and coming up in the next 15 minutes, i'll be speaking to bake off's prue leith about lockdown and coming out of it. hello and welcome to this bbc news special programme, as we await the latest number 10 coronavirus briefing, tonight led by the health secretary matt hancock, along with professorjonathan van tam and dr susan hopkins. we will be crossing to that at number 10 as soon as that gets under way. let's start by bringing you the latest coronavirus news today. thejcvi, thejoint committee on vaccination and immunisation, has recommended that prioritisation should continue down the age ranges, with people in their 40s the next to be invited for a jab. the move is a blow to those who have been campaigning for teachers, police officers and other frontline key workers to be prioritised. it comes as the latest data shows more than 19.1 million people have received their first dose of the jab. a further 3115 people have died in the uk within 28 days of a positive coronavirus test, according to the latest government figures. there were 8,523 new cases reported, according to the latest government figures. meanwhile, a government study has revealed that people from pakistani and bangladeshi backgrounds in england had a higher risk of dying with covid—19 during the second wave of the pandemic than other ethnic groups. the r number across the uk is 0.6—0.9 — that's unchanged since last week, suggesting infection numbers are continuing to fall. 0ur health correspondent katharine da costa reports. the priority has been to protect the oldest age groups as quickly as possible, as well as front—line health and care workers and those who have been shielding. by mid—april, it is hoped around 32 million people in the first phase of the roll—out will have been offered a vaccine. these groups represent 99% of those most at risk of dying from covid. the queen and prince philip received their first shots last month. in a video call with health leaders, the queen urged those still hesitating to take up the offer. as far as i can make out, it was quite harmless. it was very quick and i have had lots of letters from people who have been very surprised by how easy it was to get the vaccine. and the jab was very... it didn't hurt at all. it is obviously difficult for people, if they have never had a vaccine but they ought to think about other people rather than themselves. so who is next in line in phase two? the joint committee for vaccination and immunisation has advised that because age is the biggest risk factor, the roll—out should continue with 40—49 year—olds next, followed by 30—39 year—olds and then 18—29 year—olds. following an age—based programme will be simple and simplicity has been one of the cornerstones of the current programme in terms of speed and its success. it is a major blow for those calling for teachers, police officers and other key workers to be pushed up the priority list. we do a job that no one else does in this country. we can't afford a two metre perimeter from people. we have to be in people's faces at times. we have to rub around with people at times and my colleagues are genuinely scared, not getting the vaccination. thejcvi says those at higher risk from covid include men, those from ethnic minority groups, people who are obese and those living in deprived neighbourhoods. there are some communities where we have had historical issues with getting access to vaccination. traveller communities, for example, are one of those and a lot of our teams are working very closely to try to get those people on board. there will be some areas where they have heard misinformation about, you know, what is in the vaccine. there's a range of different factors and i think that is where local intelligence is really important in trying to engage people with the right message for the right group. vaccines will help to control the virus in time but for now, health leaders say keeping covid cases at low levels is crucial. the latest 0ns infection survey for the week to last friday suggests one in 155 in the uk had the virus, a return to levels last seen in october. a fast and efficient roll—out is seen as key. the government said all four parts of the uk will follow the recommendations and it is hopeful all adults will have been offered a first dose by the end ofjuly. katherine da costa, bbc news. we will talk all about that in a moment with our health corresponded. just to bring you a line from our colleagues in northern ireland before we do that, we are just hearing that the vaccination programme for care homes in northern ireland is now complete. we are hearing that all staff and residents have been offered both first and second dose of the vaccine, and stormont�*s department of health is saying that uptake is high. so, no specific figure on that, but uptake is considered to be high. so, the programme is at least complete for all care homes in northern ireland. that isjust through all care homes in northern ireland. that is just through from our corresponded in belfast. let's go through some of the latest figures about coronavirus today. 0ur health correspondent catherine burnsjoins me. the r number remains the same as last re? ., ., , , ., , last re? the good news is that it is below one. — last re? the good news is that it is below one, which _ last re? the good news is that it is below one, which means _ last re? the good news is that it is below one, which means the - last re? the good news is that it is - below one, which means the epidemic is shrinking. they think it is shrinking somewhere between 0.6... sorry, —6% and —2% each day. essentially that means, if it was shrinking at —6% per day, the infection would halve in a week if it is —2, more than five weeks. so the tiny numbers do actually have a big impact. but it means that the virus is shrinking. interestingly, and the 0ns today has given out some data on how much it thinks the viruses out here, about 420,000 people, it thinks, would be infected across the uk. it is falling everywhere. but, interestingly, it is not necessarily falling at the same speed. in england, they think may be one in 145 people would have it. a month ago, it was one in 155. there is a gap between england and the rest of the uk, which is skirting around one in 200 cases. so things are coming down, but in a bumpy, not necessarily level way. but the overall good news is that it is doing what we want it to do. the big thing we need to look at right now as vaccinations, and the rates there, more than 19 million people now have had their first dose. more than 700,000 have had their second dose, just in 24 hours more than half a million people have been vaccinated. this is the news we need right now. i vaccinated. this is the news we need riaht now. . , , right now. i am interested in terms ofto right now. i am interested in terms of to what extent _ right now. i am interested in terms of to what extent we _ right now. i am interested in terms of to what extent we get _ of to what extent we get geographical variations in terms of the vaccine. maybe this is anecdotal. but because we are now starting to see things move quite quickly, and nods towards people over the age of 40, it starts the ripple effect of disparities, hearing of one person in one part of the country who is 50 and had it weeks ago, and somebody else in another part of the country still waiting. another part of the country still waitinu. , ., , ., ~ ., ., waiting. they do break it down. you can see across _ waiting. they do break it down. you can see across the _ waiting. they do break it down. you can see across the regions, - waiting. they do break it down. you can see across the regions, some . can see across the regions, some regions are really high, over 80s, 95% of them have been done. in areas like london it is lower than that. but in the south—east, cases have fallen really quickly. so you can't quite say, because of this, then this, at this stage. but we are breaking down more than seeing that this is a thing that is coming across, that in poor areas, areas with more ethnic minorities, there is less chance of people taking up the offer when they are given it. is not something that the government is cognisant of? that is a key public health issue, and it is a live political debate?— health issue, and it is a live political debate? yes, if you gave 100 peeple _ political debate? yes, if you gave 100 peeple the — political debate? yes, if you gave 100 people the vaccine, - political debate? yes, if you gave 100 people the vaccine, it - political debate? yes, if you gave 100 people the vaccine, it will. political debate? yes, if you gave | 100 people the vaccine, it will not stop 100% of them ever getting sick. their chances of them having to go to hospital or actually dying, that cuts quite dramatically. but it is not perfect. 75% chance is the kind of cut where it is a advisor of people being sick. that is not 100%. that is why it is important that everybody offered the vaccine takes it, because it boosts the chance for everybody else around them. so many stats and always _ everybody else around them. so many stats and always so _ everybody else around them. so many stats and always so much _ everybody else around them. so many stats and always so much to _ everybody else around them. so many stats and always so much to discuss. l stats and always so much to discuss. lets talk more about the politics of it all. 0ur political correspondent jessica parker is in westminster. as we build up to another news conference from the health secretary tonight, and we get the sense that it really is all about the vaccine programme at the moment, from the government perspective, that is what it wants to talk about? find i government perspective, that is what it wants to talk about?— it wants to talk about? and i think undoubtedly _ it wants to talk about? and i think undoubtedly what _ it wants to talk about? and i think undoubtedly what we _ it wants to talk about? and i think undoubtedly what we hear - it wants to talk about? and i think undoubtedly what we hear from i it wants to talk about? and i think. undoubtedly what we hear from the jcvi this morning, sticking to the approach of distributing the vaccine by age group, that is almost certainly to come up for matt hancock at this evening's press conference. i think there is political heat on that issue that has potentially been taken out for a couple of reasons, really. firstly, this recommendation has come from this recommendation has come from this committee of experts, professionals, doctors and scientists. it has not come from politicians. there is a regulation saying that politicians at westminster should follow their advice as much as is reasonably practical. also i think, because the vaccination programme is going pretty well, it has been lauded across the board as very successful, that takes the heat out of it as well, when they push forward the targets for all adults to be offered the vaccine byjuly the 31st. if there had been problems, setbacks, delays in the vaccine roll—out, i think that would have led to a greater clamour around the politics of who gets those first doses of the vaccine. , , ., ~ ., vaccine. yes, in terms of lockdown and numbers. _ vaccine. yes, in terms of lockdown and numbers, we _ vaccine. yes, in terms of lockdown and numbers, we were _ vaccine. yes, in terms of lockdown and numbers, we were just - vaccine. yes, in terms of lockdown i and numbers, we were just discussing all of the numbers, everything going on the right direction, but as we will hearfrom the on the right direction, but as we will hear from the medics at five o'clock, i am sure it is no time to relax. but i am interested in the politics of one things appear to be going on the right direction, does that put pressure again on the government in terms of lockdown? 0r government in terms of lockdown? or you speed up those dates and bring those dates forward? because there will be some backbenchers who will want to see that.— want to see that. there will be, there will _ want to see that. there will be, there will be _ want to see that. there will be, there will be backbenchers - want to see that. there will be, there will be backbenchers who | want to see that. there will be, - there will be backbenchers who want to see a speedier timeline in terms of unlocking the economy and society. they feel the damage that lockdown restrictions is doing. downing street have been very insistent that the dates they have set out on the road map for england are the earliest possible dates. no suggestion at the moment that they could move those dates forward. i think you are absolutely right, we are likely to hear more cautionary notes from matt hancock this evening. i think one of the politicians' priorities on this is to keep encouraging people to stick to keep encouraging people to stick to the rules as they are. of course, the rules. changing from march the 8th and then you have a road map running out into the summer. so i think they will try to stick to that cautionary note. you are right, when a vaccine programme is going well, when there is evidence, albeit ministers describe it as early data, that it ministers describe it as early data, thatitis ministers describe it as early data, that it is having the desired effect in terms of stopping transmissions and serious illness, there will be questions about if things can move faster. but that does not seem to be a conversation that the government wants to engage with at the moment. is there much debate where you are about immunity passports, proving you have had a vaccine, those issues? . . , you have had a vaccine, those issues? . ., , ., , you have had a vaccine, those issues? . . , ., , ., issues? that was an interesting one. we heard for— issues? that was an interesting one. we heard for quite _ issues? that was an interesting one. we heard for quite some _ issues? that was an interesting one. we heard for quite some time - issues? that was an interesting one. we heard for quite some time from i we heard for quite some time from ministers that they were not going to look at, or there were no plans for any kind of vaccine passport domestically, although there was an acknowledgement some sort of system may emerge internationally of country yes, british people can come to our country for a holiday but they need to prove they have been vaccinated. then we heard when the road map was announced in england that they were looking at some kind of certificate system. it is a review, being led by the cabinet office, michael gove. insiders in 0ffice, michael gove. insiders in the government insist they are approaching this with an open mind. at one of the reasons that spurred them to do this is the conversation was kind of already happening anyway, with businesses, organisations who are looking at how best to protect their customers and protect their staff. the government, in a way, needed to catch up with that conversation. they are carrying out this review, using the vaccine roll—out has a couple of months space to look at the issue, insisting there is no specific outcome in mind, and looking at testing being a way of proving somebody�*s covid status. we don't have any certainty as to what that might look like it, but it is part of the picture of what might be the new normal as we head into the summer. ,., .., new normal as we