made face covering is the simplest and cheapest and it was promoted in 2020 because of worries about shortages of professional masks that medics desperately needed. this one, it made from an old t—shirt, it's got three layers so should do a reasonable job of stopping any virus that i might release, which really matters, because up to one in three people may be infected without even realising. and to make it more effective, there's the idea of doubling up, having two coverings, one on top of the other, because that gives you more layers to stop the virus getting through. so if you have a physical covering with one layer you put another layer on. itjust makes common sense that it likely would be more effective, and that the reason why you see people either double masking or doing a version of an n95. we saw a lot of these double masks on inauguration day in washington. they are not recommended by the us government or by the world health organization, but they are catching on. next up in quality is the surgical mask. these are water resistant so if someone coughs right at you, the virus should be blocked. they should provide you with some good protection, and others around you, but they don't fit very well, there are gaps at the side that tiny virus particles called aerosols could get through. you can see how that happens in these lab tests. they show how air and aerosols can escape from around the masks. so to guard against that there are better grades of mask. they are called n95 in the us or ffp2 or ffp3 in the uk. they've got filters inside them to screen out those aerosols. in austria, they are now required on buses and in other public areas, while in germany elderly people have been given them for going shopping. these have a much closer fit, no gaps, which means you should be safer, but they are a lot more expensive. while home—made coverings are basically free, surgical masks cost about 10p each, while the ffp2 costs about £3. on their own, masks are not going to defeat the pandemic, no one is claiming that, but research shows they can make a difference. look how far a cough goes when there is no say covering to stop it. so anything that helps is worth pursuing. but they've got to be worn and removed really carefully, and they are bound to be with us for some time to come. the us democratic politician alexandria occasio—cortez has said she is a survivor of sexual assault. the congresswoman revealed her trauma as she accused republicans who deflect blame for last month's capitol riot of using "the tactics of abusers". she talked aboout her ordeal in an instagram live on monday night. "i'm a survivor of sexual assault," she said, fighting back tears. "and i haven't told many people that in my life." she is one of the highest profile democrats in congress. "buy—now pay—later" services, which offer interest free financing at major retailers, are set to be regulated. the financial conduct authority says the credit—agreements allow customers to build—up debts too easily. so how do they work? well, they split up payments over time. if you pay on time there's no interest or other fees. if you pay late or can't pay at all, you could face extra charges and your details could be passed to a debt collection agency. there are several providers in the uk — clearpay, laybuy. but by far, the biggest is klarna. it's a swedish company and has seven million customers in the uk. they offer credit through some big name retailers — marks & spencer, asos, boohoo, h&m, jd sports. 0ne survey found that over a fifth of shoppers spent more than they had planned because the service was available. and another study found that 20% of adults who used a buy now pay later scheme this christmas will struggle to meet repayments without borrowing even more money. i didn't have the money in my bank at that point, so i thought, "you know what? if i can pay for it in a couple of months, i kind of push it to the back of my head." i've done it numerous times before, i've never had an issue with it, but on this occasion i didn't make the payment in time and... luckily, they extended the deadline, so i managed to make the payment on time, but obviously they did say that if i didn't pay within a certain period of time they'd obviously put it on your credit score and that. now, if i want to buy something, i know that i've got the money for it and i prefer tojust pay it outstanding, just so i don't have that... i don't know, that debt or that idea that i got to owe something. we can now speak to the managing director and co—founder of laybuy, gary rohloff. hello to you. thank you for talking to us. can the loans get people into debt? ., . ., ., ., debt? hello victoria from new zealand. thank _ debt? hello victoria from new zealand. thank you _ debt? hello victoria from new zealand. thank you for - debt? hello victoria from new zealand. thank you for having | debt? hello victoria from new i zealand. thank you for having me on the show. yes, we do, we don't resile from the fact this is a debt product, albeit it is interest free, but les inti a company that has —— laybuy laybuy is trans aren't pa and we credit an affordability check a customer before they start an account with us.— customer before they start an account with us. ., ., ., account with us. how detailed, how diliuent is account with us. how detailed, how diligent is that _ account with us. how detailed, how diligent is that affordability - diligent is that affordability check? ~ , ., ., ., check? well we rely on data we get from an integration _ check? well we rely on data we get from an integration with _ check? well we rely on data we get from an integration with experian, | from an integration with experian, thatis from an integration with experian, that is one of the largest, if not the largest did bureau in the world. they provide us with a score and it is against that score that we allocate a transaction limit for our customers. d0 allocate a transaction limit for our customers-— allocate a transaction limit for our customers. ., ,, , , customers. do you market yourselves as a payment — customers. do you market yourselves as a payment plan. — customers. do you market yourselves as a payment plan. a _ customers. do you market yourselves as a payment plan, a payment - customers. do you market yourselvesj as a payment plan, a payment service company? 0r as a payment plan, a payment service company? or do you market yourself as a loan? brute company? or do you market yourself as a loan? ~ , company? or do you market yourself asaloan? , ., , , company? or do you market yourself asaloan? , ., , as a loan? we see ourselves as an alternative — as a loan? we see ourselves as an alternative to _ as a loan? we see ourselves as an alternative to credit _ as a loan? we see ourselves as an alternative to credit cards - as a loan? we see ourselves as an alternative to credit cards for i alternative to credit cards for people who are eshoes credit cards in their droves, globally and making credit available to people who choose not to have a credit card but want to be able to afford some things for themselves or their families they wouldn't otherwise be able to afford without that credit. for those who don't make payments, miss payments, can't pay, do you hand their details on to debt collection agencies?- hand their details on to debt collection agencies? only after 45 da s, and collection agencies? only after 45 days, and within _ collection agencies? only after 45 days, and within that _ collection agencies? only after 45 days, and within that 45 - collection agencies? only after 45 days, and within that 45 day i collection agencies? only after 45| days, and within that 45 day period we are in constant contact with customers and we have a hardship policy we offer them, with extended payment plans, etc, so interestingly, over the course of the last quarter, or the last month, i should say, the month of des december, we only had 3,000 people across the global database apply for an extended repayment plan. {jut of an extended repayment plan. out of how many customers? _ an extended repayment plan. out of how many customers? i _ an extended repayment plan. out of how many customers? i thought i an extended repayment plan. out ofj how many customers? i thought you miaht how many customers? i thought you mi . ht ask how many customers? i thought you might ask me _ how many customers? i thought you might ask me that. _ how many customers? i thought you might ask me that. i _ how many customers? i thought you might ask me that. i mean - how many customers? i thought you might ask me that. i mean the i how many customers? i thought you | might ask me that. i mean the 3,000 fiaure might ask me that. i mean the 3,000 figure doesn't — might ask me that. i mean the 3,000 figure doesn't mean _ might ask me that. i mean the 3,000 figure doesn't mean anything - might ask me that. i mean the 3,000 figure doesn't mean anything unless i figure doesn't mean anything unless we can compare wit the total number. 0ur average order value in new zealand dollars is $135 or round about £65 and did $71 million in the month of december, so is a lot of people shopping and only 3,000 have subsequently asked for an extension claim. �* ., , ., ., , claim. and do they, i mean does the extension payment _ claim. and do they, i mean does the extension payment mean _ claim. and do they, i mean does the extension payment mean they i claim. and do they, i mean does the extension payment mean they can i claim. and do they, i mean does the l extension payment mean they can get themselves out of the debt eventually?— themselves out of the debt eventuall ? , , ., , , eventually? oh, yes, absolutely, we never charge — eventually? oh, yes, absolutely, we never charge interest, _ eventually? oh, yes, absolutely, we never charge interest, ever, - eventually? oh, yes, absolutely, we never charge interest, ever, and i eventually? oh, yes, absolutely, we never charge interest, ever, and ourj never charge interest, ever, and our desire is to help people get the things they want or need for their families, you know, we have a lovely story of a lady here who sent us an e—mail and say thank you, for the first time i could afford to buy my children a raincoat at the start of winter because i can't afford 120 but i can afford $20 a week. you are soundin: but i can afford $20 a week. you are sounding like — but i can afford $20 a week. you are sounding like you _ but i can afford $20 a week. you are sounding like you are _ but i can afford $20 a week. you are sounding like you are trying - but i can afford $20 a week. you are sounding like you are trying to i sounding like you are trying to market yourself as a kehrty. ihlo sounding like you are trying to market yourself as a kehrty. no the retailer pays — market yourself as a kehrty. no the retailer pays us _ market yourself as a kehrty. no the retailer pays us knot _ market yourself as a kehrty. no the retailer pays us knot the _ market yourself as a kehrty. no the retailer pays us knot the consumer. j retailer pays us knot the consumer. you do charge interest, you do, if people miss payments or can't pay, so let us be clear about that. tito. so let us be clear about that. no, we don't charge _ so let us be clear about that. firm we don't charge them. so let us be clear about that. no, we don't charge them. thank i so let us be clear about that. no, l we don't charge them. thank you. so let us be clear about that. no, i we don't charge them. thank you. it is not interest, _ we don't charge them. thank you. it is not interest, what _ we don't charge them. thank you. it is not interest, what is _ we don't charge them. thank you. it is not interest, what is it _ we don't charge them. thank you. it is not interest, what is it then? i we don't charge them. thank you. it is not interest, what is it then? we. is not interest, what is it then? we don't is not interest, what is it then? - don't charge interest, ever, if people don't pay us there is a late payment fee, and that is... going on to an payment plan. payment fee, and that is... going on to an payment plan-— to an payment plan. sorry you made it sound like — to an payment plan. sorry you made it sound like it _ to an payment plan. sorry you made it sound like it was _ to an payment plan. sorry you made it sound like it was free. _ the devolved government in northern ireland has suspended checks of food arriving at ports in belfast and larne because of concerns about the safety of inspection staff. checks have been carried out on some goods arriving from the rest of the uk since the end of the brexit transition period last month 0ur ireland correspondent chris page has more. yes e this is larne port which is one of three where checks have since new year's day being ca —— been carried out on goods arriving here from the rest of the uk, the reason for that is under the special brexit arrangements for northern ireland, well this part of the uk in effect remains in the eu single market, but that has been politically controversial, unionist politicians see the check, see the wrecks brexit arrangement as in effect placing an economic border between northern ireland and england, scotland and wales so they want the whole arrangement to be scrapped. the physical inspections have been stopped here and belfast port, because of concerns about the safety of staff. here in larne graffiti appeared describing staff as targets. staff reported they were concerned that people were gathering personal information about them such as number plates so yesterday the local council took the decision to withdraw 12 officers is and senior officials from their inspection duties here, then the devolved government in belfast announced that all physical inspections at belfast and larne ports would be suspended while discussions were held with the police. in terms of who might be behind this, at the moment there is nothing to suggestion that loyalist paramilitaries are involved in making the threats, but in terms of working through this, well, the police are holding discussions, later on today, with government agencies, with trade unions who represent the worker, to try to see how they can move things forward, see if people can safely return to work, so this is being viewed, i i suppose, as a sign of the tensions that exist around the northern ireland protocol, but for the time being everybody including all political parties condemning the threats and saying if you are opposed to the protocol the way to opposed to the protocol the way to oppose that is through politics not threats. . ~ oppose that is through politics not threats. ., ,, , ., threats. thank you. joanna _ threats. thank you. joanna will- threats. thank you. joanna will be i threats. thank you. joanna will be with | threats. thank you. i joanna will be with you in a threats. thank you. _ joanna will be with you in a few joanna will be with you in a few minutes, in the meantime you are watching bbc news. now, carol kirkwood has the weather. hello again. parts of northern england have seen a fair dollop of snow this morning. the met office still very much has an amber weather warning in force for that heavy snow — disruption is likely. an amber weather warning means an increased likelihood of impacts due to the severe weather. now we've got all this mild air coming in from the atlantic across england, wales and northern ireland, bumping into the cold air across scotland in the far north of england, and this is where we are seeing the snow. earlier today, this was the picture — along the coast, more likely to be of rain than snow, but inland we have certainly been seeing the centimetres totalling. and you can also see this morning how it continues to move northwards, clearing southern parts of northern england and moving across parts of scotland. now the far north of scotland largely dry, some hazy sunshine, just a few wintry showers, and for northern ireland, england and wales, we are looking at further showers coming in. some of those will be heavy and thundery. blustery winds across the south—west and also across the central lowlands. here, it will remain cold, but very mild across southern areas, with temperatures between ten and iii degrees. now as we head on through the evening and overnight, those showers cross england and wales — some of those will be heavy, some snow in the pennines. further snow to fall across perth and kinross, angus, stirling, the borders, for example, and a new area of rain coming in across southern counties. now here, the ground is already saturated, so there is the risk of further flooding as there is from the rain across north—west england. the northern extent of this rain through the course of tomorrow is still open to question, it might be a little bit further north, it may not, as it pushes into the south—east, and then we still have further snow to come across southern and eastern parts of scotland, but in between something drier and brighter. still mild in the south, cold as we push up towards the north. into thursday, we reveal further snow to fall across parts of scotland, some rain coming in right behind it and also some further showery outbreaks of rain coming in across southern areas, in between some sunshine, temperatures still tens and 11s in the south, three, fours and fives as we push further north, but if you like something a bit colder at this time of year, well, you can expect that as we head into the weekend, and the early part of next week, as temperatures, where they have been so high, fall away. this is bbc news, i'mjoanna gosling. the headlines at 11. extensive testing begins in eight areas of england where the south african variant of covid has been found. worrying news as scientists say the kent variant of coronavirus that has been spreading around the uk appears to be mutating again. calls for tighter border controls to stop the variant spreading but a uk government minister says hotel quarantine for all arrivals would be "unfeasible". we have to be realistic about what we adopt and what we do and what is deliverable as well and also targeted in our approach to making sure we minimise the risk. the uk records the second highest weekly number of deaths since the beginning of the pandemic — in figures released this morning. a court in moscow is due to decide shortly whether to jail president vladimir putin's leading critic, alexei navalny. buy now, pay laterfirms face stricter controls — following fears over young shoppers�* debts. also coming up — cricket returns to terrestrial tv — as channel [i buy the rights to england's tour of india that begins this week. good morning and welcome to bbc news. door to door tests are being offered to £80,000 people in england after cases of a new south african coronavirus variant were found, with no links to travel. people across eight areas are being asked to take tests, whether they have symptoms or not, after the government said the uk must "come down hard" on the variant and find every case. andy moore reports. 