millions of people in texas are stuck without power in sub—zero temperatures, with some even burning their own furniture to keep warm. australia's prime minister has accused facebook of "unfriending" his country, after it blocked news feeds in a row over a new social media law. and seven minutes of terror for nasa — it's perserverence rover will face its descent to the surface of mars today. hello and welcome if you're watching in the uk or around the world. scientists tracking coronavirus in england say there's been a strong decline in covid infection levels since the current lockdown began. the study, which is called react and was carried out by imperial college london, found that rates have dropped by two thirds across england since lockdown began, but it warns that virus levels are still high, with one in 200 people testing positive between the 4th and the 13th of this month. while infections are coming down across england, they are falling fastest in the capital, south east and west midlands but less steeply in the north west, north east and yorkshire and the humber. in london infections rates have dropped by 80%. our health correspondent jim reed reports. the react study measures infections in the community and is one of the largest of its type. researchers swabbed 85,000 randomly selected people in england over the first half of february. positive covid tests fell by more than two thirds since the last report injanuary. it's really important to note that the prevalence is still high. we are at the level we were at maybe in late september of last year. one in 200 people are testing positive in the population as a whole, and we really have to get those rates even lower. the timing of the study means tougher lockdown rules were likely to be behind the fall in infections, with the impact of the vaccine roll—out still to be felt. there were regional variations. in london, around 0.5% of people were infected. down sharply since the last report. in the south—east of england, it was 0.3%, roughly the same as in the west midlands. the highest rates were in the north—west and north—east of england, though infections there were falling as well. in a statement, the health secretary matt hancock said the findings show encouraging signs we are now heading in the right direction across the country but warned the public must remain vigilant and follow the rules as the vaccination programme continues. but the number in hospital with covid is still above the peak of the first wave of the pandemic. infections might be falling but from a very high level. the government will have to make some difficult choices as it starts to set out its plan to ease the lockdown in england next week. jim reed, bbc news. the uk care minister, helen whately, has been speaking this morning about increasing the amount of visiting allowed at care homes. she said the government didn't want to have to wait until residents had had theirfull course of the coronavirus vaccination, but insisted that opening up had to be step by step. as we come out of this national lockdown i really want to enable more visiting so that people can go back to holding hands, being able to have much more normal contact with their relatives and loved ones in care homes. i think it has been one of the hardest things in this pandemic so i really want us to open up. i don't want to have to wait for the second vaccinations. clearly that is really important to give care home residents maximum protection, but i really want us to be able to open up cautiously and carefully, to enable residents some contact with family members, because i know it is so important. a report on the economic impact of the pandemic has found that almost two million people haven't worked for at least six months because they were unemployed or fully furloughed. the living standards think—tank, the resolution foundation, says its study highlights the lasting damage done to job security. a treasury spokesman said the government would continue to invest in protecting and creating jobs. our business presenter ben thompson gave us this update. 0n the one hand the idea of a call for the furlough scheme to be extended is nothing new. we have heard it before, we have heard it from any other quarters, about extending thatjob support scheme long beyond that april deadline. it is currently due to end at the end of april. what the resolution foundation says is there is a cliff edge coming because the number of people who have not been working is 2 million. 0ver people who have not been working is 2 million. over the last six months just shy of 2 million people have not been in any sort of work at all because of the impact coronavirus has had on the economy. they may in some cases have been out of work entirely for that time, some may have been on and off furlough according to those lockdown restrictions. we know some businesses have not been able to open, predominantly in things like retail and hospitality. they are warning that at the end of the furlough scheme there could be a dramatic surge in unemployment because we must remember that in the official unemployment figures anyone currently on the furlough scheme is not classed as unemployed, and so they fear there could be a sharp cliff edge that comes when the scheme is wound down. it also looks at how these people expect to continue working beyond the end of the furlough scheme and they found that 8% of those currently not working had either been told that theirjob will not exist or they will be made redundant when the furlough scheme ends. so there is a real fear that the headline rate of unemployment could soar when the government winds down thatjob support scheme. it is worth saying unemployment in the uk is currently about 5%, 1.7 million people. there are concerns it could rise significantly to about seven or 8% over the course of the year as that job support scheme is wound down, equating to about 2.6 million people out of work. it would be an astronomicalfigure, one clearly out of work. it would be an astronomical figure, one clearly the government is trying to avoid, but nonetheless as yet there are no details about whether or not that furlough scheme will be extended. the labour leader sir keir starmer will use a speech in the next hour to set out his own ideas for rebuilding the country after the covid crisis ends. he'll say there cannot be a "return to business as usual" in the wake of the pandemic, and is expected to suggest that a new partnership is needed between business and the state. the duke of edinburgh has spent a second night in hospital after being admitted as a precautionary measure on tuesday evening. 0ur correspondent, charlotte wright is outside king edward vii hospital in central london for us. charlotte, has there been any updates so far today on how the duke is doing? h0 updates so far today on how the duke is doinu ? ., , ., ., updates so far today on how the duke is doin? ., , ., ., is doing? no update from the palace as et is doing? no update from the palace as yet today- — is doing? no update from the palace as yet today- i _ is doing? no update from the palace as yet today. i don't _ is doing? no update from the palace as yet today. i don't think _ is doing? no update from the palace as yet today. i don't think we - is doing? no update from the palace as yet today. i don't think we will. as yet today. i don't think we will get a running commentary on his health, so i think we are waiting for any significant updates in the coming hours or even days. this is the second morning that the duke has spent here in hospital. he was admitted on tuesday evening on the advice of his doctor as a precautionary measure. we are told he had been feeling unwell for a few daysin he had been feeling unwell for a few days in the lead up to his admission. we are told it is not related to covid. he did have the first of his covid vaccinations last month along with the queen at windsor. but he has been admitted here for observation and rest, we are told. he travelled here in a car and he walked unaided from the car to the hospital, and we were told he was in good spirits as well. of course the medics are naturally being very cautious. we are a few months away from his 100th birthday. there does seem to be a great deal of caution around his health at the moment. we understand the queen is currently still in windsor. she was carrying out her royal duties yesterday as normal, and the duke and duchess of cornwall as well were out and about on a royal visit. the message from the royal family at the moment certainly seems to be keep calm and carry on.— calm and carry on. charlotte, thank ou for calm and carry on. charlotte, thank you for the — calm and carry on. charlotte, thank you for the update. _ the australian prime minister scott morrison has told facebook his government will not be intimidated after the social media giant blocked australian users from sharing or viewing news content in a dispute over a proposed law. facebook is angry that australia wants social media giants to pay for the content re—posted from news outlets. but the prime minister has described facebook�*s actions as "arrogant and disappointing". the move also cut off streams from health and emergency services although the social media company later said that was a mistake. in response to the criticism facebook�*s regional managing director issued a statement saying australia's proposed law misunderstands the relationship between the platform and publishers, who choose to post news on facebook, as it allows them to sell more subscriptions, grow audiences and increase revenue. he says the value exchange between facebook and publishers runs in favor of the publishers. facebook says it generated 5.1 billion referrals to publishers last year, worth an estimated 407 million australian dollars. amelia marshall is a former journalist in sydney who works in the tech industry. she opposes the move by facebook and has now deleted her account on the platform in protest. for a long time i have been worried about the decisions that facebook has made and i understand, as someone who works in the tech industry myself, the metrics that matter to companies like facebook. they care about their monthly users and by logging on, even though i do not participate, i am contributing to that metric. i couldn't any longer support their business model because this was a step too far. they are really actually stepping on australian democracy. we are in the middle of a pandemic and we are about to roll out a vaccine programme next week in australia and now these crucial sources of information are being removed from the facebook platform when that platform has such a misinformation problem. i don't think they are looking at this problem with any sort of moral compass. for them it is simply the pursuit of profit. for them it is simply the pursuit of profit. but the australian government remains furious. the minister for health said the move raises questions about the power of big tech companies. this is outrageous and unacceptable. we expect that facebook will fix these actions immediately and never repeat them again. this is an assault on a sovereign nation. it is an assault on people's freedom, and in particular it is an utter abuse of big technology's market power and control over technology. this will go around the world, but this stops. this is unacceptable. martin bryant is editor of the geekout social media newsletter and gave facebook�*s reasoning for its decision. (tx next) news providers have looked at platforms like facebook and google as sources of traffic, as ways of attracting an audience and getting that audience back time and time again. so i think you could argue that news publishers and the australian government are shooting themselves in the foot a little bit here because they are trying to take payments from linking essentially. this is what is happening here. they want money so people can link. this kind of breaks down the way that the world wide web has worked up until now. it kind of sets a dangerous precedent which i think facebook did not want to get into, where it would agree to paying news publishers for the right to every time someone posted a link to an australian new source, facebook would have to pay. 0ther source, facebook would have to pay. other governments around the world would see that and think our news industries could do with that, and then we would see that repeated around the world. that would cost facebook money, but it also limits the way the web works. suddenly you are taking payment for links and thatis are taking payment for links and that is a dangerous precedent for how people might evolve laws in the future. who else might have to pay for links in the future? that breaks the way the web works. i think facebook has an argument in its favour here. facebook has an argument in its favour here-— the headlines on bbc news. new research shows there's been a strong decline in corinavirus infection levels since the current lockdown restrictions were put in place. and the duke of edinburgh has spent a second night in hospital after being admitted as a precautionary measure on tuesday evening. the uk government is being urged to gradually wind down the furlough scheme to keep a lid on rising unemployment. let's get more now on the study indicating there's been a strong decline in covid infection levels in england since the current lockdown began. joining me now is tim spector, professor of genetic epidemiology at king's college london and the principal investigator of zoe covid symptom study app. hejoins me now. thank you very much for your time today. give us your analysis of this latest data from the reactor study. 0bviously latest data from the reactor study. obviously the data is heading in the right direction, but there is that note of caution about infection levels still remaining high. yes. levels still remaining high. yes, there are three _ levels still remaining high. yes, there are three main _ levels still remaining high. yes, there are three main surveys i levels still remaining high. 1&1: there are three main surveys going on in the uk. including the react study and the ins survey and the zoe symptom study app. all three of them have been showing declines for quite some time and there is nothing consistent about what was going on last week. we reported our data last week, saying we had had a steady decline for the last five weeks and we are now at about 80% decline since the peak on the 1st of january. all these surveys collect the data in slightly different ways and report it differently, which can be confusing. basically we are seeing in ourapp be confusing. basically we are seeing in our app exactly what the react study reported last week. the only caveat is those really rapid rates that we were seeing last week seem to be plateauing out somewhat. whereas we had our number values of 0.8 moving back toward 0.1, which is a little bit of a concern, but it is natural after five or six weeks of a decline that the rate starts to wane a bit. it decline that the rate starts to wane a bit. ., , , ., a bit. it does remind us that there is very little _ a bit. it does remind us that there is very little wiggle _ a bit. it does remind us that there is very little wiggle room - a bit. it does remind us that there is very little wiggle room in - a bit. it does remind us that there is very little wiggle room in terms j is very little wiggle room in terms of potentially easing the restrictions at the moment it would seem, based purely on the scientific data. prime minister borisjohnson has said he is going to be led by data when it comes to announcing how and in what way he might begin to ease restrictions.— ease restrictions. yes, it all depends — ease restrictions. yes, it all depends on _ ease restrictions. yes, it all depends on what _ ease restrictions. yes, it all| depends on what parameters ease restrictions. yes, it all- depends on what parameters you are using to say things are going well or badly. we have taken a view that we should be looking at the r number and the number of new cases, which is what the zoe app does, as well as the number of symptomatic total number of cases, which is what the react study does. also the number of people in hospital, the number of deaths and how full those hospitals are. basically all those parameters are. basically all those parameters are coming down, but what is clear is it will be difficult to get the base levels really low and there is hardly anywhere in europe that has managed that so far. that i think is the big question. how low can we go to have some residual infection where we can open up safely? getting back to zero, nobody sensible things that are achievable in the real near future. ., . ~' that are achievable in the real near future. ., ., ~ ., ., , future. you talk about nobody thinkin: future. you talk about nobody thinking this _ future. you talk about nobody thinking this achievable - future. you talk about nobody thinking this achievable to - future. you talk about nobody j thinking this achievable to get future. you talk about nobody i thinking this achievable to get to base levels, to get to zero in the near future, base levels, to get to zero in the nearfuture, how might base levels, to get to zero in the near future, how might the vaccine programme play into this? what do you expect if you look ahead to the next data dump we might get from zoe, what you expect to see is the influence of the vaccination programme? we don't fully know what impact vaccines have or do not have on transmitting the virus, do we? dropping the transmission of the virus i should say. we dropping the transmission of the virus i should say.— dropping the transmission of the virus i should say. we know and our preliminary — virus i should say. we know and our preliminary data _ virus i should say. we know and our preliminary data is _ virus i should say. we know and our preliminary data is showing - virus i should say. we know and our preliminary data is showing that - preliminary data is showing that after two or three weeks you do have after two or three weeks you do have a 50-70% after two or three weeks you do have a 50—70% protection against getting infected. most experts believe that will reduce your risk of transmitting it to others. i think we are expecting there will be reduced transmission. what nobody really knows is how much greater that benefit is going to be for the whole population. i suspect what we are going to see is a plateauing or slowing down of these rates, and the other surveys will show this next week, that will go on for one or two weeks, and then hopefully the impact of the vaccines will take over and we will start to drop again down to another plateau. i think people have got to lower some of the expectations that everything will rocket down to zero and realise this is a steady, long—term process to drive these infections down. find drive these infections down. and ou're drive these infections down. and you're zoe _ drive these infections down. and you're zoe app. _ drive these infections down. and you're zoe app, professor, found that children with covid present differently from adults. i wonder what data you have around children, because we heard from the director of the react study that relatively speaking transmission rates of the virus were still very high compared to other age groups in five to 12 years, and then in 18 to 2a—year—olds as well. years, and then in 18 to 24-year-olds as well. years, and then in 18 to 24- ear-olds as well. . ., ., 24-year-olds as well. our data are suggesting — 24-year-olds as well. our data are suggesting it _ 24-year-olds as well. our data are suggesting it is _ 24-year-olds as well. our data are suggesting it is more _ 24-year-olds as well. our data are suggesting it is more the - 24-year-olds as well. our data are suggesting it is more the 20-40 i suggesting it is more the 20—a0 —year—olds that are currently having most of the infections and potentially causing this plateau. rates in the elderly are still coming down, which is really important for hospitalisation, and we are not seeing any change in the under 18 is in our data. so i think it is difficult once you get these subgroups to know exactly what is going on, so perhaps we need to look at all the data before we jump to conclusions. most people believe young children, primary school aged children, are not likely to be the main problem and so we should not necessarily change our plans for getting those kids back to school. really interesting to hear about the data coming from the zoe app. tim specter, epidemiologist at king's couege specter, epidemiologist at king's college london, thank you very much for your time today. nato looks set to extend its presence in afghanistan amidst growing violence and a review by the biden administration of a us deal with the taliban for the alliance's10,000—strong military training mission to leave by the end of april. nato defence ministers are holding a second and final day of talks today. this is what nato's chief, jans stoltenberg, had to say about the alliance's future in afghanistan during a press conference on wednesday. we went into afghanistan together, nato allies, partners and the united states of the 9/11. we have made decisions on adjusting our presence together and we will also make the decision when the time is right to leave together. joining me now is leslie vinjumari, director of us and the americas programme at chatham house. the trump administration made withdrawing from afghanistan priority. joe biden takes a more collegiate approach to things. irate collegiate approach to things. we have to collegiate approach to things. - have to remember first of all that joe biden would like to see america's troops come home. there are 2500 troops there. but, yes, a couple of things. one is that the number one priority forjoe biden is signalling and demonstrating that america will take this decision collectively, partly because america needs that commitment from its nato allies so that it can focus on the number one priority, foreign policy priority for the administration, which is dealing with china of course. but the us government has made it very clear that they are having these meetings with nato allies and they will continue a domestic review of those troops before announcing any decision. i think the signals that are coming from the afghan study group, which released its report saying the numbers on the ground, the level of violence, suggests those troops need to stay longer. that is clearly going to have a very serious influence on the administration's decisions. �* ., g ., influence on the administration's decisions. �* ., �* �*, decisions. although joe biden's administration _ decisions. although joe biden's administration will _ decisions. although joe biden's administration will very - decisions. although joe biden's administration will very much i decisions. although joe biden's i administration will very much want to work with nato, it does not necessarily mean that they will want to unpick all the terms of the deal with the taliban that was done under the trump administration, does it? no, but the obvious response would be that the taliban has not stuck to the terms of the deal, that they continue to engage in violence. there is a real concern that if america pulls its troops out and that leads to a collapse of the government or terrorist attacks that we would then see a us that has to take a decision to send troops back in. that is the last thing this administration will want to do, so there will be a great deal of caution in assessing this. but again they have been very considered and deliberate, it was the one issuejoe biden did not mention in his first foreign policy speech because he wants to be seen and he wants to work with nato very carefully on this really significant issue. it has been 20 years and it is a war that americans are very aware of, not least because donald trump made this such a signature part of his presidency, saying that he would bring those troops home. people are very attuned to it. it has a very high stake in the domestic situation in the us. ~ , high stake in the domestic situation inthe us. ~ , ., ., in the us. absolutely, and at the risk of stating _ in the us. absolutely, and at the risk of stating the _ in the us. absolutely, and at the risk of stating the obvious, i risk of stating the obvious, obviously the joe biden administration obviously thejoe biden administration wants this to work really well both domestically and internationally because it is his first real foray into re—establishing those international relationships thatjoe biden talked about so much on the campaign trail and at his inauguration.— and at his inauguration. exactly, and at his inauguration. exactly, and that is _ and at his inauguration. exactly, and that is absolutely _ and at his inauguration. exactly, and that is absolutely critical. i and that is absolutely critical. remember, again, the us wants to in this next phase be working with china on the big global challenges of climate, of technology, but really pushing back against china and that ongoing pressure to deal with ongoing violence in the middle east has always been the factor that has got in the way. so really getting it right in a way that leads to stability and not more instability is absolutely critical so that the us can continue that policy that president barack 0bama try to put in place, which was to pivot america's attention towards asia and it has been very difficult to do, but it is essential right now. i to do, but it is essential right now. ., , ., ., to do, but it is essential right now. ., ., ., now. i worried if you would on covid, the _ now. i worried if you would on covid, the big _ now. i worried if you would on covid, the big domestic i now. i worried if you would on | covid, the big domestic priority now. i worried if you would on i covid, the big domestic priority for presidentjoe biden. he is travelling to michigan today to a manufacturing site for the pfizer vaccine. how are his plans going? he said vaccine. how are his plans going? he: said 100 million doses in 100 days and at the current rate of dissemination i think they will hit that somewhere between day 60 and day 67, so it has been considerably wrapped up. we have seen the extra 200 million purchases of doses from pfizer and moderna. but the one really difficult thing that the joe biden administration continues to face, and it is an inheritance of the trump administration, is that this information that continues to infiltrate some segments of american society and we do see stories of some people not taking the dose. we heard yesterday that about one third of the military are declining the offer of the vaccine, so there are hurdles. but the news overall is dramatically better and moving forward at pace. it is clearly the most important domestic factor in getting the economy back, getting those schools open. now as president joe biden turns to push through the fiscal stimulus, the recovery plan i should say, the american rescue plan, that also feeds into his ability to keep that vaccine dissemination strategy alive. but we heard also from the governor of maryland yesterday who said they have all the ability to roll out the vaccine as soon as they get the doses. there is nothing to hold them back actually giving those to people every single day. the back actually giving those to people every single day-— every single day. the director of the us and _ every single day. the director of the us and america's _ every single day. the director of. the us and america's programme every single day. the director of i the us and america's programme at chatham house, thank you very much. in the us, at least 21 people have died and millions are without power as an extreme winter storm continues to sweep across the southern part of the us. in texas there has been widespread blackouts after the energy grid was overwhelmed by a surge in demand. 