him and have the _ executive and i offer my support to him and have the acting _ executive and i offer my support to him and have the acting may- executive and i offer my support to him and have the acting may for. executive and i offer my support tol him and have the acting may for the work they— him and have the acting may for the work they have _ him and have the acting may for the work they have already— him and have the acting may for the work they have already done - him and have the acting may for the work they have already done and . work they have already done and started _ work they have already done and started to — work they have already done and started to put _ work they have already done and started to put things _ work they have already done and started to put things right. - work they have already done and started to put things right. i- work they have already done and i started to put things right. i would also like _ started to put things right. i would also like to— started to put things right. i would also like to put— started to put things right. i would also like to put on _ started to put things right. i would also like to put on record - started to put things right. i would also like to put on record my- started to put things right. i would. also like to put on record my thanks to mr— also like to put on record my thanks to mr mak— also like to put on record my thanks to mr max keller— also like to put on record my thanks to mr max keller and _ also like to put on record my thanks to mr max keller and his _ also like to put on record my thanks to mr max keller and his team - also like to put on record my thanks to mr max keller and his team for. to mr max keller and his team for putting _ to mr max keller and his team for putting this — to mr max keller and his team for putting this very— to mr max keller and his team for putting this very important - to mr max keller and his team for putting this very important reporti putting this very important report together~ — putting this very important report together this— putting this very important report together. this is— putting this very important report together. this is a _ putting this very important report together. this is a moment - putting this very important report together. this is a moment for. together. this is a moment for change — together. this is a moment for change and _ together. this is a moment for change and i_ together. this is a moment for change and i know— together. this is a moment for change and i know that - together. this is a moment for. change and i know that everyone together. this is a moment for- change and i know that everyone who cares _ change and i know that everyone who cares about _ change and i know that everyone who cares about the — change and i know that everyone who cares about the great _ change and i know that everyone who cares about the great city— change and i know that everyone who cares about the great city of- cares about the great city of liverpool _ cares about the great city of liverpool and _ cares about the great city of liverpool and its _ cares about the great city of liverpool and its wonderfull cares about the great city of- liverpool and its wonderful people will accept — liverpool and its wonderful people will accept this _ liverpool and its wonderful people will accept this report _ liverpool and its wonderful people will accept this report and - liverpool and its wonderful people will accept this report and use - liverpool and its wonderful people will accept this report and use it . will accept this report and use it to strengthen _ will accept this report and use it to strengthen the _ will accept this report and use it to strengthen the council - will accept this report and use it to strengthen the council for - will accept this report and use it| to strengthen the council for the future _ to strengthen the council for the future. . . ~ ., ., . , future. can i thank the honourable centleman future. can i thank the honourable gentleman for— future. can i thank the honourable gentleman for the _ future. can i thank the honourable gentleman for the remarks - future. can i thank the honourable gentleman for the remarks he - future. can i thank the honourable gentleman for the remarks he has| gentleman for the remarks he has just made for the way in which we have worked together over recent months. he has been most helpful and constructive and i hope that can continue. can i thank him on behalf of the government. that continue. can i thank him on behalf of the government.— of the government. that was the statement _ of the government. that was the statement on — of the government. that was the statement on what _ of the government. that was the statement on what could - of the government. that was the statement on what could be - of the government. that was the statement on what could be a i statement on what could be a profound moment in of liverpool city council. he was commenting on the findings into the council operations carried out after a number of high—profile arrests including the elected mayorjoe anderson. the report looking at the council's regeneration planning departments and he has asked for representations from the city council before making a decision to send in commissioners to not take over, he was keen to stress that, but to advise and support. we will have plenty more on that and we will go to live to the liverpool later this afternoon on what is a hugely significant day in local government and the repercussions of that decision. the european commission is tightening the rules on exporting coronavirus vaccines in a move that could affect deliveries to countries, including the uk. in recent weeks, brussels has accused the vaccine manufacturer astrazeneca of breaching its contract with the eu, by delivering tens of millions fewer doses than promised. lack of supply, coupled with rigorous safety checks, has meant the eu has struggled with its vaccination programme. as you can see here, the uk has reported giving 44.7 vaccine doses per 100 people, compared to the eu's 12.9. as a third wave causes infections to rise across the continent, member states want to stop what they see as an unfair flow of supples out of the bloc. here, the government says it's confident in its supplies and that the country remains on target for vaccinations. our brussels correspondent nick beake told me more about the situation across europe. on the rate of infection in europe, in the eu countries more than half an hour reporting an increase in the number of people going into hospital with coronavirus so that is a real concern. you mention some of the variance. the british string of the virus is now the predominant one in the european countries. as part of this what they are trying to do is get hold of the vaccination programmes which as we know have been very slow. they had been a shortage of supplies and today the commission have been talking tough or trying to, saying they are going to tighten the measures when it comes to vaccines leaving european soil. so from now on they will be looking at the vaccination rate of the country where any shipment will be going and also the number of covid cases. 50 if you apply that to the uk where clearly the vaccination the uk where clearly the vaccination the roll—out has gone extremely well, could the uk be in the sights of these new proposals. this was asked today and at this point it's unclear how it would be affected. the big thing would be if the pfizer jab is in some way restricted but there is no guarantee that would happen and the supply of pfizer made in belgium heading towards the uk would be blocked in any way. what would be blocked in any way. what are we earpecting — would be blocked in any way. what are we expecting to _ would be blocked in any way. what are we expecting to change after eu leaders meet tomorrow?— are we expecting to change after eu leaders meet tomorrow? angela merkel and the irish leader _ leaders meet tomorrow? angela merkel and the irish leader have _ leaders meet tomorrow? angela merkel and the irish leader have been - and the irish leader have been saying that they have been trying to calm tensions and talking about the very intricate global supply chains of vaccines and all the part that going to vaccines and the message has been they need to avoid a vaccine war here. that would really not help anyone. it's a video conference tomorrow they will be talking at and president biden will bejoining them, which underlines just how this is a global struggle. the german chancellor, angela merkel, has scrapped plans for a strict lockdown there during the easter holidays. she apologised, saying the plan had not been workable, and that the mistake was hers alone. our correspondentjenny hill is in the coastal resort of cuxhaven and explained more. angela merkel called a press conference very last minute and said she had made a mistake and was performing a u—turn and apologising and saying she was alone responsible for having decided to implement this shutdown of easter which she said it simply wasn't practically possible now to implement. let's deal with the substance of what this reversal is all about and just yesterday in the early hours of the morning angela merkel after 11 hours of talks with regional leaders who disagreed about how germany should respond to the third wave of the pandemic, announced that germany would usually takes a three—day holiday of easter would actually have a five—day shut down, meaning that businesses like these are the swans —— these ones probably wouldn't have been allowed to offer food and drink outside. now angela merkel has said it's simply not viable to go ahead with a plan. she apologised for having come out with it in the first instance. they will be two effects. first of all, public trust in her government's response to the pandemic is wavering. this chaotic response will no doubt provoke more concerned about that. i walked along the beach you this morning and saw some chaps putting up morning and saw some chaps putting up a beach bar. i said angela merkel has changed her mind about this easter shutdown and they said, we don't know whether we are coming or going, we'rejust don't know whether we are coming or going, we're just cracking don't know whether we are coming or going, we'rejust cracking on don't know whether we are coming or going, we're just cracking on and hoping the best. the leading scientist whose research on pandemics led to the first lockdown predicts that the uk should be getting back to normal by the summer. professor neil ferguson says he expects rules on social distancing and face masks to be scrapped later this year. but he's warned restrictions on foreign travel will be the last to go, as europe struggles with new variants of coronavirus. jim reed reports. the welcome sight of spare beds, hospitalwards. around 400 a day are still being admitted with covid but that is down from 4000 a day injanuary. after a year of lockdown, scientists are confident we are now returning to some form of normality. it is not going to be an event, it is going to be a process, a gradual getting back to normality. i think i am optimistic we will be able to start seeing each other again in the next month which is within development plan. you know, lam personally looking forward to the haircut, which will be a nice side of normality! and it will be a gradual process. in mainland europe it is a different situation. countries are now grappling with the third wave of the virus. the prime minister has warned we could see those infections wash up on our shores. one concern is that a mutation or variant of the virus first found in south africa and now more common in countries like france, could make our current vaccines less