head into the summer. .., , summer. our political correspondent jessica parker- _ people from pakistani and bangladeshi backgrounds in england had a higher risk of dying with covid—19 during the second wave of the pandemic than white people. that's the conclusion of a government study, which also found that the risk of dying for black communities was lower in the second wave than in the first. adina campbell reports. we would have a cup of tea and we would just sit together and talk for a few minutes every morning. i miss that. remembering her mum, three weeks since she died from coronavirus. she suddenly deteriorated. and from that point, to the following morning... yeah, it hasjust been difficult to... ..kind of make sense of it. surinder kaur bains had been in relatively good health before she died in hospital in london. but the impact of covid—19 continues to disproportionately affect people from ethnic minorities in england. so why are these groups more at risk? well, these communities tend to live in more densely populated areas, in multi—generational households, and are more likely to use public transport and be injobs in front line services, which means they simply can't work from home. all of these factors mean they are at an increased risk of becoming infected by coronavirus. latest findings in a report by the government's race disparity unit show higher death rates among pakistani and bangladeshi communities between september and december last year compared with other ethnic groups, while death rates fell in black communities over the same period, with a similar risk to those from white british backgrounds. but scientists say we must be cautious of this new data. it is too early to really make conclusions from the early second wave data. it only really includes deaths until the end of december and unfortunately, we had a lot more deaths in january and february. it is only when we include all of those deaths that we'll know what the true picture is. the government says it is doing everything it can to protect the most vulnerable. but vaccine hesitancy among these groups continues to be one of the biggest challenges. adina campbell, bbc news. lets talk more about take—up of the vaccine. dr farzana hussain is an nhs gp in east london. good evening. thank you for your time. tell us about your experiences at your practice, because i'm really interested in the work you've been doing to try to encourage uptake. you'd better explain for us what the figures were like at the start of this vaccine process. so figures were like at the start of this vaccine process. 50 i figures were like at the start of this vaccine process.— this vaccine process. so i am a artner this vaccine process. so i am a partner at _ this vaccine process. so i am a partner at the _ this vaccine process. so i am a partner at the project, - this vaccine process. so i am a partner at the project, so - this vaccine process. so i am a partner at the project, so i - this vaccine process. so i am a| partner at the project, so i look after 5000 patients, and i have got under 200 over 65s, and i was interested in the study you just cited about the mortality, the death rate, in the bangladeshi and pakistani communities. and one of the things i noticed very early on after the first few weeks of the vaccine programme being rolled out, i had about 50% of my over 75s attend, and i noticed that out of the 50% that hadn't gone, nearly every single one was from a bame community. we have a lot of different communities here, over 200 languages spoken, made up of africans, afro—caribbeans, southeast asians, so i was really interested as to why they weren't coming forward as we know that they are more at risk, we are more at risk, i am a british bangladeshi said this is an issue close to my heart. so i wanted to call them personally to see if they had any questions. my reception team had called them to invite them for the vaccine, and i wanted them to have the opportunity to talk to a doctor, and i wanted to really listen to what their fears were. so i've been doing that piece of work, and it has been really interesting to see some of the concerns. interesting to see some of the concerns-— interesting to see some of the concerns. �* , ., ,., ., concerns. and tell us what some of the concerns _ concerns. and tell us what some of the concerns were. _ concerns. and tell us what some of the concerns were. what _ concerns. and tell us what some of the concerns were. what were - concerns. and tell us what some of i the concerns were. what were people saying to you when they were contacted by you or your team? so contacted by you or your team? sr many, contacted by you or your team? 5r many, varied concerns. i think if i were to theme them, a lot of my south asians were very concerned that the vaccine had animal products in it, which of course we know is not true, but they were concerned about that and whether they would be able to take it and follow their religion, whether it was halal or whether they would be able to practice their hindu or sikh faith. there was a lot of concern about fertility, a lot of women felt that if there was even a 1% chance they wouldn't be able to have a child, they wouldn't be able to take it, they wouldn't be able to take it, the shame culturally of not being able to have a child, so again i was able to have a child, so again i was able to have a child, so again i was able to assure them that vaccines don't work like that, there is no evidence it affect your fertility. there was interesting with a lot of black african to caribbean patients, their reasons were different. there was a lot of concern about deep mistrust and how people from black african communities in the past had had higher diagnoses of mental health problems, black lives matter, so a lot of mistrust. so it was really helpful for me to hear some of those concerns, and then be able to address them, because unless we listen to our communities, we are not going to be able to give people the facts, especially over so much fiction and so many myths going around at the moment. and fiction and so many myths going around at the moment. and that sounds like _ around at the moment. and that sounds like it _ around at the moment. and that sounds like it has _ around at the moment. and that sounds like it has created - around at the moment. and that sounds like it has created a - around at the moment. and that| sounds like it has created a huge amount of work for you. you are talking about a lot of work, individual conversations, but has it paid off? have you been able to change some minds? what sort of uptake you act now? i change some minds? what sort of uptake you act now?— change some minds? what sort of uptake you act now? i am delighted toda , uptake you act now? i am delighted today. because _ uptake you act now? i am delighted today, because when _ uptake you act now? i am delighted today, because when i _ uptake you act now? i am delighted today, because when i was - uptake you act now? i am delighted today, because when i was calling l uptake you act now? i am delighted i today, because when i was calling my patients, i have called about 60 so far i have 40 more to call, and i was only getting about one in five who are actually booking the vaccine, but i havejust who are actually booking the vaccine, but i have just got our statistics for the practice yesterday, and 84% of my over 80s have had their vaccine, and 72% of my over 75s, and have had their vaccine, and 72% of my over75s, and i'm have had their vaccine, and 72% of my over 75s, and i'm delighted by that, because we know that unless most of us are vaccinated, none of us are safe, so this is great news and we will keep going with it, it is making an impact. that and we will keep going with it, it is making an impact.— is making an impact. that is remarkable. _ is making an impact. that is remarkable. what _ is making an impact. that is remarkable. what more - is making an impact. that is i remarkable. what more should is making an impact. that is - remarkable. what more should be is making an impact. that is _ remarkable. what more should be done centrally? you have done some serious legwork here, but you are one part, one small part of the capital. what sort of information could the government, the department of health, put out there to try to alleviate some of this? because if you hadn't made that effort, some of these people would still be unvaccinated today. i these people would still be unvaccinated today.- these people would still be unvaccinated today. these people would still be unvaccinated toda . ~ , unvaccinated today. i think there is a lot of information _ unvaccinated today. i think there is a lot of information out _ unvaccinated today. i think there is a lot of information out there. - a lot of information out there. there are a lot of forums out there. i have been on community group meetings with our covid vaccine minister, there are a lot of great messages in different languages, lots of access to clinics, i run vaccines in churches and mosques, but it requires the local level as well, i would love to see more investment in primary care to allow us to do these things, because we need both. we need central public messaging, but we do need the trusted voice of our primary care pharmacists, practice teams, gps, who are trusted in the community to listen to the community, otherwise we are not going to get through this. . , we are not going to get through this. ., , ., ., we are not going to get through this. . , ., ., ,, ., this. really good to talk to you, thank you _ this. really good to talk to you, thank you for— this. really good to talk to you, thank you for your _ this. really good to talk to you, thank you for your time - this. really good to talk to you, thank you for your time and - thank you for your time and everything that your team are doing. dr farzana hussain, a gp in east london, thank you very much indeed. the time is eight minutes to five. we will have that number 10 briefing when it begins. but before that. as some people start to allow themselves to think about life after lockdown, we're speaking to key figures from across the uk to get their thoughts about the last year and about their hopes for the future. today we're speaking to chef, writer, broadcaster and of course bake 0ffjudge prue leith. hello, a very good afternoon. good afternoon. — hello, a very good afternoon. good afternoon, and _ hello, a very good afternoon. good afternoon, and a _ hello, a very good afternoon. good afternoon, and a lovely _ hello, a very good afternoon. good afternoon, and a lovely day. - hello, a very good afternoon. (emf. afternoon, and a lovely day. that alone cheers us up a bit, doesn't it? it certainly does. we are talking a lot about vaccines today, so i thought i would start with that, because you were very keen, it seems, to have yourjab, and you had it quite some time ago, didn't you? and you had it quite some time ago, didn't ou? , ~ and you had it quite some time ago, didn't ou? , ,, ., ., didn't you? yes, i think i had it on the first day _ didn't you? yes, i think i had it on the first day of— didn't you? yes, i think i had it on the first day of jabbing, _ didn't you? yes, i think i had it on the first day of jabbing, and - didn't you? yes, i think i had it on the first day of jabbing, and that l the first day ofjabbing, and that was great. then i got my next one very swiftly thereafter because the chipping norton health centre seemed to manage to do the second jab for us oldies as well as doing the other jabs. so we won't put off like everybody else to have to wait an extra 12 weeks. find everybody else to have to wait an extra 12 weeks.— everybody else to have to wait an extra 12 weeks. and no after-effects and it all went _ extra 12 weeks. and no after-effects and it all went smoothly? _ and it all went smoothly? absolutely. it was painless, it was really fun, because i haven't met all my 18—year—old and over neighbours, and there we were, all these grey heads —— 80—year—olds and over neighbours, there we were, all these grey heads, queueing up, and it was very quick and very painless, and the doctors and nurses seemed to have time to answer questions, which astonished me, but they did. and have time to answer questions, which astonished me, but they did.- astonished me, but they did. and are ou astonished me, but they did. and are you starting — astonished me, but they did. and are you starting now _ astonished me, but they did. and are you starting now to _ astonished me, but they did. and are you starting now to think _ astonished me, but they did. and are you starting now to think about, - astonished me, but they did. and are you starting now to think about, as i you starting now to think about, as lots of us are, to think about normal life, howeverwe lots of us are, to think about normal life, however we think normal life will look at the months to come? are you just at that point of thinking, this has been fine, i'm doing 0k, thinking, this has been fine, i'm doing ok, but enough already, let's get out there?— get out there? sometimes i think that, and sometimes _ get out there? sometimes i think that, and sometimes i _ get out there? sometimes i think that, and sometimes i think, - get out there? sometimes i think that, and sometimes i think, wel get out there? sometimes i think - that, and sometimes i think, we have done it enough now. it is time for this to stop. and then at other times, i think, this to stop. and then at other times, ithink, i really don't this to stop. and then at other times, i think, i really don't want to go back to real life. i think i have become slightly institutionalised. i love being at home. i havejust moved house, so it is quite excited, i've got a new house to think about. but it has also been, i have quite welcomed the fact that i haven't had to go to endless meetings with lots of people. mostly you get a zoo meeting and there are three or four people, and there are three or four people, and i'd quite like some of that to go on. what of course i want to stop is i can't bear the fact that i have not had any of my four grandchildren for nearly a year. find not had any of my four grandchildren for nearly a year.— for nearly a year. and that is what is so hard — for nearly a year. and that is what is so hard for _ for nearly a year. and that is what is so hard for everyone. _ for nearly a year. and that is what is so hard for everyone. are - for nearly a year. and that is what is so hard for everyone. are you i is so hard for everyone. are you excellent with technology? has it been a year of face time and other ways of talking to your children and grandchildren? brute ways of talking to your children and grandchildren?