0ur north america correspondent peter bowes reports. frigid conditions in a region that simply isn't used to scenes like this. historically cold weather that is lingering in texas and other southern states. this is no longerjust an emergency, it is clear it is a disaster. millions of households have been without electricity and heating since monday. there is growing criticism of officials responsible for the texas power grid, which failed when it couldn't cope with the extra demand. the governor of texas has called for an investigation into the body that is responsible for most of the state's power. he says the arctic weather isn't over yet. cold temperatures will remain across much of the state for the next few days. most of the state will be below freezing tomorrow morning. as well as dealing with problems like burst pipes, some families are now short on food. i barely found bread, so everybody is getting stocked up, the shelves are getting empty. across the country more than two thirds of america is currently covered by snow. the extreme weather is forecast to continue until the weekend. peter bowes, bbc news, los angeles. for the past 12 years, a horse riding stables in south london has provided a place of comfort and therapy for hundreds of young people with disabilities. but, with the landlord wanting to sell, the community have a week left to raise the one—million pounds needed to buy it — or face closure. fiona lamdin has the story. these stables in south—west london have been here for nearly 200 years. for the last 12, they have been helping those with disabilities. but now the owner wants to sell. do you want to give him a carrot? 18—year—old dominic has cerebral palsy. we all want the best for our children but when you get someone like dominic who cannot access anything, just seeing the joy, what the one activity can give him what nothing else can do, that is why it is so important. sorry. emotional. time is running out. they have just seven days to raise hundreds of thousands and they are desperate for help. i feel enormous pressure because 350 disabled people are relying on us. i absolutely have to do it for them and i feel like i am carrying the weight of them on my back. i feel sick all of the time and i am worried to sleep because i think i am wasting hours when we only have one week left. 14—year—old louis has autism. he says the stables and the horses have changed his life. i get really stressed, panic attacks, and just coming to the stables has really helped, being around the animals, being able to see them every day. give a pony a hug. show me. and for hannah, who is visually impaired, without the stables, she would be unemployed. it has improved my mental health dramatically. it has allowed me to find out what i am good at. philippa has learning difficulties and she has been riding here for ten years. when i am with the horses, it makes me feel like another person because it makes me forget about everything and gets rid of my worries and everything. the appeal has attracted some celebrity backing. just brilliant the community has come together so quickly to raise half of the money needed to save it, but £1 million is the target and time is ticking. they have until the end of february. pretty urgent and i so hope the stables can be saved. the message is clear — one they are taking every opportunity to spread. fiona lamdin, bbc news. the headlines on bbc news... scientists tracking coronavirus in england say there's been a strong decline in infection levels since the current lockdown began. the duke of edinburgh has spent a second night in hospital after being admitted as a precautionary measure on tuesday evening. the government is being urged to gradually wind down the furlough scheme to keep a lid on rising unemployment. millions of people in texas are stuck without power in sub—zero temperatures, with some even burning their own furniture to keep warm. australia's prime minister has accused facebook of unfriending his country, after it blocked news feeds in a row over a new social media law. and seven minutes of terror for nasa — its perseverance rover will face its descent to the surface of mars today. more on that soon. pressure on critical care beds in england is showing signs of easing as the most serious cases of coronavirus begin to decline. 80% of beds in critical care wards were occupied in the week to 14th february — down from 83% the week before. that's just under 4,800 people in critical care, with 6,000 available beds. but critical care is still stretched and cases remain high. 0ur health correspondent catherine burns is with me now. put this in more context for us. the first thing to _ put this in more context for us. tie: first thing to say, talking about critical care, not like there is a set number of beds, it goes up and down according to demand. there are 6000 critical care beds available in 4800 are being used. injanuary it was more, so we can see it as falling, but pressure is still high. in november, 4.2 thousand critical care beds, it would not be enough to deal with the people reading it now. it is good news, it shows the slight easing of pressure on the nhs. is it time to relax? no. —— people needed now. it is not the people, not the equipment, they are still under pressure. in normal times when it comes to intensive care, you would have one nurse for one patient. 0ver have one nurse for one patient. over the pandemic and the peak recently, there has been one nurse looking after two, three patients. still high but definitely in the right direction. i high but definitely in the right direction. ., �* ~ ., high but definitely in the right direction. ~' ., high but definitely in the right direction. ., �* ~ ., ., direction. i don't know if you have this breakdown, _ direction. i don't know if you have this breakdown, what _ direction. i don't know if you have this breakdown, what proportion l direction. i don't know if you have | this breakdown, what proportion of the critical care beds are occupied ljy the critical care beds are occupied by people because they are surviving longer because there are treatments available for people that were not available for people that were not available at the start of the pandemic to keep people in —— alive? i don't have the numbers but what you are saying is absolutely true, we are getting better at tweeting this. every week there is new developments. even if it is... at the beginning, it was all new. —— at treating theirs. we have learnt various treatments and it is improving outcomes for people but it means people will be in hospitalfor longer. fix. means people will be in hospital for loner. �* ., ., means people will be in hospital for lower, �* ., ., , , longer. a word on the react study, an ongoing — longer. a word on the react study, an ongoing study — longer. a word on the react study, an ongoing study on _ longer. a word on the react study, an ongoing study on coronavirus i an ongoing study on coronavirus infection levels in england, showing a strong decline of 80% in the capital, london, at a pretty high level to begin with, and overall, decline in most areas of england. this is a very similar story to the critical care beds we are talking about, good news, data showing the same thing, that it is getting better, lockdown is working. the infection rate, we are thinking it is halving every 15 days, something we have not seen for a long time. infections, where we are on a daily number as we were in september. always a but unfortunately.- always a but unfortunately. really hiuh base, always a but unfortunately. really high base. still— always a but unfortunately. really high base, still more _ always a but unfortunately. really high base, still more than - always a but unfortunately. reallyj high base, still more than 20,000 people in hospital, where we were at the peak in april. injanuary, closer to 40,000. things are moving in the right direction but certainly not time to relax.— in the right direction but certainly not time to relax. very interesting to see how — not time to relax. very interesting to see how boris _ not time to relax. very interesting to see how boris johnson - not time to relax. very interesting to see how boris johnson deals i not time to relax. very interesting l to see how boris johnson deals with to see how borisjohnson deals with all of the data next week when he announces plans for how he might begin to start easing restrictions. they will be glad to see these numbers. i they will be glad to see these numbers. ., , they will be glad to see these numbers— they will be glad to see these numbers. . , . ., ., numbers. i am sure. we all love. thank you- _ numbers. i am sure. we all love. thank you- -- — numbers. i am sure. we all love. thank you. -- we _ numbers. i am sure. we all love. thank you. -- we all— numbers. i am sure. we all love. thank you. -- we all are. - around one in ten people who contract covid—19 still experience symptoms three months after their diagnosis, according to a study by the office for national statistics. now a group of mps say key workers and front line staff who are suffering from long—term effects, and unable to return to work, should get compensation. tim muffett has more. oh, no. 38.9. i don't know what to do. i actually don't know what to do. this is the highest temperature i have ever had. sophie is a nurse and midwife. she says she's been ruined by covid. my muscles ache all the time. i feel dizzy every day, i feel like i want to vomit every day. around one in ten people who contract covid experience symptoms 12 weeks after their diagnosis, according to preliminary research last year by the office of national statistics. myjourney started with a headache, the same headache that i now have 10.5 months on. and i became gravely unwell with covid at the age of 27. imagine running a marathon with no finish line at all. so, ijust feel that i'm running every single day, entirely exhausted, and i have no idea when this will end. i've got a sore throat, i wake up like this most mornings, and if i don't wake up like this, my tonsilsjust feel really, really sore. obviously, you haven't been able to return to work. what impact has that had on you? i've never cried so much. the guidance says that coronavirus absence or coronavirus—related absence should be full pay for the duration of the pandemic. but how employers interpret that is sort of up to their discretion, so i actually don't know how long i'm going to be on full pay for, i don't know if my contract is going to be terminated. you know, i've got a mortgage, i've got a partner, i have a family, how am i going to sustain all that? you know, i was fit and well, i've never had any long—term illnesses, i have no underlying conditions. iona is a secondary school teacher. she used to run regularly. she contracted covid last march. standing up and breathing and walking is really, really difficult. it wasn'tjust not being able to work, it'sjust not being able to do anything, and it'sjust, as the weeks went on, it was... it sort of felt like being slowly erased because it was like all your plans and all the things you normally do in your life were just being taken away one by one. all my muscles hurt and ache all the time. i'm certain i caught it in the workplace because i have a vulnerable family member, so before everyone else was locking down and using hand gel, i was taking every precaution. my digestion has been really all over the place. iona attempted a phased return to work last year which was paused because of lockdown. she's set up a teachers with covid facebook page. teachers are a really dedicated bunch of people. and it's a whole... yeah, it's your whole life, it's who you are. to have that taken away, it's devastating financially, but also, it's not just a job, you know, it's a vocation, it's a career. just getting really dizzy. the government has today pledged a further £18.5 million to fund research into long covid. two inhalers here. to better understand the causes, symptoms and treatments. there are calls for more action. earlier this month, spainjoined other countries, including france, germany and belgium, in officially recognising covid as an occupational disease. that means that certain employees are entitled to compensation if they contract it during their employment. evie would welcome a similar move here. she suspects she caught covid whilst working in a supermarket in dundee last march. i got sick the week of all the panic buying. and everyone going to the shops. i've been sick for nearly 11 months now. i have chronic fatigue, breathlessness, chest pains, brain fog, and exertional tachycardia, whichjust means that my heart rate goes to high levels. as you can see, my heart rate has been all over the place today. i had to take a break in my four—hour shift, just to go and try and get my breathing under control and i had chest pain. i was very lucky that my employer paid my full wage while i was off. but i do know there's other people that are getting just statutory sick pay and that's not enough. the government says it is acutely aware of the indiscriminate and lasting impacts covid—19 can have, as well as the dedication and hard work of so many front line staff. but for many who have survived covid, its long—term impact has been life changing. tim muffett, bbc news. 38.1. you you have been getting in touch about number of stories including non—covid. 0n about number of stories including non—covid. on twitter, very interesting on bbc news this morning, several months of work after contracting the virus, i am on after contracting the virus, i am on a long waiting list for pulmonary rehabilitation, from james. sarah in touch about the unconfirmed reports that parents might be asked to test children in orderfor that parents might be asked to test children in order for them that parents might be asked to test children in orderfor them to go back to school, my daughter of six, tested for covid twice, freaked out, no way parents can test children regularly with these. ridiculous idea, i say that as someone who works in education too. these are just reports, nothing confirmed on that front, the ideas parents might have to test children rather than the testing being done in schools. some talk of a phased return to schools. we are expecting to hear from northern ireland today, what they are going to do about the full reopening of schools there. let me see if i canjust reopening of schools there. let me see if i can just fit reopening of schools there. let me see if i canjust fit in reopening of schools there. let me see if i can just fit in another tweet, scanning through to see other reactions, i can't find it on my twitter feed. reactions, i can't find it on my twitterfeed. hoping to reactions, i can't find it on my twitter feed. hoping to find it very soon. here it is. stephen talking about the furlough scheme, the impact of covid on those losing jobs and incomes is being overlooked by focusing on the furlough scheme, thank you for getting in touch. you can get in touch on twitter. the headlines on bbc news... new research shows there's been a strong decline in corinavirus infection levels since the current lockdown restrictions were put in place. the duke of edinburgh has spent a second night in hospital after being admitted as a precautionary measure on tuesday evening. the uk government is being urged to gradually wind down the furlough scheme to keep a lid on rising unemployment. the usjustice department has charged three north korean hackers with conspiring to steal $1.3 billion in a series of cyber attacks. thejustice department has also linked them to some of the biggest recent cyber attacks. they include the wannacry attack, which crippled the uk's national health service and affected more than 150 countries, and an attack on sony entertainment pictures. mark lobel reports. witness the scene of the biggest cash heist in us history. around 60 years ago, two gunmen raiding this mail truck for $1.5 million. today's bank robbers are accused of scheming to steal $1.3 billion, with no getaway cars, just a click of the mouse. the accused come from sanction—hit, cash—strapped north korea, which america'sjustice department describes as "a criminal syndicate with a flag", pointing the finger at three cyber bandits —jon chang hyok, kim il and mr park. the us says all are members of north korea's military intelligence agency, the rgb. it retains the ability to conduct disruptive cyber attacks, and several of those cases in the past are quite high—profile and prominent. i'm sorry we're sold out for the interview... it was the release of this comedy six years ago, about a fictional plot to assassinate the north korean leader, that sparked cyber attacks organised by one of the defendants, aimed at the film's maker, sony entertainment pictures, alongside threats of violence against us cinema—goers. with parts of britain's health service plunged into crisis years later, its computer systems crippled, alongside tens of thousands worldwide, with ransoms demanded in bitcoins to get them working again. now the troublesome trio are accused of attempting a staggering billion—dollar raid on banks and businesses in over 20 countries, which would pay for half of their country's annual merchandise imports, by trying to redirect other people's money and steal digital wallets of crypto currency. north korea has become one of the most sophisticated cyber actors out there. it has really become adept at hacking international financial institutions and networks and using it to generate revenue to fund its weapons, nuclear weapons programme, and obtain hard currency. but with the prime suspects thought to be in north korea, there is little chance they will face trial. instead, rather gloomily, experts expect more trying times for global businesses, with cops left out in the cold from increasingly sophisticated cyber—criminals. mark lobel, bbc news. recent studies have found a lower proportion of people from black, asian and minority ethnic communities have taken up the offer of a coronavirus vaccine. to try to address their concerns, and dispel myths about the jab, for the first time in british media history, all the major uk commercial channels will simultaneously broadcast a video message, featuring a number of celebrities, this evening. let's take a look. the vaccine does not contain the virus itself, only harmless elements from it. taking the vaccine is the only way to boost your immunity against covid for you and your loved ones. the vaccine was available quickly because of a global effort. - because huge funds were made available by governments around the world. the comedian and tv presenter romesh ranganathan is in that advert and he explains why he's got involved in the campaign. my mum is a key worker and where she works, it's a lot of people of south asian backgrounds, so my brother and i were obviously very worried about her and we just assumed that she was going to be willing and ready to take the vaccine. when it came down to us actually discussing it with her, she said, "i've actually got some doubts." it took us by surprise. we sort of were able to talk to her about it and explain the various issues and now she feels 0k to take it, but itjust feels so heartbreaking to me that people from ethnic minorities are inflicting a degree of separation upon themselves from not trusting in this, and i understand all the reasons why, i've heard all the arguments, but i just feel so strongly we need to make sure we dispel some of these myths so that people are getting involved and we can get ourselves out of this pandemic. nasa will today attempt to put a space rover on the surface of mars. the six—wheeled robot called perseverance will be the first nasa mission since the 1970s to search directly for signs of life on the red planet. 0ur science correspondent rebecca morrelle has more. nasa calls it the seven minutes of terror. an approach to mars at 12,000mph... ..before a complex landing system brings the perseverance rover down to the ground. that's the plan, but only half of all mars landings have worked. there is danger everywhere. right in the middle, there is 60—80m tall cliffs that cut right through the middle of the landing site. if you look to the west, there are craters that the rover can't get out of, even if we were to land successfully there. if you look to the east, there are large rocks. landing on mars is not for the faint of heart. perseverance is the most advanced rover that nasa has ever built and it will be hunting for signs of life. its robotic arm is equipped with a drill to collect rock samples. the hope is any microscopic creatures that once lived on mars may still be preserved. for the first time, nasa will also be testing a mini mars helicopter to provide a new bird's—eye view of the planet. and back on the ground, the rover will store some of the rocks. a future mission will bring them back to earth. this mission provides our best chance to finally answer whether life existed on mars. first, though, nasa needs to get its rover safely down. there are some nerve—racking hours ahead. rebecca morelle, bbc news. let's get more on this and speak to sue horne, head of space exploration at the uk space agency. you are very welcome, thank you for joining us on bbc news. let's begin with what nasa is calling seven minutes of terror, final descent onto the surface of mars. take us through how that might happen. the first through how that might happen. tie: first thing is the heat of the atmosphere as the spacecraft enters the atmosphere, that starts to slow it down. it releases a parachute slowing it down further. the last few minutes, you have a retro rocket holding the spacecraft up above the ground and then it lowers the rover onto the ground. my analogy is the last bit is rather like thunderbird 2 putting down the pod. aha, last bit is rather like thunderbird 2 putting down the pod. fix. lat last bit is rather like thunderbird 2 putting down the pod.- 2 putting down the pod. a lot of 'eo ard 2 putting down the pod. a lot of jeopardy involved _ 2 putting down the pod. a lot of jeopardy involved and _ 2 putting down the pod. a lot of jeopardy involved and you i 2 putting down the pod. a lot of jeopardy involved and you can i 2 putting down the pod. a lot of. jeopardy involved and you can see why nasser is calling it seven minutes of terror. how quickly will we know if it has been successful and how quickly might we see if it has been successful pictures from mars? i know perseverance is loaded with cameras. it is mars? i know perseverance is loaded with cameras-— with cameras. it is loaded with cameras- _ with cameras. it is loaded with cameras. they _ with cameras. it is loaded with cameras. they will _ with cameras. it is loaded with cameras. they will take - with cameras. it is loaded with cameras. they will take a i with cameras. it is loaded withj cameras. they will take a little with cameras. it is loaded with i cameras. they will take a little bit of time but we were very quickly get an early signal and there are telescopes around the world tracking this. a station is tracking and receiving signals from the spacecraft and the lander. we will know very, very early. but it takes 11 minutes for the signals to get back to earth. when we see it entered the atmosphere, in reality, it has either successfully landed or crashed at that point in time. bated breath, i think, _ crashed at that point in time. bated breath, i think, the _ crashed at that point in time. bated breath, i think, the order— crashed at that point in time. bated breath, i think, the order of- crashed at that point in time. bated breath, i think, the order of the day for everyone involved. tell us a bit about the uk's involvement in this project. we bit about the uk's involvement in this project-— this pro'ect. we were involved in the this project. we were involved in the very early — this project. we were involved in the very early design _ this project. we were involved in the very early design stages, i this project. we were involved in j the very early design stages, our scientists were involved in deciding which instruments were needed to look for life and full samples to be collected later. we are heavily involved, our scientists, collected later. we are heavily involved, ourscientists, in the operations, so selecting exactly which samples to bring back. we can only bring back 30—50 samples, so we have to be very careful about which samples we select.— samples we select. those rock samles samples we select. those rock samples are — samples we select. those rock samples are absolutely - samples we select. those rock samples are absolutely what i samples we select. those rock - samples are absolutely what everyone wants to get their hands on. what do we hope to tell from the samples, if everything goes according to plan? we want to understand the geological history of mars, when the conditions were right to support life, for how long, and, if we are very lucky, to find evidence of that life, remains of organic material.— of organic material. sorry, go ahead. therefore, _ of organic material. sorry, go ahead. therefore, going i of organic material. sorry, go ahead. therefore, going to i of organic material. sorry, go ahead. therefore, going to a | of organic material. sorry, go i ahead. therefore, going to a landing site with a delta _ ahead. therefore, going to a landing site with a delta so _ ahead. therefore, going to a landing site with a delta so it _ ahead. therefore, going to a landing site with a delta so it has _ site with a delta so it has sediments. the same sort of material on earth you would find fossils in, thatis on earth you would find fossils in, that is why we have selected that landing site. that is why we have selected that landing site-— that is why we have selected that landin: site. . ., ., .., landing site. that material coming from mars has _ landing site. that material coming from mars has to _ landing site. that material coming from mars has to be _ landing site. that material coming from mars has to be handled i from mars has to be handled incredibly carefully, a period of quarantine, almost, i guess. yes. quarantine, almost, i guess. yes, when it comes _ quarantine, almost, i guess. yes, when it comes back— quarantine, almost, i guess. yes, when it comes back to _ quarantine, almost, i guess. yes, when it comes back to earth's, i quarantine, almost, i guess. yes when it comes back to earth's, it will be treated as if it has life on there. at no point will outside of there. at no point will outside of the container actually contact us's atmosphere, there will be a special facility built to contain the samples, so they can be looked at, check there is nothing dangerous on them as the first step —— contact earth's's atmosphere. them as the first step -- contact earth's's atmosphere.