effective. we are making very good progress in this country in terms suppressing this virus and rolling out the vaccine programme. that is not the case elsewhere. there is still a big risk of importing variants and just importing cases generally. it comes as the european commission has published tougher rules it has been reported that borisjohnson told a private meeting of tory mps last night that the success of our vaccine programme was down to capitalism and greed. but sources said the prime minister's comments were meant to be a joke. he had withdrawn them immediately, and they were not connected to the eu row over vaccine supply. this morning the government said it is now planning for the longer term and setting up a new agency which will be tasked with stopping another pandemic like covid catching hold in the future. i want everybody to wake up every day with a zeal to plan for the next pandemic. that sort of focus is vital. it is vital when the crisis is live like now but in a way that is the easy bit. the hard bit is keeping that focus in the good times, too. the overall message at the moment then is one of cautious optimism. life will return to normal but government scientists say there will be bumps and twists on the road ahead. jim reed, bbc news. the home secretary has defended new plans for how asylum seekers are to be treated after charities condemned them as �*inhumane' and �*unreal�*. under the proposals, people who enter the uk illegally will no longer have the same entitlements as those who arrive through government schemes. priti patel says the measures are designed to crack down on people smuggling, but campaigners say potential refugees should be assessed on what protection they need, not how they reach the uk. june kelly reports. dover this morning and the latest arrivals have been picked up from their inflatables aren't brought to you. migrants pay thousands of pounds to traffickers for the final pirates leg of the journey to the uk. last year 8500 people arrived here by crossing the channel in small boats. the majority of them are said to have claimed asylum. an end to end reform who are fleeing persecution, and stop them from being put in the hands of people smugglers and criminal facilitators which we are seeing on a daily basis. under what's called the new plan for immigration, the home secretary says that if people arrive illegally it will be harder for them to stay. those that are allowed to stay will have fewer family reunion rights and unlimited access to benefits. and they will be regularly reassessed for removal from the they will be regularly reassessed for removalfrom the uk. she they will be regularly reassessed for removal from the uk.- for removal from the uk. she is closin: for removal from the uk. she is closing of— for removal from the uk. she is closing of pretty _ for removal from the uk. she is closing of pretty much - for removal from the uk. she is closing of pretty much every - for removal from the uk. she is i closing of pretty much every door that people might use to flee persecution and live their lives safelv~ — persecution and live their lives safely. it's not what the refugee reguires — safely. it's not what the refugee requires. it's not what the public would _ requires. it's not what the public would see — requires. it's not what the public would see is a fair system. this man who fled the — would see is a fair system. this man who fled the conflict _ would see is a fair system. this man who fled the conflict in _ would see is a fair system. this man who fled the conflict in syria - who fled the conflict in syria documented hisjourney who fled the conflict in syria documented his journey by boat in what became an award—winning film. now settled in this country, last year he signed up as a hospital cleaner during the pandemic. he has described himself as a labour supporter. it described himself as a labour smarter-— described himself as a labour su--orter. , , supporter. it will put people off but sadly it's — supporter. it will put people off but sadly it's going _ supporter. it will put people off but sadly it's going to - supporter. it will put people off but sadly it's going to create i supporter. it will put people off but sadly it's going to create a l but sadly it's going to create a two-tier— but sadly it's going to create a two—tier system _ but sadly it's going to create a two—tier system and _ but sadly it's going to create a two—tier system and when - but sadly it's going to create a . two—tier system and when people but sadly it's going to create a - two—tier system and when people are in desperate — two—tier system and when people are in desperate situations _ two—tier system and when people are in desperate situations they - two—tier system and when people are in desperate situations they tend - two—tier system and when people are in desperate situations they tend to l in desperate situations they tend to make _ in desperate situations they tend to make extraordinary— in desperate situations they tend to make extraordinary measures - in desperate situations they tend to make extraordinary measures to . in desperate situations they tend to| make extraordinary measures to get to safetv~ _ make extraordinary measures to get to safetv the — make extraordinary measures to get to safe . ,., make extraordinary measures to get to safe . , to safety. the uk government says that under a _ to safety. the uk government says that under a resettlement - to safety. the uk government says i that under a resettlement programme it's given a home to over 20,000 people who have escaped syrian war. they have travelled through official routes. in the future they will not be made welcome. letsjoin simon jones from dover. the treacherous journey is on a daily occurrence. they have been continuing today. it's been another busy morning for the border force and we understand that three boats managed to reach uk waters. they were then brought here to dover by border force officials. we saw the boats being unloaded and around 50 to 60 people today including women and children. yesterday we had 183 people make the journey in six boats, that's the highest figure for a single day we have seen so far this year. priti patel is using figures like this to say that the number arriving, 8000 by boat last year, show the system isn't working, that it is creaking under the seams. that's why she thinks reforms are needed. so this big idea that where you apply for asylum will count very much towards the success of your application so if you apply from the war zone itself or a refugee camp and that is going to be looked at more favourably than people across the channel by boat will have passed through several other eu countries on their route to the uk. satbir singh is the chief executive of the joint council for the welfare of immigrants. the system is not working. it absolutely needs to change and i share _ absolutely needs to change and i share the — absolutely needs to change and i share the concerns of everyone, i don't _ share the concerns of everyone, i don't want — share the concerns of everyone, i don't want to see a single person make _ don't want to see a single person make that — don't want to see a single person make that dangerous journey across the channel are taking their life into their— the channel are taking their life into their own hands or putting it into their own hands or putting it in the _ into their own hands or putting it in the hands of a smuggler. the proposal— in the hands of a smuggler. the proposal is— in the hands of a smuggler. the proposal is the home secretary has come _ proposal is the home secretary has come out _ proposal is the home secretary has come out with today will stop that. they are _ come out with today will stop that. they are inhumane, in practical and quite _ they are inhumane, in practical and quite possibly illegal. what they are inhumane, in practical and quite possibly illegal.— quite possibly illegal. what do you sa to quite possibly illegal. what do you say to those _ quite possibly illegal. what do you say to those who _ quite possibly illegal. what do you say to those who say _ quite possibly illegal. what do you say to those who say there - quite possibly illegal. what do you say to those who say there is - quite possibly illegal. what do you say to those who say there is no i say to those who say there is no justifiable reason for these migrants to be making these journeys. migrants to be making these “ourne s. . . migrants to be making these “ourne s. . , ., ., , journeys. the ceilings of our hopes and life are — journeys. the ceilings of our hopes and life are not _ journeys. the ceilings of our hopes and life are not simply _ journeys. the ceilings of our hopes and life are not simply to - journeys. the ceilings of our hopes and life are not simply to be - journeys. the ceilings of our hopes and life are not simply to be out i journeys. the ceilings of our hopes and life are not simply to be out ofj and life are not simply to be out of the immediate danger of death. people — the immediate danger of death. people who have lost everything hoping _ people who have lost everything hoping as the rest of us would to rebuild _ hoping as the rest of us would to rebuild their life and for the very tiny number of people who do try and make _ tiny number of people who do try and make it _ tiny number of people who do try and make it across to the uk, bearing in mind— make it across to the uk, bearing in mind the _ make it across to the uk, bearing in mind the mass majority stay in europe. — mind the mass majority stay in europe, the reasons are valid and sensible — europe, the reasons are valid and sensible. they either speak english and this— sensible. they either speak english and this is— sensible. they either speak english and this is where they are going to be able _ and this is where they are going to be able to— and this is where they are going to be able to rebuild her life they might— be able to rebuild her life they might have family here. unfortunately there is no way to claim _ unfortunately there is no way to claim asylum in the uk unless you arrive _ claim asylum in the uk unless you arrive on— claim asylum in the uk unless you arrive on british soil. the home secretarv's _ arrive on british soil. the home secretary's proposals that they don't _ secretary's proposals that they don't meet that challenge. what she said is— don't meet that challenge. what she said is that _ don't meet that challenge. what she said is that if you flee from a place — said is that if you flee from a place of— said is that if you flee from a place of persecution and tyranny and you don't— place of persecution and tyranny and you don't fill out the online form while _ you don't fill out the online form while you — you don't fill out the online form while you are running away from missiles, — while you are running away from missiles, you are going to be put in a two-tier— missiles, you are going to be put in a two—tier system and essentially bullied _ a two—tier system and essentially bullied every year until you leave. but there — bullied every year until you leave. but there are not missiles in france. there is the moment when people smugglers get involved and start putting peoples lives at risk and it's about the channel crossing, these are the images people are getting very concerned at seeing because it is a treacherous journey. particularly when the people get to the uk, many of them lie about their age. there is a real problem about the perception of the people making these journeys. the perception of the people making these journeys-— these “ourneys. there is a tragedy eve these journeys. there is a tragedy every time — these journeys. there is a tragedy every time some _ these