— ways of talking to your children and grandchildren? we have done a bit of facetime, and _ grandchildren? we have done a bit of facetime, and we _ grandchildren? we have done a bit of facetime, and we talk— grandchildren? we have done a bit of facetime, and we talk on _ grandchildren? we have done a bit of facetime, and we talk on the - facetime, and we talk on the telephone, and a little bit of zooming, but i have lost my temper with technology more in the last year than i have with anyone or anything ever. the same as trying to get on with you, i couldn't get the microphone to work. it's not that i don't know what to do now, because i have been gradually taught, but it is so unreliable, and i spend a lot of my time cursing and in a rage! and my abiding memory of lockdown i think will be fury with tech! the nation is with _ think will be fury with tech! the nation is with you on that one. can ijust nation is with you on that one. can i just say, nation is with you on that one. can ijust say, prue leith, you said you have just moved house, ijust say, prue leith, you said you havejust moved house, it ijust say, prue leith, you said you have just moved house, it can't be just, because wherever you are is immaculate. that does not look like someone who has just moved house. this was my office, which was the first room to get ready. so this room is all right. you don't want to see some of the other ones. i do. see some of the other ones. i do, thou~h! see some of the other ones. i do, though! lift _ see some of the other ones. i do, though! lift up — see some of the other ones. i do, though! lift up the _ see some of the other ones. i do, though! lift up the laptop - see some of the other ones. i do, though! lift up the laptop and walk around! it looks terrific. what will be, then, have you thought through what will be the first thing you might like to do when you can see family or have family around or whatever that turns out to be? we have whatever that turns out to be? - have always been a very close family, my brother has four children, and i don't know how many, a dozen or so grandchildren, and we have always spent christmas and easter together, and that easter always we have had easter bonnet parties, usually in my old house where there were lots of daffodils and crocuses and stuff, and the idea is everybody brings a straw hat and we'll compete making easter bonnets, and we have done it for years. last year we had to cancel it, and we try to do it virtually and have people do bonnets at home, but that meant bought flowers and it was just not the same. so this year, we are still vaguely hoping, but of course it looks like we are not going to be able to have parties. there are something like 30 or 40 of us when you get us all together, so i think easter bonnets might have to wait for yet another year. thea;r easter bonnets might have to wait for yet another year.— for yet another year. they might. i'm auoin for yet another year. they might. i'm going to _ for yet another year. they might. i'm going to get _ for yet another year. they might. i'm going to get in _ for yet another year. they might. i'm going to get in trouble - for yet another year. they might. i'm going to get in trouble for- i'm going to get in trouble for asking you one more question, but very briefly, i assume you've been largely cooking for two throughout this. is it much more fun for larger groups charisma is that something you look forward to? yes. groups charisma is that something you look forward to?— groups charisma is that something you look forward to? yes, i do like cookin: you look forward to? yes, i do like cooking for— you look forward to? yes, i do like cooking for two. _ you look forward to? yes, i do like cooking for two. my _ you look forward to? yes, i do like cooking for two. my husband - you look forward to? yes, i do like cooking for two. my husband says| you look forward to? yes, i do like l cooking for two. my husband says he lives and leftovers, and quite creative leftovers. so i do like cooking for two, but the thing that has saved me really is that every friday, which is today, i make supperfor the friday, which is today, i make supper for the nurses at our local care home, and there are 30 of them. because i'm basically a caterer, that's my trade, i like cooking for decent numbers, so every friday i have the absolute pleasure, and it is not virtue signalling, i do it because i like to cook, i do it for 30 of them, and the things they like to eat a wonderful, shepherd's pie and lasagne and chili con carne, mac and lasagne and chili con carne, mac and cheese, just the simplest family food which i like to cook anyway. what a treat, and lucky then having your food every friday. what a treat, and lucky then having yourfood every friday. prue leith, thank you so much, i have to leave it there, but lovely to speak to and enjoy your first in—person reunions with the family. thank you very much for yourfamily. with the family. thank you very much foryourfamily. prue with the family. thank you very much for yourfamily. prue leith, and we are edging up to the number 10 briefing. catherine burns is back with me. we are expected to hear from matt hancock and others. my mind has wandered! i from matt hancock and others. my mind has wandered!— from matt hancock and others. my mind has wandered! i want to know what she is — mind has wandered! i want to know what she is cooking _ mind has wandered! i want to know what she is cooking tonight! - mind has wandered! i want to know what she is cooking tonight! i - mind has wandered! i want to know| what she is cooking tonight! i would love her to cook me dinner! i was auoin to love her to cook me dinner! i was going to be _ love her to cook me dinner! i was going to be sacked _ love her to cook me dinner! i was going to be sacked if— love her to cook me dinner! i was going to be sacked if i _ love her to cook me dinner! i was going to be sacked if i ask - love her to cook me dinner! i was going to be sacked if i ask another question! he is not here yet, i could have asked her. we think matt hancock, the health secretary, will have a lot of discussions about vaccine uptake and more besides? fin discussions about vaccine uptake and more besides?— more besides? on the roll-out. essentially. _ more besides? on the roll-out. essentially, the _ more besides? on the roll-out. essentially, the people - more besides? on the roll-out. essentially, the people advising more besides? on the roll-out. - essentially, the people advising the government, thejoint essentially, the people advising the government, the joint committee, have come out and set in phase two, which is coming up, of the roll—out, how is it going to be? there were some questions about if they were going to prioritise certain key workers or if they were going to do it by age. they have done it by age. they were clear about why that is their decision, essentially we are in a race, the vaccine against the virus. forthem, this in a race, the vaccine against the virus. for them, this is the speediest way of doing it. so it is going to go to 40—49 —year—olds, then 30—39, and then 18—29 —year—olds. they are clear that age is the single most important factor when it comes to individual risks. also, it was really interesting that they say that the aim here is to stop people getting very sick and dying. they were not necessarily looking to stop infections. if you did that, you'd probably start with younger people who were going out to work more often. the important thing is to take the overall death rate down and the awful sickness rate. so thatis down and the awful sickness rate. so that is why they have done it. this decision is not necessarily very popular. we have asthma uk coming out and saying, why not put all asthmatics on this, and then there are certainjobs, the police have spoken, teaching unions have spoken. they were asked about this this morning. they said, you know, it's not a simple thing. we know how to do something by age, we have never rolled out a vaccine programme according to occupation. gps might not know what people do. we might miss people. for these reasons, they have gone for the most direct route. but not universally popular, the decision. it but not universally popular, the decision. , , ., decision. it will be interesting to hear more _ decision. it will be interesting to hear more about _ decision. it will be interesting to hear more about that. _ decision. it will be interesting to hear more about that. you - decision. it will be interesting to hear more about that. you can l hear more about that. you can imaginejonathan van—tam will be asked. because i totally understand their perspective, they are the medical experts. you mentioned the police federation. i guess you can see it from their perspective. police, by definition, are going into unknown situations, they don't know people's status, they cannot socially distance. and it is a tough one. . . , socially distance. and it is a tough one. , . socially distance. and it is a tough one. , one. exactly true, the police came out saying — one. exactly true, the police came out saying exactly _ one. exactly true, the police came out saying exactly that. _ one. exactly true, the police came out saying exactly that. the - one. exactly true, the police came out saying exactly that. the other| out saying exactly that. the other want to think about is education. i think that i may need to stop talking, so i will speak later. welcome to the briefing. i am joined by professorjonathan van—tam, by professor jonathan van—tam, deputy by professorjonathan van—tam, deputy chief medical officer, and dr susan hopkins, the medical director of public health england and nhs test and trace. before i share some news on the vaccination programme, i would like to update you on the latest coronavirus data. if we could have the first slide, please. the data shows that we are moving in the right direction. i think that is the third slide. if i could have the first slide, that would be great. it has 0ffice first slide, that would be great. it has office for national statistics data on it. so, the... no? we will try to get the slide. in the meantime, what it shows is that the number of cases is now down to one in every 145 people, and the rate of decline is continuing. but, actually, the pace of it is slowing. the rate of hospital admissions shows a fall of 40% over the past fortnight. but there are still 15,485 people in hospital. and that is far too high. the number of deaths have more than halved in the last fortnight. but a 380 deaths were reported each day on average over the last week. and that is far too high. the good news is that you link from cases to hospitalisations and deaths, that has had a grim inevitability throughout 2020, that link is now breaking, thanks to the vaccination programme. we have now been able to get the slide up. this demonstrates, as you can see, that there has been a fall in the number of cases. another fall. there has been a fall in the number of cases. anotherfall. but there has been a fall in the number of cases. another fall. but that the speed of that fall is slowing slightly. this fact, and the fact that the pressure on the nhs has lifted somewhat, means that the uk chief medical officers have agreed that the uk alert level has been moved down from level five, to level four, which is great news. but level four, which is great news. but level four still means there is significant pressure on the nhs. the number of cases is now falling by only 15% a week. in some areas of the country, that has flattened entirely. and one in five local authority areas has seen a rise in cases in the last week. i am going to ask professor van—tam to set out more details of this, and the geography in a moment. but ijust want to say this about the figures. this stark picture shows that this isn't over yet. the stay at home rules are still in place for a reason. every action that you take, every time you put your mask on, every time you put your mask on, every time you stay at home, you are playing your part. this is on all of us to keep this under control. this is still a deadly virus. we will get through this, but we have to stick at it. we must all remain vigilant. and that brings me to the vaccination programme. because while the vaccination programme is rolling out at the pace of one of the fastest in the world, we are not there yet. we can all take comfort that, through science, we have found a solution. we have a root out. and we will gradually be able to replace the protection that is there in the restrictions with protection that comes from the vaccine. and that is very good news. iam comes from the vaccine. and that is very good news. i am delighted to be able to tell you that, as of this morning, 19 million people in this country have had the vaccine. that is 35% of all adults across the uk. that also includes over 500,000 doses given yesterday, and it is easy for us to get used to these very large numbers. but that is 19 million people who are now starting to get the protection that we know comes from this jab. and we know that the jabs are saving lives right now across this country. of course, the programme is expanding all the time. this week, we are bringing ten more major vaccination centres, including reading football club. i think everybody continuing the expansion of the vaccination roll—out. itjoins our network across the country in cinemas and cathedrals, in mosques and museums, and so many other places that have been converted from whatever they do normally into these life—saving centres, right in the heart of our communities. and we have seen this incredible enthusiasm about coming forwards, too. as my colleague derek reeve, who heads up scotland's roll—out, told her majesty the queen, he would like to bottle the community spirit we have seen. i think we all feel that, we can see it in the vaccination programme. i am very pleased to be able to tell you that today's data from the office for national statistics shows 94% of adults saying that they have either received the jab or they intend to do so. that is staggering. it is really, really good news that there are so much enthusiasm for this jab, and it is testament to colleagues who have worked so hard to build the confidence in the jab and make it as accessible as possible to people, which is what we are striving to do. i would like to give a shout out to farzana hussain, a gp in east london, personally calling each of her priority patients, giving information about the vaccine and urging them to come forward and getjabbed. i also want to thank the whole team in coventry and warwickshire, who have delivered the highest uptake in the whole country, giving first doses to over 95% of the over 65 is in their area. thank you. it is an absolutely spectacular effort. this work is so important. and it is important because the fight back against this disease rests with every single one of us. and the more people who are protected, the safer we will all be. so if you get the call, please come forward to protect yourself and protect those around you. throughout our vaccination programme, we have focused on protecting those in greatest clinical need. this is the final thing i want to turn to. we offer a vaccine to everybody in the top four priority groups by the 15th of february. and our current target is to get a first dose offered to everybody in the top nine priority groups by the 15th of april, that is everybody over 50 or part of an at—risk group. earlier this month i asked the clinicians at thejcvi to set out what is the best order to offer vaccinations for the under 50s. offer vaccinations for the under 505. i offer vaccinations for the under 50s. i asked them to make this assessment based on how we can save the most lives and prevent the most hospitalisations. earlier today, they published their interim recommendations. thejcvi's clinical advice is that in order to save the most lives, once we have offered the vaccine to priority groups 1—9, we should take an age —based approach and invite people to come forward in three further stages. first, and invite people to come forward in three furtherstages. first, people aged between 40 and 49 years old, they will be group ten. then those aged 30—39, and then those aged 18-29 he aged 30—39, and then those aged 18—29 he will become group 12. this is the fastest and simplest way to roll the jab. 0ur moral duty is to put saving lives first. that is what we have done. i can confirm we will follow this clinical advice, we will getjabs into arms as quickly as we can, in the clinically recommended order, and once we have met the target, by the 15th of april, we will move onto these priority groups ten, 11 and 12. i am sure we all agree that the best approach is the one that saves the most lives. so, thatis one that saves the most lives. so, that is what we are going to do together. while we make this great progress on vaccines, with one of the fastest roll—outs in the world, we have all got to hold our nerve and do our bit. it is on all of us, still, to stay at home, to protect the nhs and save lives. thank you very much. i now want to hand over to professor van—tam to go through those data in more detail. to professor van-tam to go through those data in more detail.