— them as the first step -- contact earth's's atmosphere. thank you, excitina earth's's atmosphere. thank you, exciting day _ earth's's atmosphere. thank you, exciting day ahead, _ earth's's atmosphere. thank you, exciting day ahead, sue _ earth's's atmosphere. thank you, exciting day ahead, sue home i earth's's atmosphere. thank you, i exciting day ahead, sue home from the uk space agency talking about the uk space agency talking about the perseverance rover. we heard earlier about the bad weather in texas. now, take a look at this. thousands of cold—stunned sea turtles have been rescued in texas. the turtles have been taken to a convention centre in south texas in the hope of saving them during the unusually chilly weather. residents, some of whom lack heat or basic amenities in their own homes, have been filling up their cars with the animals and bringing them to the centre for safety. you're watching bbc news. now it's time for a look at the weather. temperatures a little bit lower today compared to yesterday but heading into the weekend in particular it will start to rise once again. today we have rain for a time which will cross most of the uk and clear except across the north west of scotland where we have the little weather front. you can see from the isobars, tightly packed, it will be windy, gusty winds, especially with exposure in the west. this morning's rain continues to edge off into the north sea. behind it, return to sunshine and showers. some could be heavy with thunder and lightning maybe, and rain lingering in the north—west. black circles indicate the strength of the wind gusts. you will notice the wind but it will be strongest in the west with exposure. as we go through the evening and overnight, drying up for a time as a temporary ridge of high pressure crosses us. the next atlantic front coming in from the west introducing strengthening winds and heavy and persistent rain because tomorrow this area of low pressure will be driving the weather with weather fronts bringing in the rain and look at the isobars across the uk, it will be windy with gail force gusts with persistent rain which could have impacts in the south—west of england, wales, parts of scotland as well. but it does not look as if it will get further east, but it will be cloudier in the east. saturday, waving front. the forecast could change. at the moment, we think we have rain pushing up from the south affecting western and northern parts of the uk. it looks at the moment as if the east will stay dry, breezy, but windy in the north and the west, temperatures starting to climb with highs of 15 degrees. sunday, this weather front will produce thicker cloud and rain in parts of england and wales, looks like it could edge into southern and south—eastern scotland in the day, but on either side of that, bright skies, some sunshine, temperatures rising potentially up to 16, 17. this is bbc news. the headlines at 11... scientists tracking coronavirus in england say there's been a strong decline in infection levels since the current lockdown began. the duke of edinburgh has spent a second night in hospital after being admitted as a precautionary measure on tuesday evening. sir keir starmer is set to outline labour's economic strategy — he'll argue that the covid—19 crisis has shown the government needs to play a bigger role in the economy permanently. the uk government is being urged to gradually wind down the furlough scheme to keep a lid on rising unemployment. australia's prime minister has accused facebook of "unfriending" his country, after it blocked news feeds in a row over a new social media law. and seven minutes of terror for nasa — its perserverence rover will face its descent to the surface of mars today. scientists tracking coronavirus in england say there's been a strong decline in covid infection levels since the current lockdown began. the study, which is called react and was carried out by imperial college london, found that rates have dropped by two thirds across england since lockdown began, but it warns that virus levels are still high, with one in 200 people testing positive between the fourth and the 13th of this month. while infections are coming down across england, they are falling fastest in the capital, south east and west midlands, but less steeply in the north west, north east and yorkshire and the humber. in london, infections rates have dropped by 80%. 0ur health correspondent jim reed reports. the react study measures infections in the community and is one of the largest of its type. researchers swabbed 85,000 randomly selected people in england over the first half of february. positive covid tests fell by more than two thirds since the last report injanuary. it's really important to note that the prevalence is still high. we are at the level we were at maybe in late september of last year. one in 200 people are testing positive in the population as a whole, and we really have to get those rates even lower. the timing of the study means tougher lockdown rules were likely to be behind the fall in infections, with the impact of the vaccine roll—out still to be felt. there were regional variations. in london, around 0.5% of people were infected. down sharply since the last report. in the south—east of england, it was 0.3%, roughly the same as in the west midlands. the highest rates were in the north—west and north—east of england, though infections there were falling as well. in a statement, the health secretary matt hancock said the findings show encouraging signs we are now heading in the right direction across the country but warned the public must remain vigilant and follow the rules as the vaccination programme continues. but the number in hospital with covid is still above the peak of the first wave of the pandemic. infections might be falling but from a very high level. the government will have to make some difficult choices as it starts to set out its plan to ease the lockdown in england next week. jim reed, bbc news. professor tim spector from king's college london is the principal investigator of the zoe covid symptom study app. he said today's react figures are consistent with patterns from other studies taking place across the uk. there are three main surveys going on in the uk, between the reactor survey and the ns survey. all three of them have been showing declines for quite some time. we are all consistent about what was going on last week. we reported our data last week showing we had had a steady decline for the last five weeks. and we are now about 80% decline since the peak on the 1st of january stop all these surveys collect the data in slightly different ways and report it differently, which can be confusing. basically, we are seeing, in our app, exactly what the react survey reported last week. the only caveat is that there is really rapid rates that we were seeing last week seem to be plateauing out somewhat. so, whereas we had our values, we are now moving back towards one. after five or six weeks of decline, it is natural that that rate starts to wane a bit. the duke of edinburgh has spent a second night in hospital after being admitted as a precautionary measure on tuesday evening. he is expected to stay at the king edward the seventh hospital in central london for the next few days, for rest and observation. sources say prince philip's illness is not related to coronavirus. in the next few minutes, the labour leader keir starmer will be speaking, arguing that the coronavirus pandemic has shown the government needs to play a bigger role in the economy permanently. let's speak to our political correspondent alex forsyth. we expect that speech to get under way in the next few minutes. a certain amount of pressure. this is bein: certain amount of pressure. this is being billed _ certain amount of pressure. this is being billed as _ certain amount of pressure. this is being billed as a _ certain amount of pressure. this is being billed as a significant - certain amount of pressure. this is being billed as a significant speechj being billed as a significant speech for sir keir starmer, in which i think he will try to do two things. the first is try and explain what he sees some of the problems with the coronavirus pandemic, but notjust the handling of that pandemic. but he will do is suggest that that is conservative ideology, some of the decisions the conservative government has made over the last decade, which has led to the coronavirus pandemic hitting the uk as hard as it has. what he will attempt to do is let out his vision for what labour will do to help rebuild the country afterwards. a big focus on economic policy. we know a little bit about what he will say. he will be keeping the uplift, the increase to universal credit which was given at the start of the pandemic. also things like more help for local authorities so that counsel tax bills don't go up. much more broadly, what he is going to try and do is establish the labour party as a party of economic credibility, but with a real vision for the country. he will make comparisons to the labour government after the second world war where we saw the creation of the nhs and the welfare state. but it is quite high stakes for sir keir starmer, because there have been questions over his leadership, whether he has done enough during this pandemic to really cut through beyond the day—to—day of covid, whether people really understand what he stands for, what his party would do if it was elected to government, so we'll see him trying to set some of that out today. but whether that is enough to satisfy some of the early mumblings... brute enough to satisfy some of the early mumblings- - -_ mumblings. .. we will 'ust have to sto ou mumblings. .. we will 'ust have to stop you there. h mumblings. .. we will 'ust have to stop you there. let's i mumblings. .. we willjust have to stop you there. let's go _ mumblings. .. we willjust have to stop you there. let's go to - mumblings. .. we willjust have to stop you there. let's go to the i stop you there. let's go to the podium now. stop you there. let's go to the podium now-— stop you there. let's go to the podium now. stop you there. let's go to the odium now. ., , ., _ podium now. people arriving by the dozen with anxiety _ podium now. people arriving by the dozen with anxiety etched - podium now. people arriving by the dozen with anxiety etched on i podium now. people arriving by the dozen with anxiety etched on theirl dozen with anxiety etched on their faces _ dozen with anxiety etched on their faces. many hadn't been out for months — faces. many hadn't been out for months i— faces. many hadn't been out for months. i saw the anxiety drain away as they— months. i saw the anxiety drain away as they were — months. i saw the anxiety drain away as they were vaccinated, and they left with _ as they were vaccinated, and they left with smiles, broad smiles on their— left with smiles, broad smiles on their faces — left with smiles, broad smiles on their faces. and it is that spirit of hope — their faces. and it is that spirit of hope and optimism that i want to start with _ of hope and optimism that i want to start with today. a spirit we have seen _ start with today. a spirit we have seen too — start with today. a spirit we have seen too little of in the last year. the dedication of our front line workers. — the dedication of our front line workers, the skill of our nhs and the brilliance of our scientists, and of— the brilliance of our scientists, and of course the solidarity of the british _ and of course the solidarity of the british people now point the way to a better— british people now point the way to a better future for our country. and allow _ a better future for our country. and allow us _ a better future for our country. and allow us to— a better future for our country. and allow us to glimpse how we can thrive _ allow us to glimpse how we can thrive again as a nation. covid has shown— thrive again as a nation. covid has shown us— thrive again as a nation. covid has shown us the best of britain, but it had shown— shown us the best of britain, but it had shown our fragility is, too. this— had shown our fragility is, too. this virus— had shown our fragility is, too. this virus has a deadly ability to find the — this virus has a deadly ability to find the most vulnerable and to expose — find the most vulnerable and to expose deep inequalities and injustices. we have to seize this moment— injustices. we have to seize this moment to address that. i believe there _ moment to address that. i believe there is— moment to address that. i believe there is a — moment to address that. i believe there is a mood in the air which we don't _ there is a mood in the air which we don't detect — there is a mood in the air which we don't detect often in britain. it was there _ don't detect often in britain. it was there in 1945, after the sacrifice _ was there in 1945, after the sacrifice of war. and it is there again— sacrifice of war. and it is there again now _ sacrifice of war. and it is there again now. it is the determination that our— again now. it is the determination that our collective sacrifice must lead to _ that our collective sacrifice must lead to a — that our collective sacrifice must lead to a better future. in a few weeks' — lead to a better future. in a few weeks' time, we will have a budget that will— weeks' time, we will have a budget that will offer a simple choice. a fork in _ that will offer a simple choice. a fork in the — that will offer a simple choice. a fork in the road. we can go back to the same _ fork in the road. we can go back to the same insecure and unequal economy— the same insecure and unequal economy that has been so cruelly exposed — economy that has been so cruelly exposed by the virus. 0r economy that has been so cruelly exposed by the virus. or we can seize _ exposed by the virus. or we can seize the — exposed by the virus. or we can seize the moment. go forward to a future _ seize the moment. go forward to a future that— seize the moment. go forward to a future that is going to look utterly unlike _ future that is going to look utterly unlike the — future that is going to look utterly unlike the past. that choice will define _ unlike the past. that choice will define the — unlike the past. that choice will define the budget. that choice will define _ define the budget. that choice will define the budget. that choice will define the next election. we know what the _ define the next election. we know what the conservatives say they want to do _ what the conservatives say they want to do they _ what the conservatives say they want to do. they want to build back. but i to do. they want to build back. but i don't _ to do. they want to build back. but i don't want — to do. they want to build back. but i don't want to go back. you cannot return— i don't want to go back. you cannot return to _ i don't want to go back. you cannot return to business as usual. and certainly— return to business as usual. and certainly not to an economy rooted in insecurity— certainly not to an economy rooted in insecurity and inequality. i want our country— in insecurity and inequality. i want our country to go forward, to embrace _ our country to go forward, to embrace the change that is coming in science, _ embrace the change that is coming in science, technology and work. and to be ready— science, technology and work. and to be ready to _ science, technology and work. and to be ready to face the future. and today, _ be ready to face the future. and today, i— be ready to face the future. and today, i want to set out how we can build _ today, i want to set out how we can build that _ today, i want to set out how we can build that future together. covid, of course, — build that future together. covid, of course, is not only the worst health — of course, is not only the worst health crisis in memory, it is the biggest — health crisis in memory, it is the biggest economic convulsion in 300 years _ biggest economic convulsion in 300 years we _ biggest economic convulsion in 300 years. we have seen the worst death toll in— years. we have seen the worst death toll in europe, and the worst economic— toll in europe, and the worst economic crisis of any major economy _ economic crisis of any major economy. now, i've said a lot about the incompetence of the government's handling _ the incompetence of the government's handling of— the incompetence of the government's handling of the pandemic, and i make no apology— handling of the pandemic, and i make no apology for that. they have been a slow _ no apology for that. they have been a slow at _ no apology for that. they have been a slow at every stage. they have ignored — a slow at every stage. they have ignored advice. they have not learnt from their— ignored advice. they have not learnt from their mistakes. yet a government out of its depth is not even _ government out of its depth is not even half— government out of its depth is not even half of the story. the terrible damage _ even half of the story. the terrible damage caused by the virus to health and prosperity has been made all the worse _ and prosperity has been made all the worse because the foundations of our society— worse because the foundations of our society have been weakened over a decade _ society have been weakened over a decade. ten years ago, at the start of this— decade. ten years ago, at the start of this period of conservative government, a professor published a report— government, a professor published a report on— government, a professor published a report on the state of england's health — report on the state of england's health in— report on the state of england's health. in february of last year he updated _ health. in february of last year he updated it — health. in february of last year he updated it. he has done so again in the shadow— updated it. he has done so again in the shadow of covid. that shows that even before — the shadow of covid. that shows that even before the pandemic, life expectancy had stalled for the first time in _ expectancy had stalled for the first time in a _ expectancy had stalled for the first time in a century. child poverty had shot up— time in a century. child poverty had shot up to — time in a century. child poverty had shot up to over 4 million. a child growing — shot up to over 4 million. a child growing up — shot up to over 4 million. a child growing up in the north—east can expect— growing up in the north—east can expect to — growing up in the north—east can expect to live for five less years than _ expect to live for five less years than a _ expect to live for five less years than a child growing up in a deprived _ than a child growing up in a deprived area of london. what sort of legacy— deprived area of london. what sort of legacy is— deprived area of london. what sort of legacy is that? for a party that has been — of legacy is that? for a party that has been in — of legacy is that? for a party that has been in government for a decade. that life _ has been in government for a decade. that life itself got cheaper. and shorten — that life itself got cheaper. and shorten in _ that life itself got cheaper. and shorter. in his most recent report, he set _ shorter. in his most recent report, he set out — shorter. in his most recent report, he set out the reports to the macro cost of _ he set out the reports to the macro cost of inequality, that covid got into the — cost of inequality, that covid got into the cracks and crevices of our society— into the cracks and crevices of our society and — into the cracks and crevices of our society and forced them open. with tragic— society and forced them open. with tragic consequences. during the last year. _ tragic consequences. during the last year. my— tragic consequences. during the last year, my thoughts have returned time and again— year, my thoughts have returned time and again to _ year, my thoughts have returned time and again to the wartime generation. those _ and again to the wartime generation. those who— and again to the wartime generation. those who suffered through the horrors — those who suffered through the horrors of — those who suffered through the horrors of world war ii. who rebuilt britain _ horrors of world war ii. who rebuilt britain from — horrors of world war ii. who rebuilt britain from the rubble of the blitz — britain from the rubble of the blitz. created the nhs and built millions— blitz. created the nhs and built millions of homes fit for heroes. and i_ millions of homes fit for heroes. and i contrast that with how so many of them _ and i contrast that with how so many of them were left in their time of need _ of them were left in their time of need exposed to covid in underfunded care homes, _ need exposed to covid in underfunded care homes, unable to say goodbye to families— care homes, unable to say goodbye to families and _ care homes, unable to say goodbye to families and to loved ones. how can our prime _ families and to loved ones. how can our prime minister now look those families— our prime minister now look those families in— our prime minister now look those families in the eye and say "we did everything — families in the eye and say "we did everything we could?" when the truth is that— everything we could?" when the truth is that the _ everything we could?" when the truth is that the conservatives promised to fix— is that the conservatives promised to fix social — is that the conservatives promised to fix social care for a decade but never— to fix social care for a decade but never got — to fix social care for a decade but never got around to it. but the problem — never got around to it. but the problem is _ never got around to it. but the problem is even bigger than the serial— problem is even bigger than the serial failures of this government. it is serial failures of this government. it is about— serial failures of this government. it is about an ideology that has failed — it is about an ideology that has failed an_ it is about an ideology that has failed. an ideology that has proved incapable _ failed. an ideology that has proved incapable of providing security for the long _ incapable of providing security for the long term. that is different to the long term. that is different to the economic and moral necessity of tackling _ the economic and moral necessity of tackling inequality, and that left britain _ tackling inequality, and that left britain unprepared when we were tested _ britain unprepared when we were tested the most. are care homes are perhaps— tested the most. are care homes are perhaps the — tested the most. are care homes are perhaps the clearest example of this _ perhaps the clearest example of this but — perhaps the clearest example of this. but we have seen the same tragic— this. but we have seen the same tragic story— this. but we have seen the same tragic story in overstretched hospitals, in gp surgeries, in schools— hospitals, in gp surgeries, in schools with ever growing class sizes, — schools with ever growing class sizes, in — schools with ever growing class sizes, in our once proud town centres — sizes, in our once proud town centres and high streets, in an economy— centres and high streets, in an economy so insecure that millions of people _ economy so insecure that millions of people cannot afford to isolate. and where _ people cannot afford to isolate. and where the _ people cannot afford to isolate. and where the lowest paid have been amongst — where the lowest paid have been amongst the most exposed. these are the inevitable consequences of a decade _ the inevitable consequences of a decade of— the inevitable consequences of a decade of decisions guided by the notion— decade of decisions guided by the notion that government cannot interfere — notion that government cannot interfere with the market, that you can stripped back public services, ignore _ can stripped back public services, ignore inequalities and take money out of— ignore inequalities and take money out of the — ignore inequalities and take money out of the pockets of those who need it most, _ out of the pockets of those who need it most, only to look the other way when _ it most, only to look the other way when the _ it most, only to look the other way when the consequences of those choices— when the consequences of those choices become clear. this pandemic has pulled _ choices become clear. this pandemic has pulled back the curtain on that way of— has pulled back the curtain on that way of doing things. this must now be a moment to think again about the country— be a moment to think again about the country we _ be a moment to think again about the country we want to be. a call to arms _ country we want to be. a call to arms like _ country we want to be. a call to arms. like the beveridge report was in the _ arms. like the beveridge report was in the 19405. our chance arm5. like the beveridge report was in the 19405. our chance to diagnose the condition of britain and to dart the condition of britain and to dart the process —— 5tart5 the condition of britain and to dart the process —— starts the process of putting _ the process —— starts the process of putting it _ the process —— starts the process of putting it right. that is the process— putting it right. that is the process that i would take in the march — process that i would take in the march budget. to begin a new chapter in the _ march budget. to begin a new chapter in the history of our country and to equip— in the history of our country and to equip britain for the opportunities of the _ equip britain for the opportunities of the future. i fear that the conservatives are incapable of seizing — conservatives are incapable of 5eizing thi5 conservatives are incapable of 5eizing this moment. that what we will get _ 5eizing this moment. that what we will get on — 5eizing this moment. that what we will get on much the third will be short—term and it won't even be a fix. succe55ive conservative prime ministers — fix. succe55ive conservative prime ministers have used the rhetoric of mini5ter5 have used the rhetoric of change. _ mini5ter5 have used the rhetoric of change, northern powerhou5e5, levelling — change, northern powerhou5e5, levelling up, but all it ever add5 levelling up, but all it ever adds up to— levelling up, but all it ever adds up to is— levelling up, but all it ever adds up to is a — levelling up, but all it ever adds up to is a few sound bites and the odd photo— up to is a few sound bites and the odd photo opportunity. the truth is, whoever _ odd photo opportunity. the truth is, whoever their prime minister is, the conservatives simply do not believe that it _ conservatives simply do not believe that it is _ conservatives simply do not believe that it is the role of the government to tackle inequality or insecurity — government to tackle inequality or insecurity. they believe a good government is one that gets out of the way— government is one that gets out of the way rather than build the to a secure _ the way rather than build the to a secure future. you can get away with that in _ secure future. you can get away with that in the _ secure future. you can get away with that in the short term. perhaps even for a few— that in the short term. perhaps even for a few years. but after a decade, the results — for a few years. but after a decade, the results are obvious. so the mistakes — the results are obvious. so the mistakes the conservatives are making — mistakes the conservatives are making today are the mistakes that they always make. they try to pretend — they always make. they try to pretend this is a different conservative party, but you could have _ conservative party, but you could have fooled me. if you cannot decide whether— have fooled me. if you cannot decide whether to _ have fooled me. if you cannot decide whether to plunge hundreds of thousands of children into poverty by cutting — thousands of children into poverty by cutting universal credit you have no chance _ by cutting universal credit you have no chance of mending our broken system — no chance of mending our broken system if— no chance of mending our broken system. if you vote against children getting _ system. if you vote against children getting free school meals, you are not going — getting free school meals, you are not going to find the solution to millions— not going to find the solution to millions of children growing up in poverty — millions of children growing up in poverty if— millions of children growing up in poverty. if you cannot support 3 million _ poverty. if you cannot support 3 million self—employed people but you can't spray— million self—employed people but you can't spray billions on contracts that don't— can't spray billions on contracts that don't deliver for the nhs, you are not— that don't deliver for the nhs, you are not going to be able to build the economy of the future. and if you freeze — the economy of the future. and if you freeze pay for millions of key workers. — you freeze pay for millions of key workers, you are hardly going to build _ workers, you are hardly going to build the — workers, you are hardly going to build the high wage, high standards britain _ build the high wage, high standards britain that we so desperately need. that is— britain that we so desperately need. that is why, despite the scale of the moment, all we can expect from this government is more of the same. a road _ this government