journeys. there is a tragedy every time some remakes - these journeys. there is a tragedy every time some remakes the - these journeys. there is a tragedy - every time some remakes the journey. the home _ every time some remakes the journey. the home secretary knows there are sensible _ the home secretary knows there are sensible and practical solutions to this problem. for example processing people _ this problem. for example processing people to _ this problem. for example processing people to begin with infrance's so that if— people to begin with infrance's so that if they do have a valid claim for asylum — that if they do have a valid claim for asylum they can travel to the uk to have _ for asylum they can travel to the uk to have that— for asylum they can travel to the uk to have that herd. that is something that could _ to have that herd. that is something that could be done easily but she has not _ that could be done easily but she has not chosen to do that. what we are missing — has not chosen to do that. what we are missing out in addition to the people _ are missing out in addition to the people who do make those journeys are the _ people who do make those journeys are the people all over the world who want— are the people all over the world who want to claim asylum here in the uk needs— who want to claim asylum here in the uk needs to — who want to claim asylum here in the uk needs to for the person fleeing the taliban in afghan for example is not going _ the taliban in afghan for example is not going to ask the regime for a passport— not going to ask the regime for a passport and get an exit permit to fly to— passport and get an exit permit to fly to the — passport and get an exit permit to fly to the uk for system. the history— fly to the uk for system. the history of— fly to the uk for system. the history of asylum including the many thousands— history of asylum including the many thousands of people who fled the horrors _ thousands of people who fled the horrors of — thousands of people who fled the horrors of germany in the 30s and 405. _ horrors of germany in the 30s and 40s. is— horrors of germany in the 30s and 40s. is one — horrors of germany in the 30s and 40s, is one of people having to make changes— 40s, is one of people having to make changes journeys 40s, is one of people having to make changesjourneys and 40s, is one of people having to make changes journeys and smuggle themselves out of countries. but our asvlum _ themselves out of countries. but our asylum system is based on the idea your claim — asylum system is based on the idea your claim is assessed on the basis of merit _ your claim is assessed on the basis of merit and — your claim is assessed on the basis of merit and the low not the journey you took— of merit and the low not the journey you took to — of merit and the low not the journey you took to protect yourself and your _ you took to protect yourself and your family. you took to protect yourself and your family-— you took to protect yourself and our famil . ., ., . ., ,, your family. how would that work if ou had a your family. how would that work if you had a system — your family. how would that work if you had a system where _ your family. how would that work if you had a system where if- your family. how would that work if you had a system where if summer| your family. how would that work if l you had a system where if summer in france you could ask for asylum in britain and then have that request processed. there are going to be issues because of the time that's going to take. issues because of the time that's going to take-— going to take. there are always issues with _ going to take. there are always issues with every _ going to take. there are always issues with every system - going to take. there are always issues with every system but i going to take. there are always - issues with every system but some of the proposals that could go a long way towards fixing that include making — way towards fixing that include making sure that you hear people plasma _ making sure that you hear people plasma claims. if they are infrance and it's— plasma claims. if they are infrance and it's a _ plasma claims. if they are infrance and it's a tiny number of people, if you heard — and it's a tiny number of people, if you heard people plasma claims in france _ you heard people plasma claims in france and — you heard people plasma claims in france and assessed whether they were likely to succeed, you could say you _ were likely to succeed, you could say you can — were likely to succeed, you could say you can proceed to the uk where your claim _ say you can proceed to the uk where your claim will be heard within six or 12 _ your claim will be heard within six or 12 months. what we have right now is a failure _ or 12 months. what we have right now is a failure to— or 12 months. what we have right now is a failure to invest in the asylum system _ is a failure to invest in the asylum system. applications are at an all-time — system. applications are at an all—time low and that is a failure to invest — all—time low and that is a failure to invest in _ all—time low and that is a failure to invest in making decisions quickly— to invest in making decisions quickly and fairly and ensuring we are protecting people while we do that _ are protecting people while we do that. . . are protecting people while we do that. . , . that. priti patel is right and wantin: that. priti patel is right and wanting to _ that. priti patel is right and wanting to change - that. priti patel is right and wanting to change it - that. priti patel is right and wanting to change it but. that. priti patel is right and l wanting to change it butjust that. priti patel is right and - wanting to change it butjust wrong and how she is doing it? i wanting to change it but “ust wrong and how she is doing it?_ and how she is doing it? i agree. i think the home _ and how she is doing it? i agree. i think the home secretary - and how she is doing it? i agree. i think the home secretary the - and how she is doing it? i agree. i think the home secretary the day| think the home secretary the day after— think the home secretary the day after we — think the home secretary the day after we marked a year since lockdown _ after we marked a year since lockdown and a year after in which 120,000 _ lockdown and a year after in which 120,000 families have been left breathed, i think the government is quite _ breathed, i think the government is quite keen— breathed, i think the government is quite keen to make headlines today about _ quite keen to make headlines today about something other than their own track record. but the way in which you have — track record. but the way in which you have demonstrate you learn the lessons _ you have demonstrate you learn the lessons is _ you have demonstrate you learn the lessons is not unfortunately by tightening the screws on some of those _ tightening the screws on some of those vulnerable people in the world — it's one of the world's most important shipping routes — and it's blocked. a giant container ship ran aground in the suez canal after losing power. and at 200,000 tonnes and over four hundred metres long, the �*ever given' is going to take some shifting. fifty ships a day normally pass through the canal, carrying twelve per cent of the world's trade, so the pressure's on to get her re—floated and as richard galpin reports a rescue operation is underway. guy platten is the secretary general of the international chamber of shipping. were you surprised that something of this size can get into this mess and the captain is saying it's because of the strong wind. it’s the captain is saying it's because of the strong wind.— of the strong wind. it's a very unusual occurrence. - of the strong wind. it's a very unusual occurrence. the - of the strong wind. it's a very unusual occurrence. the last | of the strong wind. it's a very - unusual occurrence. the last time the canal was blocked was back in 2013. with 18,000 the canal was blocked was back in 2013. with18,000 vessel transits a year you have to give it some context. ships safely pass through every day. this is a very unusual occurrence and we hope we can get the ship floating as soon as possible. i heard a number of reasons why including it could have been a large gust of wind and perhaps coupled with other factors thatis perhaps coupled with other factors that is what could have caused it. 200,000 tonnes, that is quite a gust of wind. the 200,000 tonnes, that is quite a gust of wind. . 200,000 tonnes, that is quite a gust of wind. u. . . 200,000 tonnes, that is quite a gust of wind. .., . , . ,., :: of wind. the canal is about 250 metres wide — of wind. the canal is about 250 metres wide so _ of wind. the canal is about 250 metres wide so the _ of wind. the canal is about 250 metres wide so the margins . of wind. the canal is about 250| metres wide so the margins are of wind. the canal is about 250 - metres wide so the margins are there but generally this is a very safe transit. i have done it many times myself. this is highly unusual. but it has caused massive disruption. the ships are already starting to stack up. it's gone on for over a day so it needs to clear quickly or this has an impact on supply chains. it has an impact globally. we are seeing the markets are beginning to respond because this is a crucial waterway. it respond because this is a crucial waterwa . . respond because this is a crucial waterwa . , . ., respond because this is a crucial waterwa . , . . , waterway. it is. the alternative is to sail around _ waterway. it is. the alternative is to sail around south _ waterway. it is. the alternative is to sail around south africa - waterway. it is. the alternative is to sail around south africa and i waterway. it is. the alternative is. to sail around south africa and add to sail around south africa and add to that 3800 miles which is another two weeks. so it has a huge impact in terms of that economically. i think $3 billion passes through each day and that is over $1 trillion of goods each year go through the suez canal. the longer this goes on the more likely disruption they will be. it just shows you more likely disruption they will be. itjust shows you the more likely disruption they will be. it just shows you the fragility of the global shipping the supply chains when things like this happen. the captain of the vessel like this, how does this really happen? could you be distracted for a few minutes? these captains presumably have some training. it these captains presumably have some trainina. ., �* , , training. it won't “ust be the ca tain, training. it won't “ust be the captain. they — training. it won'tjust be the captain, they will _ training. it won'tjust be the captain, they will be - training. it won'tjust be the captain, they will be a - training. it won'tjust be the captain, they will be a pilot| training. it won'tjust be the i captain, they will be a pilot put training. it won'tjust be the - captain, they will be a pilot put in by the suez canal authority in charge of the transits to make sure it's safe. until we know exactly what has happened it's too early to speculate on the causes of this. the need now is to move the blockage and get the ship out of the canal and start to get the ships back through the canal again. hagar start to get the ships back through the canal again.