— those data in more detail. thank ou, those data in more detail. thank you. secretary — those data in more detail. thank you, secretary of _ those data in more detail. thank you, secretary of state. - those data in more detail. thank you, secretary of state. i'm - those data in more detail. thank. you, secretary of state. i'm afraid i'm going to show you a couple of quite sobering slides now. i will explain why as we go through. first slide, please. so, this is a uk map of case rates, and you can see it is a heat distribution from the darkest blue, at 250 cases per 100,000 population per week, through to the latest colours, where we are getting below 50 cases per 100,000, per week. and what you can see on this slide is that there are still quite a few areas of the uk that are burning quite hot. you can see that concentration in the midlands and extending from the east to the west coast in a broad diagonal belt. you can also see some further hotspots in scotland and northern ireland. so, this is the first slide i wanted to show you. although it is generally good news, i am afraid it is better news in some places than it is in others, and this is not a battle that we have won yet. at at least as importantly as the rate of disease are the rates of change in disease. and these are seven—day rates of change through the uk, showing colours from white through to dark purple, where the rate of cases has increased in the last seven days, through to dark green, where the rate of change has decreased. you can see quite clearly, if you look for the purple and dark purple spots, there are quite a few of them. it does show that in some parts of the uk, case rates are changing, albeit slowly, but in the wrong direction. this is not a good sign, and reinforces the fact that, i'm afraid, this bottle at the moment is not won. —— this battle. i willjust continue, if i may, with a view further remarks that relate to the slides i have shown you. as you heard from the secretary of state, we have now completed 19,000,0015t state, we have now completed 19,000,001st doses of the vaccine. we have given those first doses, very successfully, to priority cohorts 1—4 and we are moving at some speed through cohorts 5—6. these are first doses. people do need a second dose. and given that the totality of the cohorts 1—9, the priority cohorts, is about 30 million people, each of whom need to moderate doses of vaccine —— two dose of vaccines, there are 40 million vaccines to be given. so much as it is encouraging, and much as i am really upbeat about vaccines and how they are going to change how we live and what the disease is like between now and the summer, there is a long way to go. and my inbox in the last week has been besieged with people writing in, saying, i've had the vaccine, can i now start to break the rules? can i go and see my grandchildren? and the answer to that is no. we are not yet collectively as a country in the right place, and all of the patients that i vaccinate, and they will know it if they're listening on the tv, they will know that i say all of the rules still apply to all of you and all of us until we are in a much safer place. it doesn't change because you have had your first dose of vaccine. so please don't be tempted to think one home visit might be all right now, the weather is getting better, going to be a nice weekend. 0ne weather is getting better, going to be a nice weekend. one small gathering in your house won't really matter. i'm afraid it does. and the data on the slides speak for themselves. so my key message tonight is, this is all going very well, but there are some worrying signs that people are relaxing, taking their foot off the brake, at exactly the wrong time. it's a bit like being 3—0 up in a game and thinking, we can't possibly lose this now, but how many times have you seen the other side take it for— three? do not wreck this now. it is too early to relax. continue to maintain discipline and hang onjust a few more months. do not wreck this now. we are so close. thank you, secretary of state.— secretary of state. thank you, professor _ secretary of state. thank you, professor van-tam _ secretary of state. thank you, professor van-tam for - secretary of state. thank you, professor van-tam for that i secretary of state. thank you, i professor van-tam for that clear secretary of state. thank you, - professor van-tam for that clear if professor van—tam for that clear if sobering assessment. we're nearly there, let's not blow it. the first is from emma from worthing. what is from emma from worthing. what [an do is from emma from worthing. what plan do you — is from emma from worthing. what plan do you have — is from emma from worthing. what plan do you have for _ is from emma from worthing. what plan do you have for supporting university— plan do you have for supporting university students through your road _ university students through your road map— university students through your road map out of lockdown? thank you very much. — road map out of lockdown? thank you very much. emma- — road map out of lockdown? thank you very much, emma. it— road map out of lockdown? thank you very much, emma. it is— road map out of lockdown? thank you very much, emma. it is an _ road map out of lockdown? thank you very much, emma. it is an incredibly. very much, emma. it is an incredibly important question, and the road map sets out some of the details in terms of the return of universities to something more like a normal university experience. the answer to your question depends on the course that you're studying, and therefore how much you need to be physically present. there are some courses that have been running throughout, including with of course with covid secure arrangements, where people need to be in a lab or medical school for example. and there are others like arts subjects where it is easier to learn and have that over zoom or video conferencing. so there is quite a lot of detail here, and the department for education has put out a significant amount of guidance. but of course, as with everything else on the road map, we have set out the indicative dates, but also we have got to be vigilant on the data according to the four tests the prime minister set out. final point, we have today set out the order in which we are going to vaccinate people, and people who are between 18 and 29 will come in group 12, so it is incredibly important for you to get yourjab when it is your turn as well, because that will help not only to protect you, but to protect everybody around you as well. thank you, emma. next question, hannah from belfast. pm? question, hannah from belfast. why has the government removed guidance from last— has the government removed guidance from last summer allowing couples and established relationships not to socially _ and established relationships not to socially distance from each other, and what — socially distance from each other, and what would stop support bubbles bein- and what would stop support bubbles being extended to allow couples to see each _ being extended to allow couples to see each other again without limits on social_ see each other again without limits on social contact?— on social contact? thank you, hannah- _ on social contact? thank you, hannah- we _ on social contact? thank you, hannah. we made _ on social contact? thank you, hannah. we made the - on social contact? thank you, j hannah. we made the change on social contact? thank you, - hannah. we made the change that we did because as we went into lockdown over the autumn, in november and again at the start ofjanuary, we wanted to make sure that we did everything we possibly could to stop this from spreading. and i'm absolutely sure that the actions that everybody has taken and the sacrifices that people have made have had that very, very positive impact. we do look of course other support bubbles, we hold all these rules under review. but the purpose of the support bubbles is so that people living on their own can socialise, because we knowjust how difficult it is to live on your own if you have no contact at all, so thatis if you have no contact at all, so that is the reason for that support bubble. thanks very much, hannah. the next question is from hugh pym at the bbc. . ~ the next question is from hugh pym at the bbc. ., ,, , the next question is from hugh pym at the bbc. . ~' ,. , . at the bbc. thank you very much, secretary of _ at the bbc. thank you very much, secretary of state. _ at the bbc. thank you very much, secretary of state. the _ at the bbc. thank you very much, l secretary of state. the government says secretary of state. the government says it _ secretary of state. the government says it is _ secretary of state. the government says it is prioritising education in the weeks — says it is prioritising education in the weeks ahead. what do you say to teachers _ the weeks ahead. what do you say to teachers who argue that giving them priority— teachers who argue that giving them priority for— teachers who argue that giving them priority for the vaccine could help reduce _ priority for the vaccine could help reduce absences and disruption in classrooms?— classrooms? thank you. the first thin i classrooms? thank you. the first thing i would _ classrooms? thank you. the first thing i would say _ classrooms? thank you. the first thing i would say is _ classrooms? thank you. the first thing i would say is that - classrooms? thank you. the first thing i would say is that we - classrooms? thank you. the first | thing i would say is that we looked at all of these different considerations, and thejcvi looked at all these different questions, including of course the prioritisation according to differentjobs prioritisation according to different jobs that prioritisation according to differentjobs that people have. but the overall view that we came to was that the right thing to do, the moral thing to do, is to make sure that we save the most lives, and the jcvi looked at the clinical evidence and also the evidence of how quickly operationally we can jab everybody, and that means that the clinical guidance from the jcvi and that means that the clinical guidance from thejcvi is very clear, that we should continue through the age range. and we also know from the data that thankfully teachers are no more likely to catch covid than any other member of the population who goes to work, and so trying to come up with a scheme which prioritises one professional group over another would have been complicated, complicated to put in place, and wouldn't have done what we asked thejcvi to do, which i think is the right thing, which is to make sure that we minimise the amount of people who die by using the vaccine. i don't know whether, jvt, you have more details on this? thank you, secretary of state. here i can just add thank you, secretary of state. here i canjust add a bit more colourfor you, i suppose, i canjust add a bit more colourfor you, isuppose, to i canjust add a bit more colourfor you, i suppose, to say that the 0ns data on the occupations with the highest rates of death begin with restaurant and catering establishment managers and proprietors, follow on to metalworking and machine operatives, food, drink and tobacco process operatives, chefs, taxi and cab drivers. i won't go on, but all of the death rates in the groups i mentioned are in excess of 100 deaths per 100,000 for males. if you look at teachers, and the 0ns has now assembled some data on teachers for the period for the 9th of march last year to the 28th of december, the figures for male teachers, the figure is 18.4 per 100,000 for mortality, and that compares with an age average for a comparable age of 31.4. so if our objective is to save lives and reduce hospitalisations, then we have to start in a logical place. and if our objective is to prioritise by age, we would have two... if we wanted to do it by occupation, that would be very difficult because of the multiplicity of occupations that would have to be called forward, and doing that is going to damage the pace of the vaccine roll—out so much, and the big win is actually in speed. so the kind of message is really, when we are getting down into phase two of the vaccine campaigns, it is more important to be in the queue, worrying less about exactly where you are in the queue, but be reassured that the queue is moving really fast and that you are going to get to the front of the queue because it is moving fast. and thatis queue because it is moving fast. and that is really, i think, the analogy that is really, i think, the analogy that i would want to paint for you, that i would want to paint for you, that being in the queue is more important than where you are in it, and then making that queue move really fast is the key. thank you. thank you very much, hugh. the next question is from liz bates at channel 4. question is from liz bates at channel 1n— question is from liz bates at channel 4. question is from liz bates at channel4. ., ,, ~ , , channel4. thank you. as you 'ust set out, channel4. thank you. as you 'ust set out. quite �* channel4. thank you. as you 'ust set out, quite starkly, * channel4. thank you. as youjust set out, quite starkly, different i set out, quite starkly, different areas _ set out, quite starkly, different areas have very different rates of infection. — areas have very different rates of infection, it seems. that would suggest — infection, it seems. that would suggest that as we come out of nationat— suggest that as we come out of national lockdown, we might see the return— national lockdown, we might see the return of— national lockdown, we might see the return of local lockdown is. is that going _ return of local lockdown is. is that going to _ return of local lockdown is. is that going to happen, or is that something that you want to avoid? and can _ something that you want to avoid? and can i _ something that you want to avoid? and can i also asked jvt if we can have _ and can i also asked jvt if we can have a _ and can i also