is more of the same. a road map _ this government is more of the same. a road map to yesterday. another decade _ a road map to yesterday. another decade of— a road map to yesterday. another decade of insecurity and inequality. labour— decade of insecurity and inequality. labour would choose a different path _ labour would choose a different path a — labour would choose a different path. a path that is focused on the long-term, — path. a path that is focused on the long—term, that tackles inequality, invests _ long—term, that tackles inequality, invests in _ long—term, that tackles inequality, invests in the future, and builds a more _ invests in the future, and builds a more secure and prosperous economy. that journey _ more secure and prosperous economy. that journey starts with the responsible steps that are necessary now to _ responsible steps that are necessary now to protect family incomes and support— now to protect family incomes and support businesses. a5 now to protect family incomes and support businesses. as the 0ecd, the imf support businesses. as the 0ecd, the w and _ support businesses. as the 0ecd, the w and the _ support businesses. as the 0ecd, the imf and the iss have all indicated, the public— imf and the iss have all indicated, the public finances must be returned to sustainability over the medium to lon- to sustainability over the medium to long term, _ to sustainability over the medium to long term, but in the short term. so this is— long term, but in the short term. so this is no— long term, but in the short term. so this is no time for a second wave of austerity, _ this is no time for a second wave of austerity, this is no time for tax rises _ austerity, this is no time for tax rises on — austerity, this is no time for tax rises on businesses or families. that— rises on businesses or families. that would _ rises on businesses or families. that would waste the sacrifices of the last _ that would waste the sacrifices of the last year. and it would choke off our— the last year. and it would choke off our recovery. that is why a labour — off our recovery. that is why a labour budget would protect families. we would not cut the £20 uplift _ families. we would not cut the £20 uplift in _ families. we would not cut the £20 uplift in universal credit. benefiting 6 million families by £1000 — benefiting 6 million families by £1000 a — benefiting 6 million families by £1000 a year. we will provide local councils— £1000 a year. we will provide local councils with the funding they need to prevent — councils with the funding they need to prevent huge rises in council tax _ to prevent huge rises in council tax and — to prevent huge rises in council tax. and we would end the insult of a pay— tax. and we would end the insult of a pay freeze for our key workers after _ a pay freeze for our key workers after they— a pay freeze for our key workers after they have given so much. and a labour— after they have given so much. and a labour budget would also back british— labour budget would also back british business. by extending business — british business. by extending business rate relief and the vat cut for hospitality and leisure. by easing — for hospitality and leisure. by easing the burden of debt that weighs — easing the burden of debt that weighs down on so many businesses and by— weighs down on so many businesses and by extending and updating the furlough _ and by extending and updating the furlough scheme so that it is better able to _ furlough scheme so that it is better able to help people back into work. we would _ able to help people back into work. we would also fix the gaping holes in the _ we would also fix the gaping holes in the government's kick—startjob scheme _ in the government's kick—startjob scheme it— in the government's kick—startjob scheme. it really does show how badly— scheme. it really does show how badly this — scheme. it really does show how badly this government has let people down, _ badly this government has let people down, young people down, that on average _ down, young people down, that on average 292 young people have become unemployed every day. but the government's flagship scheme only supports _ government's flagship scheme only supports 13 jobs government's flagship scheme only supports 13job5 a day. that is one 'ob supports 13job5 a day. that is one job supported for every 22 jobs lost by young _ job supported for every 22 jobs lost by young people. we also need to use this budget _ by young people. we also need to use this budget to build a more sustainable, secure economy for the lon- sustainable, secure economy for the long term _ sustainable, secure economy for the long term. the chancellor i5 pinning his hopes _ long term. the chancellor i5 pinning his hopes for recovery on short—term consumer— his hopes for recovery on short—term consumer spending. but as the bank of england _ consumer spending. but as the bank of england have said, the vast majority— of england have said, the vast majority of savings built up during the pandemic won't be spent. that is understandable. but it won't help rebuild _ understandable. but it won't help rebuild our country. and it won't do much _ rebuild our country. and it won't do much to— rebuild our country. and it won't do much to help save us. this is an opportunity— much to help save us. this is an opportunity to think creatively. to build _ opportunity to think creatively. to build on _ opportunity to think creatively. to build on the spirit of solidarity we have _ build on the spirit of solidarity we have seen— build on the spirit of solidarity we have seen in the last year. and to forge _ have seen in the last year. and to forge a _ have seen in the last year. and to forge a new— have seen in the last year. and to forge a new contract with the british— forge a new contract with the british people. the british people invest— british people. the british people invest in— british people. the british people invest in rebuilding an economy that is more _ invest in rebuilding an economy that is more secure, and the government provides— is more secure, and the government provides a _ is more secure, and the government provides a financial security for millions— provides a financial security for millions of people, many of whom have saved — millions of people, many of whom have saved for the first time. if i were _ have saved for the first time. if i were prime _ have saved for the first time. if i were prime minister, i would introduce _ were prime minister, i would introduce a new british recovery bond _ introduce a new british recovery bond this — introduce a new british recovery bond. this could raise billions to invest— bond. this could raise billions to invest in— bond. this could raise billions to invest in local communities, injobs and businesses. it could help build the infrastructure of the future, investing — the infrastructure of the future, investing in science, skills, technology and british manufacturing. it would also provide security— manufacturing. it would also provide security for _ manufacturing. it would also provide security for savers. and give millions— security for savers. and give millions of people a proper stake in britain's _ millions of people a proper stake in britain's future. this is bold, it is innovative and it is an example of the _ is innovative and it is an example of the active, empowering government i of the active, empowering government i believe _ of the active, empowering government i believe is _ of the active, empowering government i believe is needed if we are going to build _ i believe is needed if we are going to build a — i believe is needed if we are going to build a more secure economy. the budget— to build a more secure economy. the budget is— to build a more secure economy. the budget is a _ to build a more secure economy. the budget is a pivotal moment stop but i budget is a pivotal moment stop but i also _ budget is a pivotal moment stop but i also want _ budget is a pivotal moment stop but i also want to lift our sights, to talk about— i also want to lift our sights, to talk about the decades to come. under— talk about the decades to come. under my— talk about the decades to come. under my leadership, labour's priority— under my leadership, labour's priority will always be financial responsibility. i know the value of people's— responsibility. i know the value of people's hard earned money. and i take that _ people's hard earned money. and i take that incredibly seriously. and i take that incredibly seriously. and i know _ take that incredibly seriously. and i know that people rightly expect the government to look after their money, _ the government to look after their money to— the government to look after their money, to invest it wisely and not to spend — money, to invest it wisely and not to spend money we cannot afford. those _ to spend money we cannot afford. those are — to spend money we cannot afford. those are my guiding principles. but ithink— those are my guiding principles. but i think that _ those are my guiding principles. but i think that covid has shifted axis on economic policy, both what is necessary— on economic policy, both what is necessary and what is possible have changed _ necessary and what is possible have changed. the age in which the government did little but collect and distribute revenue is over. the mistakes _ and distribute revenue is over. the mistakes of— and distribute revenue is over. the mistakes of the last decade have made _ mistakes of the last decade have made sure of that. i believe people are now— made sure of that. i believe people are now looking for more from their government, like they were after the second _ government, like they were after the second world war. they are looking for a government to help them through— for a government to help them through difficult times, to provide security — through difficult times, to provide security, to build a better future for them — security, to build a better future for them and security, to build a better future forthem and their security, to build a better future for them and their families. a government that knows the value of public— government that knows the value of public services, notjust government that knows the value of public services, not just the price on the _ public services, not just the price on the market. a government that invests _ on the market. a government that invests on — on the market. a government that invests on british skills, science, universities — invests on british skills, science, universities and manufacturing. that provides— universities and manufacturing. that provides world class education for all of— provides world class education for all of our— provides world class education for all of our children. and whose driving — all of our children. and whose driving mission is to tackle inequality from birth. a government that can _ inequality from birth. a government that can ensure that people don't have _ that can ensure that people don't have to _ that can ensure that people don't have to leave their home town to have _ have to leave their home town to have the — have to leave their home town to have the chance of getting a good 'ob, have the chance of getting a good job, and _ have the chance of getting a good job, and won't leave university with crippling _ job, and won't leave university with crippling debt. a government that can build — crippling debt. a government that can build a new generation of affordable homes and not stand idly by white _ affordable homes and not stand idly by while millions are denied the dream _ by while millions are denied the dream of— by while millions are denied the dream of home ownership. a government that can work with trade unions _ government that can work with trade unions and _ government that can work with trade unions and businesses to shape the future _ unions and businesses to shape the future of— unions and businesses to shape the future of work and harness the opportunities of new technology. a government that will ensure their homes _ government that will ensure their homes are — government that will ensure their homes are places of dignity. a government that reflects our values on the _ government that reflects our values on the world stage and that puts tackling — on the world stage and that puts tackling the climate emergency at the centre of everything that we do. that's— the centre of everything that we do. that's what— the centre of everything that we do. that's what i mean when i talk of a future _ that's what i mean when i talk of a future where britain can be the best place _ future where britain can be the best place to _ future where britain can be the best place to grow up in. and the best place _ place to grow up in. and the best place to— place to grow up in. and the best place to grow up in. and the best place to grow old in. but none of this is— place to grow old in. but none of this is possible if you do not believe _ this is possible if you do not believe in _ this is possible if you do not believe in the power of good government and the need to create a new partnership between an active government, enterprising business and the _ government, enterprising business and the british people. the conservatives are incapable of this. they simply do not believe that it is the _ they simply do not believe that it is the duty— they simply do not believe that it is the duty of men to deliver social justice _ is the duty of men to deliver social justice and — is the duty of men to deliver social justice and equality. that is why, in the _ justice and equality. that is why, in the end. — justice and equality. that is why, in the end, they will always fall back— in the end, they will always fall back on— in the end, they will always fall back on the short—term demands of the market — back on the short—term demands of the market. but if we are honest, for too _ the market. but if we are honest, for too long — the market. but if we are honest, for too long labour has failed to realise — for too long labour has failed to realise that the only way to deliver social— realise that the only way to deliver socialjustice and equality is to a strong _ socialjustice and equality is to a strong partnership with businesses. under— strong partnership with businesses. under my— strong partnership with businesses. under my leadership, that mindset will change. i believe in the power of active _ will change. i believe in the power of active enterprise and government working _ of active enterprise and government working alongside british business, not because i believe business is something to be tolerated or taxed. but because i know governments cannot— but because i know governments cannot do— but because i know governments cannot do this on their own. and that a _ cannot do this on their own. and that a new— cannot do this on their own. and that a new partnership with british business _ that a new partnership with british business is — that a new partnership with british business is the only way to secure our economy, to build strong families— our economy, to build strong families and a prosperous country. the vast _ families and a prosperous country. the vast majority of businesses know this, too _ the vast majority of businesses know this, too. they know the days of ignoring — this, too. they know the days of ignoring their social and climate responsibilities are long gone. in fact, _ responsibilities are long gone. in fact, many— responsibilities are long gone. in fact, many businesses are waiting for politicians to catch up. a new partnership— for politicians to catch up. a new partnership with business, one where we have _ partnership with business, one where we have high expectations of business _ we have high expectations of business and where business can have hi-h business and where business can have high expectations of labour, is pivotal— high expectations of labour, is pivotal to— high expectations of labour, is pivotal to my leadership and to my vision _ pivotal to my leadership and to my vision for— pivotal to my leadership and to my vision for the future. it is also personal— vision for the future. it is also personal to me. my dad worked on the factory— personal to me. my dad worked on the factory floor _ personal to me. my dad worked on the factory floor his entire life, a steady— factory floor his entire life, a steady secure job allowed him to build _ steady secure job allowed him to build a _ steady secure job allowed him to build a better life for his family. that— build a better life for his family. that is— build a better life for his family. that is why, when i think about business. — that is why, when i think about business. i_ that is why, when i think about business, i see a source of pride, of dignity— business, i see a source of pride, of dignity and prosperity. and i know— of dignity and prosperity. and i know there is no vision of a future where _ know there is no vision of a future where britain fulfils its potential in which — where britain fulfils its potential in which business does not thrive. sta rt start up loans 400,000 new businesses across every region of the uk _ businesses across every region of the uk for— businesses across every region of the uk. fortoo long, as businesses across every region of the uk. for too long, as nurses have been _ the uk. for too long, as nurses have been concentrated into few parts our country _ been concentrated into few parts our country. that doesn't reflect where our talent — country. that doesn't reflect where our talent lies. and it stifles potential. it isjust the start in addressing that, but we cannot ignore — addressing that, but we cannot ignore it — addressing that, but we cannot ignore it any longer. people often ask me _ ignore it any longer. people often ask me why i want thisjob. the answer— ask me why i want thisjob. the answer is — ask me why i want thisjob. the answer is simple. to change people's lives _ answer is simple. to change people's lives. because when i see an injustice _ lives. because when i see an injustice i_ lives. because when i see an injustice, i want to put it right. that— injustice, i want to put it right. that is— injustice, i want to put it right. that is not— injustice, i want to put it right. that is notjust about policy choices, _ that is notjust about policy choices, it is an utter determination that passes through my veins _ determination that passes through my veins that— determination that passes through my veins. that is why i went into law, it is why— veins. that is why i went into law, it is why i — veins. that is why i went into law, it is why i spent two decades of fighting — it is why i spent two decades of fighting human rights cases. it is why i_ fighting human rights cases. it is why i served as director of public is, to— why i served as director of public is, to against injustice. and to help— is, to against injustice. and to help keep _ is, to against injustice. and to help keep our country safe. it is why i_ help keep our country safe. it is why i am — help keep our country safe. it is why i am so— help keep our country safe. it is why i am so proud to lead the party i why i am so proud to lead the party i love _ why i am so proud to lead the party i love and _ why i am so proud to lead the party i love and why i want to lead the country — i love and why i want to lead the country i — i love and why i want to lead the country i love. the last decade, the failed _ country i love. the last decade, the failed conservative ideology, the last year— failed conservative ideology, the last year of our collective suffering demands that we now create a new, _ suffering demands that we now create a new. more _ suffering demands that we now create a new, more secure future. for me, this isn't— a new, more secure future. for me, this isn'tjust _ a new, more secure future. for me, this isn'tjust a — a new, more secure future. for me, this isn'tjust a political question. it is an economic question. _ question. it is an economic question, too. because if britain is to succeed — question, too. because if britain is to succeed in the world, and if we are going — to succeed in the world, and if we are going to— to succeed in the world, and if we are going to be ready to face the challenges of the 20 205 and 20 305, we cannot— challenges of the 20 205 and 20 305, we cannot waste anyone's talents. we cannot— we cannot waste anyone's talents. we cannot accept that some regions of our country— cannot accept that some regions of our country are being held back. we cannot— our country are being held back. we cannot accept that if you are born into a _ cannot accept that if you are born into a deprived background you will have worst — into a deprived background you will have worst life chances. 0r into a deprived background you will have worst life chances. or if you are from — have worst life chances. or if you are from black, asian or minority ethnic— are from black, asian or minority ethnic communities you will face discrimination of every stage of your— discrimination of every stage of your life — discrimination of every stage of your life. the britain of the future _ your life. the britain of the future, the britain i want to build, is going _ future, the britain i want to build, is going to — future, the britain i want to build, is going to need the talents of everyone. inequality i5 is going to need the talents of everyone. inequality is not only morally— everyone. inequality is not only morally bankrupt, it is economic stupidity. — morally bankrupt, it is economic stupidity, too. a fairer society will lead — stupidity, too. a fairer society will lead to a more prosperous economy _ will lead to a more prosperous economy. it is not the choice of one or the _ economy. it is not the choice of one or the other, — economy. it is not the choice of one or the other, as the conservatives would _ or the other, as the conservatives would have — or the other, as the conservatives would have you believe. you either have both — would have you believe. you either have both have neither. harold wilson— have both have neither. harold wilson once said that the labour party— wilson once said that the labour party is— wilson once said that the labour party is a — wilson once said that the labour party is a moral crusade or it is nothing — party is a moral crusade or it is nothing he _ party is a moral crusade or it is nothing. he was right. our moral crusade — nothing. he was right. our moral crusade now is to address the inequalities and injustices that this crisis— inequalities and injustices that this crisis has so brutally exposed and to— this crisis has so brutally exposed and to build a better, more secure future _ and to build a better, more secure future. thank you. i think we will now go— future. thank you. i think we will now go to — future. thank you. i think we will now go to the media. and hopefully, yes, we _ now go to the media. and hopefully, yes, we have gotjonathan from the bbc. jonathan, good morning. canl bbc. jonathan, good morning. can i ask ou, bbc. jonathan, good morning. can i ask you. does _ bbc. jonathan, good morning. can i ask you. does he — bbc. jonathan, good morning. can i ask you, does he ought _ bbc. jonathan, good morning. caryl ask you, does he ought policy of recovery bonds risk, in the short term at least, allowing the rich to become richer whilst offering nothing for those who are struggling financially due to the pandemic, many of whom may be former labour voters and turned their backs on your party at the last election? how your party at the last election? how you win them back in 2024? fin your party at the last election? how you win them back in 2024?- you win them back in 2024? on the contra , you win them back in 2024? on the contrary. one _ you win them back in 2024? on the contrary. one of — you win them back in 2024? on the contrary, one of the _ you win them back in 2024? on the contrary, one of the problems i you win them back in 2024? on the contrary, one of the problems of. you win them back in 2024? on the| contrary, one of the problems of the party— contrary, one of the problems of the party in _ contrary, one of the problems of the party in the — contrary, one of the problems of the party in the past has been the short termism _ party in the past has been the short termism of— party in the past has been the short termism of the party coupled with austerity — termism of the party coupled with austerity. i have given the bond is an example — austerity. i have given the bond is an example of a longer term way of investing _ an example of a longer term way of investing. many people have saved, for the _ investing. many people have saved, for the first — investing. many people have saved, for the first time jones pandemic, and as— for the first time jones pandemic, and as the — for the first time jones pandemic, and as the bank of england says, they are — and as the bank of england says, they are unlikely to spend it in the harry, _ they are unlikely to spend it in the harry and — they are unlikely to spend it in the harry, and this gives them the security— harry, and this gives them the security of— harry, and this gives them the security of a bond going forward. it also helps — security of a bond going forward. it also helps the country is secure that economy. it is actually part of an argument about how we go forward, that fork— an argument about how we go forward, that fork in— an argument about how we go forward, that fork in the roads that i described. a5 for winning people back, _ described. a5 for winning people back, winning votes where we have lost them, — back, winning votes where we have lost them, that is obviously a question— lost them, that is obviously a question of trust in the labour party — question of trust in the labour party i— question of trust in the labour party. i think it is important that at this— party. i think it is important that at this point i set out, as a vaccination programme is being rolled _ vaccination programme is being rolled out, it is fantastic. we can now talk— rolled out, it is fantastic. we can now talk about what comes next. what i'm now talk about what comes next. what i'm saying _ now talk about what comes next. what i'm saying is _ now talk about what comes next. what i'm saying is that there is a fork in the _ i'm saying is that there is a fork in the road _ i'm saying is that there is a fork in the road and we must not go back to business— in the road and we must not go back to business as usual. we have to go on to— to business as usual. we have to go on to a _ to business as usual. we have to go on to a better and more secure future — on to a better and more secure future. thank you, jonathan. i think we have _ future. thank you, jonathan. i think we have got— future. thank you, jonathan. i think we have got sam next from sky. you sent we have got sam next from sky. you spent 2020 — we have got sam next from sky. gm. spent 2020 focusing your attacks on tory incompetence. but boris johnson's hugely successful vaccination roll out to other blunts that charge. today you have defaulted to tories underfunding and embracing austerity. those arguments did not win labour three general elections, and have lost strongholds. what makes you think this case will work better this time? sign that have criticised the government for being too slow on pretty much every occasion. t government for being too slow on pretty much every occasion. i stand b that pretty much every occasion. i stand by that criticism. _ pretty much every occasion. i stand by that criticism. i _ pretty much every occasion. i stand by that criticism. i am _ pretty much every occasion. i stand by that criticism. i am pleased i pretty much every occasion. i stand by that criticism. i am pleased that | by that criticism. i am pleased that the vaccination programme has enrolled — the vaccination programme has enrolled out so quickly. thank you to all— enrolled out so quickly. thank you to all those — enrolled out so quickly. thank you to all those on the front line, particularly the nhs. i think there is a duty— particularly the nhs. i think there is a duty as we face the future but to be _ is a duty as we face the future but to be honest about the choices that are before — to be honest about the choices that are before us. as we come out of this, _ are before us. as we come out of this, do— are before us. as we come out of this, do we — are before us. as we come out of this, do we want to go back and try to repair— this, do we want to go back and try to repair what we have before? 