— start to get the ships back through the canal again. how do you refloat somethin: the canal again. how do you refloat something of— the canal again. how do you refloat something of this _ the canal again. how do you refloat something of this magnitude? - the canal again. how do you refloat something of this magnitude? the | something of this magnitude? the canal itself something of this magnitude? tue: canal itself has something of this magnitude? tte: canal itself has got something of this magnitude? t“t9 canal itself has got plenty something of this magnitude? tt9 canal itself has got plenty of depth so it's about getting tags. it should be relatively straightforward although difficult to do. we know there are some good operators on the way they to make sure this is rectified. nobody has been heard. we hope it will be refloated soon. ltrutheh hope it will be refloated soon. when ou saw hope it will be refloated soon. when you saw that — hope it will be refloated soon. when you saw that first _ hope it will be refloated soon. when you saw that first picture _ hope it will be refloated soon. when you saw that first picture of - hope it will be refloated soon. when you saw that first picture of it - you saw that first picture of it today did you laugh or cry? t you saw that first picture of it today did you laugh or cry? i was “ust today did you laugh or cry? i was just waiting _ today did you laugh or cry? i was just waiting for _ today did you laugh or cry? i was just waiting for the _ today did you laugh or cry? i was just waiting for the phone - today did you laugh or cry? i was just waiting for the phone to - today did you laugh or cry? t —" just waiting for the phone to ring! we just have to deal with it. things happen and accidents happen and we need to find the cause of the accident before we can judge what lessons should be learned. a seven year old girl has been shot dead by security forces in myanmar. she is the youngest person to have been killed during protests against february's military coup. family members said the child died during a raid on their home in mandalay. the charity, save the children, says more than twenty youngsters are among those to have been killed by security forces. mark lobel reports. almost two months since the start of this brutal coup, aid workers warned children are being killed on an almost daily basis. accusing security forces of the complete for human life. the youngest person to reportedly die at the hands of the myanmar military is seven—year—old khin myo chit. her older sister was in their house with her and herfather when soldiers stormed it. she described what happened. translation: they went upstairs and asked, will you open the doors or not? and then they asked, who else is in this house? when nobody opened the door, my dad replied, no—one else. that's all. they said, don't lie, and they fired gunshots while my sister was sitting against my dad's chest. they brutally shot a seven—year—old child. that followed the reported fatal shooting in the chest of this mother's 14—year—old son, tun tun aung, a day earlier, by thejunta in their low—cost housing complex. translation: my son tends to be the one who closes and locks the door. i feel so heartbroken by his death. this mother's15—year—old son, zaw myo htet, was also reportedly fatally shot in the head by the military as he was leaving this local tea shop where he was a waiter. translation: i feel heartbroken by this military as they brutally murdered my son. i want to kill them, as they killed my son. i want them to lose their lives like my own son did. charity save the children says it is horrified and that... the military expressed sadness at the death of protesters but blame them for bringing anarchy to the country. they say 164 people have been killed in protests, but activists fear the number could be much higher. mark lobel, bbc news. police have arrested a man after a bomb disposal team went to the palace of holyrood house. police scotland say they were called to the area at around ten to nine last night. following a report of a suspicious item and following examination by the explosive ordnance disposal it was made safe. 39—year—old man has been arrested in connection with the incident. there was no threat to the public and enquiries are ongoing into the full circumstances. so a device discovered and was dealt with and is now a man has been arrested after the bomb disposal team attended suspicious items in the grounds of the queen's edinburgh residents. let's get more on the news that the leading scientist whose research on pandemics led to the first lockdown predicts that the uk should be getting back to normal by the summer. professor neil ferguson said he expected rules on social distancing and face masks to be scrapped later this year. paul hunter is a professor of medicine at the university of east anglia. do you share that optimism? i hope he's riuht. do you share that optimism? i hope he's right- the _ do you share that optimism? i hope he's right. the problem _ do you share that optimism? i hope he's right. the problem is _ do you share that optimism? i hope he's right. the problem is that - he's right. the problem is that everything going on with new variants on the surge in europe, it's not always easy to be certain about what is going to happen in the future. particularly at the moment with the brazilian and south african variants becoming more prominent in europe and potentially more prominent in the uk, i think making to stronger predictions about the future might be a little bit and wise at the moment. the future might be a little bit and wise at the moment. the point he makes is that _ wise at the moment. the point he makes is that what _ wise at the moment. the point he makes is that what they _ wise at the moment. the point he makes is that what they are - wise at the moment. the point he i makes is that what they are dealing with in this three —— third wave on the continent is predominantly the uk variant and that is the variant we are on top of. yes uk variant and that is the variant we are on top of.— uk variant and that is the variant we are on top of. yes and if it was onl the we are on top of. yes and if it was only the kenta _ we are on top of. yes and if it was only the kenta variant _ we are on top of. yes and if it was only the kenta variant i _ we are on top of. yes and if it was only the kenta variant i think- we are on top of. yes and if it was only the kenta variant i think is i only the kenta variant i think is absolutely right. the issue is whether the south african or brazilian variance or the daughters of the kent variance actually become dominant in the uk and if that is the case then it would cause problems. having said that, i do think it's going to be a lot easier as we move into summer than we've had recently. ithink as we move into summer than we've had recently. i think the signs are very good that we will be able to continue the road map at least for the next few months. after that it gets a little bit more complicated. but the issue then is what happens as we move into the winter. hopefully by then we will have modified vaccines that are effective against the escaped mutations and south african and brazilian variance and if we can roll those out we should not have too much of a problem over the winter. but there is still a lot of uncertainty around the whole issue at the moment and making to stronger visit —— predictions at this moment would be unwise. abs. predictions at this moment would be unwise. : :, :, , . , unwise. a lot of people, that gives ou a unwise. a lot of people, that gives you a sense _ unwise. a lot of people, that gives you a sense of _ unwise. a lot of people, that gives you a sense of almost _ unwise. a lot of people, that gives you a sense of almost immunity i unwise. a lot of people, that gives l you a sense of almost immunity and that would be misplaced. absolutely. the vaccine seems _ that would be misplaced. absolutely. the vaccine seems to _ that would be misplaced. absolutely. the vaccine seems to be _ that would be misplaced. absolutely. the vaccine seems to be very - that would be misplaced. absolutely. the vaccine seems to be very good i that would be misplaced. absolutely. j the vaccine seems to be very good at stopping people getting severe disease and they seem to be pretty good at stopping people getting infected. but they are not 100% and with the more infectious mutations it's going to be difficult to get down to an r value of less than one purely by vaccines alone. hopefully, evenif purely by vaccines alone. hopefully, even if we do get a further surge of infections, they won't be as bad as we've seen over the winter because even though the vaccines may not stop transmission they substantially reduce transmission and even with a number of cases we should be seeing relatively much fewer cases of severe disease and hospitalisations evenin severe disease and hospitalisations even in people who do still get the infection. so i am cautiously optimistic for the summer and hopefully optimistic for the autumn. but we will have to wait and see how things develop over the coming months to be certain about that. t months to be certain about that. i am guessing you are not optimistic about summer travel to the continent. that is something professor ferguson has said will be the last thing that actually changes. i think ithink so, i think so, particularly if new variants fed more of widely on the continent than we do in the uk. if we can manage to suppress their transmission in the uk then it would be unwise to have fairly mass holidays overseas, bots, you know, again, if europe manages to get its current surge under control by the summer and current surge under control by the summerand our current surge under control by the summer and our vaccination and european vaccinations are rolled out properly, it is not impossible that we will have relaxations over the summer. i certainly hope we do but, again, quite a few uncertainties before we actually know for certain. sure, but i bet that is the first time you have used the word optimistic, what, five year? well, i was cuite optimistic, what, five year? well, i was quite optimistic _ optimistic, what, five year? well, i was quite optimistic in _ optimistic, what, five year? well, i was quite optimistic in the - optimistic, what, five year? well, i | was quite optimistic in the summer, actually, but that her dough might prove not to be the case. == actually, but that her dough might prove not to be the case.- prove not to be the case. -- the first time _ prove not to be the case. -- the first time you — prove not to be the case. -- the first time you have _ prove not to be the case. -- the first time you have used - prove not to be the case. -- the first time you have used the i prove not to be the case. -- the | first time you have used the word optimistic for a year. but. first time you have used the word optimistic for a year.— optimistic for a year. but, yes, i think the roll-out _ optimistic for a year. but, yes, i think the roll-out will _ optimistic for a year. but, yes, i think the roll-out will make i optimistic for a year. but, yes, i think the roll-out will make a i optimistic for a year. but, yes, i i think the roll-out will make a huge think the roll—out will make a huge difference providing that we continue to vaccinate a substantial majority of our population and that we don't get widespread distribution of these escaped mutations. with those two provisos, i think it was not looking pretty good, and even if we do have problems i still honestly believe —— i think it is looking pretty good. i still honestly believe that january is the worst that we will have to face with this current pandemic.