10,000 home testing kits delivered to a fire station in woking in surrey. from today, the operation to deliver them door to door will begin. across england, 80,000 people over the age of 16 will be swabbed to find the true extent of the new variant. there's no evidence it's more deadly, but it may be more contagious. mobile testing units like this one in london will also be seen in the areas where the new variant has been found. the health secretary says it's imperative that people in the designated areas stick rigidly to the current guidelines. people should stay at home unless they absolutely have to leave. and anybody — anybody even thinking about stretching the rules in those areas must not. the places where the new variant has been discovered are southport, walsall, woking, broxbourne, maidstone, and three parts of london. it's really important that people see it as a way of surveillance, really. we're not unduly concerned that we've got a particular outbreak or... you know, this is covid — the same as the covid we've had since last march, so... the four nations have agreed tighter border controls that will see travellers from some high—risk countries quarantining in hotels at their own expense. but scotland's first minister, nicola sturgeon, said those measures don't go far enough. today, she will announce new measures which it's reported could see all arrivals into scotland face quarantine. andy moore, bbc news. scientists say the kent variant of coronavirus that has been spreading around the uk appears to be undergoing some worrying new genetic changes. tests on some samples show it has acquired a mutation, called e484k, already seen in the south africa and brazil variants that are of concern. experts say, although this change may affect vaccine effectiveness, the current ones in use should still work. calum semple who sits on the government advisor group sage spoke about the variant on the today programme this morning. there is an inevitability with these viruses, particularly with these mutations that we're now seeing arising spontaneously in brazil and in the south african strain, but the limitation of most concern, but the mutation of most concern, which we call the e484k, has also occurred spontaneously in the new kent strain in parts of the country too, so that, and the other mutations that can occur, will occur in time, but it is very important to take every opportunity now to catch the so—called south african variant, suppress it, keep it down and allow the vaccine schedule to get ahead of it. we can speak now to david nabarro. he's the world health organisation's special envoy on the pandemic and joins us live from geneva. thank you forjoining us. random checks are being carried out to get to grips with every case of the new south africa variant, eight different areas, 80,000 people being tested. from what we were hearing about the mutation with the kent variant, no emerging, is it a race against time trying to stamp on all of these variants?— of these variants? yes, as your correspondence _ of these variants? yes, as your correspondence said _ of these variants? yes, as your correspondence said these - of these variants? yes, as your i correspondence said these viruses of these variants? yes, as your - correspondence said these viruses do mutate, that means they change their genetic structure. it's a natural phenomenon, there's an awful lot of this virus, the covid—i9 virus in europe at the moment, in the uk in particular so there will be mutations occurring continuously. it feels like a race against time but i think we can turn it round and say it is inevitable that there will be variants and we have to get clever and own way of dealing with them. a couple of points on that, firstly the precautions one takes to stop the precautions one takes to stop the spread of the variant of virus are the same as the precautions that we take to stop the spread of the other general covid—i9. it is back to those basics of physical distancing, face protection, excellent hygiene of everything we do and being good enough to isolate properly when we think we might have the disease even before that you have the test to try to isolate. these rules really do apply everywhere and it is good if we can do them for ourselves and other than being force to do them by others. secondly the work under way to do surveillance and find people with the variant is really important because that helps to target the control and particularly target the efforts to help people isolate so they are not passing the disease onto others. it is good the british government has decided to put in these mobile testing points to try to help make sure that happens. we can do at together f.c. are given at the proper data and to have the test information is helpful. what the proper data and to have the test information is helpful.— information is helpful. what would our information is helpful. what would your assessment _ information is helpful. what would your assessment be _ information is helpful. what would your assessment be of _ information is helpful. what would your assessment be of where - information is helpful. what would your assessment be of where we l information is helpful. what would l your assessment be of where we are and how much longer that is to run on this when variants are inevitable? it on this when variants are inevitable?— on this when variants are inevitable? it is the case of rollin: inevitable? it is the case of rolling out _ inevitable? it is the case of rolling out vaccines - inevitable? it is the case of rolling out vaccines all- inevitable? it is the case ofi rolling out vaccines all over inevitable? it is the case of- rolling out vaccines all over the world at the same time because these variants, you cannot really hold them back, you can slow them with border controls but all the experience is that eventually they arrive so let's try to make sure that those who are most at risk everywhere, older people, people with other diseases, health workers, those in contact with people who have covid, let's get everybody immunised. that makes a huge difference. let's keep developing the vaccines and make sure we understand how effective they are. we have a number coming on stream now, two or three more soon, that is the way you deal with a mutating virus is a good battery of vaccines that can help you. let's get the survey once you mentioned which is a scene where the virus is, let's get it widespread across the world. my only plea to everybody as a let's have this as a global effort. individual countries and a bit competitive at the moment about vaccination programmes and the like and that is good because it keeps us on our toes but this is a global pandemic with a via this that as mutating and changing everywhere and we have to deal with it with a global response and i hope quite quickly world leaders will say we tried to do it individually, let's now do it as a group, pour our knowledge but also an responses. it would have been lovely and sensible had they won been in lockstep from the beginning but that has not happened and perhaps it will not going forward. effort does not and thatis going forward. effort does not and that is not any sign of it because every country has its own approach, does it inevitably mean the closed borders between countries. you are probably aware that the labour party is seeing there needs to be compulsory quarantining of everyone coming into the country. that compulsory quarantining of everyone coming into the country.— coming into the country. that full become the _ coming into the country. that full become the tendency _ coming into the country. that full become the tendency but - coming into the country. that full become the tendency but i - coming into the country. that full become the tendency but i am i coming into the country. that full- become the tendency but i am loving and france at the border with switzerland and france has nobody coming into the country from outside europe and requiring tests for people from inside europe. it is happening between spain and portugal, and the nordic countries so that is the tendency but i have to say to everybody is this the way we want to go? do we want to deal with this individually inside countries even subsections of countries even subsections of countries like scotland having a different approach. countries like scotland having a differentapproach. edible countries like scotland having a different approach. edible not help us as a world to get on top of this. —— edible not help us. is it us as a world to get on top of this. -- edible not help us.— -- edible not help us. is it not the world health _ -- edible not help us. is it not the world health organization's - -- edible not help us. is it not the world health organization's job? | -- edible not help us. is it not the i world health organization's job? but world health organization'sjob? but they haven't been saying that. i think we have been saying it right since the beginning and if i listen to the boss of the world health organization i have had ten being stronger than ever. i am going to have to say it will be one of leaders who will decide they must work together, going to have to because otherwise things will get very difficult. my encouragement is to do it quicker rather than later. get going on working together lockstep now because if you wait a few more months and will be much more difficult.— more difficult. effie world health organization _ more difficult. effie world health organization messaging - more difficult. effie world health organization messaging hasn't i organization messaging hasn't delivered what you want, who can? there needs to be a consolidated effort. ., ., ., , there needs to be a consolidated effort. ., ., , , effort. there are various mechanisms oliticall effort. there are various mechanisms politically and — effort. there are various mechanisms politically and are _ effort. there are various mechanisms politically and are one _ effort. there are various mechanisms politically and are one of— effort. there are various mechanisms politically and are one of that - politically and are one of that bring countries together, they have not what to plug in for because of disputes between the big powers but thatis disputes between the big powers but that is the g7 which used to be the seven most powerful nations, not so much now but still with the g7 exists. who is chair this year? it is the uk. then that is the g20 which is like a bigger brother, the chair as italy. there is a good working addition ship between the uk and italy, iam hopeful the working addition ship between the uk and italy, i am hopeful the year as things settle down and spats about access to vaccine come that we can move towards solidarity and collective working, lockstep. in dealing with this pandemic because without that there are going to be struggles and tensions and i suspect big inequities that will have long—term consequences. big inequities that will have long-term consequences. let's talk about more on the new mutation. let's talk about more on the new mutation. our health correspondent nick triggle is here. the uk has been looking very closely at what has been happening with the uk variant which is more transmissible and the genomic sequencing has identified cases where the uk variant has subsequently changed, and then gone genetic changes and the mutations are similarto the genetic changes and the mutations are similar to the variance in south africa and brazil and may affect the effectiveness of the vaccine. all this is quite worrying, we are hearing the announcement yesterday about argent testing and certain areas where the south african variant may be spreading but viruses do mutate. the coronavirus is more stable than flu that we see new strains of each year but because they do affect how well the vaccines work, they don't render the vaccines irrelevant, theyjust make them work in little but less well and because we are in such a delicate position with rolling out the vaccine programme, vulnerable people are building up immunity, that is why we need maximum vigilance now but once the vaccine programme has rolled out people with built up immunity the vaccines will still work against mutations and that diverts the impact so this is the end of the way out of the pandemic but these changes are causing concern. concerning figures from the office of national statistics. these are the figures that look at covid mentions on death certificates found in by doctors, different from the government daily figures that look within deaths within 20 days of a positive test. the full picture shows the week ending the 22nd of january more than 9000 deaths linked to covid, the second highest weekly toll of the pandemic, lili% to covid, the second highest weekly toll of the pandemic, 44% of all deaths. we can see hout with the covid deaths and angled and wales versus flu and pneumonia. we can see covid is higher but to be conceded at blue colourings and deaths then it's caused by covid and that is much higher. this data lags behind the daily figures and we know from the daily figures and we know from the daily figures in numbers of deaths, the rise has started to slow and may be appealing to level off so the what is happening is a lot of what positive than these figures suggest. let's talk to our political correspondent damian grammaticas. we had that over 50% of those over 70 have had the vaccine, but as the good part, lots of things for politicians to be grappling with doubling us up—to—date with what is particularly at the forefront this morning. that figure, that is something the health secretary mentioned yesterday in his downing street briefing that they have reached that number or font to have of over 70s. the issues are around the arguments now what do you do to prevent and protect the uk from getting new inputs of new cases and particularly new strains of the virus. ones that could potentially evade the vaccine on beam or resistant. —— be more resistant. the times has reported that a couple of weeks ago the government was advised by scientific advisory committee that the best way to do that was to have either a blanket ban on all arrivals or mandatory hotel quarantine for all coming in. that had been put full and by government scientists. today foot we have had is the government saying that was not the sole advice at the time there was a broad range of advice and last week the government updated its policy. it has been through different iterations from the pandemic beginning, home quarantine systems, travel corridors, countries on approved lists. countries banned but now we have a system which was brought in on announced last week with people having to have a clear test before travelling he had and a system of hotel quarantine for some at risk countries. this is what the universities minister said about that idea they had not followed the scientific advice. what sage actually said is they said that completely closing our borders can actually prove ineffective. the best strategy is one that combines quarantining and testing, which is exactly what we've been doing. but throughout the last year, we've been evolving and developing our approach to borders in line with the data and in line with the pandemic and the changes that we have seen, plus the