0r this, do we want to go back and try to repair what we have before? or do we move _ to repair what we have before? or do we move forward to a better and different — we move forward to a better and different economy? i think this is a moral— different economy? i think this is a moral and — different economy? i think this is a moral and political choice that we now have — moral and political choice that we now have to make. that's the case i have _ now have to make. that's the case i have set _ now have to make. that's the case i have set out — now have to make. that's the case i have set out in the speech i have 'ust have set out in the speech i have just given — have set out in the speech i have just given. if we go back to where we were _ just given. if we go back to where we were before, we go back to a model— we were before, we go back to a model that — we were before, we go back to a model that had inequality and injustice — model that had inequality and injustice built into it and put this injustice built into it and put this in a position where we weren't as robust _ in a position where we weren't as robust and — in a position where we weren't as robust and ready as we should have been _ robust and ready as we should have been going — robust and ready as we should have been going into the pandemic. this is about— been going into the pandemic. this is about not— been going into the pandemic. this is about notjust his budget in march — is about notjust his budget in march, but when we have the next decade _ march, but when we have the next decade. thank you. libby, itv. we have decade. thank you. libby, itv. have heard in decade. thank you. libby, itv. - have heard in the reactor survey today that the rates of coronavirus in london are coming down very sharply now, but they are falling much more slowly in the north—west and north—east. how concerned are you by these regional discrepancies? what would you do about them if you were prime minister?— were prime minister? firstly, i am really pleased _ were prime minister? firstly, i am really pleased to _ were prime minister? firstly, i am really pleased to see _ were prime minister? firstly, i am really pleased to see the - were prime minister? firstly, i am really pleased to see the rates i really pleased to see the rates coming — really pleased to see the rates coming down. i think we all are. i think— coming down. i think we all are. i think that — coming down. i think we all are. i think that shows that these restrictions are working. that's why we backed — restrictions are working. that's why we backed the government in those restrictions. i think we need to be cautious— restrictions. i think we need to be cautious and careful. what the play minister— cautious and careful. what the play minister is— cautious and careful. what the play minister is saying, i think is right about— minister is saying, i think is right about that — minister is saying, i think is right about that. careful and cautious as we come _ about that. careful and cautious as we come add to this because we have to make _ we come add to this because we have to make sure — we come add to this because we have to make sure that this lockdown i5 to make sure that this lockdown is the last— to make sure that this lockdown is the last lockdown. not make the mistakes — the last lockdown. not make the mistakes we've made before which is coming _ mistakes we've made before which is coming up _ mistakes we've made before which is coming up too quickly. that is the language — coming up too quickly. that is the language of the prime minister is now using. i think he is right about that _ now using. i think he is right about that that's— now using. i think he is right about that. that's why we support the lockdown — that. that's why we support the lockdown that we are in. a5 that. that's why we support the lockdown that we are in. as we say, across _ lockdown that we are in. as we say, across the _ lockdown that we are in. as we say, across the country, everyone wants this to — across the country, everyone wants this to be _ across the country, everyone wants this to be the last lockdown. we can then move _ this to be the last lockdown. we can then move forward to the future. thank— then move forward to the future. thank you — then move forward to the future. thank you i_ then move forward to the future. thank you. i think we are now going to the _ thank you. i think we are now going to the guardian. hi thank you. i think we are now going to the guardian.— to the guardian. hi there. he say that there _ to the guardian. hi there. he say that there is _ to the guardian. hi there. he say that there is no _ to the guardian. hi there. he say that there is no time _ to the guardian. hi there. he say that there is no time for - to the guardian. hi there. he say that there is no time for tax i to the guardian. hi there. he sayj that there is no time for tax rises on businesses. does that mean that labour would oppose any intention in which she soon acts budget to raise corporation tax? the tories have spent billions and they are working with volunteers to deliver a vaccine programme. isn't it obvious that they also believe in partnership between an active government and enterprising businesses? what is labour offering that is distinct from that, and perhaps you could say whether they you can say you believe there is still a role for re—nationalisation for key industries? re-nationalisation for key industries?— re-nationalisation for key industries? ., ., industries? the point about tax rises is this. _ industries? the point about tax rises is this. tax _ industries? the point about tax rises is this. tax rises - industries? the point about tax rises is this. tax rises and i industries? the point about tax rises is this. tax rises and or. industries? the point about tax rises is this. tax rises and or a | rises is this. tax rises and or a return— rises is this. tax rises and or a return to — rises is this. tax rises and or a return to austerity risk throttling off the _ return to austerity risk throttling off the recovery. it's hard to find any economist out there who are suggesting for us to do either of those _ suggesting for us to do either of those things. what we need to do is recover_ those things. what we need to do is recover as— those things. what we need to do is recover as quickly as possible and not throttle it off. on the wider point _ not throttle it off. on the wider point about the government. it is very important with this prime minister— very important with this prime minister notjust to very important with this prime minister not just to listen to what he sows, — minister not just to listen to what he sows, but to look at what he does _ he sows, but to look at what he does. there is a world of difference between _ does. there is a world of difference between the part that i have just laid out — between the part that i have just laid out on — between the part that i have just laid out on the path that he is going — laid out on the path that he is going down. obviously, i have focused — going down. obviously, i have focused on the last ten years of austeritx — focused on the last ten years of austerity. butjust look focused on the last ten years of austerity. but just look at the choice — austerity. but just look at the choice the prime minister has made recently _ choice the prime minister has made recently. council tax hikes, a pay freeze _ recently. council tax hikes, a pay freeze for— recently. council tax hikes, a pay freeze for key workers. indecision at the _ freeze for key workers. indecision at the moment about cutting back the £20 oh _ at the moment about cutting back the £20 on universal credit. these are not £20 on universal credit. these are hot the _ £20 on universal credit. these are not the signs of a government that understands that future needs to be differeht_ understands that future needs to be different and that the insecure, unequal— different and that the insecure, unequal equality of the past has to be in _ unequal equality of the past has to be in the _ unequal equality of the past has to be in the past and he took a differeht_ be in the past and he took a different path going forward. i don't — different path going forward. i don't think that what boris johnson size is_ don't think that what boris johnson size is anything near what i have been _ size is anything near what i have been saying this morning. i think the fork— been saying this morning. i think the fork in — been saying this morning. i think the fork in the road is very clear and i_ the fork in the road is very clear and i have — the fork in the road is very clear and i have set out very clearly what i think— and i have set out very clearly what i think is_ and i have set out very clearly what i think is the — and i have set out very clearly what i think is the right course for our country— i think is the right course for our country going forward, not just i think is the right course for our country going forward, notjust in the next — country going forward, notjust in the next few months, or next few years. _ the next few months, or next few years. but — the next few months, or next few years, but over a decade. thank you, jess _ years, but over a decade. thank you, jess. the _ years, but over a decade. thank you, jess. the telegraph, i think. years, but over a decade. thank you, jess. the telegraph, ithink. your critics— jess. the telegraph, ithink. your critics say— jess. the telegraph, ithink. your critics say that you have gone too soft on _ critics say that you have gone too soft on the — critics say that you have gone too soft on the government during this crisis. _ soft on the government during this crisis. but — soft on the government during this crisis, but you also don't want to be seen — crisis, but you also don't want to be seen to— crisis, but you also don't want to be seen to politicise the crisis on the recovery all the way until the next _ the recovery all the way until the next election. how can labour win hack— next election. how can labour win back voters— next election. how can labour win back voters without being seen as point _ back voters without being seen as point scoring during crisis? and to your critics, — point scoring during crisis? and to your critics, and miliband said he was tough — your critics, and miliband said he was tough enough, are you radical enough _ was tough enough, are you radical enough for— was tough enough, are you radical enough for labour? gn was tough enough, are you radical enough for labour?— was tough enough, are you radical enough for labour? on the pandemic, what i said is — enough for labour? on the pandemic, what i said is my _ enough for labour? on the pandemic, what i said is my first _ enough for labour? on the pandemic, what i said is my first day _ enough for labour? on the pandemic, what i said is my first day in _ enough for labour? on the pandemic, what i said is my first day in the - what i said is my first day in the labour party leadership role, is that we'd be tough on the opposition. we are in a global pandemic. they said we would do is that it would be constructive in a sense that we would support government on the right things to do. for example, on the various restrictions of the lockdown is, we have been fully supportive of the government. even when backbenchers were not supportive, because we think it's the right thing to do. if challenge than when we think they're getting it wrong because we want them to get it right the next time round. whether that is testing, protective equipment to the front line. i do think that soft. i think thatis line. i do think that soft. i think that is national interest. i think the public would say, in the time like this, you're back the things that the government is doing right and you challenge things you think they are doing wrong, in order that they are doing wrong, in order that they improve on that. i think that... e—mail, everyone is concerned that we pull through this and pulled through it together. that raises your second point. why do we go from here? if anybody wants to understand my thinking and judge it in whatever way they want, i will hand out my tax and they have an stomach they can have a look at it —— | stomach they can have a look at it —— i can hand out my text and they can have a look at it. i've made it very clear that we can't go back to business as usual. they can't train reply what we had and carry on with the model that we have had from 2010. i'm saying, we've got to take a different path and set out what that path is for a better and more secure britain. thank you very tony. just a couple of quick ones. what exactly— just a couple of quick ones. what exactly would the money raise from this bond _ exactly would the money raise from this bond be spent on? why do you think— this bond be spent on? why do you think you _ this bond be spent on? why do you think you are still lagging behind in the _ think you are still lagging behind in the polls? the think you are still lagging behind in the polls?— think you are still lagging behind in the olls? ., , .., in the polls? the bond money could be sent in the polls? the bond money could be spent on — in the polls? the bond money could be spent on any _ in the polls? the bond money could be spent on any number _ in the polls? the bond money could be spent on any number of - in the polls? the bond money could be spent on any number of things. l be spent on any number of things. what i said in my speech was infrastructure, jobs on the rebuild. the point of a bond is, in a sense, it provides funding for infrastructure, for those vital things we need going forward. but it also gives people a stake in the future of their country, in a safe way. an example of the long—term thinking that they need, i think we need, going forward. in terms of the labour party and direction, obviously upset at the direction of where we should go over the next ten years. we are in a pandemic and i am conscious that we, the labour party, have got a lot of work to do, and we are determined to do that. that stance, i think, are determined to do that. that stance, ithink, by are determined to do that. that stance, i think, by setting out clearly what we see other choices for the next ten years and why the path i have set out this morning is the right path for our country. thank you very much. sit the right path for our country. thank you very much.- thank you very much. sit keir starmer there, _ thank you very much. sit keir starmer there, the _ thank you very much. sit keir starmer there, the labour - thank you very much. sit keir- starmer there, the labour leader with a big policy and ideas speech on the economy. comes ahead of the budget in march, where we expect to hear from the chancellor. sir keir starmer saying at the end of his speech that inequality is morally bankrupt and it is guilty of economic stupidity. to set out a long—term ten year vision and some examples including this recovery bond of what the labour party would do if they were in government. let's get more on this with our political correspondent. what were the main themes of that speech in your view? for this stomach so keir starmer�*s response to his critics. there are two broad aspects that he focused on. the first was his criticism of the conservative government's handling of the pandemic, but more broadly conservative ideology and policy, which he claims has deepened inequality in society. it has exacerbated the way that the pandemic has hit the uk. in the second part is that the outcome in budget at the beginning of march is a defining moment, a potentialfork in the road, a difference between the conservative party's vision and his vision. and it came to the labour vision, his vision. and it came to the labourvision, it his vision. and it came to the labour vision, it is very focused on the economy. he talks about the fact that this is not the time for tax rises, but labour would want to put forward in offering why the government would support families and businesses. there were two specific ideas that he put forward. one was a recovery bond. they could invest in savings they have and that could raise money to help fund the economic recovery from coronavirus. we talked about spending on infrastructure and similar. the second was a start up loans, which would be focused outside of london. this would tackle some of the regional inequalities. over the broad policy offerings. the problem for keir starmer is to see whether that could cut through, beyond the pandemic, can he really cut through as a person? we heard him try to do that. he talked about the fact that tackling injustice pours through his veins. you try to make it personal as well. he's up against a government which has, because of the pandemic, and taken some real intervention, government intervention, government intervention, in terms of the furlough scheme, there has been government spending and government borrowing. he is trying to make the labour party distinctive from government policy, but still a difficulty for so keir starmer. is difficulty for so keir starmer. is criticism of the conservative approach was that they tend to have approach was that they tend to have a short—term approach and lots of slogans, such as the northern powerhouse, but ultimately ten years of conservative ideology and government does not believe in fixing this inequality. and it is this inequality in the marmot report which have shown themselves in the coronavirus outcomes. what he is saying is that that needs to be fixed. but as you say, bentley has been a lot of criticism from the left of his party and from businesses. has he done enough here to reassure businesses that labour really gets it? 50 to reassure businesses that labour really gets it?— really gets it? so keir starmer didn't have — really gets it? so keir starmer didn't have the _ really gets it? so keir starmer didn't have the easiest - really gets it? so keir starmer didn't have the easiest job. . really gets it? so keir starmerj didn't have the easiest job. he really gets it? so keir starmer - didn't have the easiest job. he took didn't have the easiestjob. he took over a party that is deeply divided and almost immediately, he became leader on aprilfour last and almost immediately, he became leader on april four last year. at that point, he is in the middle of a pandemic. his initial approach to the pandemic was to be a constructive opposition. he has been criticised for not being hard enough in some people's eyes on the government was manhandling on various aspects of the pandemic. the challenge for him now is, with such coverage on coronavirus, which is at the forefront of many people's mind, how keir starmer get this across. he needs to set up tangible policy and long—term vision. the big question is whether this will really cut through and convince any critics of keir starmer to get labour back where he wants them to be in the polls ahead in the next general election. i polls ahead in the next general election. , , , .,, ., polls ahead in the next general election. , , ., election. i suppose people would say that he has brought _ election. i suppose people would say that he has brought the _ election. i suppose people would say that he has brought the party - election. i suppose people would say that he has brought the party at - that he has brought the party at from where it was a year ago under jeremy corbin's leadership. one big question is, why does the public not to look at coronavirus in political terms? it seems that they largely think that coronavirus was something that has been visited on the country, the outcomes are not anyone's felt, despite the fact that the uk has had high death rates and a big economic hit as a result. you are riaht a big economic hit as a result. you are right to — a big economic hit as a result. you are right to say — a big economic hit as a result. ti’f7l. are right to say that the labour party's perception of what the public is thinking at the moment is that it public is thinking at the moment is thatitis public is thinking at the moment is that it is not a good idea to politicise coronavirus too much, because the thinking is, you're right, coronavirus is something that has been landed on the country, that the government has had to deal with. so sit keir starmer is having to find a balance between what he has done, which is be critical of the government's lack of competency in some aspects, but not being seen to overly politicise it, which in labour ranks is viewed to be quite a dangerous and damning thing to do. this is where i believe he struggled to find his point of cut through at this stage. perhaps it will be in the economic recovery when labour is starting to focus its attention, as we saw in the speech today. some of the areas they are trying to draw this distinction is the scheme is the government has done through the pandemic, noticeably things like universal credit, which was increased last march. they are now calling for that to be retained. also, support for local authorities, so there were no increases in council tax, things like the vat relief for businesses to be continued. they are the areas he is trying to draw distinction. it isn't easy for search keir starmer at this point. i think the test will be when he sets out his vision for not what will come next. but like i report on the economic impact of the pandemic in the uk have found that almost 2 million people haven't worked for six months because they were furloughed or unemployed. i six months because they were furloughed or unemployed. i think tank has studied _ furloughed or unemployed. i think tank has studied the _ furloughed or unemployed. i think tank has studied the lasting - furloughed or unemployed. i think tank has studied the lasting damage done to the economy. the government will continue to invest in protecting and creating jobs. on the one hand the idea of a call for the furlough scheme to be extended is nothing new. we have heard it before, we have heard it from many other quarters, about extending thatjob support scheme long beyond that april deadline. it is currently due to end at the end of april. what the resolution foundation says is there is a cliff edge coming because the number of people who have not been working is 2 million. over the last six months just shy of 2 million people have not been in any sort of work at all because of the impact coronavirus has had on the economy. they may in some cases have been out of work entirely for that time, some may have been on and off furlough according to those lockdown restrictions. we know some businesses have not been able to open, predominantly in things like retail and hospitality. they are warning that at the end of the furlough scheme there could be a dramatic surge in unemployment because we must remember that in the official unemployment figures anyone currently on the furlough scheme is not classed as unemployed, and so they fear there could be a sharp cliff edge that comes when the scheme is wound down. it also looks at how these people expect to continue working beyond the end of the furlough scheme and they found that 8% of those currently not working had either been told that theirjob will not exist or they will be made redundant when the furlough scheme ends. so there is a real fear that the headline rate of unemployment could soar when the government winds down that job support scheme. it is worth saying unemployment in the uk is currently about 5%, 1.7 million people. there are concerns it could rise significantly to about 7% or 8% over the course of the year as thatjob support scheme is wound down, equating to about 2.6 million people out of work. it would be an astronomical figure, one clearly the government is trying to avoid, but nonetheless as yet there are no details about whether or not that furlough scheme will be extended. the australian prime minister scott morrison has told facebook his government will not be intimidated, after the social media giant blocked australian users from sharing or viewing news content in a dispute over a proposed law. facebook is angry that australia wants social media giants to pay for the content re—posted from news outlets. but the prime minister has described facebook�*s actions as 'arrogant and disappointing'. the move also cut off streams from health and emergency services, although the social media company later said that was a mistake. in response to the criticism — facebook�*s regional managing director issued a statement saying australia's proposed law misunderstands the relationship between the platform and publishers, who choose to post news on facebook, as it allows them to sell more subscriptions, grow audiences and increase revenue. he says the value exchange between facebook and publishers runs in favor of the publishers. facebook says it generated 5.1 billion referrals to publishers last year, worth an estimated 407 million australian dollars. amelia marshall is a former journalist in sydney who works in the tech industry. she opposes the move by facebook and has now deleted her account on the platform in protest. for a long time i have been worried about the decisions that facebook has made and i understand, as someone who works in the tech industry myself, the metrics that matter to companies like facebook. they care about their monthly active users and by logging on, even though i do not participate, i am contributing to that metric. i couldn't any longer support their business model because this was a step too far. they are really actually stepping on australian democracy. we are in the middle of a pandemic and we are about to roll out a vaccine programme next week in australia and now these crucial sources of information are being removed from the facebook platform when that platform has such a misinformation problem. i don't think they are looking at this problem with any sort of moral compass. for them it is simply the pursuit of profit. but the australian government remains furious. the minister for health said the move raises questions about the power of big tech companies. this is outrageous and unacceptable. we expect that facebook will fix these actions immediately and never repeat them again. this is an assault on a sovereign nation. it is an assault on people's freedom, and in particular it is an utter abuse of big technology's market power and control over technology. this will go around the world, but this stops. this is unacceptable. thousands of people logged on last night to watch a live online parish council meeting. why? because it was the latest meeting of the now infamous handforth parish council. the last meeting descended into chaos and saw jackie weaver become an internet sensation. she wasn't involved this time but it was still very dramatic. our reporterjudith moritz was watching... chair, i'm speaking, chair. what about my request... with respect, chair, i'm still speaking. a parish council meeting on a wet wednesday isn't usually gripping viewing. but this isn't just any parish council meeting. we are trying to do handforth parish council business. it's no strasbourg or westminster but handforth is on the international political map, or at least it has been since its council planning committee went viral. will you please let the chair speak? you have no authority here, jackie weaver. no authority at all. she's kicked him out. don't. as blockbusters go, the infamous handforth parish council meeting didn't know if it was a drama or a farce. either way, its sequel has been hotly anticipated. the meeting was open to the public and it's fair to say the turnout was higher than usual. you probably don't want to appear in an andrew lloyd webber musical playing the part ofjulie's ipad. the lead character, jackie weaver, didn't have a part this time around but other favourites did appear. oh, he's disappeared. i'll mute myself. you'll be banned to peru if you're not careful. i wanted the standing orders to say so, we were simply following standing orders and protocol. the meetings were illegal. councillors tried to get through business as usual. 