asked jvt if we can have a bit— and can i also asked jvt if we can have a bit more detail on what is behind _ have a bit more detail on what is behind those regional differences? thank— behind those regional differences? thank you — behind those regional differences? thank you very much, liz. so we proposed to come out of the national lockdown all together. these regional disparities are smaller than we saw in the autumn. we don't rule out taking local action in an individual area if we see a spike, and i will ask doctor hopkins to say and i will ask doctor hopkins to say a bit more about that. the goal is for us all to come out together. what i want to stress is that these data show how important it is that we still stick at it, that this isn't over yet, and the fact that one in five local authority areas across the country is seeing cases rise in the last week demonstrates that we all need to stick to those rules and to do everything we can to keep this pandemic under control. i will ask doctor hopkins to comment on that and put more detail on, and thenjvt to answer your on that and put more detail on, and then jvt to answer your second question. then jvt to answer your second cuestion. . ~ then jvt to answer your second cuestion. ., ,, , ., then jvt to answer your second cuestion. . ~' ,. ~ then jvt to answer your second cuestion. ., ,, y., . ., then jvt to answer your second cuestion. ., ,, . ., question. thank you. we are looking in detail at the _ question. thank you. we are looking in detail at the differences _ question. thank you. we are looking in detail at the differences between l in detail at the differences between the regions. some of the differences we can— the regions. some of the differences we can see _ the regions. some of the differences we can see relate to the occupations and workplaces that occur, and as you know — and workplaces that occur, and as you know we have increased workplace testing _ you know we have increased workplace testing with _ you know we have increased workplace testing with lateral flow devices. i think— testing with lateral flow devices. i think it _ testing with lateral flow devices. i think it is — testing with lateral flow devices. i think it is really important that people — think it is really important that people come forward for testing in the next _ people come forward for testing in the next four weeks so that gives us the next four weeks so that gives us the opportunity to find those hidden cases— the opportunity to find those hidden cases in_ the opportunity to find those hidden cases in communities and to allow the case _ cases in communities and to allow the case rates to come down over the next four— the case rates to come down over the next four week period. we still have plenty _ next four week period. we still have plenty of _ next four week period. we still have plenty of time in this time of nationat— plenty of time in this time of national restrictions to reduce the case rates — national restrictions to reduce the case rates across the country. we will also _ case rates across the country. we will also be — case rates across the country. we will also be working very closely with directors of public health and our regional health protection teams to ensure _ our regional health protection teams to ensure that we take local action i’ilht to ensure that we take local action right now. — to ensure that we take local action right now, so we are not waiting for four weeks— right now, so we are not waiting for four weeks to see what happens then. and that _ four weeks to see what happens then. and that is _ four weeks to see what happens then. and that is happening across the country— and that is happening across the country right now with engaged team is looking _ country right now with engaged team is looking at how we can find cases, contact _ is looking at how we can find cases, contact trace — is looking at how we can find cases, contact trace in those areas and support— contact trace in those areas and support people in isolation. thank ou ve support people in isolation. thank you very much- — support people in isolation. thank you very much. and _ support people in isolation. thank you very much. and jvt? - support people in isolation. thank you very much. and jvt? nothing| support people in isolation. thank. you very much. and jvt? nothing to add, you very much. and jvt? nothing to add. secretary _ you very much. and jvt? nothing to add, secretary of _ you very much. and jvt? nothing to add, secretary of state, _ you very much. and jvt? nothing to add, secretary of state, thank - you very much. and jvt? nothing to add, secretary of state, thank you. | add, secretary of state, thank you. the next question is charlotte ivers from talk radio.— from talk radio. thank you, mr hancock- _ from talk radio. thank you, mr hancock. we _ from talk radio. thank you, mr hancock. we have _ from talk radio. thank you, mr hancock. we have had - from talk radio. thank you, mr hancock. we have had lots - from talk radio. thank you, mr hancock. we have had lots of. from talk radio. thank you, mr - hancock. we have had lots of calls from _ hancock. we have had lots of calls from listeners this week who are raring _ from listeners this week who are raring to — from listeners this week who are raring to go to get their vaccines, but also — raring to go to get their vaccines, but also a — raring to go to get their vaccines, but also a bit concerned and confused _ but also a bit concerned and confused by the government's policy on vaccine _ confused by the government's policy on vaccine passports. are you able to give _ on vaccine passports. are you able to give them a commitment today that they will— to give them a commitment today that they will never need to show a vaccine — they will never need to show a vaccine passport to get into the pub or a football match?— vaccine passport to get into the pub or a football match? thank you very much. or a football match? thank you very much- this — or a football match? thank you very much- this is _ or a football match? thank you very much. this is an _ or a football match? thank you very much. this is an incredibly - much. this is an incredibly important subject. we know that there are some areas where certification is going to be needed, for instance if the government of another country says that you need to show that you have had a covid vaccine, obviously we then want to be able to help people, enable people to be able to show that certificate. but the wider questions have all been put into a review that, as you know, michael gove is leading, and i think it's best to allow that review to take evidence, to consider all of the broad range of issues, and then come to its conclusion. i'm sorry i'm not going to be more specific than that, i don't want to fetter the discretion of the review, and i think it's right that we take our time to think about this. thank you very much. the next question isjonathan riley from the sun. next question is jonathan riley from the sun. ,., ., next question is jonathan riley from the sun. ., ., the sun. good afternoon. to professor — the sun. good afternoon. to professor van-tam, - the sun. good afternoon. to professor van-tam, there i the sun. good afternoon. to i professor van-tam, there were professor van—tam, there were reports — professor van—tam, there were reports today that school children as young — reports today that school children as young as five are being told to wear— as young as five are being told to wear masks and classrooms. should teachers _ wear masks and classrooms. should teachers really be doing this, and is it really— teachers really be doing this, and is it really a — teachers really be doing this, and is it really a necessity to stop the spread _ is it really a necessity to stop the spread of— is it really a necessity to stop the spread of covid? and to the secretary of state, the covid crisis has seen _ secretary of state, the covid crisis has seen an— secretary of state, the covid crisis has seen an outpouring of community spirit and _ has seen an outpouring of community spirit and volunteers, including the sun's— spirit and volunteers, including the sun'siabs — spirit and volunteers, including the sun'sjabs army campaign, spirit and volunteers, including the sun's jabs army campaign, and you think— sun's jabs army campaign, and you think that _ sun's jabs army campaign, and you think that these should be recognised in some way, are is there a plan _ recognised in some way, are is there a plan to— recognised in some way, are is there a plan to use — recognised in some way, are is there a plan to use this bank are volunteers after the epidemic to help our— volunteers after the epidemic to help our nhs? two volunteers after the epidemic to help our nhs?— volunteers after the epidemic to hel our nhs? ., . , ., , help our nhs? two great questions. the 'abs help our nhs? two great questions. the jabs army _ help our nhs? two great questions. the jabs army marches _ help our nhs? two great questions. the jabs army marches on, - help our nhs? two great questions. the jabs army marches on, and - help our nhs? two great questions. the jabs army marches on, and they are doing an amazing job in helping everybody to get the vaccines. the voluntary effort around the vaccine roll—out has been unbelievably brilliant. the number of people who have come forward, the enthusiasm thatis have come forward, the enthusiasm that is shown, and i'm very grateful to everybody who has given up their time. you have the nhs committed to supporting voluntary action, who have the training and are on a specific reserves list. that is exactly the thing that the jabs army might be called upon to do in the future, in a broader sense, might be called upon to do in the future, in a broadersense, because we have seen the unbelievable support that volunteers can give to the nhs when there is a big job to do. i will ask dr hopkins to respond to yourfirst question do. i will ask dr hopkins to respond to your first question about masks among children. the to your first question about masks among children.— to your first question about masks among children. the important thing to sa is among children. the important thing to say is that — among children. the important thing to say is that we _ among children. the important thing to say is that we reviewed _ among children. the important thing to say is that we reviewed the - to say is that we reviewed the evidence on this. schoolchildren have the lower amount of infections, especially primary school children. looking at it, we have spoken to clinical specialists. the consensus view is to strongly not advise primary school children to wear face coverings. they can have difficulties wearing them and keeping them on all day, the second part is that it is really important they can see facial expressions, in order to develop their communications and language skills. schools have done a lot of measures to reduce the risks in schools, and additional plans to test families or primary schoolchildren will also be in place as schools go back. therefore, the strong recommendation is for premier schoolchildren not to wear masks. is for premier schoolchildren not to wear masks-— is for premier schoolchildren not to wear masks. is for premier schoolchildren not to - wear masks-_ my wear masks. anything to add, jvt? my view is more — wear masks. anything to add, jvt? my view is more parental— wear masks. anything to add, jvt? my view is more parental than _ view is more parental than technical, to say that i find it quite — technical, to say that i find it quite a — technical, to say that i find it quite a daunting proposition to try to keep _ quite a daunting proposition to try to keep facemasks on 30 five—year—olds in the same room. i think— five—year—olds in the same room. i think you _ five—year—olds in the same room. i think you should be concentrating on the teaching. the think you should be concentrating on the teaching-— the teaching. the next question is from ned symons, _ the teaching. the next question is from ned symons, the _ the teaching. the next question is from ned symons, the huffingtonj from ned symons, the huffington post. . ~ from ned symons, the huffington post. . ,, , ., from ned symons, the huffington post. . ,, ' from ned symons, the huffington post. . ,, , , post. thank you. official figures show there _ post. thank you. official figures show there are _ post. thank you. official figures show there are over _ post. thank you. official figures show there are over 3.5 - post. thank you. official figures show there are over 3.5 million | post. thank you. official figures - show there are over 3.5 million nhs six days— show there are over 3.5 million nhs six days due — show there are over 3.5 million nhs six days due to _ show there are over 3.5 million nhs six days due to mental— show there are over 3.5 million nhs six days due to mental ill—health . six days due to mental ill—health between — six days due to mental ill—health between march _ six days due to mental ill—health between march and _ six days due to mental ill—health between march and october - six days due to mental ill—health between march and october last| six days due to mental ill—health - between march and october last year. it between march and october last year. it has _ between march and october last year. it has been _ between march and october last year. it has been reported _ between march and october last year. it has been reported that _ between march and october last year. it has been reported that health- it has been reported that health care workers _ it has been reported that health care workers will— it has been reported that health care workers will not _ it has been reported that health care workers will not get - it has been reported that health care workers will not get a - it has been reported that health care workers will not get a pay. it has been reported that health. care workers will not get a pay rise in the _ care workers will not get a pay rise in the budget _ care workers will not get a pay rise in the budget. what _ care workers will not get a pay rise in the budget. what more - care workers will not get a pay rise in the budget. what more will- care workers will not get a pay rise in the budget. what more will youi care workers will not get a pay rise i in the budget. what more will you do to support _ in the budget. what more will you do to support nhs — in the budget. what more will you do to support nhs staff, _ in the budget. what more will you do to support nhs staff, other- in the budget. what more will you do to support nhs staff, other than - to support nhs staff, other than asking _ to support nhs staff, other than asking the — to support nhs staff, other than asking the public _ to support nhs staff, other than asking the public to _ to support nhs staff, other than asking the public to clap? - to support nhs staff, other than asking the public to clap? and i to support nhs staff, other thanl asking the public to clap? and dr hopkins— asking the public to clap? and dr hopkins on— asking the public to clap? and dr hopkins on professor— asking the public to clap? and dr hopkins on professor van—tam, i asking the public to clap? and drl hopkins on professor van—tam, if asking the public to clap? and dri hopkins on professor