scientific and medical advice. we've gone from quarantining right the way through to testing as well. we have a robust system in place. that system is not all in place because we are waiting to hear the details of the hotel quarantine system. one of the government scientists who was advising has said a blanket ban is not feasible for a country with so many travel connections and relies on food imports and the need to be exceptions but he said a significant reduction and movement of people is incredibly important at present and the labour party is saying they believe there should be this mandatory quarantine for all arrivals with a few exceptions along the lines. this is what the shadow home secretary said there are exceptions for particular people. the government already has an exception list for its quarantine policy, that is a very good starting point for that. but the government needs to act. this was introduced in australia back in march last year. the government has had over a year since the first coronavirus cases were found in the uk, it's had enough time, the government should not once again be behind the curve and should act now. that as in other gimmick that has been made many times and the government has been slow to act. the have been —— that is an argument that has been made. this will continue well be wit for the details —— while we wait for the details. and if you want to find out more about variants and the impact of travel bans on their spread — my colleage ros atkins has been looking into this — you can find that on the news section of the iplayer the russian dissident alexei navalny is being held in a glass cage at a court in moscow, where it's being decided whether his suspended sentence should be converted into an actual prison term.mr navalny was detained two weeks ago when he returned to russia from germany, where he'd spent months recovering from nerve poisoning. dozens of protesters outside the court were arrested this morning. it comes after thousands of pro—navalny activists were arrested at the weekend in the biggest protests in russia since 1991. our moscow correspondent sarah rainsford is at the court in moscow. the court has just announced a recess for a couple of hours, presumably it is lunchtime but inside court mr navalny who was brought in on handcuffs and appealing inside a glass cage, they have been arguing that he did nothing to break the rules of her suspended sentence and in fight laughing off the suggestion of the pleasant authorities that he should have got in touch with them because she said he was an a, how, how could i let you know. he also said to the authorities you didn't know what i was and why i wasn't registering, you put in when i was because he let me be full note of the country after i was poisoned. the defence team and mr navalny and putting up a feisty defence of his position that this whole case is absurd and there is no way has suspended sentence for fraud should become a realjail sentence. that's what their seeding is all about. outside the court that has been a massive police operation, a huge number of riot police lining the streets and blocking off access to court with metal barriers and a form of lockdown. there are even police and say the yarns of apartment buildings. they are not wanting to let any protesters gather and anyone who has gathered here as soon as they start shouting slogans are holed up a banner they are bundled away by riot police. how much impact at protests having? they are just for many years and the country, one of the reports that alexei navalny put out alleging corruption on the part of vladimir putin has been viewed 100 million times. in the end how much is this having an impact in russia and been reported? it is certainly being played down by state television so if you watch that years you get the message that a bunch of full against have been on the streets breaking the law and attacking police officers. there is a very different story for mr navalny whose team have been posting pictures from mass protests across the country so they have been filing alive from protests across the country which are unprecedented in terms of the spread. so many people to call for navalny�*s release but for other people for whom he is a symbol of the fact they want more democracy, change in the country and the right to decide their own future. not necessarily the majority of people but certainly a very vocal crowd who have been coming out repeatedly over the past two weekends and i spoke to one person who came to support alexei navalny and he said if you send to present then there will be more protests he is sure. nicola sturgeon is set to confirm whether scotland's covid lockdown will be extended beyond mid—february. the devolved government in northern ireland has suspended checks of food consignments at the ports in belfast and larne, because of concerns about the safety of inspection staff. (tx 00v)checks have been carried out on some goods arriving from the rest of the uk since the end of the brexit transition period last month — an arrangement viewed by unionists as representing an economic border in the irish sea. all parties have condemned the actions. lan is one of three ports in northern ireland when inspections have been carried out sense new year's day on some goods arriving from the rest of the uk. that is because under the brexit arrangements northern ireland are staying in the eu single market for goods whilst the rest of the uk has left so it has been controversial, unionist politicians are opposed to the aspect of the brexit deal, they view it as a economic bottle in the irish sea. here yesterday the council which has staff involved in the inspections at larne made the decision to withdraw from inspection duties. graffiti had appeared and workers had been reporting suspicious activity, the felt people were gathering personal information including car number plates. the devolved government at stormont and the department responsible for running the checks may decision to suspend the cheques offered consignments here in larne and at belfast. the police and meeting with government agencies today and unions represent the stuff. it is important to say it is understood at the moment that has nothing to suggest loyalist paramilitaries are involved in making these threats instead it has been seen in the context of unease and discontent with loyalist communities and the police had publicly referred to that of the last week or so. that is not an expectation of this will escalate into something more serious, all particle parties have condemned the threats, for example the mp sammy wilson has said the protocol has to go but i can only be achieved through politics. very much the parties and northern ireland standing firm against these threats to staff. a fundamental change in how we think about and approach economics is needed if we are to reverse biodiversity loss — that's according to an independent global review out today. professor sir partha dasgupta's review presents the first comprehensive economic framework of its kind for biodiversity — and calls for urgent changes in how we think, act and measure economic success to protect and enhance our prosperity and the natural world. and professor sir partha dasgupta joins me now to discuss this further. thank you forjoining us. your review says humanity has collectively mismanaged its global portfolio that demands a nature, that demands on nature has far exceeded its capacity to supply goods on services we rely on. can you expand on that and give us an assessment already think we are. yes, contemporary economic thinking does not include nature as a factor of production but nature is our home. it offers us all the services we make use of or have available to us and yet it is not there and measures of economic salt such as gdp does not include nature as a component of what b make and manufacture so ed gets excluded from economic analysis. much of nature's goods and services are free to use even though it is a scarce commodity and finite. worse we subsidise the use of natural capital to the tune of $46 trillion a year, a massive amount, we are basically paying ourselves to eat into nature. the review aims to reshape the way we think of economic possibilities and we do that by including nature and every calculation and type of calculation that we typically make starting from the household through community civil society, nations and finally at the international level. how would you do that? you are talking about effectively at being a free resource but actually the cost in terms of a company might look at where and tear on its the products and uses, is that what you as talking about? and therefore commoditise in?— talking about? and therefore commoditise in? that is right, i would not _ commoditise in? that is right, i would not quite _ commoditise in? that is right, i would not quite use _ commoditise in? that is right, i would not quite use the - commoditise in? that is right, i would not quite use the bond i would not quite use the bond commoditise because that has a tone to it but some aspects of nature we regard as stated. we would not see it as a commodity but there are ways of thinking of valuing different parts of nature as in when they enter into our use pattern. we want fans to recognise that and one way of doing that is to make them face appropriate places for making use of it. we need to build a grammar in which the depreciation of nature is included in economic alkylation. what with that name for a company thatis what with that name for a company that is looking at what it is going to do and what it is going to take out of nature? it would have a price tag. it would. it could be done by taxes, for example, if it was being done on the national level. there are ways we could charge firms for payment for the natural resources they use. there are many schemes currently in operation where owners of tracts of land which are offering services to neighbouring owners of land are obliged to receive money from them. just a final thought because we are short on time. looking at what is happening in the development of the amazon, for instance, and brazil saying it has the right to exploit the amazon rainforest and go for deforestation because other countries have exploited their natural resources and it is about a level playing field in terms of what is allowed in terms of economic development, how do you go about controlling it? fine development, how do you go about controlling it?— controlling it? one of the recommendations - controlling it? one of the recommendations of - controlling it? one of the recommendations of the | controlling it? one of the - recommendations of the review is controlling it? one of the _ recommendations of the review is we think big and creates transnational institutions which managed the global commons, such as for example the rainforest. it would involve because we all benefit from them, it involves us having to pay brazil in the case you are now sighting to refrain from burning down the amazon. that will cost money. on the other hand there are ways that we can raise money. such transnational institutions could in principle charges for using the open oceans swim to transport goods or services or go on cruises. that revenue, and it is revenue which should be collected, but it isn't collected because nobody owns the oceans. you could use that kind of revenue to compensate for preserving other forms of natural capital which happen to fall within national jurisdictions. it happen to fall within national jurisdictions.— happen to fall within national 'urisdictions. , , jurisdictions. it is so interesting to talk to you. _ jurisdictions. it is so interesting to talk to you. thank _ jurisdictions. it is so interesting to talk to you. thank you. - now it's time for a look at the weather with carol. hello, again. parts of northern england have seen a fair dollop of snow this morning. the met office still very much has an amber weather warning in force for that heavy snow, disruption is likely. for northern ireland, for england and wales we are looking at more showers, some of them heavy and thundery, but relatively mild, up to 40 degrees. the showers are making progress across northern ireland, england and wales overnight, with snow in parts of scotland. in the south, a new band of rain shows its hand. tomorrow, the northern extent of this bantering is still open to question but it is following an already saturated ground, so there is the risk of flooding, the showers will be heavy at times across north—west england. tomorrow, further snow across southern and eastern scotland, but still mild in the south. hello, this is bbc news with joanna gosling. the headlines: extensive testing has begun in eight areas of england where the south african variant of covid has been found. scientists say the kent variant of coronavirus that has been spreading around the uk appears to be mutating again a government minister says a hotel quarantine for all arrivals into the country would be "unfeasible". the uk records the second highest weekly number of deaths since the beginning of the pandemic in figures released this morning. a court in moscow is due to decide whether to jail president vladimir putin's leading critic, alexei navalny. sport and a full round—up from the bbc sport centre. good morning. the issue of head injuries in sport is being discussed by a group this morning, which includes culture secretary oliver dowden, jeff astle's daughter dawn, and the former tottenham midfielder ryan mason, who was forced to retire due to a head injury. the number of former footballers being diagnosed with dementia is causing concern throughout the game — and aston villa manager dean smith admits he's worried. i lost my father, obviously, down to dementia, so you're always thinking, myself and my brother, weather we might suffer from that, as well. has been no signs, so thankfully we are very good and it is something that is in the forefront of our minds, that's for sure. yes, i've had a lot of football, as well, so there is a worry and along with the medical world we are looking into its and we will try to diminish it slightly where we can. will try to diminish it slightly where we can. after two games without a win, including a shock defeat to sheffield united at old trafford, manchester united will be looking to bounce back in the premier league tonight. ole gunnar solsjaer�*s side are at home to southampton. a win would move them level with the leaders manchester city albeit with two more games played. i think we should just focus on ourselves and take one game at a time and not talk about any title, and just focus on playing well keep improving. we have improved a lot. so for us, it's to get the momentum back on, get performances and continue where we've been. the president of the tokyo olympics says the games will go ahead in the summer, regardless of the covid—19 situation in the country. yoshiro mori has admitted, though, that they are looking at new ways of hosting the event. it's likely that the japanese government will extend the state of emergency covering tokyo by a month, which would take it to 7th march, just 4.5 months before the games are due to begin. the country's prime minister will make a final decision after hearing from an expert panel today. britain's katie boulter has got one of the biggest wins of her career in the run—up to the australian open. she came from a set down to beat coco gauff in melbourne — her second win in a row against a player ranked far higher. gauff is number 48 to boulter�*s 371. next for boulter it's the 2019 australian open champion naomi osaka, who brushed aside france's alize cornet, dropping just four games. it was osaka's first competitive match since she won the us open in september. world number one ash barty was also back after an 11—month lay—off. she chose to stay at home in queensland during the pandemic. she showed no signs of rustiness as she beat ana bogdan in straight sets. barty is hoping to break australia's 43—year run without a singles winner at their home grand slam. australia have pulled out of their cricket tour to south africa next month due to safety concerns with a new strain of coronavirus spreading in the country. they were due to play three tests as part of the world test championship, but cricket australia say it's become clear that travelling to south africa at this time posed an unacceptable level of health and safety risk to their players, support staff and the community. lebronjames has played down an altercation with a fan, which led to a group of spectators being thrown out during the la lakers' win over the atlanta hawks. there was a crowd of around 1,300 in the arena and one woman pulled down her mask to make a point. she released a video on social media blaming james for the incident after he posted his feelings about what happened online. i don't feel like it was warranted to be kicked out. there was a back—and—forth between two grown men and we said our peace, he said his piece, i said and we said our peace, he said his piece, isaid my and we said our peace, he said his piece, i said my piece and then someonejumped into it and said their piece, but i don't think they should have been kicked out. their piece, but i don't think they should have been kicked out. that's all the sport for now. i'll have more for you in the next hour. 