20/5446m. some found it funny, others, quite the opposite. i've just removed them. whether democratic or dysfunctional, like so many sequels, it probably wasn't as good as the original. i declare the meeting closed. judith moritz, bbc news. nasa will today attempt to put a space rover on the surface of mars. the six—wheeled robot — called perseverance — will be the first nasa mission since the 1970s to search directly for signs of life on the red planet. our science correspondent rebecca morrelle has more. nasa calls it the seven minutes of terror. an approach to mars at 12,000 miles an hour. before a complex landing system brings the perseverance rover down to the ground. that's the plan, but only half of all mars landings have worked. there is danger everywhere. right in the middle, there is 60 to 80 metres tall cliffs that cuts right through the middle of the landing site. if you look to the west, there are craters that the rover can't get out of, even if we were to land successfully there. if you look to the east, there are large rocks. landing on mars is not for the faint of heart. perseverance is the most advanced rover that nasa has ever built and it will be hunting for signs of life. its robotic arm is equipped with a drill to collect rock samples. the hope is any microscopic creatures that once lived on mars may still be preserved. for the first time, nasa will also be testing a mini mars helicopter to provide a new bird's eye view of the planet. and back on the ground, the rover will store some of the rocks. a future mission will bring them back to earth. this mission provides our best chance to finally answer whether life existed on mars. first, though, nasa needs to get its rover safely down. there are some nerve—racking hours ahead. rebecca morelle, bbc news. now it's time for a look at the weather with carol. temperatures a little bit lower today compared to yesterday but heading into the weekend in particular it will start to rise once again. today we have rain for a time which will cross most of the uk and clear except across the north west of scotland where we have the little weather front. you can see from the isobars, tightly packed, it will be windy, gusty winds, especially with exposure in the west. this morning's rain continues to edge off into the north sea. behind it, return to sunshine and showers. some could be heavy with thunder and lightning maybe, and rain lingering in the north—west. black circles indicate the strength of the wind gusts. you will notice the wind but it will be strongest in the west with exposure. as we go through the evening and overnight, drying up for a time as a temporary ridge of high pressure crosses us. the next atlantic front coming in from the west introducing strengthening winds and heavy and persistent rain because tomorrow this area of low pressure will be driving the weather with weather fronts bringing in the rain and look at the isobars across the uk, it will be windy with gail force gusts with persistent rain which could have impacts in the south—west of england, wales, parts of scotland as well. but it does not look as if it will get further east, but it will be cloudier in the east. saturday, waving front. the forecast could change. at the moment, we think we have rain pushing up from the south affecting western and northern parts of the uk. it looks at the moment as if the east will stay dry, breezy, but windy in the north and the west, temperatures starting to climb with highs of 15 degrees. sunday, this weather front will produce thicker cloud and rain in parts of england and wales, looks like it could edge into southern and south—eastern scotland in the day, but on either side of that, bright skies, some sunshine, temperatures rising potentially up to 16, 17. this is bbc news. the headlines... scientists tracking coronavirus in england say there's been a strong decline in infection levels since the current lockdown began. sir keir starmer has outlined labour's economic plan, saying his government would introduce a new british recovery bond to help raise billions for investment. this is hold, its innovative, and its an example of the active, empowering government i believe is needed if we are going to build a more secure economy. the duke of edinburgh has spent a second night in hospital after being admitted as a precautionary measure on tuesday evening. the uk government is being urged to gradually wind down the furlough scheme to keep a lid on rising unemployment. australia's prime minister has accused facebook of "unfriending" his country, after it blocked news feeds in a row over a new social media law. and seven minutes of terror for nasa — its perseverance rover will face its descent to the surface of mars today. hello, thanks for joining hello, thanks forjoining us. scientists tracking coronavirus in england say there's been a strong decline in infection levels since the current lockdown began. the study, which is called react and was carried out by imperial college london, found that rates have dropped by two thirds across england since lockdown began, but it warns that virus levels are still high, with one in 200 people testing positive between the lith and the 13th of this month. while infections are coming down across england, they are falling fastest in the capital, south east and west midlands — but less steeply in the north west, north east and yorkshire and the humber. in london, infection rates have dropped by 80%. and on test and trace, the latest figures are just out, they show in the week to february 10th, just under 87% of people who tested positive were reached for recent close contact details. our health correspondent jim reed reports. the react study measures infections in the community and is one of the largest of its type. researchers swabbed 85,000 randomly selected people in england over the first half of february. positive covid tests fell by more than two thirds since the last report injanuary. it's really important to note that the prevalence is still high. we are at the level we were at maybe in late september of last year. one in 200 people are testing positive in the population as a whole, and we really have to get those rates even lower. the timing of the study means tougher lockdown rules were likely to be behind the fall in infections, with the impact of the vaccine roll—out still to be felt. there were regional variations. in london, around 0.5% of people were infected. down sharply since the last report. in the south—east of england, it was 0.3%, roughly the same as in the west midlands. the highest rates were in the north—west and north—east of england, though infections there were falling as well. in a statement, the health secretary matt hancock said the findings show encouraging signs we are now heading in the right direction across the country but warned the public must remain vigilant and follow the rules as the vaccination programme continues. but the number in hospital with covid is still above the peak of the first wave of the pandemic. infections might be falling but from a very high level. the government will have to make some difficult choices as it starts to set out its plan to ease the lockdown in england next week. jim reed, bbc news. professor steven riley is a professor of infectious disease dynamics at imperial college london and is one of the authors of the react—i study, and hejoins me now. just to measure where we are now compared with, for example, the first peak a year ago or so. can you just give us a sense of the infection levels at the moment? we are almost certainly a bit lower than we were at that peak. it is difficult to be sure. but we know that we are considerably lower than the peak that was observed in lake december, and in our data, in early january. in december, and in our data, in early janua . , ., , ., january. in terms of why there are different rates _ january. in terms of why there are different rates of _ january. in terms of why there are different rates of numbers - january. in terms of why there are different rates of numbers falling, more for example in london, any explanation for that? a, more for example in london, any explanation for that?— more for example in london, any explanation for that? a part of that is that london _ explanation for that? a part of that is that london was _ explanation for that? a part of that is that london was at _ explanation for that? a part of that is that london was at a _ explanation for that? a part of that is that london was at a very - explanation for that? a part of that is that london was at a very high i is that london was at a very high level so it came down from a higher level so it came down from a higher level and we are better able to see that in the data. it is easier to pick up that strong difference. in the northern regions, part of the region it is more difficult to see those declines is because they worked out quite as high as level to start with. 50 worked out quite as high as level to start with. , , ., start with. so virus levels are obviously _ start with. so virus levels are obviously still _ start with. so virus levels are obviously still high. - start with. so virus levels are obviously still high. one - start with. so virus levels are obviously still high. one in i start with. so virus levels are l obviously still high. one in 200 people testing positive between the fourth and 15th of february. at this rate of decline, when would you anticipate numbers coming down to much lower more safe levels to start opening up? 1ng much lower more safe levels to start opening up?— opening up? as you mentioned, it is fallin: opening up? as you mentioned, it is falling rapidly- _ opening up? as you mentioned, it is falling rapidly. if— opening up? as you mentioned, it is falling rapidly. if we _ opening up? as you mentioned, it is falling rapidly. if we can _ opening up? as you mentioned, it is falling rapidly. if we can get - opening up? as you mentioned, it is falling rapidly. if we can get that - falling rapidly. if we can get that to continue that it would fall to much lower levels and more comparable within weeks or a very short number of months. the decisions about opening up are driven by more than just invectives, but how they relate to hospitalisations and deaths as the vaccine kicks in. obviously, they will be driven a lot by the need to restart sections of society in a safeway so that we don't have to close them down again. its close them down again. its vaccination _ close them down again. its vaccination protecting any part of the population from infection? irate the population from infection? we are not the population from infection? , are not able to see that in our data at the moment. the vaccination campaign has been incredibly successful, particularly in the number of people who want to be vaccinated. it is a very high uptake at the moment, which is very encouraging. but a lot of them were vaccinated very recently, so we do not yet have the data to detect whether it makes a difference if they become positive in our tests. the highest levels seem to be 18 to 24—year—olds. that might cause people to worry about schools being reopened on march eight. irate people to worry about schools being reopened on march eight.— people to worry about schools being reopened on march eight. we did pick u . reopened on march eight. we did pick u- a hiuher reopened on march eight. we did pick up a higher level _ reopened on march eight. we did pick up a higher level in _ reopened on march eight. we did pick up a higher level in those _ reopened on march eight. we did pick up a higher level in those age - up a higher level in those age groups. the differences were not as extreme as we have seen before. they are higher but not that much higher. again, this is the balancing act. people do need to remember that infection is far less in children thanit infection is far less in children than it is an older adults, and the main concern is we want the community rate to stay lower and the r rate to stay as low as possible. hopefully the current rate of decline is good. so there is a bit of room to allow some increase without making a huge difference. i without making a huge difference. i know you might not necessarily want to answer this, but everyone is arguing about how to open up. do you think one big opening of all schoolchildren at the same time, one big bang opening is the right way forward? these numbers are coming down under strict national lockdown is, aren't they? it is down under strict national lockdown is. aren't they?— is, aren't they? it is a difficult question- _ is, aren't they? it is a difficult question. the _ is, aren't they? it is a difficult question. the two _ is, aren't they? it is a difficult question. the two ways - is, aren't they? it is a difficult question. the two ways you . is, aren't they? it is a difficult i question. the two ways you can is, aren't they? it is a difficult - question. the two ways you can think about it is a phased approach are all in one go. i properly would be slightly in favour of a phased reopening. but as i said before, there are many other issues than just the health and the virus dynamics to be considered in this difficult conditions. 50 dynamics to be considered in this difficult conditions.— difficult conditions. so you would necessarily _ difficult conditions. so you would necessarily take _ difficult conditions. so you would necessarily take all _ difficult conditions. so you would necessarily take all school - difficult conditions. so you would necessarily take all school kids . necessarily take all school kids back on the same day in march? it is back on the same day in march? it is very difficult- — back on the same day in march? it is very difficult. if— back on the same day in march? it is very difficult. if i _ back on the same day in march? it 3 very difficult. if i had to choose, i might have to go for two steps rather than one step, but it is a very difficult decision.— rather than one step, but it is a very difficult decision. thank you very difficult decision. thank you very much _ very difficult decision. thank you very much indeed. _ in the past hour, the labour leader, sir keir starmer has said the uk must ensure that the sacrifices of the coronavirus pandemic "lead to a better future". in a speech in london, he said a labour government would introduce a covid recovery bond, similar to schemes seen during the world wars, to help supportjobs and communities. and he said his party would help create 100,000 new businesses over the next five years, by boosting funding for start—up loans. let's speak to our political correspondent, alex forsyth. a bigger theme in terms of looking ahead, but also some new specifics here. , . , , ahead, but also some new specifics here. , .,, , ,, ., here. this was its keir starmer attempting _ here. this was its keir starmer attempting to _ here. this was its keir starmer attempting to answer - here. this was its keir starmer attempting to answer critics i here. this was its keir starmer i attempting to answer critics who here. this was its keir starmer - attempting to answer critics who say he hasn't _ attempting to answer critics who say he hasn't said enough about what he stands _ he hasn't said enough about what he stands for— he hasn't said enough about what he stands for is — he hasn't said enough about what he stands for is the labour party leader. — stands for is the labour party leader. so— stands for is the labour party leader, so this was a speech with a long-term — leader, so this was a speech with a long—term vision when he suggested this pandemic had given the country something _ this pandemic had given the country something of a reset moment where he said it _ something of a reset moment where he said it should notjust be returned to business as usual. and it was also _ to business as usual. and it was also an— to business as usual. and it was also an attempt to draw a dividing tines _ also an attempt to draw a dividing lines between the labour party and the conservative party. he accused the conservative party. he accused the conservative party in terms of policy _ the conservative party in terms of policy and — the conservative party in terms of policy and ideology of creating an unequal— policy and ideology of creating an unequal society that has just exacerbated some of the fallout from the pandemic, and suggested that labour— the pandemic, and suggested that labour will try to address that. he did set— labour will try to address that. he did set out— labour will try to address that. he did set out some specific policies, among _ did set out some specific policies, among them the idea of this recovery bond _ among them the idea of this recovery bond this _ among them the idea of this recovery bond. this is what's keir starmer had to— bond. this is what's keir starmer had to about that. ifi bond. this is what's keir starmer had to about that.— had to about that. if i was prime minister, had to about that. if i was prime minister. i _ had to about that. if i was prime minister, i would _ had to about that. if i was prime minister, i would introduce - had to about that. if i was prime minister, i would introduce a - had to about that. if i was prime| minister, i would introduce a new british recovery bond. this could raise billions to invest in local communities, and jobs and raise billions to invest in local communities, andjobs and in businesses. it could help build the infrastructure of the future. investing in science and skills, in technology and manufacturing. it would also provide security for savers. and give millions of people a proper stake in britain's future. this is both, it is innovative and it is an example of the active, empowering government i believe is needed if we are going to build a more secure economy. the thinking behind that — more secure economy. the thinking behind that recovery _ more secure economy. the thinking behind that recovery bond - more secure economy. the thinking behind that recovery bond is - more secure economy. the thinking behind that recovery bond is the i behind that recovery bond is the idea that — behind that recovery bond is the idea that some people during this pandemic, those who have been fortunate — pandemic, those who have been fortunate enough to keep theirjobs, have managed to save a bit of money because _ have managed to save a bit of money because they have not been saving it as they _ because they have not been saving it as they might because of the lockdown is that we have all been living _ lockdown is that we have all been living through, and so the idea is that this — living through, and so the idea is that this would allow those people to invest _ that this would allow those people to invest their savings, to buy these — to invest their savings, to buy these recovery bonds. it would be a pretty— these recovery bonds. it would be a pretty secure way of investing your savings _ pretty secure way of investing your savings at — pretty secure way of investing your savings. at the same time, it would raise _ savings. at the same time, it would raise a _ savings. at the same time, it would raise a decent amount of money to then invest — raise a decent amount of money to then invest in rebuilding the country— then invest in rebuilding the country post—pandemic. that is the idea behind — country post—pandemic. that is the idea behind it. he also said that labour— idea behind it. he also said that labour would introduce more loans for start—ups. he was trying to pitch— for start—ups. he was trying to pitch labour as a party that would be friendly to business. he said himself— be friendly to business. he said himself that these policy ideas were bold and _ himself that these policy ideas were bold and innovative. the big question. _ bold and innovative. the big question, though, is whether they are bold _ question, though, is whether they are bold enough. he question, though, is whether they are bold enough.— question, though, is whether they are bold enough. he also talks about ineuuali . are bold enough. he also talks about inequality- the _ are bold enough. he also talks about inequality. the theme _ are bold enough. he also talks about inequality. the theme of— are bold enough. he also talks about inequality. the theme of it _ are bold enough. he also talks about inequality. the theme of it seemed l inequality. the theme of it seemed to be that the marmite report showed ten years of conservative government has led to these fundamental inequalities, and that has been exposed. he said it was morally bankrupt and economic stupidity. but keir starmer has to persuade business leaders now that labour is on its side. it is a perpetual problem for the labour party, that? he talked about a new partnership between _ he talked about a new partnership between the labour party and business _ between the labour party and business. he did say you cannot have a britain _ business. he did say you cannot have a britain that— business. he did say you cannot have a britain that thrives and prospers without— a britain that thrives and prospers without the support of business, and he drew— without the support of business, and he drew on— without the support of business, and he drew on his own experience, about how his _ he drew on his own experience, about how his dad _ he drew on his own experience, about how his dad worked on the factory floor _ how his dad worked on the factory floor so — how his dad worked on the factory floor. so that was very much part of this picture — floor. so that was very much part of this picture which could be interpreted as an attempt to draw a distinction — interpreted as an attempt to draw a distinction between his predecessor, who was— distinction between his predecessor, who was at— distinction between his predecessor, who was at times accused of not having _ who was at times accused of not having a — who was at times accused of not having a positive enough relationship with business. keir starmer— relationship with business. keir starmer clearly trying to set that out. starmer clearly trying to set that out he — starmer clearly trying to set that out. he also talked about how a labour— out. he also talked about how a labour government would extend some of the _ labour government would extend some of the support schemes are to be put in place _ of the support schemes are to be put in place for— of the support schemes are to be put in place for business, the furlough schenre, _ in place for business, the furlough scheme, but also that relief, which has helped — scheme, but also that relief, which has helped businesses that have been really struggling. the problem is twofold, — really struggling. the problem is twofold, the first is that he is talking — twofold, the first is that he is talking about interventionist government on his watch. the fact is the conservative government has had to intervene substantially during the course of this pandemic, in terms — the course of this pandemic, in terms of— the course of this pandemic, in terms of the money it has put into support— terms of the money it has put into support schemes for families and business. — support schemes for families and business, the furlough, and increases _ business, the furlough, and increases to the welfare support system — increases to the welfare support system. so is up against a government that has been interventionist. at the same time, the question is how you cut through during _ the question is how you cut through during the _ the question is how you cut through during the course of a pandemic when people _ during the course of a pandemic when people have _ during the course of a pandemic when people have been quite rightly preoccupied with a significant public— preoccupied with a significant public health crisis. sir keir starmer— public health crisis. sir keir starmer has at times been accused of not being _ starmer has at times been accused of not being firm enough with the government in terms of his criticism of their— government in terms of his criticism of their handling of the pandemic. he tried _ of their handling of the pandemic. he tried to— of their handling of the pandemic. he tried to do that today when he reflected — he tried to do that today when he reflected on ten years of conservative ideology and policy that has— conservative ideology and policy that has exacerbated some of the problems— that has exacerbated some of the problems the pandemic has caused. whether— problems the pandemic has caused. whether that is enough cut through. thank— whether that is enough cut through. thank you _ whether that is enough cut through. thank you very much. the duke of edinburgh has spent a second night in hospital after being admitted as a precautionary measure on tuesday evening. our correspondent, charlotte wright is outside king edward the seventh hospital in central london for us. no update. the palace is usually pretty— no update. the palace is usually pretty private. i don't think we will pretty private. idon't think we will hear— pretty private. i don't think we will hear anything unless there is a significant — will hear anything unless there is a significant update today. he has spent _ significant update today. he has spent two nights in this hospital after— spent two nights in this hospital after he — spent two nights in this hospital after he was admitted on his doctor's— after he was admitted on his doctor's advice. we are told it is a precautionary measure after he had been feeling unwell for a few days. he has— been feeling unwell for a few days. he has been admitted for observation and rest, _ he has been admitted for observation and rest, we are told. we are told it is not— and rest, we are told. we are told it is not related to covid. he did of course — it is not related to covid. he did of course have his first covid vaccination, along with the queen, in windsor— vaccination, along with the queen, in windsor last month. this was not an emergency admission, either. he turned _ an emergency admission, either. he turned up _ an emergency admission, either. he turned up in — an emergency admission, either. he turned up in a car, walked from the cart to— turned up in a car, walked from the cart to the — turned up in a car, walked from the cart to the hospital unaided, and he seems _ cart to the hospital unaided, and he seems to— cart to the hospital unaided, and he seems to be in good spirits. i think the medics — seems to be in good spirits. i think the medics will be seems to be in good spirits. i think the medics will he being very cautious _ the medics will he being very cautious. when you think about his namef _ cautious. when you think about his name. he — cautious. when you think about his name, he turns 100 on the 10th of june this _ name, he turns 100 on the 10th of june this year, so there will be cautioned _ june this year, so there will be cautioned coming from the medics. generally. — cautioned coming from the medics. generally, though, we understand that he _ generally, though, we understand that he is— generally, though, we understand that he is in good health. he was last admitted to hospital in december, 2019, when he came here for treatment for a pre—existing condition — for treatment for a pre—existing condition. he spent four days here before _ condition. he spent four days here before he — condition. he spent four days here before he was discharged and went off to _ before he was discharged and went off to sandringham to spent christmas there with the queen. the