— that we will have to face with this current pandemic. professor, thank ou ve current pandemic. professor, thank you very much _ current pandemic. professor, thank you very much for _ current pandemic. professor, thank you very much forjoining _ current pandemic. professor, thank you very much forjoining us - current pandemic. professor, thank you very much forjoining us again. | sport now, and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, here's gavin manchester city's hopes of reaching the semi finals of the women's champions league have suffered a big setback. they lost the first leg of their quarter final against barcelona 3—0. asisat oshoala putting barcelona ahead. and they doubled that lead shortly after half time. oshoala brought down, mariona scoring the penalty. city missed a penalty of their own — before barcelona rounded off the win. jenni hermoso with the finish. the second leg is next wednesday. wales begin their world cup qualifying campaign later — they face the world's number one ranked side, belgium. captain gareth bale says reaching the tournament in qatar would mean he's achieved everything he wanted to in football. only the top team qualify automatically from the group, so it will be tough for wales. wales have a good recent record against the belgians — but they haven't made it to a world cup since 1958 and bale says he's determined to help change that. it's massive for us. we want to try and take this opportunity to...yeah, to qualify for a world cup. obviously, we haven't done that for a long time and it's something that all us players dream of doing is playing in the world cup for wales. and, yeah, we'll give everything we can this campaign to do that. what a buzz there must be in the brora after the highland league football team caused one of the biggest shocks in scottish cup history. the part—timers, who haven't played a game sincejanuary, beat hearts 2—1 last night — causing these celebrations. hearts have reached the final for the past two seasons, whilst brora had only trained five times in the lead—up to the match, but they're into the third roud. it was a tremendous achievement last night not to just go out and beat heart of midlothian in the scottish cup but, you know, ithink we did ourselves proud on the field as well. i don't think anybody would begrudge us our win last night, so, yeah, you know, we certainly stepped up to the plate. now to a potential breakthrough in dealing with head trauma in sport. pitch—side saliva tests for concussion have moved a step closer, after a successful trial in rugby union players. it comes after rugby�*s governing bodies face a lawsuit from retired players suffering with early onset dementia. the tests are currently being carried out in a lab, and it'll be at least two years before the pitch—side version is available. i have been working on concussion and concussion diagnostics for over two decades and there hasn't been a breakthrough like this, something that is quick and accurate and is measurable, almost from the point of injury. the fact is it is noninvasive and accurate at the same time. it is quite a breakthrough for this field of work. just a few days until the start of the new formula one season — and a former champion returns, perhaps with a point to prove. fernando alonso believes he's better than many of the young drivers on the grid. as he returns to the sport with alpeen this season. alsonso knows that world champion lewis hamilton will take some stopping, and reckons the british driver is up there with the likes of michael schumacher and ayrton senna. he has been driving better than anyone else, and when you win so many championships it's because you deserve it, as well. so, yeah, lewis was so dominating in the sport for many years and is the best in the history, or one of the best in history with michael and ayrton. look forward to seeing him back in the sport. finally — two of snooker�*s greatest names will renew a rivalry that stretches back to the 1980s. stephen hendry — who has has returned to the sport after retiring in 2012 — will facejimmy white in qualifying next month, for this years world championship. hendry beat white in four crucible finals in the 1990s, and ended up with a record seven titles in the modern era. despite being a crowd favourite, white has never won a world title — losing all six. he's currently ranked 83 in the world. hendry said that they've recently been practising togther, but that will now stop! i'm sure it will! that's all the sport for now. you can find more on all those stories — as well all the build up to chelsea women's champions league game with wolfsburg, on the bbc sport website. that's bbc.co.uk/sport john lewis is to shut eight more stores, putting more than 1,400 jobs at risk. the closures are part of its new strategy to adapt to online shopping. our business correspondent, alice baxter gave us this update. another blow for the high street today. 1400 jobs at risk today as john lewis announces these eight store closures up and down the country. they include four of their at—home stores at ashford, basingstoke, cheshire and tunbridge wells and four of their large development stores in aberdeen, peterborough, sheffield and york. the company says that for all of those a little over 1400 jobs at risk huge efforts will be made to find those employees held employment elsewhere in the company. they also say that all of those eight locations were struggling before the pandemic hit but, yes, they will not be reopening after restrictions lift as per government guidelines on april the 12th but what the company says they are going to be doing instead is investing in smallerjohn lewis outlets on our high streets around the country to reflect our changing shopping habits. they have conducted a huge amount of research which they say shows that up to 70% of us are choosing to do ourjohn lewis shopping online. 50% of us like to make and match so they will also be investing in their click and collect service through waitrose shops and other third parties. and other third—party outlets as well. these eight store closures of a reflection of our changing shopping habits and also a reflection of which stores were struggling even before the coded pandemic hit spots, yes, another blow for the high street today. this make even before the covariate pandemic hit. —— covid pandemic. a police chief in wales says front line police officers should have been prioritised for the covid vaccine. gwent�*s chief constable, pam kelly, said she agreed that nhs staff and the vulnerable should come first — but she also wants her officers to be safe. our wales home affairs correspondentjenny rees reports. who could have predicted the ways our lives can change during a pandemic? increased powers and new laws have meant more of our lives are now policed. where we go, who we see. : ~' �* , see. the feedback we're getting is that about 7094. _ see. the feedback we're getting is that about 7094. of _ see. the feedback we're getting is that about 70% of people - see. the feedback we're getting is that about 70% of people have i see. the feedback we're getting is i that about 70% of people have been confident in the way that went to police as police their communities. although crime has decreased this year, we are about 15% down in terms of crime, our demand has actually increased significantly, but it is hard because what we don't want to do is become the covid police. qt do is become the covid police. of all forces in wales stressed they first wanted to engage, explain and encourage people to comply with the rules before enforcement kicks in but that front—line role comes with risks to staff. but that front-line role comes with risks to staff-— risks to staff. what you will often see as police _ risks to staff. what you will often see as police officers _ risks to staff. what you will often see as police officers with - risks to staff. what you will often see as police officers with family| see as police officers with family members — see as police officers with family members are then themselves becoming poorly~ _ members are then themselves becoming poorly~ 0n— members are then themselves becoming poorly~ on a _ members are then themselves becoming poorly. on a weekly basis i have been _ poorly. on a weekly basis i have been texting people who are poorly, in hospital. — been texting people who are poorly, in hospital, visiting families, been to a number of funeral since i have been _ to a number of funeral since i have been appointed as chief, so it has been _ been appointed as chief, so it has been really difficult for everybody, so our _ been really difficult for everybody, so our focus has been very much on making _ so our focus has been very much on making sure — so our focus has been very much on making sure that the people working for south _ making sure that the people working for south wales police know that we are therefore for them, working really— are therefore for them, working really hard to answer their questions and concerns, making sure people _ questions and concerns, making sure people realise that we really care about _ people realise that we really care about their well—being. and people realise that we really care about their well-being.— about their well-being. and one issue remains _ about their well-being. and one issue remains unresolved. i i issue remains unresolved. i understand totally the issue remains unresolved. t understand totally the absolute need and requirement for vulnerable people to be vaccinated, without question, but at this stage were now the wider community are being vaccinated ifeel very the wider community are being vaccinated i feel very strongly that front line policing should be vaccinated first. ifeel front line policing should be vaccinated first. i feel very strongly. it has been one of my biggest concern is that this crisis. the welsh government say they have followed national advice on vaccines, which shows insufficient evidence to prioritise by occupation. british scientists are at the forefront of efforts to track how coronavirus is mutating. teams at the wellcome sanger institute in cambridge analyse the virus's genetic code when it's found on a positive test — and that helps them to see how the disease is spreading. here's our science correspondent, richard westcott. this is one of the most important rooms in the country for finding potentially dangerous new variants of covid. if you've tested positive, there's a chance a little bit of your virus ended up in one of these machines. having its genetic fingerprint taken. they read all the dna of each individual virus, known as its genome. the virus genome is much smaller than the human genome, maybe about 100,000 times smaller. and every one of these machines is able to look at 1,500 samples every 24 hours. there are 20 of these machines and they are working 24 hours a day, seven days a week. starting from scratch a year ago, they've set up by far the biggest genome monitoring system in the world. going from 90 covid test samples in week one, to 20,000 a week today, from all over the uk. you've been doing this for a year, you were one of the key people who set it all up in the first place. what was it like back then? it was absolutely crazy. it was all new to us and how we could do it and also the pressure and importance of it certainly weighed on my shoulders. this is how they spotted the more infectious kent variant that swept britain. why is speed so important to this process? the sooner that we've identified that that positive case was actually a variant of concern, the sooner that action can be taken to further identify that individual�*s contacts. test them, you know, surge testing, and make sure that has not got the opportunity to spread further. there are thousands of different types of the sars—cov—2 virus, all with slightly different genomes, or genetic fingerprints. if two people have different types, they didn't catch it from each other. that is really critical information because that allows you to understand potentially how the virus is transmitting in the location. so it might be within an outbreak in the workplace. if everyone has got