'buy—now pay—later�* services, which offer interest free financing at major retailers, are set to be regulated. the financial conduct authority says the credit—agreements allow customers to build—up debts too easily. so how do they work? well, they split up payments of items, so you can pay a third on the day you buy it, another third a month later and the rest a month after that. if you pay on time there's no interest or other fees. if you pay late or can't pay at all, you could face extra charges and your details could be passed to a debt collection agency. there are several providers in the uk — clearpay, lay—by, but by far the biggest is klarna. it's a swedish company and has seven million customers in the uk. they offer credit through some big name retailers — marks & spencer, asos, boohoo, h&m, jd sports. they say it provides a convenient choice for shoppers when deciding how to pay for things. it's also good for business. one survey found that over a fifth of shoppers spent more than they had planned because the service was available. another study found that 20% of adults who used a 'buy—now pay—later�* scheme this christmas will struggle to meet repayments without borrowing even more money. the worry is that some people end up spending more than they really intended to. i didn't have the money in my bank at that point so i thought, "you know what? if i can pay for it in a couple of months", i kind of put it to the back of my head". i've done it numerous times before and have never had an issue with it, but on this occasion i didn't meet the payment on time and luckily they extended the deadline, so i managed to make the payment on time, but obviously they did say that if i didn't pay within a certain period of time they would obviously put it on your credit score, and that. now if i want to buy something i know that i've got the money for it and i prefer to just pay it outstanding, just so i don't have that, i don't know, that debt, or that idea that i've got to owe something. alex marsh is the head of klarna uk. thank you forjoining us. do you agree it is time for companies like yours to be regulated? yes. klarna is a fully licensed _ yours to be regulated? yes. klarna is a fully licensed european - yours to be regulated? yes. klarna is a fully licensed european bank. i is a fully licensed european bank. we absolutely believe it is the right time to regulate the buy now, pay later sector in the uk. regulation comes about when an issue has arisen, so did you acknowledge issues with the setup that you have? we have seen over the past couple of years particularly a big shift in the way that consumers want to pay for their purchases. moving away from credit cards, debit cards, but they also want to use by now, pay later services. with that ship it is right that the regulatory landscape should adapt to ensure that consumers have the same protections regardless of which payment method they select at the checkout. the financial conduct _ they select at the checkout. the financial conduct authority has pinpointed what it thinks is the issue. it is too easy for people to build up unseen debts are potentially £1000, there is not enough checking done when someone is taking out the money. did you accept that his/her from as klarna perspective, we undertake strict eligibility requirements. that includes using _ eligibility requirements. that includes using the _ eligibility requirements. twat includes using the credit reference agencies, but also the internal information we have, for example if a consumer has missed payments. they are steps we have taken. we do recognise as a sector more could be done to have common standards across all providers of buy now pay later products that there is visibility, regardless of the provider. you mentioned _ regardless of the provider. you mentioned using _ regardless of the provider. you mentioned using credit reference agencies to check the debts, but as i understand that they don't check for what someone else has done in other areas in terms of using these buy now, pay later schemes, so that is a bigger desk and a crew than initially intended, and can also be unseen. . initially intended, and can also be unseen. , ., ., ., initially intended, and can also be unseen. ., ., , ., ,, unseen. there is additional progress re . uired unseen. there is additional progress required and — unseen. there is additional progress required and we _ unseen. there is additional progress required and we are _ unseen. there is additional progress required and we are working - unseen. there is additional progress required and we are working with - unseen. there is additional progress| required and we are working with the credit reference agencies to make sure there is adequate sharing of information and there is that visibility, that is one of the reasons why we are supporting regulation in the sector to make sure there are common standards across providers so that all providers can make the right decisions in terms of those eligibility assessments up front. we heard there from tom who said he learned the hard way that he doesn't want to spend money that he has not got. we were also hearing about the statistic that over christmas in particular it is always a really tempting time to spend more money than you have got and a lot of people have done that. i know what you're saying about your company offering people a simple way without accruing interest to spread the cost, but it is part of that picture of encouraging people to effectively build up debts. we of encouraging people to effectively build up deth-_ of encouraging people to effectively build u- debts. ~ , , , , ., build up debts. we see these buy now -a later build up debts. we see these buy now pay later products _ build up debts. we see these buy now pay later products in _ build up debts. we see these buy now pay later products in a _ build up debts. we see these buy now pay later products in a popular - pay later products in a popular regulated environment to be part of the solution. they are very much the construct of them is that they have structured payments to ensure that they don't build up debt, they are interest free and fee free. we see them as a better alternative than people using credit cards or overdrafts people using credit cards or overd rafts where people using credit cards or overdrafts where they can build up interest charges and fees. the important part is to make sure there are common standards, there are strict eligibility assessments across all providers to protect those consumers from building up debts. �* , ., those consumers from building up debts. �* ,, those consumers from building up debts. �* ., , ., debts. are you saying any more defaulting _ debts. are you saying any more defaulting currently _ debts. are you saying any more defaulting currently because . debts. are you saying any morej defaulting currently because we debts. are you saying any more - defaulting currently because we are in difficult economic times? from defaulting currently because we are in difficult economic times?- in difficult economic times? from a klarna perspective, _ in difficult economic times? from a klarna perspective, we _ in difficult economic times? from a klarna perspective, we have - in difficult economic times? from a klarna perspective, we have seen l in difficult economic times? from a l klarna perspective, we have seen our default rate remained below 1% throughout the past year. at the start of lockdown we tightened our eligibility criteria to take into account the macro outlook in terms of employment status for consumers. we believe we have taken the right steps, the responsible steps to protect consumers from using our products where they may not be able to pay them on time.— very much. the headlines on bbc news: extensive testing has begun in eight areas of england where the south african variant of covid has been found. scientists say the kent variant of coronavirus that has been spreading around the uk, appears to be mutating again. a government minister says a hotel quarantine for all arrivals into the country would be "unfeasible". there's a lot of choice about which type of face—covering to wear and in some countries the advice is changing as we learn more about how the virus spreads. in certain countries a specific type of mask is required in public areas. our science editor, david shukman, explains what's the difference between a cloth mask, surgical mask and an n95 or whether we should be double—masking. all over the world, people are now covering their faces in a million different ways. there is a lot of choice about what type to wear, and in some countries the advice is changing, as we learn more about how the virus spreads. so what are the options? well, a home—made face covering is the simplest and cheapest and it was promoted in 2020 because of worries about shortages of professional masks that medics desperately needed. this one, it made from an old t—shirt, it's got three layers so should do a reasonable job of stopping any virus that i might release, which really matters, because up to one in three people may be infected without even realising. and to make it more effective, there's the idea of doubling up, having two coverings, one on top of the other, because that gives you more layers to stop the virus getting through. so if you have a physical covering with one layer you put another layer on. itjust makes common sense that it likely would be more effective, and that the reason why you see people either double masking or doing a version of an n95. we saw a lot of these double masks on inauguration day in washington. they are not recommended by the us government all by the world health organization, but they are catching on. next up in quality is the surgical mask. these are water resistant so if someone coughs right at you, the virus should be blocked. they should provide you with some good protection, and others around you, but they don't fit very well, there are gaps at the side that tiny virus particles called aerosols could get through. you can see how that happens in these lab tests. they show how air and aerosols can escape from around the masks. so to guard against that there are better grades of mask. they are called n95 in the us or ffp2 or ffp3 in the uk. they've got filters inside them to screen out those aerosols. in austria, they are now required on buses and in other public areas, while in germany elderly people have been given them for going shopping. these have a much closer fit, no gaps, which means you should be safer, but they are a lot more expensive. while home—made coverings are basically free, surgical masks cost about 10p each, while the ffp2 costs about £3. on their own, masks are not going to defeat the pandemic, no one is claiming that, but research shows they can make a difference. look how far a cough goes when there is no say covering to stop it. so anything that helps is worth pursuing. but they've got to be worn and removed really carefully, and they are bound to be with us for some time to come. as the covid 19 vaccination programme continues to move ahead at pace there are some families who say they've been left behind when it comes to being given priority for the jab. young adults living with learning disabilities don't fall into the government's top 4 priority groups for immunisation — many of these youngsters either live in care homes or live at home and are cared for by their parents. joining me now is adam murphy whose 24—year—old son, ryan, is severely autistic. ryan lives at home with his family and has been told he won't get the vaccine until the summer. let's not talk to ryan's dad, adam. thank you forjoining us, adam. the listing a bit more about ryan. ryanis ryan is 24, severely... he has severe learning difficulties and is autistic. he gets up at about three orfour autistic. he gets up at about three or four o'clock in the morning. autistic. he gets up at about three orfour o'clock in the morning. i helped him wash, shower, cross the road, all of those sort of things. he has a low awareness of those things, so you need to keep an eye on him all the time. he goes to sleep at about ten o'clock at night, so days are pretty long. it is all about filling the days, doing things with him so he doesn't get bored, which is really, really difficult. it is really hard for someone like ryan with learning disabilities to be able to socially distance, they might pick things up in supermarkets come out and about, so we have to be really careful where we go and when we go out. someone like my son going into hospital would require a lot of extra care. my question is simple, why aren't people with learning disabilities prioritise for the vaccine? aged 18—34 they are 30 times more likely to die from covid than their non—disabled counterparts. that is not a headline anywhere, why not? why is nobody asking them why this happening? last night on questions on the daily briefing somebody asked about carers. again, why they are not prioritised for the vaccine? no one is answering those questions and we need those answers. we don't want them reported on in four orfive years time, we want someone to act on the data that is largely available now. we on the data that is largely available now.— on the data that is largely available now. we can hear so clearly the _ available now. we can hear so clearly the pressure _ available now. we can hear so clearly the pressure you - available now. we can hear so clearly the pressure you are l available now. we can hear so - clearly the pressure you are under and the worries you have for your son. what have you done to try to get him a vaccine sooner? ok. son. what have you done to try to get him a vaccine sooner? ok, so, a coule of get him a vaccine sooner? ok, so, a couple of weeks _ get him a vaccine sooner? ok, so, a couple of weeks ago... _ get him a vaccine sooner? ok, so, a couple of weeks ago... you - get him a vaccine sooner? ok, so, a couple of weeks ago... you have - get him a vaccine sooner? ok, so, a couple of weeks ago... you have to l couple of weeks ago... you have to realise that this is all happening pretty quickly. we are only in february now, the vaccine, just before christmas. no one was more surprised than me that people with learning disabilities, severe learning disabilities, severe learning disabilities, severe learning disabilities aren't on the list. people with learning disabilities aren't even on the list. no one was more surprised only to find that they want on the list. i spoke to my doctor a few weeks ago. what i did beforehand was i sent an e—mail of my concern should the doctor explaining that ryan is not able to social distance and all of those things. i got a really nice call from the doctor. he explained that he had gone to the people that make this decision and they had said that brian has to stay sixth on the list. i totally respect that the doctor did everything he could. however, the government needs to act on this and needs to explain now, not in six months or in 12 months, they need to act on this now. if someone with learning disabilities is 30 times more likely, why aren't we doing something about it? as a carer, we are essential workers. why are we vaccinated? why are people talking about carers, why aren't people vaccinating people with learning disabilities? you people vaccinating people with learning disabilities?— people vaccinating people with learning disabilities? you have done what ou learning disabilities? you have done what you can _ learning disabilities? you have done what you can so _ learning disabilities? you have done what you can so far, _ learning disabilities? you have done what you can so far, spoken - learning disabilities? you have done what you can so far, spoken to - learning disabilities? you have done what you can so far, spoken to your| what you can so far, spoken to your gp. it is tough in any situation where you feel powerless stuck at home and you have this knowledge. what will you do? is there any way you can take it further? h0. what will you do? is there any way you can take it further?