queen— christmas there with the queen. the queen now— christmas there with the queen. the queen now is currently in windsor. that is— queen now is currently in windsor. that is where they have been spending the lockdown. we understand she is continuing with royal duties. in absence — she is continuing with royal duties. in absence of any update from the palace, _ in absence of any update from the palace, the — in absence of any update from the palace, the message from the royals certainty— palace, the message from the royals certainly seems to be palace, the message from the royals certainly seems to he keep calm and carry on _ the headlines on bbc news... new research shows there's been a strong decline in corinavirus infection levels since the current lockdown restrictions were put in place. sir keir starmer has outlined labour's economic plan, suggesting his government would introduce a new british recovery bond to help raise billions for the treasury. and the duke of edinburgh has spent a second night in hospital after being admitted as a precautionary measure on tuesday evening. sport, and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, here's gavin. good afternoon. serena willams has been knocked out of the australian open and may have said farewell to the event. around 7,000 fans were alowed into the rod laver arena after a five day lockdown in melbourne was eased. and they saw her opponent naomi osaka win 6—3, 6—4. fitting that the fans were allowed back in for this one, as they gave 7—time champion here williams a standing ovation. and with a hand—on—heart gesture, her quest to equal the record grand slam total of 2a goes on. and she faced more questions — on whether this could be her final goodbye to melbourne. i don't know. if i ever say farewell, i wouldn't tell anyone, so... laughter the unforced errors in the match were mentioned. considering how well you played to get to this stage, what do you feel caused that, or was itjust one of those bad days at the office? i don't know. i'm done. visibly emotional. osaka will face fellow american jennifer brady in the final. brady beat the czech karolina muchova to reach her first grand slam final. she was beaten by osaka in the us open semi—final last year. novak djokovic is into the men's final. the world number one beat qualifier aslan karatsev in straight sets. the russian doubled his career earnings by getting this far in the tournament. djokovic will go for a ninth title against either stefanos tsitsipas or daniil medvedev who meet tomorrow. moeen ali has been bought for £700,000 by chennai super kings at the indian premier league auction. the england all—rounder headed home from the test series with india to spend time with his family but will head back out to play in the twenty20 tournament which starts in april. a number of england players are in the auction batsman dawid malan sold to punjab kings for nearly £150,000. the tokyo olympic organising committee, has a new president. seiko hashimoto, who competed in four winter and three summer games. the former speed skater takes over after yoshiro mori, a formerjapanese prime minister, was forced to resign last week after making sexist comments about women. that's all the sport for now. i'll have more for you in the next hour. back now to the labour leader, sir keir starmer, who's been setting out his vision for how the uk economy can bounce back from the pandemic. he's proposed intoducing a "recovery bond" so people who've saved money in the past year, can invest in rebuilding the country. with me is alexander stafford, conservative member of parliament for rother valley and member of the business, energy and industrial strategy committee. is that something you would support? that is the weird thing about this whole announcement. this was announced a couple of days ago about announced a couple of days ago about a group of conservative mps, so the key plank of circular starmer�*s recovery is something the conservatives are already doing and have already announced. what conservatives are already doing and have already announced. what about the overall theme _ have already announced. what about the overall theme of _ have already announced. what about the overall theme of his _ have already announced. what about the overall theme of his speech? - have already announced. what about| the overall theme of his speech? was there anything you disagreed with? the whole thing was light. you only had one or two key policies, which the conservative party is already looking at. no substance, it was just attack, attack, attack. sir keir starmer talks about her wants to recover it like the second world war, but during the second world war there was bipartisanship. it is war, but during the second world war there was bipartisanship.— there was bipartisanship. it is very bizarre. there was bipartisanship. it is very bizarre- he — there was bipartisanship. it is very bizarre. he did _ there was bipartisanship. it is very bizarre. he did talk _ there was bipartisanship. it is very bizarre. he did talk about - bizarre. he did talk about re—examining furlough, and the think tank has called for the furlough scheme to remain in place for several months after the lockdown is eased. ~ . , several months after the lockdown is eased. ~ ., , , ., ., eased. with a budget coming up and a few weeks' time. _ eased. with a budget coming up and a few weeks' time, we _ eased. with a budget coming up and a few weeks' time, we have _ eased. with a budget coming up and a few weeks' time, we have to - eased. with a budget coming up and a few weeks' time, we have to look - eased. with a budget coming up and a few weeks' time, we have to look at i few weeks' time, we have to look at what the current situation is. obviously, the conservative government has had a huge £300 billion package to look afterjobs, so we need to keep everything on the table. we can't say one thing or another yet until we see the numbers. let's be honest, this wasn't an economic recovery speech, wasn�*t an economic recovery speech, this wasn't an economic recovery speech, this was sir keir starmer are desperately trying to keep hold of the labour leadership after doing abysmally in the polls. he the labour leadership after doing abysmally in the polls.— the labour leadership after doing abysmally in the polls. he has come u . abysmally in the polls. he has come u- a lona abysmally in the polls. he has come up a long way _ abysmally in the polls. he has come up a long way in _ abysmally in the polls. he has come up a long way in the _ abysmally in the polls. he has come up a long way in the last _ abysmally in the polls. he has come up a long way in the last year - abysmally in the polls. he has come up a long way in the last year since l up a long way in the last year since he took over. obviously, he has talked about being at constructive opposition in the pandemic, trying to work with the government. you talk about him attacking, but it is the talking about an idea that one group of conservatives are already talking about, that isn'tjust attacking, is it? it’s talking about, that isn't 'ust attacking, is it? it's desperately t in: to attacking, is it? it's desperately trying to cling — attacking, is it? it's desperately trying to cling hold _ attacking, is it? it's desperately trying to cling hold of— attacking, is it? it's desperately trying to cling hold of anything i attacking, is it? it's desperately i trying to cling hold of anything and put forward some kind of idea. we are lacking a constructive opposition that is helping us through this pandemic. truth? opposition that is helping us through this pandemic. why is he not bein: through this pandemic. why is he not being constructive? _ through this pandemic. why is he not being constructive? he _ through this pandemic. why is he not being constructive? he has _ through this pandemic. why is he not being constructive? he has voted - through this pandemic. why is he not being constructive? he has voted for| being constructive? he has voted for government even when some members of the conservative party haven't? irate the conservative party haven't? we are in the conservative party haven't? , are in this global pandemic. we all have to do work together. once we are through the danger, we are still in the grips of a pandemic. now we need to work together and have constructive ideas. there was a complete lack of new ideas and new thinking in that. i'm not sure this speech really moved the conversation forward at all. you speech really moved the conversation forward at all-— forward at all. you represent a seat that has been _ forward at all. you represent a seat that has been labour _ forward at all. you represent a seat that has been labour in _ forward at all. you represent a seat that has been labour in the - forward at all. you represent a seat that has been labour in the past. i that has been labour in the past. sir keir starmer talked about tory slogans like the northern powerhouse and levelling up, but said that the conservative party doesn't fundamentally believe in levelling up fundamentally believe in levelling up in terms of injustice. is that a genuine worry for you as you think about another election, albeit in sometime? i about another election, albeit in sometime?— sometime? i think it's clear that the conservative _ sometime? i think it's clear that the conservative government i sometime? i think it's clear that i the conservative government really cares about seats like mine. for billion pound levelling up fund. the fact that inequality, income inequality has gone down shows that it is working. my area was 101 years labour. that is why they voted conservatives, and we are starting to deliver that. obviously, we have to deliver that. obviously, we have to get through the pandemic first. once we get through this, we can really invest heavily and build back better. i really invest heavily and build back better. , ,,. ., better. i suppose the specifics, as we look ahead _ better. i suppose the specifics, as we look ahead to _ better. i suppose the specifics, as we look ahead to the _ better. i suppose the specifics, as we look ahead to the march i better. i suppose the specifics, as l we look ahead to the march budget, the resolution foundation again talking about people affected. of the 2 million affected, the majority have gone from furlough to unemployment and back, while another 700,000 have been unemployed, they said. you're bound to have people in your constituency if you are very worried now about the economic impact of the next few months. isn't it wise to look to what labour is saying and at least try to look constructively at any ideas they do come up with?i constructively at any ideas they do come up with?— constructively at any ideas they do come up with? i would happily look at ideas if they _ come up with? i would happily look at ideas if they actually _ come up with? i would happily look at ideas if they actually came i come up with? i would happily look at ideas if they actually came up i at ideas if they actually came up with some ideas, rather thanjust... there is no new thinking. have we have made clear, we put the furlough in for a relatively short period and then we extended it. throughout this pandemic, the government has actually been quite adaptable when it comes to theirjobs protection package. we will continue to look at that throughout this pandemic. what really frustrated me with sir keir starmer�*s speech today was that there were no ideas. there is nothing we were looking at his speech. that is the concerning thing about it. some are considering voting labour would say, "where is the meat?"— the meat?" thank you very much indeed. well, we can speak now to miatta fahnbulleh, former economics policy adviser to ed miliband and currently the chief executive of the new economics foundation. i don't know if you heard our previous guest. he said no new ideas into keir starmer�*s speech. i previous guest. he said no new ideas into keir starmer's speech.— into keir starmer's speech. i think the critique _ into keir starmer's speech. i think the critique wasn't _ into keir starmer's speech. i think the critique wasn't wholly - into keir starmer's speech. i think the critique wasn't wholly failed. i the critique wasn't wholly failed. -- fair~ — the critique wasn't wholly failed. -- fair~ sir— the critique wasn't wholly failed. —— fair. sir keir starmer was trying to tell— —— fair. sir keir starmer was trying to tell a _ —— fair. sir keir starmer was trying to tell a story— —— fair. sir keir starmer was trying to tell a story about the country, how we — to tell a story about the country, how we cannot go back to normal, about— how we cannot go back to normal, about how — how we cannot go back to normal, about how the pandemic has exposed deep problems with the economy, many of which _ deep problems with the economy, many of which have been exacerbated over the last _ of which have been exacerbated over the last ten — of which have been exacerbated over the last ten years, not all of which were _ the last ten years, not all of which were the _ the last ten years, not all of which were the conservative party's fault, but they— were the conservative party's fault, but they have not helped. he was trying _ but they have not helped. he was trying to — but they have not helped. he was trying to set out a vision for the future — trying to set out a vision for the future he _ trying to set out a vision for the future. he was saying over the course — future. he was saying over the course of — future. he was saying over the course of the next few months, labour — course of the next few months, labour will _ course of the next few months, labour will be setting out its prospectus for how we deal with these _ prospectus for how we deal with these problems. this is the vision that we _ these problems. this is the vision that we believe is compelling, and i believe _ that we believe is compelling, and i believe in _ that we believe is compelling, and i believe in that, we did a good job. you worked — believe in that, we did a good job. you worked for the former leader, ed miliband, who is obviously still in the shadow cabinet. is this enough of a change from the old miliband —type messages, which of course lost the election. i -type messages, which of course lost the election-— the election. i think where there is a chance the election. i think where there is a change is — the election. i think where there is a change is that _ the election. i think where there is a change is that he _ the election. i think where there is a change is that he is _ the election. i think where there is a change is that he is telling i the election. i think where there is a change is that he is telling a i a change is that he is telling a story— a change is that he is telling a story about security, and he is telling — story about security, and he is telling a — story about security, and he is telling a story about inequality, which _ telling a story about inequality, which is — telling a story about inequality, which is core to the labour project. what _ which is core to the labour project. what we _ which is core to the labour project. what we need to see from labour in the months — what we need to see from labour in the months ahead, which is what they promised _ the months ahead, which is what they promised us, is a bold plan for doing — promised us, is a bold plan for doing that _ promised us, is a bold plan for doing that. the vision was compelling, i think it was really strong, — compelling, i think it was really strong, i— compelling, i think it was really strong, i think it sets out what the british— strong, i think it sets out what the british public wants, but how you .et british public wants, but how you get there — british public wants, but how you get there is the difficult challenge. and there are clear dividing — challenge. and there are clear dividing line is that he was setting out. dividing line is that he was setting out for— dividing line is that he was setting out. for example, on the income sgueeze — out. for example, on the income squeeze and how labour would respond to it. squeeze and how labour would respond to it the _ squeeze and how labour would respond to it. the uplift in universal credit, _ to it. the uplift in universal credit, but going further. he is trying — credit, but going further. he is trying to— credit, but going further. he is trying to chart a different relationship between business and government. and critically saying, rather— government. and critically saying, rather than — government. and critically saying, rather than a conservative ideology that says _ rather than a conservative ideology that says estate is always had and market _ that says estate is always had and market as — that says estate is always had and market as it was good, we know we need _ market as it was good, we know we need good — market as it was good, we know we need good government. we need government to make things better. it is how— government to make things better. it is how government works with businesses, it is how government works— businesses, it is how government works with — businesses, it is how government works with communities, so i think the shape — works with communities, so i think the shape of it is right, what i now want _ the shape of it is right, what i now want to— the shape of it is right, what i now want to see — the shape of it is right, what i now want to see our big ideas with things— want to see our big ideas with things like a living income that would — things like a living income that would mean we put an income floor beneath— would mean we put an income floor beneath which no one can fault. things— beneath which no one can fault. things like _ beneath which no one can fault. things like universal basic services, _ things like universal basic services, a package of services from health— services, a package of services from health to _ services, a package of services from health to childcare to housing, guite _ health to childcare to housing, quite frankly. that every citizen in the country — quite frankly. that every citizen in the country should be able to access — the country should be able to access. those will be the things that help — access. those will be the things that help them deliver on the vision — that help them deliver on the vision. , �* ., . ., vision. there isn't an election due until 2024, — vision. there isn't an election due until 2024, most _ vision. there isn't an election due until 2024, most often _ vision. there isn't an election due until 2024, most often the - vision. there isn't an election due until 2024, most often the micro | until 2024, most often the micro opposition parties don't want to reveal details too early. on the covid recovery bond, does that make economic sense to you? is it something that could get traction? i something that could get traction? i think it is a sensible idea insofar as we _ think it is a sensible idea insofar as we know— think it is a sensible idea insofar as we know there are many people, pa rticuta rty — as we know there are many people, particularly households that are better _ particularly households that are better off, that have been saving a huge _ better off, that have been saving a huge amount over the course of the pandemic, — huge amount over the course of the pandemic, because they have not been spending _ pandemic, because they have not been spending normally. so how do we tap into that _ spending normally. so how do we tap into that in _ spending normally. so how do we tap into that in order to enable our recovery? _ into that in order to enable our recovery? i— into that in order to enable our recovery? i think in substantive terms. — recovery? i think in substantive terms, actually, in truth, there is not that— terms, actually, in truth, there is not that much of a difference between _ not that much of a difference between this idea and the government 'ust between this idea and the government just borrowing through bonds, but the sentiment that we have the advantage of being... this is something the governor of the bank of england was talking about. how to we access— of england was talking about. how to we access that? all of us are part of helping — we access that? all of us are part of helping the recovery effort, and that must— of helping the recovery effort, and that must be right. in of helping the recovery effort, and that must be right.— of helping the recovery effort, and that must be right. in terms of the government- _ that must be right. in terms of the government- i _ that must be right. in terms of the government. i haven't _ that must be right. in terms of the government. i haven't seen - that must be right. in terms of the government. i haven't seen any i government. i haven't seen any detail. given they can borrow from the banks at a 0% interest rate, with a have to repay it at a higher level if people do take out these bonds, effectively? the level if people do take out these bonds, effectively?— level if people do take out these bonds, effectively? the details are not wholly clear. _ bonds, effectively? the details are not wholly clear. i _ bonds, effectively? the details are not wholly clear. i suspect, - bonds, effectively? the details are not wholly clear. i suspect, in i not wholly clear. i suspect, in order— not wholly clear. i suspect, in order for— not wholly clear. i suspect, in order for the bonds to work, you would _ order for the bonds to work, you would have — order for the bonds to work, you would have to have returned, and the return _ would have to have returned, and the return... which is why, in my view, a government— return... which is why, in my view, a government borrowing just on the way that— a government borrowing just on the way that it — a government borrowing just on the way that it is because we have such low levels — way that it is because we have such low levels of interest. but there is something — low levels of interest. but there is something about making individuals and communities feel part of the recovery— and communities feel part of the recovery effort. do you want to be part of— recovery effort. do you want to be part of that? i think a lot of people _ part of that? i think a lot of people would want to be part of that _ people would want to be part of that. . , people would want to be part of that. ., , , , that. candy poorest in society affords these _ that. candy poorest in society affords these bonds? - that. candy poorest in society affords these bonds? with i that. candy poorest in societyl affords these bonds? with this that. candy poorest in society i affords these bonds? with this not just benefit those who are more well off? in just benefit those who are more well off? ,., ., ., ., off? in truth, the poor have not been saving _ off? in truth, the poor have not been saving so _ off? in truth, the poor have not been saving so they _ off? in truth, the poor have not been saving so they cannot. i off? in truth, the poor have not| been saving so they cannot. this would _ been saving so they cannot. this would be — been saving so they cannot. this would be trying to tap into middle income _ would be trying to tap into middle income earners, and the deal would be, you _ income earners, and the deal would be, you get— income earners, and the deal would be, you get a return from the bond, but you _ be, you get a return from the bond, but you are — be, you get a return from the bond, but you are now investing in things that will— but you are now investing in things that will help everyone, from the poor upwards in your community. so it is trying _ poor upwards in your community. so it is trying to — poor upwards in your community. so it is trying to gauge and tap into a civic responsibility and sense of collective — civic responsibility and sense of collective duty in order to be able to unlock — collective duty in order to be able to unlock capital to make the recovery— to unlock capital to make the recovery happen. in policy terms, again. _ recovery happen. in policy terms, again. the — recovery happen. in policy terms, again, the quickest and easiest way is that— again, the quickest and easiest way is that you — again, the quickest and easiest way is that you just get the government to borrow— is that you just get the government to borrow because it is borrowing at such low _ to borrow because it is borrowing at such low interest rates. so i think this is— such low interest rates. so i think this is trying to do more thanjust solve _ this is trying to do more thanjust solve the — this is trying to do more thanjust solve the problem, because there is an easy— solve the problem, because there is an easy way— solve the problem, because there is an easy way to solve the problem, it is trying _ an easy way to solve the problem, it is trying to— an easy way to solve the problem, it is trying to make all of us feel like we — is trying to make all of us feel like we have a stake in the recovery that comes — like we have a stake in the recovery that comes. but like we have a stake in the recovery that comes-— that comes. but it comes at a cost to the government? _ that comes. but it comes at a cost to the government? at _ that comes. but it comes at a cost to the government? at a - that comes. but it comes at a cost to the government? at a cost i that comes. but it comes at a cost to the government? at a cost to i that comes. but it comes at a cost i to the government? at a cost to the treasury? to the government? at a cost to the treasu ? ~ ,., ., ., , treasury? well, insofar as the treasury? well, insofar as the treasury can _ treasury? well, insofar as the treasury can borrow— treasury? well, insofar as the treasury can borrow cheaper i treasury? well, insofar as the i treasury can borrow cheaper from treasury? well, insofar as the - treasury can borrow cheaper from the market. _ treasury can borrow cheaper from the market. yes~ — treasury can borrow cheaper from the market, yes. but the returns are if people _ market, yes. but the returns are if people are — market, yes. but the returns are if people are getting a dividend from investing _ people are getting a dividend from investing in that bond, than actually— investing in that bond, than actually that is good. one thing we also want — actually that is good. one thing we also want to achieve is a sharing prosperity _ also want to achieve is a sharing prosperity. if i have a bit of saving _ prosperity. if i have a bit of saving i— prosperity. if i have a bit of saving i can put into a bond, that means— saving i can put into a bond, that means i— saving i can put into a bond, that means i get— saving i can put into a bond, that means i get a return i wasn't going to get— means i get a return i wasn't going to get anyway. that is probably good in the _ to get anyway. that is probably good in the long _ to get anyway. that is probably good in the long term.— in the long term. finally, sir keir starmer went _ in the long term. finally, sir keir starmer went up _ in the long term. finally, sir keir starmer went up in _ in the long term. finally, sir keir starmer went up in the _ in the long term. finally, sir keir starmer went up in the polls i in the long term. finally, sir keirl starmer went up in the polls when in the long term. finally, sir keir i starmer went up in the polls when he took over from starmer went up in the polls when he took overfrom corbin. he has now levelled down again to a degree. how difficult is it for any opposition leader in this very bizarre political situation where the country once united leadership from all party leaders, to a degree, how difficult is it for him to cut through?