the same virus, then the chances are that is happening inside the workplace. but if it is all different viruses, then it is likely it is happening in the community. so that allows you to make decisions about how you manage an outbreak. so this is like the world's biggest reconnaissance system, keeping tabs on how the enemy is changing and moving around. critical information if you want to stamp out future waves before they take hold. richard westcott, bbc news, at the wellcome sanger institute in cambridge. the headlines on bbc news... the eu tightens coronavirus vaccine export controls, as a third covid wave sweeps europe. tighter rules for people seeking asylum in the uk — the home secretary says the current system is collapsing under the pressure. the government says there's been a "serious breakdown of governance" at liverpool city council and takes some powers away from the authority. the last year has shone a spotlight on the uk's system of devolution. governments have taken different approaches to tackling the pandemic — and decided their own rules for lockdowns. ahead of elections in may, our correspondent alex forsyth has asked people in wales whether running separate covid strategies has worked. in north wales, wrexham sits just a few miles from the border with england. local mums carly and becca have always known they live in a border town, but it's become more apparent this past year, given the different covid rules in each country. i don't think it was as obvious as it is now. you know, we're all doing our own thing now, which i don't think everybody was aware that we had the power to do before. but have there been benefits to wales making its own choices in the pandemic? yes, because i think the numbers in england compared to wales are two completely different things. i think they've handled it really well. we should be able to make our own decisions, but i feel we should work in collaboration with each other. not far away, the coastal town of rhos—on—sea is popular with tourists. butjust off the promenade, the peacock lounge sits empty. owner philip has been frustrated with how his business has been affected by differences in rules. it's made him think there is little point in a welsh parliament. cardiff is 185 miles away from us, we are 30 minutes from chester, yet all them tourists from chester are coming here thinking the rules are the same, when they're not. it should have been one person leading. this devolved stuff just isn't working. many people do support devolution, which is the transfer of powers from westminster to cardiff. some want wales to have more clout. a debate which has stretched back decades isn't yet settled. this pandemic has really shown how having different governments for different parts of the uk actually works in practice. for some, that's been a good thing. for others, less so. but for many people we've spoken to, it has made them think about who is best to make the decisions that affect their lives. further south in the heart of the rhymney valley, we met evan. he believes the pandemic has shown the potential wales has to make more of its own decisions as an independent country. i think with the mindset of independence, wales can thrive. he'll be able to vote for the first time in may, when 16— and 17—year—olds can have their say in elections for the welsh parliament. i think the younger generation, through social media, alternate news have reached their own conclusions and i think that has helped independence, well, the support rise massively. the idea of independence might have gained momentum, but it is still a minority view. in newport in the shadow of the road that connects wales to england, stuart is concerned about division in the uk. i'm happy for there to be a welsh government to look for the heritage parts of wales. i think that is a good thing. but it goes too far, and i think the more power we give them, i think the worse it's going to get. we are part of the united kingdom, and that's how it should be. the virus hasn't been bound by borders, but, for some, it's brought them home as different parts of the uk have moved at a slightly different pace. the question is whether or not that has any political consequence. alex forsyth, bbc news. this time last year we were waking up to our first full day of lockdown — and it's been a tough year for so many reasons. but while the pandemic has affected all of us in different ways, it's also prompted a shared sense of community. john maguire has been speaking to the residents of one street in bristol. from this evening, i must give the british people a very simple instruction — you must stay at home. although the government didn't want us to use the word, it was adopted instantly. lockdown. on this street — as on every other street — life changed. maya is a nurse who works in training. she looks after her grandson and has a daughter with special needs. the past year has proved particularly tough for her. disabled people, particularly, have been forgotten very much during this pandemic. it's been very difficult for disabled children and their parent carers — losing lots of support that they normally get...and not being able to go anywhere with them with everything closed. it's been really hard. i have a lot of friends with profoundly disabled children, so that's been a very difficult aspect of the pandemic, and lockdown in particular, i think, and schools being closed. lily had a cataract operation just days before lockdown started, but has missed out on the usual levels of follow—up care. i've not been able to go to the hospital. normally, i go quite regularly to the retina and cornea departments. it's been tough for me to not really see my grand...my kids, especially my granddaughter — who was, like, two just before christmas. i think that's one of the hardest things for me really, is, you know, not seeing my family. for mary, who was shielding, lockdown has been a mixed blessing. it's been really nice to deepen my relationships with my neighbours. there's been loads of huge benefits and then there's also been, because i'm shielding, you know, it's been really hard to get food and medicine. and so it's been a real extreme of life improvements and then very basic things being really hard. it took us about six months to get a regular delivery slot for food. i buy food for me and my neighbour each week. so that was really hard. but something else has happened in this street over the past 12 months — as the people locked down, they also opened up. jesse, whose work as an actor and theatre director disappeared overnight, decided to lay the foundations of a community. people were really up for things like street discos we had. and there's a few italians on the street — we had a big italian party on the street. we've had thingsjust like people doing each other�*s shopping, people swapping plants and seeds and games and puzzles. people with leftover vegetables, people clearing out their houses and offering things. there's quite a few people on the street who live on their own, so having other people doing their shopping. somebody right at the other end of the street — who i have now met a few times, but before that she was just texting me and i was buying her milk and things like that. isaac has been working from home and only seen his parents once during the past year, but says neighbours are now filling the void left by restricted contact with family and friends. i guess we've been quite lucky on this street with the community spirit and having a street whatsapp and a chat, chatting with each other. and bristol had groups that were set up by different postcodes to try and make sure they were, like, these whatsapp groups and things, support groups in the different streets and areas. so, i got a little bit involved. being a data analyst, i got a little bit involved in, like, making a map to kind of plot where there were groups and where there weren't across bristol with some other support groups. but, yeah, i'm lucky to have lived in one of the streets where itjust kind of organically happens. the pandemic has changed many lives for the worse, but, as we've worked together to try to defeat its effects, we've also changed many lives for the better. john maguire, bbc news, bristol. eurovision fans have just two months left to wait until the contest returns again — for the first time since 2019. but, despite the brewing excitement, russia's entrant for this year's competition has revealed the abuse she's received after being chosen to represent the country. our moscow correspondent steve rosenberg has the story. one, two, three, four. # you gonna, you gonna break the wall. it's russia's eurovision rap. but it's not music to everyone's ears. it was really hard to... understand that someone can hate you so much. she sings. manizha sangin's song russian woman has been met with a crescendo of criticism. some russians dislike the song's liberal message about female empowerment and the need to break down stereotypes of how russian women should look and behave. we're always hearing these advices from our childhood, like you need to be like this, you need to be like this, your skirt should be longer or shorter. these stereotypes makes our life so bad, and i'm tired of that. manizha was born in tadjikistan, in central asia. not being ethnically russian has made the pop star an even bigger target of abuse. how surprised are you about the reaction? you can don't like my voice. you can don't like the song. but if you don't like me because i was born in tajikistan, that was hard. she is now a russian citizen. representing her adopted country at eurovision is a source of pride but manizha's been hurt by some of the comments. it was very hard to... ..understand that someone can hate you so much. like one woman who has two children wrote me a message, like, i will pray to god that your aircraft will crash, you know, when you will go to rotterdam. and we're having some threats — like, if you're going to sing like this about russian women, you're not going to live any more here. # every russian woman needs to know. # you're strong enough to bounce against the wall. have there been any moments in the last few days when you've thought, you know, "i don't need this, i don't need this kind of abuse, that's it, i'm pulling out"? um...|�*m a normal person. i'm a human, you know, i have feelings. and of course i had these thoughts, but now i have a lot of support. i can see it, like, not only from media and media people — from people who think, like, the same like me, you know, and these things are supporting me. this thing makes me stronger. and i'm like, i will go and say whatever it is i was going to say in order to do myjob. yeah, i'm going to do this. as for her eurovision song — russian woman — well, this british man is getting into it. steve rosenberg, bbc news, moscow. # oh, yeah! steve rosenberg reporting there. the duke of sussex has a new title — he's to be the first �*chief impact officer�* at a professional coaching firm in california. he's joining the firm betterup and will be focussing on the issue of mental health. his new boss says he's pleased with the his royal signing. i had obviously never talked to royalty before in my life and i think the most impressive thing has just been his focus, singularly on how can he be of service, how can he advance his mission. so i have a feeling that he will work out. we're partners here. he likes to be called harry in the workplace so we just address him as harry. lots can be said on the, as we call in the us, the modern performance review. we have a really open relationship and constant feedback and communication, so i think we won't have any trouble there. now it's time for a look at the weather with sarah keith lucas. hello. there is a bit of springlike sunshine out that many of us through the remainder of today but also a few showers on these cards as well. this picture taken by one of our weather watchers. this picture taken by one of our weatherwatchers. it this picture taken by one of our weather watchers. it will blue sky sports since i was coming out of that cloud ready for the rest of the week we're looking at that mix of sunshine, few scattered while. —— blue skies built showers coming out of the spots of light drizzly rain coming out of that cloud in the far south—east. clear skies across the rest of england and wales, temperatures up to 14 degrees or so. in northern england and scotland seeing another frontal system which is being showery rain into the evening there and tonight that slips further south so if you spots of rain to northern england, perhaps into wales, south—west of england, and then further showers working into the far north—west as well. it will be quite a chilly night where you keep the clear skies for the likes of south—east england, east anglia, and also eastern scotland but perhaps just a touch of frost in a few spots there on thursday. the savings another day of sunny spots and showers. the shows will be for that in scotland, northern ireland, north—west england, the often entails riffing on the southern and south—eastern england as well but fairly few and far between. 