— you can take it further? no, i believe there _ you can take it further? no, i believe there are _ you can take it further? no, i believe there are some - you can take it further? no, i - believe there are some people... well, i say no and that i am continuing to complain online, i'm trying to get in touch with the minister for disabled people, justin tomlinson. again, where is he? is it going on for 12 and i have not seen or heard from the minister for disabled people. i don't get it. i also understand that there are a couple of court cases where people with learning disabilities are taking the government to court, but for us we have to sit and wait, unfortunately. that is wrong. people with learning disabilities and their carers have been wronged. x�*t�*alur with learning disabilities and their carers have been wronged. your wife works in a supermarket, _ carers have been wronged. your wife works in a supermarket, so - carers have been wronged. your wife works in a supermarket, so you - carers have been wronged. your wife works in a supermarket, so you are l works in a supermarket, so you are concerned that that element of interaction potentially brings a risk into the home, as well. absolutely. my wife is a key worker, she works at a supermarket and recently has had a pacemaker fitted. she was shielding for the first part of last year. again, because people with learning disabilities weren't on the list with the government, we didn't get any help or support last year through the government. we had to keep going to the supermarket. we want prioritised for shopping or anything like that. as you could imagine that is really difficult because we need to be able to keep ryan in as much as possible and away from the supermarkets, but because we want prioritised for the shopping slots, we then have to go to a supermarket and my wife has just come out of hospital. it was beyond difficult. as a carer, i am prioritised for the flu vaccine. every year prioritised for it, but not the covid vaccine. why is that? do you have any supports? yes. not the covid vaccine. why is that? do you have any supports? yes, i'm ve luc do you have any supports? yes, i'm very lucky that — do you have any supports? yes, i'm very lucky that we — do you have any supports? yes, i'm very lucky that we have _ do you have any supports? yes, i'm very lucky that we have the - do you have any supports? yes, i'm very lucky that we have the support | very lucky that we have the support from two fantastic day centres, one in cheltenham and one in gloucester. they are closed at the moment. we are very fortunate that we do get that help and support. many families do not. even with that help we are struggling. it is 16 hours, 20 hours a day. we need to know when people with learning disabilities are going to be vaccinated. brute with learning disabilities are going to be vaccinated.— to be vaccinated. we wish you all the very best. — to be vaccinated. we wish you all the very best, adam. _ to be vaccinated. we wish you all the very best, adam. and - to be vaccinated. we wish you all the very best, adam. and all - to be vaccinated. we wish you all the very best, adam. and all the | the very best, adam. and all the best to your wife and ryan, as well. thank you. now it's time for a look at the weather with carol. hello, again. parts of northern england have seen a fair dollop of snow this morning. the met office still very much has an amber weather warning in force for that heavy snow — disruption is likely. an amber weather warning means an increased likelihood of impacts due to the severe weather. now we've got all this mild air coming in from the atlantic across england, wales and northern ireland, bumping into the cold air across scotland in the far north of england, and this is where we are seeing the snow. earlier today, this was the picture — along the coast, more likely to be of rain than snow, but inland we have certainly been seeing the centimetres totalling. and you can also see this morning how it continues to move northwards, clearing southern parts of northern england and moving across parts of scotland. now the far north of scotland largely dry, some hazy sunshine, just a few wintry showers, and for northern ireland, england and wales, we are looking at further showers coming in. some of those will be heavy and thundery. blustery winds across the south—west and also across the central lowlands. here, it will remain cold, but very mild across southern areas, with temperatures between ten and 14 degrees. now as we head on through the evening and overnight, those showers cross england and wales — some of those will be heavy, some snow in the pennines. further snow to fall across perth and kinross, angus, stirling, the borders, for example, and a new area of rain coming in across southern counties. now here, the ground is already saturated, so there is the risk of further flooding as there is from the rain across north—west england. the northern extent of this rain through the course of tomorrow is still open to question, it might be a little bit further north, it may not, as it pushes into the south—east, and then we still have further snow to come across southern and eastern parts of scotland, but in between something drier and brighter. still mild in the south, cold as we push up towards the north. into thursday, we'll have further snow to fall across parts of scotland, some rain coming in right behind it and also some further showery outbreaks of rain coming in across southern areas, in between some sunshine, temperatures still tens and 11s in the south, three, fours and fives as we push further north, but if you like something a bit colder at this time of year, well, you can expect that as we head into the weekend, and the early part of next week, as temperatures, where they have been so high, fall away. this is bbc news, the headlines. scientists say the kent variant of coronavirus that has been spreading around the uk appears to be mutating again it is inevitable that there will be variants and we have to get clever in our way of dealing with them. extensive testing begins in eight areas of england where the south african variant of covid has been found. calls for tighter border controls to stop the variant spreading but a government minister says hotel quarantine for all arrivals would be "unfeasible". we have to be realistic about what we adopt and what we do and what is deliverable as well and also targeted in our approach to making sure we minimise the risk. it eu staff are being thrown from work at northern ireland reports are due to security concerns. a court in moscow is due to decide shortly whether to jail president vladimir putin's leading critic, alexei navalny. there's concern that the variant first discovered in kent has undergone some worrying new genetic changes. tests on some samples show it has acquired a mutation, called e484k, already seen in the south africa and brazil variants that are of concern. experts says although this change may affect vaccine effectiveness the current ones in use should still work. it comes as door—to—door testing is offered to 80,000 people — in eight postcodes in england — after cases of a new south african coronavirus variant were found, with no links to travel. official figures show that covid—19 was involved in 45 per cent of all deaths in england and wales in the third week of january. that's the highest proportion recorded during the pandemic by the office for national statistics. the health secretary says that over half of those people in their 70's has received their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine. we'll have more on those stories in a moment — but let's get more on the change to the variant first discovered in kent. professor calum semple who sits on the government's scientific advisory explained his concerns this morning. there is an inevitability with these viruses, particularly with these mutations that we're now seeing arising spontaneously in brazil and in the south african strain, but the mutation of most concern, which we call the e484k, has also occurred spontaneously in the new kent strain in parts of the country too, so that, and the other mutations that can occur, will occur in time, but it is very important to take every opportunity now to catch the so—called south african variant, suppress it, keep it down and allow the vaccine schedule to get ahead of it. our health correspondent nick triggle is here. the uk has been looking very closely at what has been happening with the uk variant which is more transmissible and the genomic sequencing has identified cases where the uk variant has subsequently changed, and then gone genetic changes and the mutations are similar to the variance in south africa and brazil and may affect the effectiveness of the vaccine. all this is quite worrying, we are hearing the announcement yesterday about argent testing and certain areas where the south african variant may be spreading but viruses do mutate. the coronavirus is more stable than flu that we see new strains of each year but because they do affect how well the vaccines work, they don't render the vaccines irrelevant, theyjust make them work a little but less well and because we are in such a delicate position with rolling out the vaccine programme, vulnerable people are building up immunity, that is why we need maximum vigilance now but once the vaccine programme has rolled out people with built up immunity the vaccines will still work against mutations and that dilutes the impact so this is the end of the way out of the pandemic but these changes are causing concern. let's talk to professor paul hunter, professor of medicine at the university of east anglia. how worried should we be about these new variants? it how worried should we be about these new variants?— new variants? it was almost inevitable — new variants? it was almost inevitable we _ new variants? it was almost inevitable we would - new variants? it was almost inevitable we would see - new variants? it was almost - inevitable we would see mutations and effectively what we have now as two different variants both with increasing infectiousness mutation associated with the early kent strain and the increased resistance to vaccine associated with the south african. essentially they are both probably fairly similar viruses. as has been said vaccine is slightly reduced against the e484k mutation in the south african and new english variant but it does not invalidate vaccination, vaccine is still quite effective particularly at stopping severe disease and needing to go into hospital. it is a concern but not something we should get too worried about. it is bound to happen and as long as we managed to roll out the vaccine effectively to all vulnerable people and should not have too much of an impact going forward but until b get that point of widespread vaccine coverage at still is a cause of anxiety that we need to be careful about. our mutations _ need to be careful about. our mutations encouraged by effectively and immunity where the virus can still get in and change? hat and immunity where the virus can still get in and change? not really. that is something _ still get in and change? not really. that is something that _ still get in and change? not really. that is something that has - still get in and change? not really. that is something that has been i still get in and change? not really. l that is something that has been put about over the last month and actually that is very little evidence that happens. there were papers today that a single dose of vaccine gives a very good antibody levels and we will be publishing a paper hopefully this week showing that the single dose pfizer vaccine probably gives up to 90% protection after 21 days. i probably gives up to 90% protection after 21 days-— probably gives up to 9096 protection after 21 days. i want to commend on that because — after 21 days. i want to commend on that because that _ after 21 days. i want to commend on that because that seems _ after 21 days. i want to commend on that because that seems to - after 21 days. i want to commend on that because that seems to differ. that because that seems to differ from what pfizer says themselves. that says like higher protection than i thought.— that says like higher protection than i thought. that says like higher protection than i thouaht. ~ .., , than i thought. when pfizer came up with its figure _ than i thought. when pfizer came up with its figure of _ than i thought. when pfizer came up with its figure of 5196 _ than i thought. when pfizer came up with its figure of 5196 they _ than i thought. when pfizer came up with its figure of 5196 they included i with its figure of 51% they included cases occurring days before you could expect any impact of the virus. the 51% is artificially low compared to what you would get expect to see aft about 91 days and own analysis of as roma data suggests he would only start seeing the effect of a vaccine after about day 14. the effect of a vaccine after about da 14. ., , , ., , the effect of a vaccine after about da14. ., ,, ., , , day 14. how widespread is your study and effort is — day 14. how widespread is your study and effort is the _ day 14. how widespread is your study and effort is the case _ day 14. how widespread is your study and effort is the case that _ day 14. how widespread is your study and effort is the case that the - and effort is the case that the single dose of pfizer gives 95% effectiveness 91%. at 21 days. what is the point of bothering with the second dose?— is the point of bothering with the second dose? �* .. , , .., .,, second dose? because the second dose will extend immunity _ second dose? because the second dose will extend immunity for _ second dose? because the second dose will extend immunity for many - second dose? because the second dose will extend immunity for many more . will extend immunity for many more months than a single dose. that is essentially and as well as giving that extra bit that is why the uk has extended the gap. there is a lot of evidence that that was the right decision and will go a long way to helping us control these new variants. ., ~ , ., let's get more on that enhanced testing to try and combat the spread of the variant first discovered in south africa. our correspondent ben bland is in woking, where residents are being urged to take part in testing. 10,000 of these home testing kits are going to be distributed in parts of woking. they've been gathering them in these tents in the car park at the fire station. volunteers, a team of 150 are being briefed because these tests will be taken direct to people's doors. in there is a home test guide booklet and all the paraphernalia we've got so used to over the past year, the swab and the vial as well. now people are being asked to test themselves at home whether or not they have symptoms and the packaging will then be collected, brought back here and sent off for processing. any of the tests that come back positive for coronavirus will then be examined to check if they are the new south african variant. that is because in the woking area, two cases of the south african variant have been identified already without any links to international travel. so scientists are trying to figure out if that variant is spreading within the community. now, the reason they're concerned about that is because the south african variant is thought to be easier to catch and pass on than the original coronavirus. so if someone has it, although they might not have symptoms that are any more severe and it may not be any more deadly, anyone with that variant is more likely to pass it on to more people. the other big question is whether the vaccines that people are getting right now protect them against the south african variant. early results are encouraging. they suggest that the vaccines do offer at least some level of protection against this new variant. the key question, though, is whether any other variants come along. and let's end on a point of optimism and hope, because scientists say with the modern types of vaccines, if they do need to be tweaked or modified to give protection against new variants like the south african one that can be done within months or even possibly as quickly as a matter of weeks. the universities minister michelle donelan has defended the uk government's hotel quarantine policy. last week, it was announced that people travelling to england from certain "high risk" countries will soon have to quarantine in government—sanctioned hotels in an attempt to prevent more transmissible variants entering the country. however, a report in the times said government scientific advisers warned weeks ago that only the mandatory quarantine of all travellers would prevent new strains of coronavirus from entering the country. here is the conservative universities minister speaking this morning. what sage actually said is they said that completely closing our borders can actually prove ineffective. the best strategy is one that combines quarantining and testing, which is exactly what we've been doing. but throughout the last year, we've been evolving and developing our approach to borders in line with the data and in line with the pandemic and the changes that we have seen, plus the scientific and medical advice. we've gone from quarantining right the way through to testing as well. we have a robust system in place. )let�*s talk to the the chair of the home affairs select committee the rt hon yvette cooper michelle saying the government has a robust system in place, do you accept that?