van—tam, if i may, _ hopkins on professor van—tam, if i may, the _ hopkins on professor van—tam, if i may, the eat — hopkins on professor van—tam, if i may. the eat 0ut _ hopkins on professor van—tam, if i may, the eat out to _ hopkins on professor van—tam, if i may, the eat out to help— hopkins on professor van—tam, if i may, the eat out to help out- hopkins on professor van—tam, if i i may, the eat out to help 0ut scheme was associated — may, the eat out to help 0ut scheme was associated with _ may, the eat out to help 0ut scheme was associated with an _ may, the eat out to help 0ut scheme was associated with an increase - may, the eat out to help 0ut scheme was associated with an increase in - was associated with an increase in transition, — was associated with an increase in transition, would _ was associated with an increase in transition, would you _ was associated with an increase in transition, would you be - was associated with an increase in i transition, would you be comfortable with it _ transition, would you be comfortable with it returning _ transition, would you be comfortable with it returning the _ transition, would you be comfortable with it returning the spring _ transition, would you be comfortable with it returning the spring and - with it returning the spring and summer? _ with it returning the spring and summer? ttn— with it returning the spring and summer? , , ,., ,, with it returning the spring and summer? , , ,, , ., , summer? on the support nhs staff, this is an incredibly _ summer? on the support nhs staff, this is an incredibly important - this is an incredibly important question, there is a huge amount of support are put in place to ensure that had a very tough time in the second wave of the pandemic and have a tough time come in many cases throughout the last year, to ensure that nhs staff get the r&r that they need. employment in the nhs is down to the individual trust and there is a huge amount of work going on to make sure that people get the support to deal with traumatic experiences that they may have had. i have supported in intensive care wards during the pandemic and i have seen pressure that nhs staff are under. i know from talking to them what it feels like and the pressures they have been under. the consequence of the work, the enormous amount of work that has had to be done, and also the fact that when you are dealing with people on the death rate is so high, that has a significant psychological impact. we are putting in that support to make sure the people on the front line, and what can be traumatic situations, get the support they need, the professional support they need, the professional support they need, as well as the hr support they need, as well as the hr support they needin need, as well as the hr support they need in order to be able to be able to have that r&r and the firing on all cylinders again, and have that resilience. and when it comes to the second question, jvt?— resilience. and when it comes to the second question, jvt? thanks for the cuestion. second question, jvt? thanks for the question- i'm — second question, jvt? thanks for the question. i'm going _ second question, jvt? thanks for the question. i'm going to _ second question, jvt? thanks for the question. i'm going to give _ second question, jvt? thanks for the question. i'm going to give quite - second question, jvt? thanks for the question. i'm going to give quite a i question. i'm going to give quite a clinical— question. i'm going to give quite a clinical answer. when you put people together— clinical answer. when you put people together to _ clinical answer. when you put people together to eat and socialise over a meal. _ together to eat and socialise over a meat, over— together to eat and socialise over a meat, over a — together to eat and socialise over a meal, over a table, together to eat and socialise over a meal, overa table, as together to eat and socialise over a meal, over a table, as we all like to do. _ meal, over a table, as we all like to do. and — meal, over a table, as we all like to do, and may be a little drink is also _ to do, and may be a little drink is also consumed at the same time, and the volume _ also consumed at the same time, and the volume goes up in the place, of course, _ the volume goes up in the place, of course, it— the volume goes up in the place, of course, it is— the volume goes up in the place, of course, it is likely that there will be some — course, it is likely that there will be some transmission. but really, who pays — be some transmission. but really, who pays the bill, how much of the bill you _ who pays the bill, how much of the bill you have to pay for yourself, it's not _ bill you have to pay for yourself, it's not a — bill you have to pay for yourself, it's not a medical question and one for politicians, and in particular the chancellor.— for politicians, and in particular the chancellor. final question is from jim scott _ the chancellor. final question is from jim scott at _ the chancellor. final question is from jim scott at the _ the chancellor. final question is from jim scott at the northern l the chancellor. final question is - from jim scott at the northern echo. in the north—east, we have some gp surgeries— in the north—east, we have some gp surgeries having _ in the north—east, we have some gp surgeries having to _ in the north—east, we have some gp surgeries having to cancel— in the north—east, we have some gp surgeries having to cancel vaccine i surgeries having to cancel vaccine clinics _ surgeries having to cancel vaccine clinics because _ surgeries having to cancel vaccine clinics because they _ surgeries having to cancel vaccine clinics because they are _ surgeries having to cancel vaccine clinics because they are not - clinics because they are not receiving _ clinics because they are not receiving the _ clinics because they are not receiving the supply - clinics because they are not receiving the supply they. clinics because they are not - receiving the supply they expected. 0ne receiving the supply they expected. one surgery— receiving the supply they expected. one surgery in— receiving the supply they expected. 0ne surgery in our— receiving the supply they expected. 0ne surgery in our region— receiving the supply they expected. 0ne surgery in our region cannot i receiving the supply they expected. i one surgery in our region cannot run clinics _ one surgery in our region cannot run clinics until— one surgery in our region cannot run clinics until march— one surgery in our region cannot run clinics until march the _ one surgery in our region cannot run clinics until march the 5th _ one surgery in our region cannot run clinics until march the 5th at - one surgery in our region cannot run clinics until march the 5th at the - clinics until march the 5th at the earliest — clinics until march the 5th at the earliest we _ clinics until march the 5th at the earliest. we have _ clinics until march the 5th at the earliest. we have areas - clinics until march the 5th at the earliest. we have areas that - clinics until march the 5th at the| earliest. we have areas that rely clinics until march the 5th at the - earliest. we have areas that rely on gp surgeries — earliest. we have areas that rely on gp surgeries for _ earliest. we have areas that rely on gp surgeries for vaccines, - earliest. we have areas that rely on gp surgeries for vaccines, rather. gp surgeries for vaccines, rather than _ gp surgeries for vaccines, rather than mass — gp surgeries for vaccines, rather than mass vaccination _ gp surgeries for vaccines, rather than mass vaccination centres i gp surgeries for vaccines, rather. than mass vaccination centres used in urban— than mass vaccination centres used in urban areas _ than mass vaccination centres used in urban areas. why— than mass vaccination centres used in urban areas. why are _ than mass vaccination centres used in urban areas. why are people - than mass vaccination centres used in urban areas. why are people in. in urban areas. why are people in the north— in urban areas. why are people in the north still— in urban areas. why are people in the north still having _ in urban areas. why are people in the north still having to _ in urban areas. why are people in the north still having to travel- the north still having to travel more — the north still having to travel more than _ the north still having to travel more than 40 _ the north still having to travel more than 40 miles _ the north still having to travel more than 40 miles in- the north still having to travel more than 40 miles in some i the north still having to travel- more than 40 miles in some cases to .et more than 40 miles in some cases to get their— more than 40 miles in some cases to get their dose. — more than 40 miles in some cases to get their dose, and _ more than 40 miles in some cases to get their dose, and is— more than 40 miles in some cases to get their dose, and is this _ more than 40 miles in some cases to get their dose, and is this a - more than 40 miles in some cases to get their dose, and is this a sign - get their dose, and is this a sign that your— get their dose, and is this a sign that your vaccination _ get their dose, and is this a sign that your vaccination strategy i get their dose, and is this a signl that your vaccination strategy has been _ that your vaccination strategy has been designed _ that your vaccination strategy has been designed for— that your vaccination strategy has been designed for the _ that your vaccination strategy has been designed for the south? - that your vaccination strategy hasi been designed for the south? one question— been designed for the south? one question to — been designed for the south? one question to professor— been designed for the south? one question to professor van—tam, i been designed for the south? one - question to professor van—tam, north yorkshire _ question to professor van—tam, north yorkshire police _ question to professor van—tam, north yorkshire police are _ question to professor van—tam, north yorkshire police are still— question to professor van—tam, north yorkshire police are still giving - yorkshire police are still giving out hundreds— yorkshire police are still giving out hundreds of— yorkshire police are still giving out hundreds of fines - yorkshire police are still giving out hundreds of fines for - yorkshire police are still giving - out hundreds of fines for lockdown breaches — out hundreds of fines for lockdown breaches. people _ out hundreds of fines for lockdown breaches. people are _ out hundreds of fines for lockdown breaches. people are travelling. out hundreds of fines for lockdown breaches. people are travelling to| breaches. people are travelling to beauty _ breaches. people are travelling to beauty spot — breaches. people are travelling to beauty spot in _ breaches. people are travelling to beauty spot in our— breaches. people are travelling to beauty spot in our region, - breaches. people are travelling to i beauty spot in our region, including in some _ beauty spot in our region, including in some cases — beauty spot in our region, including in some cases more _ beauty spot in our region, including in some cases more than _ beauty spot in our region, including in some cases more than 100 - beauty spot in our region, includingl in some cases more than 100 miles. now that _ in some cases more than 100 miles. now that the — in some cases more than 100 miles. now that the prime _ in some cases more than 100 miles. now that the prime minister - in some cases more than 100 miles. now that the prime minister has - in some cases more than 100 miles. now that the prime minister has setj now that the prime minister has set out his— now that the prime minister has set out his road — now that the prime minister has set out his road map _ now that the prime minister has set out his road map out _ now that the prime minister has set out his road map out of— now that the prime minister has set out his road map out of lockdown, l out his road map out of lockdown, are you _ out his road map out of lockdown, are you concerned _ out his road map out of lockdown, are you concerned that _ out his road map out of lockdown, are you concerned that people - out his road map out of lockdown,| are you concerned that people now think— are you concerned that people now think the _ are you concerned that people now think the end — are you concerned that people now think the end is _ are you concerned that people now think the end is here _ are you concerned that people now think the end is here and _ are you concerned that people now think the end is here and are - are you concerned that people now think the end is here and are less. think the end is here and are less likely— think the end is here and are less likely to — think the end is here and are less likely to stick _ think the end is here and are less likely to stick to _ think the end is here and are less likely to stick to the _ think the end is here and are less likely to stick to the rules? - think the end is here and are less likely to stick to the rules? on i likely to stick to the rules? on our likely to stick to the rules? on your first _ likely to stick to the rules? your first question, i will ask likely to stick to the rules?“ your first question, i will ask dr hopkins to come in. at one of the brilliant things about the vaccination programme is how it has been equal and fair, uk wide. the north—east has done a brilliantjob in vaccinating. it came out of the blocks really fast, and it has worked absolute wonders. and i want to thank in particular the volunteers and the nhs staff in the north—east who have worked so hard to get these vaccinations done. and there has been a lower amount of supply across the whole uk in the last week or so. you will have seen in the last 48 hours that it has picked up again. and yesterday we did over half a millionjabs for picked up again. and yesterday we did over half a million jabs for the first time in over a week. but supply is coming back. we know it is lumpy and comes up and down, and we are going to have a bumper march. but i do know that there have been some vaccination centres that are so efficient that they have been able to use all of their supply, and i am very, very gratefulfor to use all of their supply, and i am very, very grateful for the work they have done. but the good news is that these challenges are faced equally throughout the whole of the uk, and i get people from brilliant local newspapers in the south—west asking the same question as you are asking the same question as you are asking about the north—east, and that gives me the impression that this challenge of the roll—out is equally balanced. as far as i am concerned, every single person getting access to theirjab in the north—east is as important as in every other part of the country and we will make sure that the programme delivers according to those principles. i don't know what more i can say. but i have enthusiasm for what the north—east has done and they have really nailed it in this vaccination programme so far. that is exactly right- _ vaccination programme so far. that is exactly right. the _ vaccination programme so far. t'isgt is exactly right. the north—east has been achieving over and above what the rest of the country has done. it is fantastic news. everywhere is going to get the vaccine and everywhere will be able to deliver the vaccine to all of those from 1—9 in the coming weeks. fin the vaccine to all of those from 1-9 in the coming weeks.