14 degrees or so, relatively mild for this time of year. but overnight thursday as we move on to friday thatis thursday as we move on to friday that is when the skull from works its way eastwards, opening the door for much colder air must come in from a north—easterly direction. friday will be a different feeling day. initially, we have got a band of cloud and rain pushing east across england and wales, followed by sunshine and some of cloud and rain pushing east across england and wales, followed by sunshine and some heavy showers and some of the show is meant to be particularly instance, a little bit of wintry buddhists mixed in. above that amount expose clo and hill's in the west. temperatures up to about 11 degrees, colderfielding date particularly when you add up those full stream in the friday team. heading towards the weekend things will gradually turn a little bit warmer. some rain on the cards at times especially in the north and west. a few showers particularly later on sunday but temperatures up to about 13 degrees in london and cardiff. bye for now. this is bbc news. the headlines: as a third covid wave sweeps europe, the eu tightens coronavirus vaccine export controls. here, the government says it remains confident in its supplies and the country is meeting its vaccinations target. tighter rules for people seeking asylum in the uk. the home secretary says the current system is collapsing under the pressure. persistent failure to impose immigration laws with a system open to exploitation by criminals is eroding public trust and disadvantaging vulnerable people who need our help. the government says there�*s been a �*serious breakdown of governance�* at liverpool city council and takes some powers away from the authority. the great suez snarl—up. the 200,000 tonne vessel that�*s run aground and blocked one of the world�*s most important trade routes. good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. the european commission is tightening the rules on exporting coronavirus vaccines in a move that could affect deliveries to countries, including the uk. in recent weeks, brussels has accused the vaccine manufacturer astrazeneca of breaching its contract with the eu, by delivering tens of millions fewer doses than promised. lack of supply, coupled with rigorous safety checks, has meant the eu has struggled with its vaccination programme. as you can see here, the uk has reported giving 44.7 vaccine doses per 100 people, compared to the eu�*s 12.9. as a third wave causes infections to rise across the continent, member states want to stop what they see as an unfair flow of supples out of the bloc. here, the government says it�*s confident in its supplies and that the country remains on target for vaccinations. our brussels correspondent nick beake told me more about the situation across europe. on the rate of infection in europe, in the eu countries more than half are reporting an increase in the number of people going into hospital with coronavirus so that is a real concern. you mention some of the variants. the british string of the virus is now the predominant one in the european countries. as part of this, what they are trying to do is get hold of the vaccination programmes, which as we know have been very slow. there had been a shortage of supplies and today the commission has been talking tough or trying to, saying they are going to tighten the measures when it comes to vaccines leaving european soil. so from now on they will be looking at the vaccination rate of the country where any shipment will be going and also the number of covid cases. so if you apply that to the uk, where clearly the vaccination roll—out has gone extremely well, could the uk be in the sights of these new proposals? this was asked today and at this point it�*s unclear how it would be affected. the big thing would be if the pfizer jab is in some way restricted, but there is no guarantee that would happen and the supply of pfizer, made in belgium heading towards the uk, would be blocked in any way. what are we expecting to change after eu leaders meet tomorrow? angela merkel and the irish leader and borisjohnson have been saying that they have been trying to calm tensions and talking about the very intricate global supply chains of vaccines and all the parts that go into vaccines and the message has been they need to avoid a vaccine war here. that would really not help anyone. it�*s a video conference tomorrow that they will be talking at and president biden will be joining them, which underlines just how much that this is a global struggle. the german chancellor, angela merkel, has scrapped plans for a strict lockdown there during the easter holidays. she apologised, saying the plan had not been workable, and that the mistake was hers alone. our correspondentjenny hill is in the coastal resort of cuxhaven and explained more. yes. there was an extraordinary moment this morning. angela merkel called a press conference very last minute, stood up in front of the cameras and said she�*d made a mistake, she was performing a u—turn, and apologised saying that she was alone responsible for having decided to implement this shot down over easter which she said simply wasn�*t practically possible now to implement. an extraordinary moment for several reasons. let�*s deal with the substance of what this reversal is all about. just yesterday, in the early hours of this morning, angela merkel after 11 hours of talks with regional leaders who disagree violently about how germany should respond to the third wave of the pandemic announced that germany, which usually takes a three—day holiday over easter, would actually have a five shut down, meaning that businesses like these tourist ones here in the resort of... who are hoping to prepare for something like a summer season probably won�*t even be allowed to offer food and drink outside to day—trippers. now angela merkel has said after a brawl from business leaders it simply is not viable to go ahead with that plan and apologies and apologised for having come out with it in the first instance. i think there will be likely to affect of what is happening this morning. first of all, and angela merkel is conscious of this, public trust in her government�*s response to the pandemic is wavering. this chaotic response will no doubt provoke more concern about that, but uncertainty too. you know, i walked along the beach here this morning, saw some chaps were putting up a beach bar. i said to them, you know, angela merkel has changed her mind about this easter shutdown. they said, to be honest, we don�*t know whether we are coming or going, we have no idea what is happening, we�*re just cracking on and hoping for the best. the leading scientist, whose research on pandemics led to the first lockdown, predicts that the uk should be getting back to normal by the summer. professor neil ferguson says he expects rules on social distancing and face masks to be scrapped later this year. but he�*s warned restrictions on foreign travel will be the last to go, as europe struggles with new variants of coronavirus. jim reed reports. the welcome sight of spare beds, hospitalwards. around 400 a day are still being admitted with covid but that is down from 4000 a day injanuary. after a year of lockdown, scientists are confident we are now returning to some form of normality. it is not going to be an event, it is going to be a process, a gradual getting back to normality. i think i am optimistic we will be able to start seeing each other again in the next month which is within development plan. you know, lam personally looking forward to the haircut, which will be a nice side of normality! and it will be a gradual process. in mainland europe it is a different situation. countries are now grappling with the third wave of the virus. the prime minister has warned we could see those infections wash up on our shores. one concern is that a mutation or variant of the virus first found in south africa and now more common in countries like france, could make our current vaccines less effective. we are making very good progress in this country in terms suppressing this virus and rolling out the vaccine programme. that is not the case elsewhere. there is still a big risk of importing variants and just importing cases generally. it comes as the european commission has published tougher rules it has been reported that borisjohnson told a private meeting of tory mps last night that the success of our vaccine programme was down to capitalism and greed. but sources said the prime minister�*s comments were meant to be a joke. he had withdrawn them immediately, and they were not connected to the eu row over vaccine supply. this morning the government said it is now planning for the longer term and setting up a new agency which will be tasked with stopping another pandemic like covid catching hold in the future. i want everybody to wake up every day with a zeal to plan for the next pandemic. that sort of focus is vital. it is vital when the crisis is live like now but in a way that is the easy bit. the hard bit is keeping that focus in the good times, too. the overall message at the moment then is one of cautious optimism. life will return to normal but government scientists say there will be bumps and twists on the road ahead. jim reed, bbc news. the home secretary has defended new plans for how asylum seekers are to be treated after charities condemned them as �*inhumane�* and �*unreal�*. under the proposals, people who enter the uk illegally will no longer have the same entitlements as those who arrive through government schemes. priti patel says the measures are designed to crack down on people smuggling, but campaigners say potential refugees should be assessed on what protection they need, not how they reach the uk. june kelly reports. dover this morning and at the latest arrivals have been picked up from their inflatable and brought to shore. migrants pay thousands of pounds to traffickers for the final perilous leg of theirjourney pounds to traffickers for the final perilous leg of their journey to pounds to traffickers for the final perilous leg of theirjourney to the uk. last year, eight and perilous leg of theirjourney to the uk. last year, eightand half thousand people arrived here by crossing the channel in small boats. the majority of them are said to have claimed asylum. this is what the home secretary wants to stop. than the home secretary wants to stop. 3531 end—to—end reform to look at how the home secretary wants to stop. fift end—to—end reform to look at how we can create safe routes to protect people who are fleeing persecution and stop them from being put in the hands of people smugglers and criminal facilitators which we are seeing on a daily basis.