— difficult is it for him to cut throuuh? ., ,, , ., ., through? no, ithink it is too earl . through? no, ithink it is too early- being _ through? no, ithink it is too early. being opposition i through? no, i think it is too. early. being opposition leader through? no, i think it is too i early. being opposition leader is the worst— early. being opposition leader is the worstjob in politics. i remember ed miliband saying this. it is tough, _ remember ed miliband saying this. it is tough, it— remember ed miliband saying this. it is tough, it is difficult, it is a grim — is tough, it is difficult, it is a grim job _ is tough, it is difficult, it is a grim job if— is tough, it is difficult, it is a grim job. if we think about where labour— grim job. if we think about where labour were a year ago and what keir starmer— labour were a year ago and what keir starmer has — labour were a year ago and what keir starmer has done, in terms of its own poll— starmer has done, in terms of its own poll ratings, it is phenomenal. ithink— own poll ratings, it is phenomenal. i think it _ own poll ratings, it is phenomenal. i think it is — own poll ratings, it is phenomenal. i think it is too early to be trying to make — i think it is too early to be trying to make a — i think it is too early to be trying to make a judgment on his leadership. i think his stance that, in a pandemic that was unprecedented, tojust be carping on the sides— unprecedented, tojust be carping on the sides would have been probably distasteful to the electorate, and actually _ distasteful to the electorate, and actually trying to be constructive with the — actually trying to be constructive with the right thing to do. but he is right— with the right thing to do. but he is right that we are now at a crossroads as we come out of the recovery, — crossroads as we come out of the recovery, and i think there is a choice — recovery, and i think there is a choice do— recovery, and i think there is a choice. do you go back to the old world? _ choice. do you go back to the old world? do— choice. do you go back to the old world? do you go back to the old normal— world? do you go back to the old normal that serves so many people so badly? _ normal that serves so many people so badly? 0r— normal that serves so many people so badly? or do— normal that serves so many people so badly? or do you try to chart a different— badly? or do you try to chart a different course. all politicians can talk— different course. all politicians can talk the talk to held back better, — can talk the talk to held back better, but you as the plan to turn that into _ better, but you as the plan to turn that into a — better, but you as the plan to turn that into a reality?— that into a reality? thank you very much indeed _ that into a reality? thank you very much indeed for _ that into a reality? thank you very much indeed for your _ that into a reality? thank you very much indeed for your time. i now it's time for a look at the weather an afternoon of sunny spells and scattered showers. that said, the cloud will continue to break up, the sunshine coming through for summer temperatures peaking at around 12 celsius. as we go through the evening and overnight, there is more rain, turning increasingly wet and windy, with gail forced rain, turning increasingly wet and windy, with gailforced guests expected to accompany this wet weather. debate, clearerskies fora time. low single figures. a chilly start in comparison to late. if you are likely to stay dry for the rest of the day. they will be heavy and relentless along the west facing coast. it will be accompanied with gail forced gusts of winds. temperatures are still on the mild side for late february, with highs between nine and 11 celsius. hello this is bbc news. the headlines... scientists tracking coronavirus in england say there's been a strong decline in infection levels since the current lockdown began. sir keir starmer has outlined labour's economic plan, saying his government would introduce a new british recovery bond to help raise billions for investment. the duke of edinburgh has spent a second night in hospital after being admitted as a precautionary measure on tuesday evening. the uk government is being urged to gradually wind down the furlough scheme to keep a lid on rising unemployment australia's prime minister has accused facebook of 'unfriending' his country, after it blocked news feeds in a row over a new social media law. and seven minutes of terror for nasa — its perserverence rover will face its descent to the surface of mars today. a woman has died after an explosion caused a house to collapse in bury. two people were also taken to hospital, greater manchester police confirmed. our correspondent andy gill is at the scene now. andy, is at the scene now. bring us up to date with the latest, andy, bring us up to date with the latest, they are. this andy, bring us up to date with the latest, they are.— latest, they are. this happened in the little town _ latest, they are. this happened in the little town just _ latest, they are. this happened in the little town just outside - latest, they are. this happened in the little town just outside of i the little town just outside of barry. you may be able to see at the end of the street behind me, a house completely destroyed by an explosion. it happened at 9:30pm last night. people we spoke to described it hitting their doors and rattling their windows. greater manchester police say they are in the wreckage of the main house, a body of a woman was found. joining houses were also damaged. three people were treated by paramedics at the scene for minor injuries. a mother and a daughter who lived in one of the adjacent houses were taken to hospital with minor injuries. one of the neighbours has described how she helped to rescue them. she described how the mother was screaming and both mother and daughter had such a blackened faces. a number of houses nearby were evacuated last night, some taken to a garden centre around half a mile away. some of them were allowed back after a couple of hours. not everyone evacuated is allowed back in their homes. the fire and rescue services are still checking the structure of the houses which have been damaged to make sure it is safe. anyone are not allowed back has been told that the fire brigade will try to go into the houses to retrieve important possessions, medicines, that kind of thing. nobody knows yet what the cause of the blast was. a number of people we have spoken to has said that they smelt a very strong smell of gas here at the time. the gas network company have said that they have isolated the supply at the property and their engineers are working on—site with the fire and rescue service and the police. there is still a big emergency service presence here. about two hours ago the recording from the blast site was moved further away and all the journalists and people around here were moved further back from there. there is a investigation going on now, carried out by greater manchester police and fire and rescue services, and bury council. thank you very much. a report on the economic impact of the pandemic in the uk has found that almost two million people haven't worked for at least six months because they were unemployed or fully furloughed. the living standards think—tank, the resolution foundation, says its study highlights the lasting damage done to job security. a treasury spokesman said the government would continue to invest in protecting and creating jobs. our business presenter ben thompson gave us this update. on the one hand the idea of a call for the furlough scheme to be extended is nothing new. we have heard it before, we have heard it from many other quarters, about extending thatjob support scheme long beyond that april deadline. it is currently due to end at the end of april. what the resolution foundation says is there is a cliff edge coming because the number of people who have not been working is 2 million. over the last six months just shy of 2 million people have not been in any sort of work at all because of the impact coronavirus has had on the economy. they may in some cases have been out of work entirely for that time, some may have been on and off furlough according to those lockdown restrictions. we know some businesses have not been able to open, predominantly in things like retail and hospitality. they are warning that at the end of the furlough scheme there could be a dramatic surge in unemployment because we must remember that in the official unemployment figures anyone currently on the furlough scheme is not classed as unemployed, and so they fear there could be a sharp cliff edge that comes when the scheme is wound down. it also looks at how these people expect to continue working beyond the end of the furlough scheme and they found that 8% of those currently not working had either been told that theirjob will not exist or they will be made redundant when the furlough scheme ends. so there is a real fear that the headline rate of unemployment could soar when the government winds down that job support scheme. it is worth saying unemployment in the uk is currently about 5%, 1.7 million people. there are concerns it could rise significantly to about 7% or 8% over the course of the year as thatjob support scheme is wound down, equating to about 2.6 million people out of work. it would be an astronomical figure, one clearly the government is trying to avoid, but nonetheless as yet there are no details about whether or not that furlough scheme will be extended. the care minister, helen whately, has been speaking this morning about increasing the amount of visiting allowed at care homes. she said the government didn't want to have to wait until residents had had theirfull course of the coronavirus vaccination — but insisted that opening up had to be 'step by step'. as we come out of this national lockdown i really want to enable more visiting so that people can go back to holding hands, being able to have much more normal contact with their relatives and loved ones in care homes. i think it has been one of the hardest things in this pandemic so i really want us to open up. i don't want to have to wait for the second vaccinations. clearly that is really important to give care home residents maximum protection, but i really want us to be able to open up cautiously and carefully, to enable residents some contact with family members, because i know it is so important. around one—in—ten people who contract covid—19 still experience symptoms three months after their diagnosis, according to a study by the office for national statistics. now, a group of mps say key workers and frontline staff who are suffering from long—term effects, and unable to return to work, should get compensation. tim muffett has more. oh, no. 38.9. i don't know what to do. i actually don't know what to do. this is the highest temperature i have ever had. sophie is a nurse and midwife. she says she's been ruined by covid. my muscles ache all the time. i feel dizzy every day, i feel like i want to vomit every day. around one in ten people who contract covid experience symptoms 12 weeks after their diagnosis, according to preliminary research last year by the office of national statistics. myjourney started with a headache, the same headache that i now have 10.5 months on. and i became gravely unwell with covid at the age of 27. imagine running a marathon with no finish line at all. so ijust feel that i'm running every single day, entirely exhausted, and i have no idea when this will end. i've got a sore throat, i wake up like this most mornings, and if i don't wake up like this, my tonsilsjust feel really, really sore. obviously you haven't been able to return to work. what impact has that had on you? i've never cried so much. the guidance says that coronavirus absence or coronavirus related absence should be full pay for the duration of the pandemic. but how employers interpret that is sort of up to their discretion, so i actually don't know how long i'm going to be on full pay for, i don't know if my contract is going to be terminated. you know, i've got an mortgage, i've got a partner, i have a family, how am i going to sustain all that? you know, i was fit and well, i've never had any long—term illnesses, i have no underlying conditions. iona is a secondary school teacher. she used to run regularly. she contracted covid last march. standing up and breathing and walking is really, really difficult. it wasn'tjust not being able to work, it'sjust not being able to do anything, and it'sjust, as the weeks went on, it was... it sort of felt like being slowly erased because it was like all your plans and all the things you normally do in your life were just being taken away one by one. all my muscles hurt and ache all the time. i'm certain i caught it in the workplace because i was, i have a vulnerable family member so before everyone else was looking at locking down and using hand gel, i was taking every precaution. my digestion has been really all over the place. iona attempted a phased return to work last year which was paused because of lockdown. she's set up a teachers with covid facebook page. teachers are a really dedicated bunch of people. and it's a whole, yeah, it's your whole life, it's who you are. to have that taken away, it's devastating financially, but also, it's not just a job, you know, it's a vocation, it's a career. just getting really dizzy... the government has today pledged a further £18.5 million to fund research into long covid. two inhalers here. to better understand the causes, symptoms and treatments. there are calls for more action. earlier this month, spainjoined other countries including france, germany and belgium in officially recognising covid as an occupational disease. that means that certain employees are entitled to compensation if they contract it during their employment. evie would welcome a similar move here. she suspects she caught covid whilst working in a supermarket in dundee last march. i got sick the week of all the panic buying. and everyone going to the shops. i've been sick for nearly 11 months now. i have chronic fatigue, breathlessness, chest pains, brain fog, and exertional tachycardia whichjust means that my heart rate goes to high levels. as you can see, my heart rate has been all over the place today. i had to take a break in my four hour shift, just to go and try and get my breathing under control and i had chest pain. i was very lucky that my employer paid my full wage while i was off. but i do know there's other people that are getting just a statutory sick pay and that's not enough. the government says it is acutely aware of the indiscriminate and lasting impacts covid—19 can have, as well as the dedication and hard work of so many front line staff. but for many who have survived covid, its long—term impact has been life changing. tim muffett, bbc news. 38.1. the headlines on bbc news... new research shows there's been a strong decline in corinavirus infection levels since the current lockdown restrictions were put in place. sir keir starmer has outlined labour's economic plan, suggesting his government would introduce a new british recovery bond to help raise billions for the treasury. and the duke of edinburgh has spent a second night in hospital after being admitted as a precautionary measure on tuesday evening. barclays bank has reported that its profits before tax are down 30 per cent on last year, at three point one billion pounds. while its investment division did well out of volatility in the markets — seeing a record performance — retail banking has been exposed to the uk economy and struggled to make money in a low interest rate landscape. the bank's set aside nearly five billion pounds for loans that it thinks won't be paid back. there are calls for new research into the illnesses suffered by soldiers who took part in the gulf war of 1991. operation desert storm only lasted a few months, but had a devastating long—term impact on the health of some of the soldiers who took part — reportedly about a quarter of troops have been affected. scientists have now ruled out the inhalation of depleted uranium as a cause. australia's prime minister says his country won't be intimidated by facebook, in the continuing row about news coverage on the social media platform. australia wants tech companies to pay for content which is reposted from other news outlets — and now facebook has blocked all its media content in the country. our correspondent shaimaa khalil sent this report from sydney. this is what australian spoke up to. empty newsfeeds on their facebook pages after the platform blocked all international outlets. a dramatic escalation in a continued dispute with the government of paying for news content. facebook�*s change did notjust news content. facebook�*s change did not just target news. news content. facebook�*s change did notjust target news. it denied australians access to pages for charities and essential services and essential government agencies. there was a sudden backlash, with many users and eight at the blocked access. i users and eight at the blocked access. ., , access. i do use facebook. i can get all my news — access. i do use facebook. i can get all my news in _ access. i do use facebook. i can get all my news in one _ access. i do use facebook. i can get all my news in one spot. _ access. i do use facebook. i can get all my news in one spot. it - access. i do use facebook. i can get all my news in one spot. it will i all my news in one spot. it will impact me. all my news in one spot. it will impact me— all my news in one spot. it will impact me. they are so big and widely used _ impact me. they are so big and widely used by _ impact me. they are so big and widely used by australians i impact me. they are so big and widely used by australians that | widely used by australians that people — widely used by australians that people willjust revolt against it. the government was also swift to react. , , . the government was also swift to react. , ,., ., , the government was also swift to react. , _, ., , ., ., react. this is an assault on a sovereign — react. this is an assault on a sovereign nation. _ react. this is an assault on a sovereign nation. this i react. this is an assault on a sovereign nation. this is - react. this is an assault on a sovereign nation. this is an l react. this is an assault on a - sovereign nation. this is an assault on people's freedom and in particular it is an utter abuse of big technology's market power and control over technology. the prime minister slammed _ control over technology. the prime minister slammed the _ control over technology. the prime minister slammed the social - control over technology. the prime minister slammed the social media \ minister slammed the social media company's action as arrogant and disappointing. underthe company's action as arrogant and disappointing. under the proposed legislation, tech giants will be to enter into payment negotiations with news outlets over payment for content that appears on their platforms. if they can't agree, a government arbitrator would get involved. but facebook has criticised the law. saying it does not reflect how the internet works and unfairly penalises it for content it did ask for. this fallout is about facebook— content it did ask for. this fallout is about facebook making - content it did ask for. this fallout is about facebook making a - content it did ask for. this fallout | is about facebook making a point. many are watching this closely and the social media giant knows that if it stops paying for news content in australia, other nations could make similar demands.— australia, other nations could make similar demands. some experts have described it as _ similar demands. some experts have described it as anti-democratic - similar demands. some experts have described it as anti-democratic and l described it as anti—democratic and the dangerous turn of events. while facebook asserts its power and influence with this move, the fear is that it may old so do its reputation serious damage. at least 21 people have died and millions are without power, as an extreme winter storm continues to sweep across southern parts of the united states. in texas, there have been widespread blackouts, after the energy grid was overwhelmed by a surge in demand. our north america correspondent peter bowes reports. frigid conditions in a region that simply isn't used to scenes like this. historically cold weather that is lingering in texas and other southern states. this is no longerjust an emergency, it is clear it is a disaster. millions of households have been without electricity and heating since monday. there is growing criticism of officials responsible for the texas power grid, which failed when it couldn't cope with the extra demand. the governor of texas has called for an investigation into the body that is responsible for most of the state's power. he says the arctic weather isn't over yet. cold temperatures will remain across much of the state for the next few days. most of the state will be below freezing tomorrow morning. as well as dealing with problems like burst pipes, some families are now short on food. i barely found bread, so everybody is getting stocked up, the shelves are getting empty. across the country more than two thirds of america is currently covered by snow. the extreme weather is forecast to continue until the weekend. peter bowes, bbc news, los angeles. nasa will today attempt to put a space rover on the surface of mars. the six—wheeled robot, called perseverance, will be the first nasa mission since the 1970s to search directly for signs of life on the red planet. our science correspondent rebecca morrelle has more. nasa calls it the seven minutes of terror. an approach to mars at 12,000 miles an hour. before a complex landing system brings the perseverance rover down to the ground. that's the plan, but only half of all mars landings have worked. there is danger everywhere. right in the middle, there is 60 to 80 metres tall cliffs that cuts right through the middle of the landing site. if you look to the west, there are craters that the rover can't get out of, even if we were to land successfully there. if you look to the east, there are large rocks. landing on mars is not for the faint of heart. perseverance is the most advanced rover that nasa has ever built and it will be hunting for signs of life. its robotic arm is equipped with a drill to collect rock samples. the hope is any microscopic creatures that once lived on mars may still be preserved. for the first time, nasa will also be testing a mini mars helicopter to provide a new bird's eye view of the planet. and back on the ground, the rover will store some of the rocks. a future mission will bring them back to earth. this mission provides our best chance to finally answer whether life existed on mars. first, though, nasa needs to get its rover safely down. there are some nerve—racking hours ahead. rebecca morelle, bbc news. thousands of people logged on last night to watch a live online parish council meeting. why? because it was the latest meeting of the now infamous handforth parish council. the last meeting descended into chaos and saw jackie weaver become an internet sensation. she wasn't involved this time but it was still very dramatic. our reporterjudith moritz was watching... chair, i'm speaking, chair. what about my request... with respect, chair, i'm still speaking. a parish council meeting on a wet wednesday isn't usually gripping viewing. but this isn't just any parish council meeting. we are trying to do handforth parish council business. it's no strasbourg or westminster but handforth is on the international political map, or at least it has been since its council planning committee went viral. will you please let the chair speak? you have no authority here, jackie weaver. no authority at all. she's kicked him out. don't. as blockbusters go, the infamous handforth parish council meeting didn't know if it was a drama or a farce. either way, its sequel has been hotly anticipated. the meeting was open to the public and it's fair to say the turnout was higher than usual. you probably don't want to appear in an andrew lloyd webber musical playing the part ofjulie�*s ipad. the lead character, jackie weaver, didn't have a part this time around but other favourites did appear. 0h, he's disappeared. i'll mute myself. you'll be banned to peru if you're not careful. i wanted the standing orders to say so, we were simply following standing orders and protocol. the meetings were illegal. councillors tried to get through business as usual. 20/5446m. some found it funny, others, quite the opposite. i've just removed them. whether democratic or dysfunctional, like so many sequels, it probably wasn't as good as the original. i declare the meeting closed. judith moritz, bbc news. we heard earlier about the bad weather in texas — now, take a look at this. thousands of cold—stunned sea turtles have been rescued in texas. the turtles have been taken to a convention center in south texas in the hope of saving them during the unusually chilly weather there at the moment. residents, some of whom lack heat or basic amenities in their own homes— have been filling up their cars with the animals and bringing them to the centre for safety. there are three thousand 500 turles there so far. now it's time for a look at the weather. yet again there is plenty of rain. if like me, you are trying to dodge the wetter moments, it is possible to do so today. the weather front is moving its way west to east at quite a pace. behind it, the cloud is breaking up. there will be some improving weather if you are and the rain at the moment. we have already seen it this morning across north wales. there will be a few scattered showers along west facing coasts as we go through the rest of the afternoon. also some drier, brighter interlude, particularly as that rain clears. it'll be a little bit fresher as we go through the afternoon, accompanied by some blustery winds. hopefully, the sunshine will compensate. highs between nine and i2 sunshine will compensate. highs between nine and 12 my wet weather to come, this time it will be quite heavy, particularly along west facing coast. it be accompanied by strong to gale force gusts of winds at times. during the early hours of friday morning, that rain will arrive. the winds will pick up on the irish sea coast and towards dawn, there will be wet weather and a western fringes. eastern areas are seeing clear skies and temperatures perhaps a few degrees down, low single figures along the east coast. a wet and windy start to friday, with gales quite possibly out to the west. the rain will be gradually drifting its way inland. it never reaches the eastern half of the uk. temperatures around ten to ii celsius. the rain will be fairly relentless adds to the west, particularly to higher ground. more wet weather to come in to start their weekend. just like i was telling you yesterday, the pulse of moist and moving up in the south—west bringing some heavy rain along west facing coasts. rainfall totals will start to top up, that could lead to localised flooding. the ground is very saturated at the moment. we'll keep an eye on that. you can see things getting a little bit warmer with sunshine across the south and east. that is the story as we go into sunday. but weather front is still wriggling around the northwest, it will be can offer touch. the boundary allowing this mild air to push up from the south and really make a difference, particularly when we get some sunshine. we could see 16 or 17 celsius through the weekend and south. take care. coronavirus infections have dropped by two thirds across england since january. the current lockdown has seen rates fall, but scientists say they still need to be lower. the big question is, how low can we go to have some residual infection where we can open up safely? researchers warn that rates are still high overall, we'll have the latest about today's figures. also this lunchtime: a call for more financial help for key workers living with long covid. the labour leader proposes british recovery bonds — to help the renewal of communities and jobs after the pandemic. the coronavirus vaccine — performers and politicians come together to urge people from minority ethnic backgrounds to have a jab.

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