— robust system in place, do you accept that? robust system in place, do you acce -t that? .,. , . accept that? sadly the evidence we have seen of _ accept that? sadly the evidence we have seen of the _ accept that? sadly the evidence we have seen of the south _ accept that? sadly the evidence we have seen of the south africa - have seen of the south africa variant spreading across the country shows that the government bond measures are not working. we know they got it wrong and the first wave when we do not have model restrictions in place and that made the pandemic much worse as a result. they have to learn the lessons. they should publish the sage advice so we can see it. we have heard conflicting reports but they also need to bring in that stronger measures, the current approach is not working, still too many gaps and to many delays. not working, still too many gaps and to many delays-— to many delays. what would you like to many delays. what would you like to see? two — to many delays. what would you like to see? two approaches _ to many delays. what would you like to see? two approaches they - to many delays. what would you like to see? two approaches they could i to see? two approaches they could take that would _ to see? two approaches they could take that would be _ to see? two approaches they could take that would be learning - to see? two approaches they could take that would be learning the - take that would be learning the lessons from what other countries have done that have been far more effective at preventing the spread of covid. the first is the new zealand or australia model when you expand hotel quarantine, better made the government has promised hotel quarantine and still is not placed so there are still people arriving indirectly from south africa or brazil at the airport not being tested and going straight onto public transport. i tested and going straight onto public transport.— tested and going straight onto public transport. i am going to enter u- public transport. i am going to enter up to — public transport. i am going to enter up to but _ public transport. i am going to enter up to but we _ public transport. i am going to enter up to but we just - public transport. i am going to enter up to but we just have . public transport. i am going to| enter up to but we just have to public transport. i am going to - enter up to but we just have to say goodbye to viewers on bbc —— interrupt you. goodbye to viewers on bbc -- interrupt you-— goodbye to viewers on bbc -- interrut ou. , ., , , interrupt you. the second approach as the south _ interrupt you. the second approach as the south korea _ interrupt you. the second approach as the south korea approach - interrupt you. the second approach as the south korea approach when| interrupt you. the second approach i as the south korea approach when you combine a mix of hotel quarantine with a much stronger testing system testing at the border as well as on arrival and also have quarantine taxis or buses that take people home to a much stronger and more managed home quarantine alongside hotel quarantine. the government could take either approach that would be much stronger than what we have at the moment. at the moment it has done much to easy for new covered cases to be spreading in the country and we really have to learn at the lessons. if you look at south korea, they have had 1400 people die from covid but the uk has had 100,000 die. we have to learn the lessons when other countries get things right. when other countries get things ri . ht. , . when other countries get things riuht. , , ., , when other countries get things riuht. , .,, . ., when other countries get things riaht., . ., , when other countries get things riaht., . ., right. just to be clear because some --eole right. just to be clear because some people mac— right. just to be clear because some people mac members _ right. just to be clear because some people mac members of— right. just to be clear because some people mac members of the - right. just to be clear because some people mac members of the labour| people mac members of the labour party city what a blanket hotel quarantine, the government says it is unfeasible and you are seeing a potential half we house is getting people straight to their homes for destructive quarantine. i people straight to their homes for destructive quarantine.— destructive quarantine. i don't think they _ destructive quarantine. i don't think they are _ destructive quarantine. i don't think they are halfway - destructive quarantine. i don't| think they are halfway houses, destructive quarantine. i don't - think they are halfway houses, the ad different kind of regulus approaches. the new zealand and astoria model is to have quarantine in hotels, the other way is a south korea system which includes hotel quarantine. but also a much stricter arrangement for home quarantine with quarantine transport to get there. the approach for both is to make sure you do not have people arriving who may be asymptomatic who are not tested at the airport and go straight onto public transport and then go home with no proper enforcement and police. we saw the police figures last week, when the police figures last week, when the police go to someone's house because they have been told in a small minority of cases to do physical checks are for one as n they then do nothing. there is no enforcement action taken, that is crazy, another reason why the system has to many holes in the government is not learning from what went wrong the frost tame. , ., frost tame. one thing the government is -auttin a frost tame. one thing the government is putting a focus _ frost tame. one thing the government is putting a focus on _ frost tame. one thing the government is putting a focus on is _ frost tame. one thing the government is putting a focus on is the _ is putting a focus on is the different eight postcodes, 80,000 people being tested to establish where the south african variant is, do you think they are getting it right with that?— right with that? absolutely the ri . ht thin right with that? absolutely the right thing to _ right with that? absolutely the right thing to do, _ right with that? absolutely the right thing to do, thorough - right with that? absolutely the | right thing to do, thorough test right with that? absolutely the - right thing to do, thorough test and trace what we should have done the first time around. i am glad that is in place but the fact they are having to do it in eight different areas shows that the bottle system has failed several times, probably many more as well. —— the border system because you are getting what's on different cases spreading in different parts of the country. we should be doing both, a former approach at the borders but also a strong test and trace system as well. the whole point is to protect the vaccine programme. we are hoping it is what gets us through this but we have to protect it and make sure it is not undermined by new variants. so far we have had to delays and some of the pre—travel testing, delays and quarantine hotels. hopefully we will not have delays and test and trace and these cases but we cannot afford any more delays if we are to keep the vaccine programme on track. idaes delays if we are to keep the vaccine programme on track.— delays if we are to keep the vaccine programme on track. does the vaccine ro . ramme programme on track. does the vaccine programme potentially _ programme on track. does the vaccine programme potentially get _ programme on track. does the vaccine programme potentially get us - programme on track. does the vaccine programme potentially get us through| programme potentially get us through this as an island without much coming and going from other countries and for how long would that be? ,., countries and for how long would that be? ., countries and for how long would that be? ,., ., ,., ., that be? the point about having testina that be? the point about having testing and _ that be? the point about having testing and quarantine - that be? the point about having testing and quarantine is - that be? the point about having testing and quarantine is to - testing and quarantine is to recognise there will be circumstances even in the middle of locked—in people have to travel. uk residents working abroad and that contract on visa runs out and they need to come home. of course we have trade and goods that pass too and fro so you need to do that but places like south korea have that i new zealand and they have managed to put a strong system in place. we do not know what the timetable will be for this because we do not know how long the threat from new variants to the vaccine programme is going to last, how long it will take notjust the uk but other countries as well to roll out their vaccine programme. i think the government should be honest and not pretending they should all be over in a couple of months. when we have got this risk from new variants but also make sure it is taking the action needed that we should have taken the first time. thank you. the headlines on bbc news... scientists say the kent variant of coronavirus that has been spreading around the uk, appears to be mutating again. extensive testing has begun in eight areas of england where the south african variant of covid has been found. a government minister says a hotel quarantine for all arrivals into the country would be "unfeasible". nicola sturgeon is expected to introduce new coronavirus precautions for people arriving into scotland today. stricter measures could see all arrivals having to quarantine, after the scottish government last week said uk government measures "did not go far enough". the first minister is also set to confirm whether scotland's covid lockdown will be extended beyond mid—february. the devolved government in northern ireland has suspended checks of food arriving at ports in belfast and larne because of concerns about the safety of inspection staff. this morning the european union have withdrawn its safe over safety concerns. checks have been carried out on some goods arriving from the rest of the uk since the end of the brexit transition period last month our ireland correspondent chris page has more. larne is one of three ports in northern ireland when inspections have been carried out sense new year's day on some goods arriving from the rest of the uk. that is because under the brexit arrangements northern ireland are staying in the eu single market for goods whilst the rest of the uk has left so it has been controversial, unionist politicians are opposed to the aspect of the brexit deal, they view it as a economic bottle in the irish sea. here yesterday the council which has staff involved in the inspections at larne made the decision to withdraw from inspection duties. graffiti had appeared and workers had been reporting suspicious activity, the felt people were gathering personal information including car number plates. the devolved government at stormont and made the decision to suspend the checkes consignments here in larne and at belfast. the police are meeting with government agencies today and unions represent the stuff. it is important to say it is understood at the moment that has nothing to suggest loyalist paramilitaries are involved in making these threats instead it has been seen in the context of unease and discontent with loyalist communities and the police had publicly referred to that in the last week or so. that is not an expectation of this will escalate into something more serious, all particle parties have condemned the threats, for example the mp sammy wilson has said the protocol has to go but can only be achieved through politics. very much the parties in northern ireland standing firm against these threats to staff. and at around 1230 there will be an urgent question about this issue in the house of commons — we'll be taking that live. the health minister, nadine dorries, was questioned by the health select committee on failings in the maternity services in england. it's the final session of the inquiry, which has previously heard evidence of so—called 'blame culture' and training issues services in england. it's the final session of the inquiry, which has previously heard evidence of so—called 'blame culture' and training issues for midwives and clinicians. the committee heard directly from bereaved parents and those who have experienced poor maternity care at shrewsbury and telford hospital nhs trust. jeremy hunt is the chair of the health select committee and a former health secretary. what sense did you get of the extent of the problem and lessons learned? i think the government is taking this very seriously and it was encouraging to hear the number of stillbirths as down by a quarter from 2010 levels and nearly a quarter reduction in the number of baby deaths. but there is a lot more to do and their were two things that came out of the session, firstly we were told that the government has started a review of the way clinical negligence claims by lawyers work. that is one of the real issues in terms of learning mistakes that beget lawyers involved creates very confrontational atmosphere and makes it difficult. that and the issue of staffing which is a big concern with shortages of midwives and doctors. what did you mean about looking at clinical negligence claims by lawyers? yes when lawyers get involved gets confrontational but somebody is in a situation has been clinical negligence they have to have recourse.— have recourse. absolutely but the issue is at the _ have recourse. absolutely but the issue is at the moment _ have recourse. absolutely but the issue is at the moment under - have recourse. absolutely but the issue is at the moment under our| have recourse. absolutely but the . issue is at the moment under our law if you have a child born brain damaged the only way you can get compensation as fa court proves there has been conical negligence. right from the —— clinical negligence. right from the outset you get lawyers to try to prove it. and of course hospitals want to fight that because it says a lot about the professional reputation such a claim is upheld. in sweden you do not have to prove conical nicholsons to get compensation, you just have to —— clinical negligence, you just have to prove a mistake was made. if we have the same intelligent levels of sweden 1000 more babies could survive every year which is fine looking at different ways of doing things and i am pleased to say the government as doing that. pleased to say the government as doinu that. ~ , .,. ., doing that. while distracted to maternity? — doing that. while distracted to maternity? l — doing that. while distracted to maternity? i don't _ doing that. while distracted to maternity? i don't think - doing that. while distracted to maternity? i don't think we . doing that. while distracted to - maternity? i don't think we should but this happens _ maternity? i don't think we should but this happens to _ maternity? i don't think we should but this happens to be _ maternity? i don't think we should but this happens to be an - maternity? i don't think we should but this happens to be an enquiryl but this happens to be an enquiry into motility safety but the issues go way beyond that. if you involve lawyers a very early on when something goes wrong then battle lines get drawn, people get defensive and for doctors and nurses the one thing they want to do more than anything as have the chance to learn what went wrong and put in place systems to stop that happening again and that should be the priority. again and that should be the riori . , ., �* ., ., priority. during covid b have heard stories about _ priority. during covid b have heard stories about the _ priority. during covid b have heard stories about the difficulties - priority. during covid b have heard stories about the difficulties for . stories about the difficulties for people having checks through pregnancy and what happens in hospital in terms of having a partner around. and their ongoing issues around that? are they mostly been ironed out?— issues around that? are they mostly been ironed out? most of them have been ironed out? most of them have been ironed — been ironed out? most of them have been ironed out. _ been ironed out? most of them have been ironed out. this _ been ironed out? most of them have been ironed out. this was _ been ironed out? most of them have been ironed out. this was one - been ironed out? most of them have been ironed out. this was one of - been ironed out? most of them have been ironed out. this was one of the things that was an unexpected tragedy that happened at the start of the pandemic where a woman without finding they were being told their baby had died or they were having to go through a miscarriage and they were completely on their own because partners were not allowed to be with them and a number of mps did a lot of campaigning on this and the government has said and the nhs has given instructions that partners should be tested so they can then be safely with a mother in that situation. i can then be safely with a mother in that situation.