— the vaccine to all of those from 1-9 in the coming weeks. on your second ruestion, in the coming weeks. on your second question. jvt? _ in the coming weeks. on your second question, jvt? yes, _ in the coming weeks. on your second question, jvt? yes, is _ in the coming weeks. on your second question, jvt? yes, is the _ in the coming weeks. on your second question, jvt? yes, is the answer. i in the coming weeks. on your second question, jvt? yes, is the answer. ll question, jvt? yes, is the answer. i do worry that _ question, jvt? yes, is the answer. i do worry that people _ question, jvt? yes, is the answer. i do worry that people think - question, jvt? yes, is the answer. i do worry that people think it - question, jvt? yes, is the answer. i do worry that people think it is - question, jvt? yes, is the answer. i do worry that people think it is all. do worry that people think it is all over~ _ do worry that people think it is all over~ the — do worry that people think it is all over. the more they think that, when it is not. _ over. the more they think that, when it is not. the — over. the more they think that, when it is not, the greater the headwind they are _ it is not, the greater the headwind they are going to give to the vaccine _ they are going to give to the vaccine programme. and the more at risk will— vaccine programme. and the more at risk will become the milestones set on the _ risk will become the milestones set on the road — risk will become the milestones set on the road map. you know, it is a collective — on the road map. you know, it is a collective effort. it is actually up to us _ collective effort. it is actually up to us whether we can hold our nerve and see _ to us whether we can hold our nerve and see this — to us whether we can hold our nerve and see this through properly to the end of— and see this through properly to the end of the _ and see this through properly to the end of the road map, or whether we are going _ end of the road map, or whether we are going to— end of the road map, or whether we are going to fall at the last furlough. are going to fall at the last furlough-— are going to fall at the last furlou:h. . ~' ,. , . are going to fall at the last furlou:h. . ~ ,. , . ., ,, furlough. thank you very much, thank ou all for furlough. thank you very much, thank you all forjoining _ furlough. thank you very much, thank you all forjoining the _ furlough. thank you very much, thank you all forjoining the daily _ you all forjoining the daily briefing today. once again, i am going to end with where i ended the opening, to say that this is on all of us. of course it is on us at the podium to do our duty and play our part. but it is on you, as well. every single person needs to keep sticking to those rules, stay at home, protect the nhs and save lives. we are making great strides, but we are not there yet. thank you very much indeed. the end of another briefing, matt hancock alongside jonathan van—tam and susan hopkins from public health england. the health secretary talking about the vaccine programme, one of the fastest in the world. but it is fair to say that some of the most striking comments throughout that news briefing was from professorjonathan van—tam, and we will go through a lot of what was said with our health correspondent and our political correspondent, and more reaction besides. in case you didn't see the whole of the briefing, let'sjust remind didn't see the whole of the briefing, let's just remind you first of all of the key points that came out of that. the health secretary matt hancock is started by saying the latest covid infection data shows we are moving in the right direction, as he put it, with the number of cases now down to one in every 145 people. however, he warned that "this isn't over yet" — adding that the rate of decrease has "flattened entirely" in some areas — with one in five local authorities reporting a rise in the past week. matt hancock confirmed the government will follow the new vaccination priority recommendations from experts announced earlier, which prioritises people by age not by occupation. he added that there is a "moral duty" to put saving lives first in the vaccine rollout. jonathan van—tam said there are still quite a few areas of the uk that are "burning quite hot" in terms of coronavirus infection rates, and these hotspots are concentrated in the midlands and from the east to the west coast. he talked about a sort of diagonal line. we will talk more about that. van—tam also said there are quite a few areas in the uk where case numbers are increasing — suggesting the "battle at the moment is not won". our health correspondent catherine burnsjoins me. so striking, the tone of this today. you have the health secretary very keen to talk about the roll—out of the vaccine. jonathan van—tam, acknowledging it is going well and quickly. but he soon brings you down with those sobering assessments of the fact that, let's remember, some parts of the country, cases are still rising. parts of the country, cases are still rising-— parts of the country, cases are still risinu. , , ., ., still rising. they spoke for about 40 minutes _ still rising. they spoke for about 40 minutes there. _ still rising. they spoke for about 40 minutes there. really, - still rising. they spoke for about 40 minutes there. really, theyl still rising. they spoke for about i 40 minutes there. really, they had one message and everything they said in that time was just to reinforce that message. it's not over. don't relax yet. so we had a classic jonathan van—tam analogy. he said it is like you are winning 3—0 with football and the other team comes along at 4—3. do not wreck it, we are so close, he said. but from the very beginning, every bit of information we had, matt hancock came out and said, yes, cases are down and where they were, but the decline is slowing. yes, the number of deaths have halved in the last week but they are still far too high. yes, the number of hospital patients have come down, but there are still 15,000 people in hospital. he pointed out that one in five local authority areas across the country are seeing a rise in cases this week. his message, stay vigilant. he was very pleased about the vaccine roll—out. more than 500,000 yesterday, 19,000,001st doses so far. thenjonathan van—tam came along and said, yes, this is great, we have done more than 19 million, but by his estimate, just to get through phase one, he says there are 30 million people in that group and they need to doses each. by group and they need to doses each. by his maths, it's another 40 million. there is a long way to go. i thought his comment about his inbox... didn't thatjust i thought his comment about his inbox. .. didn't that just strike i thought his comment about his inbox... didn't thatjust strike you that he couldn't get over how many people are already contacting him and saying, well, i've had my first dose, can i stop breaking the rules? and there is that reminder, this is about two doses, notjust and there is that reminder, this is about two doses, not just about and there is that reminder, this is about two doses, notjust about one dose. it about two doses, not 'ust about one dose. , ., ~ ,., about two doses, not 'ust about one dose. , ., ~ ., ,, ., ., dose. it is not like you walk out on the second — dose. it is not like you walk out on the second you — dose. it is not like you walk out on the second you walk— dose. it is not like you walk out on the second you walk out _ dose. it is not like you walk out on the second you walk out you - dose. it is not like you walk out on the second you walk out you are i the second you walk out you are protected, takes a while to build up and it is not 100%. you can't think of it as you as an individual, it is the impact on society that is very interesting. you talked about the areas that are burning hot. so, they put up some maps, and you could see little areas scattered across the country that are still in the disposition. so they were asked about local lockdowns. are we going to have a return to tm —— tears. he says the goal is that we come out of this as a nation, but we don't rule anything out. this as a nation, but we don't rule anything out-— anything out. that is interesting. let's anything out. that is interesting. let's return _ anything out. that is interesting. let's return to _ anything out. that is interesting. let's return to our _ anything out. that is interesting. let's return to our political - let's return to our political correspondentjessica parker. that correspondent jessica parker. that was correspondentjessica parker. that was an interesting element of the politics of all of this. first thoughts about what stood out for you, because there has been a lot of talk about vaccines, occupations, whether certain occupation should be in the lead, and that very interesting observation that catherine made in terms of easing lockdown which, politically, is where all of the pressure is. absolutely, and i think there will be pressure because of the way that roll—out is going, and there will be pressure to move faster from some conservative backbenchers. but as you mentioned, the tone of that press conference was not subtle. they clearly came along with a job in mind in terms of what they wanted to convey. just some of the messages, do not wreck this now, let's not blow it, the battle is not won, this isn't over yet. clearly some concern, admitted to by jonathan van—tam, that compliance from some people that they may be relaxing as this broad good news about the vaccines working and the disease receding. but when you start to get these gradual easements, and we had these indicative dates going into the summer, as things get a little more complicated than a national lockdown, as the rules get more complicated, and we saw this last time around as we exited the first lockdown, ministers then have thatjob of first lockdown, ministers then have that job of trying first lockdown, ministers then have thatjob of trying to ensure that people stick to the more complicated set of rules, and i think this idea of ministers, health experts, coming forward, urging people to stick to the measures that are in place at any one time, we are likely to hear that quite a lot over the coming weeks and months.— that quite a lot over the coming weeks and months. yes, because hasn't itoris _ weeks and months. yes, because hasn't boris johnson _ weeks and months. yes, because hasn't boris johnson always - weeks and months. yes, because hasn't boris johnson always said, | hasn't borisjohnson always said, when we come out of lockdown, whenever that is, it has to be geographically even. he himself does not want to go back into regional tiers, and thenjust not want to go back into regional tiers, and then just occasionally like just now you get the hints that some people perhaps think otherwise. matt hancock usually is quite careful not to rule things out. i think he has talked before that he has learned that from experience during the pandemic. but you're absolutely right, there was initially some indication that we could return to the tier system depending on how bad rates are, then we heard that the plan was for the nation to come out of lockdown together, and that very still is the plan, obviously setting off from the 8th of march, but matt hancock, as you say, not ruling out the 8th of march, the suggestion not ruled out of localised action if necessary, so ministers trying to leave themselves room for manoeuvre in terms of how they come out of this lockdown, which will inevitably be a mock obligated process than when you are in it. , , obligated process than when you are init. ,, ., ~' obligated process than when you are init.i .,~' ., ., in it. jessica parker, for now, thank you _ in it. jessica parker, for now, thank you very _ in it. jessica parker, for now, thank you very much, - in it. jessica parker, for now, thank you very much, and i thank you very much, and westminster. we will stay particularly with the whole issue of the vaccine roll—out and uptake and all the issues around that that we have been talking about today. let's discuss the situation particularly in northern ireland. with me now is dup mp for east londonderry, gregory campbell. good afternoon. good afternoon. one ofthe good afternoon. good afternoon. one of the key elements _ good afternoon. good afternoon. one of the key elements of _ good afternoon. good afternoon. one of the key elements of today's - of the key elements of today's briefing from number 10 was finalising that decision that the priorities for vaccination will still be around age is not occupations. what are your thoughts on that? because of course the rules in northern ireland are slightly different. , ., , , different. they are slightly different. _ different. they are slightly different, although - different. they are slightly different, although we, i different. they are slightlyl different, although we, like everywhere else in the uk, have made significant _ everywhere else in the uk, have made significant progress. today we passed — significant progress. today we passed the half—million mark, that means— passed the half—million mark, that means 50% of our adult population has now— means 50% of our adult population has now received the first vaccination dose, which is excellent news, _ vaccination dose, which is excellent news, and — vaccination dose, which is excellent news, and if— vaccination dose, which is excellent news, and if we maintain this rate of progress. — news, and if we maintain this rate of progress, two thirds of the adult population— of progress, two thirds of the adult population will be vaccinated before easter~ _ population will be vaccinated before easter~ so _ population will be vaccinated before easter. so that is significantly towards — easter. so that is significantly towards the herd immunity that we hear so _ towards the herd immunity that we hear so much about.— towards the herd immunity that we hear so much about. absolutely, but in terms of — hear so much about. absolutely, but in terms of occupations, _ hear so much about. absolutely, but in terms of occupations, for - hear so much about. absolutely, but| in terms of occupations, for example in terms of occupations, for example in northern ireland, some teachers did get an earlierjab, and we have been reflecting a lot today about the pressure from certain occupations. they feel they should be prioritised. would you be doing more on that? is that something you would still think about doing despite what we have just heard from matt hancock? i do despite what we have 'ust heard from matt hancock?— matt hancock? i do think once you aet matt hancock? i do think once you net to the matt hancock? i do think once you get to the point — matt hancock? i do think once you get to the point of— matt hancock? i do think once you get to the point of 50% _ matt hancock? i do think once you get to the point of 50% plus, - matt hancock? i do think once you get to the point of 50% plus, i - get to the point of 50% plus, i think— get to the point of 50% plus, i think you _ get to the point of 50% plus, i think you then need to be looking at the types _ think you then need to be looking at the types of occupations, such as teachers — the types of occupations, such as teachers and other people in the community, who aren't perhaps care workers _ community, who aren't perhaps care workers are — community, who aren't perhaps care workers are on the front line of the magnificent nhs that we have, but they are _ magnificent nhs that we have, but they are people that we could be targeting to try and get them the first vaccination before their timeline _ first vaccination before their timeline would be reached in terms of their— timeline would be reached in terms of their age. find timeline would be reached in terms of their age-— of their age. and the police federation _ of their age. and the police federation has _ of their age. and the police federation has been - of their age. and the police federation has been very i of their age. and the police i federation has been very vocal of their age. and the police - federation has been very vocal about this too. , ., , ., federation has been very vocal about this too. , ., y., ., this too. yes, and when you look at the blue lights. _ this too. yes, and when you look at the blue lights, for _ this too. yes, and when you look at the blue lights, for example, - this too. yes, and when you look at the blue lights, for example, the i the blue lights, for example, the ambulance service, the nhs, quite correctly. _ ambulance service, the nhs, quite correctly, and have been by and large _ correctly, and have been by and large vaccinated now, but the police service _ large vaccinated now, but the police service and — large vaccinated now, but the police service and other front line services _ service and other front line services i _ service and other front line services i think could be targeted as well. — services i think could be targeted as well, because we are moving now out of— as well, because we are moving now out of the _ as well, because we are moving now out of the problem area. we need to maintain _ out of the problem area. we need to maintain discipline over the next few weeks to try and get there. the messa . e few weeks to try and get there. tie: message from number ten clearly today was keep behaving, follow the rules, do not take your foot off the gas, to use an american expression. you talked about the success as you see it of the vaccine roll—out. would you think about changing dates around lockdown, speeding things up, if things continue to go very well? yes, that would be our view, that as things— yes, that would be our view, that as things change and we get more progress. — things change and we get more progress, and we begin to see more confidence. — progress, and we begin to see more confidence, we mustn't become complacent, that is the key thing. but we _ complacent, that is the key thing. but we must also give people hope, and there _ but we must also give people hope, and there is hope on the horizon. let's _ and there is hope on the horizon. let's maintain the discipline, but let's start — let's maintain the discipline, but let's start to get some dates. they may only _ let's start to get some dates. they may only be suggestive dates, dates are subject to change, but i think people _ are subject to change, but i think people need to see hope in the spring. — people need to see hope in the spring, and now is the time to start giving _ spring, and now is the time to start giving them — spring, and now is the time to start giving them that hope and hopefully beyond _ giving them that hope and hopefully beyond easter we will be able to see that realisation.— that realisation. interesting to hear that. _ that realisation. interesting to hear that, thank _ that realisation. interesting to hear that, thank you - that realisation. interesting to hear that, thank you very - that realisation. interesting to | hear that, thank you very much that realisation. interesting to - hear that, thank you very much for now, we must leave it there, gregory campbell from the dup, thank you very much. let's hear a little bit more from the health secretary, matt hancock. he confirmed that once the priority groups have been vaccinated, inoculations will continue to be prioritised by age. he explained why thejoint committee on vaccination and immunisation recommended the roll—out should be based on age rather than over occupation. the overall view that we came to was that the right thing to do, the moral thing to do, is to make sure that we save the most lives. and the jcvi looked at the clinical evidence and also the evidence of how quickly operationally we can jab everybody, and that means that the clinical guidance from the jvc eye is very clear that we should continue through the age range, and we also know from the data that thankfully, teachers are no more likely to catch covid than any other member of the population who goes to work, and so trying to come up with a scheme which prioritises one professional group over another would have been complicated, complicated to put in place, and wouldn't have done what we asked thejcvi to do, which i think is the right thing, which is to make sure that we minimise the amount of people who die by using the vaccine. amount of people who die by using the vaccine-— the vaccine. matt hancock, of course. well, england's deputy chief medical officer, jonathan van—tam, has said he's positive about the progress of the vaccination programme — but warned that there is a long way to go and we must continue to stick to the rules. we have now completed 19,000,001st doses of— we have now completed 19,000,001st doses of vaccine. we have given those _ doses of vaccine. we have given those first — doses of vaccine. we have given those first doses very successfully to cohorts — those first doses very successfully to cohorts 1—4, and we are moving at some _ to cohorts 1—4, and we are moving at some speed — to cohorts 1—4, and we are moving at some speed through cohorts 5—6. but these _ some speed through cohorts 5—6. but these are _ some speed through cohorts 5—6. but these are first doses, and people need _ these are first doses, and people need a _ these are first doses, and people need a second dose, and given that the totality— need a second dose, and given that the totality of the cohorts 1—9, the priority— the totality of the cohorts 1—9, the priority cohorts, and people need two doses— priority cohorts, and people need two doses of the vaccine, by my rough _ two doses of the vaccine, by my rough calculations there are still 40 million doses of the vaccine to be given — 40 million doses of the vaccine to be given. so much as it is encouraging, and much as i am really very upbeat— encouraging, and much as i am really very upbeat about vaccines and how they are _ very upbeat about vaccines and how they are going to change how we live and what _ they are going to change how we live and what the disease is like between now and _ and what the disease is like between now and the summer, there is a long way to— now and the summer, there is a long way to go _ now and the summer, there is a long way to go. and my inbox in the last week— way to go. and my inbox in the last week has— way to go. and my inbox in the last week has been besieged with people writing _ week has been besieged with people writing and saying, i have had the vaccine. _ writing and saying, i have had the vaccine, essentially, can i now start— vaccine, essentially, can i now start to — vaccine, essentially, can i now start to break the rules? can i go and see _ start to break the rules? can i go and see my— start to break the rules? can i go and see my grandchildren? and the answer— and see my grandchildren? and the answer to— and see my grandchildren? and the answer to that is no. we are not yet collectively. — answer to that is no. we are not yet collectively, as a country, in the right— collectively, as a country, in the right place _ collectively, as a country, in the right place. and all of the patients that i_ right place. and all of the patients that i vaccinate, and they will know it if they _ that i vaccinate, and they will know it if they are — that i vaccinate, and they will know it if they are listening on the tv, i it if they are listening on the tv, i say— it if they are listening on the tv, i say to— it if they are listening on the tv, i say to them, remember, all of the rules— i say to them, remember, all of the rules stilt— i say to them, remember, all of the rules still apply to all of you and all of— rules still apply to all of you and all of us — rules still apply to all of you and all of us until we are in a much safer— all of us until we are in a much safer place _ all of us until we are in a much safer place. it doesn't change because — safer place. it doesn't change because you have had your first dose of vaccine _ because you have had your first dose of vaccine. and so, please don't be tempted _ of vaccine. and so, please don't be tempted to— of vaccine. and so, please don't be tempted to think, one home visit might— tempted to think, one home visit might be — tempted to think, one home visit might be all right now, the weather is getting _ might be all right now, the weather is getting better, going to be a nice weekend, one small gathering in your house _ nice weekend, one small gathering in your house won't really matter. i'm afraid _ your house won't really matter. i'm afraid it _ your house won't really matter. i'm afraid it does, and the data on the slides— afraid it does, and the data on the slides speak for themselves. so my kind of— slides speak for themselves. so my kind of key— slides speak for themselves. so my kind of key message tonight is, look. _ kind of key message tonight is, look. this— kind of key message tonight is, look, this is all going very well but there — look, this is all going very well but there are some worrying signs that people are relaxing, taking their— that people are relaxing, taking their foot — that people are relaxing, taking their foot off the brake at exactly their foot off the brake at exactly the wrong time. it's a bit like being — the wrong time. it's a bit like being 3-0 _ the wrong time. it's a bit like being 3—0 up in a game, thinking we can't— being 3—0 up in a game, thinking we can't possibly lose this now. but how many— can't possibly lose this now. but how many times have you seen the other— how many times have you seen the other side — how many times have you seen the other side take it for— three. do not wreck— other side take it for— three. do not wreck this now. it is too early to relax — not wreck this now. it is too early to relax. just continue to maintain discipline — to relax. just continue to maintain discipline and hang onjust a few more _ discipline and hang onjust a few more months, do not wreck this now. we are _ more months, do not wreck this now. we are so— more months, do not wreck this now. we are so close. that of a sobering reminder there from professorjonathan van—tam, from professor jonathan van—tam, just from professorjonathan van—tam, just some of those key points that came out of that briefing where he was speaking this afternoon. the health secretary saying the latest covid infection data shows we are moving in the right direction with a number of cases moving down to one in every 145 people, but he warned as well this isn't over yet, adding that the rate of decrease has flattened entirely in some areas, with one in five local authorities reporting a rise in the last week. and he confirmed that the government will follow the new vaccination priority recommendations from experts which were announced earlier. they of course prioritise people by age, not by occupation. six o'clock news coming up in just a moment. now it's time for a look at the weather with sarah keith—lucas. hello. there is a real springlike feel to the weather out there today. a lot of blue sky, a lot of sunshine across many parts of the uk. we have got a bit of cloud around here and there, but this is the scene in oxford earlier on today. beautiful springlike sunshine out there today, and temperatures are not doing too badly for the time of year. over the next few days we keep this largely dry settled theme. with a bit of sunshine around, but there will be some chilly nights bringing the chance of some frost and some fog too. but high pressure really dominating our weather at the moment. we have got a weak weather front moving in from the north—west over the next 24 hours or so. friday afternoon, temperatures are about 12 or 13 celsius in the warmest spots. quite a bit of dry, settled weather as as we head on into the evening hours. this evening, a bit of cloud here and there, particularly for parts of scotland and northern ireland, because we've got an approaching weather front here. through the course of tonight, that could bring a few splashes of rain, nothing particularly heavy, particularly western scotland and parts of northern ireland, you're likely to see a few showers overnight. further south, clearer skies and it is going to be quite a cold night with temperatures just about dipping down a degree or two below freezing. there could be some frost but also some mist and some fog patches first thing tomorrow morning. so, quite a chilly start to the day with that frost and fog around. the areas most likely to see the fog are parts of south wales, south—west england, somerset for instance, dorset, the welsh marches. could be a little bit of mist further east as well, but that should clear away through the course of the morning. further north, we have got this weak weatherfront which is pushing across parts of northern england during the course of the day. it will brighten up behind that for scotland and northern ireland. some sunny spells lasting all day towards the south—east, and temperatures somewhere between about ten to 13 celsius on saturday. so, doing fairly well for this time of year. as we move through into sunday, high—pressure well and truly establishes itself right across the uk, so it is going to be a dry but quite a chilly start to sunday morning. perhaps not quite as chilly as the start of saturday morning, but still a chance of some mist and fog and the odd spot of frost here and there as well. through the day, it is another fine settled day with light winds on sunday, sunny spells developing. could be a bit more cloud lingering through central parts of england and wales, so temperatures maybe not quite as warm, between about nine and 12 and that largely dry and settled theme with some sunny spells on chilly nights continues into next week too. bye for now. tonight at six: scotland's former first minister, alex salmond, launches a blistering attack on scotland's leaders, including nicola sturgeon. giving his long awaited evidence at a scottish parliamentary inquiry, he accused the government of acting illegally during an investigation into claims against him of sexual harassment. scotland hasn't failed, its leadership has failed. so the importance of this inquiry is for each and every one of us to help put this right. alex salmond said he believes nicola sturgeon has misled parliament and broken the ministerial code, which he thinks means she should resign. we'll be asking how much damage this bitterfeud is having on scotland's leadership. also tonight... age and not occupation will continue to lead