— that situation. i want to get your thou . hts that situation. i want to get your thoughts on _ that situation. i want to get your thoughts on hotel— that situation. i want to get your thoughts on hotel quarantine - that situation. i want to get your - thoughts on hotel quarantine because with the variance it has been rolled out to 30 countries but the labour party would like it to be a blanket situation. what do you think? i think it is difficult for a small number of countries because people do not travel directly from south africa to the uk, they travel via another country sometimes so it is difficult to track the people have actually come from on a journey. if we are going to be serious about quarantine the biggest issue is not the 10,000 people who arrive in the uk everyday, it is the 30,000 who are not quarantining despite being asked to buy nhs test entries, 40% of the total and that is the biggest gap and your pandemic containment policy. gap and your pandemic containment oli . ., ., , , policy. there are gaps in the quarantine _ policy. there are gaps in the quarantine system _ policy. there are gaps in the quarantine system do - policy. there are gaps in the quarantine system do you i policy. there are gaps in the i quarantine system do you think it policy. there are gaps in the - quarantine system do you think it is time to close them? sage has said that closing the borders is the only way to keep out guarantee keeping out new variants. i way to keep out guarantee keeping out new variants.— way to keep out guarantee keeping out new variants. i am not sure that necessarily — out new variants. i am not sure that necessarily recommended _ out new variants. i am not sure that necessarily recommended that i out new variants. i am not sure that necessarily recommended that but i necessarily recommended that but they made that observation. i think we may have started with 30 countries, we have to be very willing to expand that quickly because looking at the other news today about what is happening with the variance, it is clear the next few months as a race to get the country vaccinated before the variance take hold and may be immune to that vaccine so it is a very tense period in the battle against the virus. ~ ., ., ., the virus. what sort of timeframe would ou the virus. what sort of timeframe would you be _ the virus. what sort of timeframe would you be willing _ the virus. what sort of timeframe would you be willing to _ the virus. what sort of timeframe would you be willing to put i the virus. what sort of timeframe would you be willing to put on i the virus. what sort of timeframe would you be willing to put on it? we have not there yet and we need to see her things of all but we know with us by this things can evolve very quickly and it is easy to close the stable door after the horse has bolted. brute the stable door after the horse has bolted. ~ ., ., , ., ., ., bolted. we have learned you have to act faster than _ bolted. we have learned you have to act faster than the _ bolted. we have learned you have to act faster than the virus. _ bolted. we have learned you have to act faster than the virus. when i bolted. we have learned you have to act faster than the virus. when it i act faster than the virus. when it comes to vaccines to credit the government they have acted very fast. most scientists i have spoken to and i am not a scientist myself are clear that ultimately there be a variant of the virus that is immune to the vaccines we currently have but we just do not know when that is that, that could be next month or next year and what will help i still with that very challenging situation as if we have got a transmission levels right down and so that is why getting the vaccine out fast as unbelievably important. thank you. parts of in that _ unbelievably important. thank you. parts of in that have _ unbelievably important. thank you. parts of in that have seen _ unbelievably important. thank you. parts of in that have seen heavy i parts of in that have seen heavy snow already this morning. there is an amber weather warning in force for that heavy snow with the likelihood of disruption three to one o'clock today. truly threw this afternoon he will see the southern edge of that snow moved northwards. wintry showers in scotland. for northern ireland, england and wales we are looking at more showers, some of them heavy and thundery, but relatively mild, up to 14 degrees. which i was making progress across northern ireland, england and wales through the night, with snow in parts of scotland. in the south, a new band of rain shows its hand. tomorrow, the northern extent of this mandarin are still open to question, but it is falling on already saturated ground so there is already saturated ground so there is a risk of flooding, the showers heavy at times across north—west england. tomorrow, further snow in southern and eastern scotland, but still mild in the south. hello this is bbc news with joanna gosling. the headlines: scientists say the kent variant of coronavirus that has been spreading around the uk appears to be mutating again. extensive testing has begun in eight areas of england where the south african variant of covid has been found. a government minister says a hotel quarantine for all arrivals into the country would be "unfeasible". eu staff are being withdrawn from their work in northern ireland ports due to security concerns. the russian dissident alexei navalny is being held in a glass cage at a court in moscow, where it is being decided whether his suspended sentence should be converted into an actual prison term. mr navalny was detained two weeks ago when he returned to russia from germany, where he'd spent months recovering from nerve poisoning. more than 200 protesters were arrested outside the court this morning. it comes after thousands of pro—navalny activists were arrested at the weekend in the biggest protests in russia since 1991. inside court, alexei navalny, who is appearing inside a glass cage inside the courtroom, he and his lawyers have been arguing that he did nothing to break the rules of his suspended sentence and laughing out the suggestion of the prison authorities that he should have got in touch with them, with them because he said i was in a coma, how was i supposed to know —— let you know where i was? he said, you are asking why wasn't registering with you as per the terms about probation, he said vladimirjanuary was because he'd let be taken out of the country after i had been poisoned. his defence team and mr navalny are putting up a feisty defence of his position that this whole case is absurd and there is no way his suspended sentence for fraud should become a realjail sentence today. that is what this hearing is all about. just outside the court there has been a massive police operation all morning long. a huge number of riot police are lining the streets and blocking off access to the court with metal barriers they have placed over the entire area, which is basically in a form of lockdown. there is even police inside the yards of apartment buildings here. they are not wanting to let any protesters gather. as soon as any protesters to gather, if they try to hold up a banner they are bundled away by the riot police. how much impacts out those protests having? they are to lodge a protest in many years in the country. one of the reports that alexei navalny put out alleging corruption on the part of vladimir putin has been viewed 100 million times, but in the end how much country is this happening in russia, how widely is it being reported? it is certainly being played down by state television. if you watch the television here you will get the message of the bunch of hooligans have been on the streets breaking the law and attacking police officers. it is a very different story from mr navalny�*s team who have been posting pictures from mass protests from right across the country on social media. they have been filing live from protests across the country, which is unprecedented in terms of their spread. so many people in towns and city across the country are calling for mr navalny�*s release. and for other people for whom he is our symbol of more democracy in the country, not necessarily the majority of people here in russia, but certainly a very vocal crowd who have been coming out repeatedly over the past two weekends. there's a lot of choice about which type of face covering to wear and in some countries the advice is changing as we learn more about how the virus spreads. in certain countries a specific type of mask is required in public areas. our science editor, david shukman, explains what's the difference between a cloth mask, surgical mask and an n95 — or whether we should be double masking. all over the world, people are now covering their faces in a million different ways. there is a lot of choice about what type to wear, and in some countries the advice is changing, as we learn more about how the virus spreads. so what are the options? well, a home—made face covering is the simplest and cheapest and it was promoted in 2020 because of worries about shortages of professional masks that medics desperately needed. this one is made from an old t—shirt, it's got three layers so should do a reasonable job of stopping any virus that i might release, which really matters, because up to one in three people may be infected without even realising. and to make it more effective, there's the idea of doubling up, having two coverings, one on top of the other, because that gives you more layers to stop the virus getting through. so if you have a physical covering with one layer, you put another layer on. itjust makes common sense that it likely would be more effective, and that's the reason why you see people either double—masking or doing a version of an n95. we saw a lot of these double masks on inauguration day in washington. they are not recommended by the us government or by the world health organization, but they are catching on. next up in quality is the surgical mask. these are water resistant so if someone coughs right at you, the virus should be blocked. they should provide you with some good protection, and others around you, but they don't fit very well, there are gaps at the side that tiny virus particles called aerosols could get through. you can see how that happens in these lab tests. they show how air and aerosols can escape from around the masks. so to guard against that there are better grades of mask. they are called n95 in the us or ffp2 or ffp3 in the uk. they've got filters inside them to screen out those aerosols. in austria, they are now required on buses and in other public areas, while in germany elderly people have been given them for going shopping. these have a much closer fit, no gaps, which means you should be safer, but they are a lot more expensive. while home—made coverings are basically free, surgical masks cost about 10p each, while the ffp2 costs about £3. on their own, masks are not going to defeat the pandemic, no—one is claiming that, but research shows they can make a difference. look how far a cough goes when there is no face covering to stop it. so anything that helps is worth pursuing. but they've got to be worn and removed really carefully, and they are bound to be with us for some time to come. spain was one of the hardest hit countries in europe when the first waves of covid—19 struck last year. although the third wave has hit the country later than many of its neighbours, spain is now starting to feel its force. in addition, spain is also being affected by the controversy surrounding vaccine dose deliveries. guy hedgecoe reports from madrid. in madrid's isabel zendal hospital, health care staff are being vaccinated, but the recent reduction in vaccine deliveries has meant that the administration of doses is being prioritised even more than before. in the spanish capital, only those who have already received a firstjab are currently being vaccinated. the delay of the vaccination programme is going to have clear repercussions on the control of the disease and that repercussion is going to be visible in the number of patients that are going to get infected and on the number of deaths. we are going to the commons. i am crateful we are going to the commons. i am grateful for — we are going to the commons. i am grateful for being _ we are going to the commons. i —n grateful for being able to address the house. on friday afternoon the european commission without prior consultation public consultation on putting restrictions on vaccines of —— experts of the vaccine from the eu. that affected the northern ireland protocol. it is important to be clear about what was proposed. not only plans to stop vaccines being delivered through legally binding contracts at the height of a pandemic, but also and critically a unilateral suspension of the painstakingly designed and carefully negotiated provisions of the protocol, which the eu has always maintained was critical to safeguarding for games of the northern ireland peace process. article 16 exist for good reasons, but it was meant to be invoked only after notification, only after all other options are exhausted and in the interests of the people of northern ireland. none of these conditions were met. worse still, neither the uk government representing the people of northern ireland nor the irish government, an eu member were informed. the commission's move has provoked anger and concern across all the parties and concern across all the parties and throughout civil society in northern ireland, as well as international condemnation. voluntary action, the commission did withdraw its invocation of article 16 and subsequently clarified in conversations with my right honourable friend the prime minister that it would not interfere with vaccine supplies to great britain and northern ireland. i'm grateful to the prime minister for his robust and sensible intervention, adults to the teacher, the northern ireland executive for we quickly to resolve the situation. trust has been eroded, damage has been done and urgent action is therefore needed. peace progress and strong community relations and northern ireland have been hard won and in recent days we have seen an increase in community tension and as was reported last night, port staff in belfast and lauren had been kept away from work following concerns for their safety. the decision was taken by the agriculture minister, edwin poots, and the local council. the northern ireland secretary is engaging closely with the police and authorities on this issue and of course the safety and security of staff of the absolute priority. i would like to take this opportunity to thank edwin poots for his dedicated work. he is stepping down from his post for health reasons this week and i'm sure all of us in the house would like to thank him every good wish. fixing problems on the ground now requires us all to work calmly. the eu needs to work with us at speed and with determination to resolve a series of outstanding issues with the protocol. i'm grateful to the vice president for his understanding to exceed his problem is resolved and to ensure that the protocol does what it it was designed to do, to avoid disruption to everyday life or protecting northern ireland's place within the uk market and customs territory. i'm grateful to the first minister of northern ireland for the close working with the uk government and their determination to resolve these issues. we will work over coming days to fix the difficulties on the ground, to preserve the games of the good friday agreement and to uphold northern ireland's place as an integral part of our united kingdom. an integral part of our united kingdom-— an integral part of our united kinudom. ,, . ., , ., ,, ., ., kingdom. secretary of state. can i 'oin him kingdom. secretary of state. can i join him in — kingdom. secretary of state. can i join him in sending _ kingdom. secretary of state. can i join him in sending all— kingdom. secretary of state. can i join him in sending all our- kingdom. secretary of state. can i join him in sending all our best i join him in sending all our best wishes for the speedy recovery of edwin poots. the eu's actions were a serious mistake and i welcomed the chancellor's response but they must not be used as an excuse to go back to square one and undermine the protocol with all the damage and instability that will cause. yesterday we saw staff withdrawn from the ports of larne and belfast because of alleged threats to their safety. this is totally unacceptable and we all have a responsibility to dial down the rhetoric and ensure that people in northern ireland are safe. out of the difficult last few days, heads must now prevail and serious pragmatic practical politics must begin to find shared solutions to the legitimate concerns and to ease tensions. with those practical solutions in mind, the looming end of the grace period in april and july are causing serious concern for businesses. will the chancellor convened urgent sessions of the joint committee is to ensure long—term mitigations for unnecessary red tape and does he agree that an extension to those grace periods may be necessary? will he update on the work that the british government has been doing to get british—based businesses up to speed on requirements? can he confirm that eu officials about the act is necessary to the databases they need to do their work? will he ensure that the joint working group was established to politicians, industry and civil society in northern ireland have a formal structure to engage with? can he advise on how he's going to ensure that the protocol is never undermined, that the realities he has underlined, and what steps are being taken to reassure all communities in northern ireland that their lives and livelihoods will be protected? the events of the last few days demonstrate that all sites have a profound responsibility to uphold the protocol and make sure it works for all communities. it shows the dangers of unilateral action. it is vital that together shared solutions found that is disruption, preserve stability and protect the gains of peace. i preserve stability and protect the gains of peace-— preserve stability and protect the gains of peace. i am very grateful to the honourable _ gains of peace. i am very grateful to the honourable lady _ gains of peace. i am very grateful to the honourable lady for - gains of peace. i am very grateful to the honourable lady for her i to the honourable lady for her comments, which i wholeheartedly endorse. she is right to say that it was a serious mistake on part of the commission. i also would completely underline her words that it is completely unacceptable to place anyone in northern ireland is in the position that the port workers in belfast and lauren have been placed on it is vital that everyone in northern ireland and indeed in the uk exercises calmness and moderation, as well as resolution and seeking to resolve the problem is that she outlined. she is right that the end of grace periods when it comes to health certificates and other issues do need to be writing to the vice president later today to outline some specific steps that we believe we need to take and tomorrow i will be meeting with him and the first minister and deputy first minister of the northern ireland executive to make sure we can make rapid progress through the joint committee. we are committing with businesses to stress that we have an obligation to ensure that their goods are available for the citizens of northern ireland in the same way they are available to her and my own constituents. it is notjust the responsibility of governments but all of ours to work together to ensure that the people of northern ireland recognise they are valid citizens of one united kingdom. the chair of the — citizens of one united kingdom. the chair of the select committee, simon haw. . ~ chair of the select committee, simon haw. ., ~' , ., chair of the select committee, simon haw. ., ~' ,, ~ chair of the select committee, simon haw. ., ~ ~ .«r chair of the select committee, simon haw. ., ~ ~ ., ~ ., haw. thank you, mr speaker. i am sure the chancellor— haw. thank you, mr speaker. i am sure the chancellor will— haw. thank you, mr speaker. i am sure the chancellor will agree i haw. thank you, mr speaker. i am sure the chancellor will agree with | sure the chancellor will agree with me that we have to make the protocol work and work well, but the window for doing so is small and tricky. can i urge him with exocet focus and precision, with the joint committee, to iron out speedily during this month those creases and teething problems which have been identified in order to spend next month, march, explaining those solutions to businesses across the united kingdom and what they need to do, because my judgment is to extend the grace period would not be desirable, but business needs to have confidence and certainty so all power to the joint committee for speedy and focused work. i joint committee for speedy and focused work.— joint committee for speedy and focused work. . , ., ., focused work. i am very grateful to my honourable _ focused work. i am very grateful to my honourable friend _ focused work. i am very grateful to my honourable friend for— focused work. i am very grateful to my honourable friend for the i focused work. i am very grateful to my honourable friend for the work| my honourable friend for the work that he and his committee have done to ensure that the protocol is well understood and to resolve some of the problems that have arisen. i think there are a number of specific issues. i alluded to earlier to the requirements that health certificates are provided. there are other issues as well. the grace period covering the supply to northern ireland, the movement of pets between northern ireland and great britain. all of these issues in more ways in which the protocol is having an impact on people of northern ireland which is not in the interest of northern ireland, the united kingdom or good relations between us and the eu. the vice president totally understands the need to resolve these issues and with people i believe we can speedily, as he quite rightly points out, we need to.— speedily, as he quite rightly points out, we need to. richard thomson, who is participating _ out, we need to. richard thomson, who is participating virtually, i out, we need to. richard thomson, who is participating virtually, he i who is participating virtually, he has one — who is participating virtually, he has one minute. i who is participating virtually, he has one minute.— who is participating virtually, he has one minute. , ., , , has one minute. i extend my own best wishes to edwin _ has one minute. i extend my own best wishes to edwin poots _ has one minute. i extend my own best wishes to edwin poots for _ has one minute. i extend my own best wishes to edwin poots for a _ has one minute. i extend my own best wishes to edwin poots for a speedy i wishes to edwin poots for a speedy recovery. the indication from the eu that was considering triggering article 16 was a significant error ofjudgment, albeit one quickly walk back. nevertheless, it was a misstep which follow significant problems with the northern ireland protocol, with the northern ireland protocol, with businesses facing delays and perhaps not helped by the prime minister sang himself that he would have no hesitation in triggering article 16 after spending months denying that there would be any kind of post—brexit checks at all between great britain and northern ireland. we now have a situation which is escalated to the point that port inspection staff have needed to be withdrawn from their duties over concern for their safety, something completely unacceptable. can the chancellor of the duchy of is to give me an insurance and explain how he intends to work with the northern irish executive, the irish government and the eu to de—escalate all of the issues around this matter and to explain what further steps it will take to ensure that the protocol, an agreement entered into freely, works as it needs to for the benefit of all in northern ireland? can i congratulate the honourable member on his elevation to the front bench in the snp shadow cabinet reshuffle? can i say i look forward to working with him as i know my right honourable friend the secretary of state for northern ireland does. i should say that i disagree with him on one point, which is i think the prime minister was right to say that if necessary article 16 can be invoked. there is article 16 can be invoked. there is a difference between recognising that it a difference between recognising thatitis a difference between recognising that it is there as an emergency court to pull if we need to in order to ensure that the rights and interests of people in northern ireland are protected. it can only be invoked in specific circumstances, none of which were in place when the european commission invoked it. more broadly what we all want to do is make sure that the lives of people in northern ireland can be as safe, secure, prosperous and free as possible in the same way as any other citizen of the united kingdom and i look forward to working with his colleagues in the scottish government in order to ensure through professions such as the united kingdom internal market bill that we continue to do everything necessary in order to safeguard our precious community. sir iain duncan smith. can i safeguard our precious community. sir iain duncan smith.— sir iain duncan smith. can i ask my riaht sir iain duncan smith. can i ask my right honourable _ sir iain duncan smith. can i ask my right honourable friend _ sir iain duncan smith. can i ask my right honourable friend does i sir iain duncan smith. can i ask my right honourable friend does he i sir iain duncan smith. can i ask myj right honourable friend does he not agree that the reality though is that the protocol is simply not working? these are not teething problems. he mentioned article 16, but it is very clear, it says it can be invoked. we have seen companies that normally ship to northern ireland now sang publicly they won't bother any more as it is too difficult. we are also same diversion where some of the supermarkets and others are talking about depots in southern ireland rather than in mainland great britain. i would ask my right honourable friend, for all the talks about teething problems, in the short term what would he do to rectify this terrible disaster with advertisers now saying that they simply can't supply goods if you're in northern ireland. what will he do short—term and longer—term to rectify the mess that is becoming obvious with this particular protocol? he obvious with this particular protocol?— obvious with this particular rotocol? , ., protocol? he is right that the roblem protocol? he is right that the problem needs _ protocol? he is right that the problem needs to _ protocol? he is right that the problem needs to be - protocol? he is right that the i problem needs to be addressed protocol? he is right that the - problem needs to be addressed both in the short and medium to long term. in the short term there are a number of issues which i would not describe as teething problems, they are significant issues that bear on the lives of people in northern ireland that you need to be resolved. we need to make sure that grace periods are extended and that other traders can continue, as they are at the minute, to be able to supply consumers with the goods that they need. there are a number of very specific issues and they extend to everything from pet transport to the provision of plants and seeds to gardeners in northern ireland. the daily life of our citizens need to be protected and we need to deal with all of these questions. it is important that we take all the steps required in order to ensure that citizens in northern ireland recognise that they are an integral part of the uk and that their daily lives and the way in which this parliament work reflects that fully. so jeffrey donaldson. parliament work reflects that fully. sojeffrey donaldson. can parliament work reflects that fully. so jeffrey donaldson.— parliament work reflects that fully. so jeffrey donaldson. can i express my appreciation — so jeffrey donaldson. can i express my appreciation to _ so jeffrey donaldson. can i express my appreciation to the _ so jeffrey donaldson. can i express my appreciation to the minister- so jeffrey donaldson. can i expressj my appreciation to the minister and colleagues for their kind words about my constituency colleague and friend, edwin poots. the democratic unionist party oppose this protocol from the outset because we recognised that it would cause societal, economic, problems for northern ireland for businesses and consumers and would lead to a significant diversion of trade, as has been evident in its first month of operation. fundamentally mr speaker, this protocol upsets the very delicate balance of relationships that were provided for under the belfast agreement. there is no unionist supporting this protocol, therefore what we need is not tinkering around the edges but a recognition that northern ireland has no place in the uk internal market must be restored and this protocol is preventing that from happening. i protocol is preventing that from happening-— protocol is preventing that from haueninu. ,~ ,, .., ., happening. i entirely appreciate and understand the _ happening. i entirely appreciate and understand the point _ happening. i entirely appreciate and understand the point of— happening. i entirely appreciate and understand the point of view- happening. i entirely appreciate and understand the point of view of i happening. i entirely appreciate and understand the point of view of the | understand the point of view of the right honourable gentleman and he is right, he and his party colleagues issued consistence warnings and concerns about the operation of the northern ireland protocol. it is also the case of course that at the same time he and his party had been working in the context of a protocol which they disagree and which has uncomfortable aspects for many of us in order to make sure that we can address specific issues in order to improve the lives of people in northern ireland. i want to continue to work with him and his colleagues. there have been representations from his colleagues on for example the importing of steel from the rest of the world and the vat on cars has already been addressed. it is in that spirit that we will continue to work with him and his colleagues in order to address these issues. he is right, if necessary article 16 can be invoked. what i want to do is make sure that in the days ahead what we delia smith practical difference to his constituents and others in northern ireland. michael gove answering _ others in northern ireland. michael gove answering that _ others in northern ireland. michael gove answering that urgent - others in northern ireland. michael. gove answering that urgent question on the northern ireland protocol, part of the brexit withdrawal deal thatis part of the brexit withdrawal deal that is designed to stop a hard border between northern ireland and ireland and there has been concern about it after the eu invoked article 16 which enabled —— enables parts of the protocol to be overwritten. that was to control vaccination crossing the border into northern ireland. as you were hearing there, there is an awful lot of anger about that. the one o'clock news is coming up in a few minutes with simon mccoy. first it is time for a weather update with helen. still some treacherous conditions out there. this know is going into stronger wind. out there. this know is going into strongerwind. it out there. this know is going into stronger wind. it will be icy. there is this battle between the milder atlantic air coming in, that started to happen yesterday, bumping into this cold arctic air. gradually as a low pressure become slow moving in the north this week you can see the wind is coming from the east but then pushing southwards. it will push the colder air. you can see how we will lose that milder air by the end of the weekend. yes, for all parts it is going to get colder as the week progresses, most definitely by the weekend. for the rest of today the snow is still coming down, a few centimetres even at lower levels. the hills of northern ireland, across central and southern scotland, as well. the wind is a feature, with temperatures close to freezing at the surface, it will be icy, true. it is a different story further south, icy, true. it is a different story furthersouth, much icy, true. it is a different story further south, much milder here, that milder air will start to progress into parts of northern ireland as well as we head towards the end of the afternoon, so it'll be mostly snow on the hills here, but here is the contrast. the contrast continues through the night. there is no risk continues for scotland even at lower levels, in the north—east of england. that next area of showers bump into the cold air and it reduced the risk of snow. in the south we have another area of wet weather that we are watching. there is some uncertainty as to exactly where this will go, but it could well push its way in across southern parts of the uk through the latter part of the night and into tomorrow morning. it will fall onto saturated culture that is not good news. further north, milder air is pushing into parts of northern england, so we will start to see snow melt at lower levels. that snow melt, that rain is going to feed into the river systems where there are still numerous flood warnings in force. more showery rain will come later. temperatures are down in southern areas by that stage despite more sunshine around. they dip away as we go through the week. the warnings are on the website. the uk variant of coronavirus has mutated again — and scientists say they're worried. they're urgently studying the mutated versions to understand what threat they pose. it is inevitable that there will be variants, and we have to get clever in our way of dealing with them. hit it hard — the uk steps up measures to control the spread of the south african variant — with a door—to—door testing blitz of 80,000 people. we'll be finding out more about the new variants and asking how worried should we be? also this lunchtime: nicola sturgeon is set to confirm whether scotland's covid lockdown will be extended beyond mid—february. northern ireland police hold talks with council staff after brexit—related checks at ports were suspended because of

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