- criminal facilitators which we are seeing on a daily basis. under what is called the _ seeing on a daily basis. under what is called the new— seeing on a daily basis. under what is called the new plan _ seeing on a daily basis. under what is called the new plan for— is called the new plan for immigration, the home secretary says that if people arrive illegally it will be harder for them to stay. those that are allowed to stay will have family rights and limited access to benefits. and they will be regularly reassessed for removal from the uk. regularly reassessed for removal from the uk-_ from the uk. she is closing off re from the uk. she is closing off pretty much — from the uk. she is closing off pretty much every _ from the uk. she is closing off pretty much every door - from the uk. she is closing off pretty much every door that i from the uk. she is closing off i pretty much every door that people might— pretty much every door that people might use — pretty much every door that people might use in order to flee persecution and live their lives safely~ — persecution and live their lives safety it — persecution and live their lives safely. it is not what the refugee reguires — safely. it is not what the refugee requires and it's not what the british— requires and it's not what the british public would i think c is a fair system. british public would i think c is a fair system-— british public would i think c is a fair s stem. , . :, fair system. this man who fled the conflict in syria _ fair system. this man who fled the conflict in syria documented i fair system. this man who fled the conflict in syria documented his i conflict in syria documented his journey by boat in what became an award—winning film. now settled in this country, last year he signed up as a hospital cleaner during the pandemic. he has described himself as a labour supporter. tt pandemic. he has described himself as a labour supporter.— as a labour supporter. it will put --eole as a labour supporter. it will put people off _ as a labour supporter. it will put people off but — as a labour supporter. it will put people off but sadly _ as a labour supporter. it will put people off but sadly it _ as a labour supporter. it will put people off but sadly it will - as a labour supporter. it will put j people off but sadly it will create a two-tier— people off but sadly it will create a two—tier system _ people off but sadly it will create a two—tier system and _ people off but sadly it will create a two—tier system and when i people off but sadly it will create . a two—tier system and when people are in_ a two—tier system and when people are in desperate _ a two—tier system and when people are in desperate situations - a two—tier system and when people are in desperate situations they- are in desperate situations they tend _ are in desperate situations they tend to — are in desperate situations they tend to make _ are in desperate situations they tend to make extraordinary- are in desperate situations they- tend to make extraordinary measures to get— tend to make extraordinary measures to get to _ tend to make extraordinary measures to get to safety~ — tend to make extraordinary measures to get to safety. the _ tend to make extraordinary measures to get to safety-— to get to safety. the uk government sa s that to get to safety. the uk government says that under _ to get to safety. the uk government says that under a _ to get to safety. the uk government says that under a resettlement - says that under a resettlement programme it's given a home to over 20,000 people who have escaped the syrian war. they have travelled through official routes. now the government message to those from syria and other countries who use the channel route is that in the future they will not be made welcome. leonie hirst is an immigration barrister from doughty street chambers. is there a legal way for asylum seekers to come into this country? there are only two legal roots. one is the resettlement scheme and that applies mainly to syrian refugees who have been recognised already as in need of protection. and that 20,000 figure has been a multi—year programme since 2015 so it's actually only 4000 people per year that have become —— come to the uk on average under that scheme. the other scheme and only have a legal route as family reunification which allows children to rejoin their parents in the uk and spouses to rejoin spouses. it doesn't apply to other family rejoin spouses. it doesn't apply to otherfamily members. so rejoin spouses. it doesn't apply to other family members. so when we're talking about legal roots, the legal roots for claiming asylum in the uk very limited. 50 roots for claiming asylum in the uk very limited-— very limited. so 'ust arriving on these shows — very limited. so just arriving on these shows and _ very limited. so just arriving on these shows and claiming - very limited. so just arriving on l these shows and claiming asylum very limited. so just arriving on - these shows and claiming asylum is illegal. these shows and claiming asylum is illeaal. . these shows and claiming asylum is illeaal. , , ., ., illegal. yes. there is no legalway. this needs — illegal. yes. there is no legalway. this needs to _ illegal. yes. there is no legalway. this needs to be _ illegal. yes. there is no legalway. this needs to be seen _ illegal. yes. there is no legalway. this needs to be seen in _ illegal. yes. there is no legalway. this needs to be seen in the - illegal. yes. there is no legalway. i this needs to be seen in the context of the numbers of asylum claims which were down by around 20% last year and also the very small numbers of refugees who are in fact coming to the uk. the other thing that's really important to remember is that most refugees are provided with protection status so in the year to march 2020 around 69% of people were granted either on first application after appeal. priti granted either on first application after appeal-— after appeal. priti patel is saying that many of _ after appeal. priti patel is saying that many of those _ after appeal. priti patel is saying that many of those genuine - after appeal. priti patel is saying - that many of those genuine refugees are in the hands of people smuggling and it's the two who need to be part of this crackdown. i and it's the two who need to be part of this crackdown.— of this crackdown. i think crackdown is the wrong — of this crackdown. i think crackdown is the wrong word. _ of this crackdown. i think crackdown is the wrong word. it's _ of this crackdown. i think crackdown is the wrong word. it's true - of this crackdown. i think crackdown is the wrong word. it's true that - is the wrong word. it's true that many of the ways in which people are able to claim asylum are extremely dangerous. and it is also true that smugglers and agents take advantage of people and abuse them and exploit them and that is very common unfortunately. the answer to that there is not to crack down on people seeking safety from persecution, but to crackdown on the smugglers and more importantly to create safe legal roots so that people can claim asylum without needing to be exploited. most people when they are seeking to flee a country where they are being persecuted don't have a choice about the route so this idea that by cracking down on the result of the claim somehow smugglers. smuggling people is simply fantasy. the difficulty for the uk is that they could argue that if you are travelling from france you are not fleeing any sort of persecution. so it doesn't apply. the fleeing any sort of persecution. so it doesn't apply-— it doesn't apply. the difficulty is that many people _ it doesn't apply. the difficulty is that many people will _ it doesn't apply. the difficulty is that many people will not - it doesn't apply. the difficulty is that many people will not have. that many people will not have control over where their journey ends. that is the first thing to say. the second thing to say is that the uk already has measures which enable asylum claims to be either ruled inadmissible or dismissed on the grounds that asylum wasn't claimed in the country. so we don't have much detail on these proposals yet but there are already measures in place to address issues where someone could reasonably have claimed asylum before they reached the uk and didn't do so. but it's difficult to see why the need is to introduce these measures now and also how this could be done compatibly with our international obligations under the refugee convention.— obligations under the refugee convention. talking about the olitics convention. talking about the politics of _ convention. talking about the politics of this, _ convention. talking about the politics of this, the _ convention. talking about the politics of this, the whole - convention. talking about the l politics of this, the whole issue convention. talking about the - politics of this, the whole issue it on brexit in weather that has changed things, we remember take back control of our borders, has brexit actually changed the way the law operates here? it brexit actually changed the way the law operates here?— law operates here? it really has. there was _ law operates here? it really has. there was a _ law operates here? it really has. there was a regulation _ law operates here? it really has. there was a regulation called - law operates here? it really has. | there was a regulation called the dublin regulation which was a piece of european law which allowed for asylum seekers to be returned to whether you —— european countries and certain circumstances. so we were returning people prior to the end of last year and the government chose not to keep that as part of uk law when we left the european union at the end of last year. but of course they extend beyond the eu to countries which potentially are very unsafe indeed. the government introduced in january some unsafe indeed. the government introduced injanuary some measures which will allow for a claim to be ruled inadmissible if the country that people have come from is deemed to be safe. . ~ that people have come from is deemed to be safe. ., ,, that people have come from is deemed to be safe. . ~' ,, ., that people have come from is deemed to be safe. ., ,, y., ., ,., police scotland say they've arrested a man , after a bomb disposal team attended a report of a suspicious item, in the grounds of the palace of holyroodhouse. officers were called to the queen's official residence in edinburgh yesterday evening, where they made the item safe. a 39 year—old man is being questioned. the headlines on bbc news... the eu tightens coronavirus vaccine export controls, as a third covid wave sweeps europe tighter rules for people seeking asylum in the uk — the home secretary says the current system is collapsing under the pressure. the government says there's been a "serious breakdown of governance" at liverpool city council — and he'll appoint commissioners to oversee "certain and limited functions" in the city. local government secretary robert jenrick has announced he will appoint commissioners to oversee "certain and limited functions" of liverpool city council for at least three years. it comes after a report identified multiple apparent failures by the labour—run council. local government secretary robert jenrick has announced he outlined the detail in the commons earlier. it paints a deeply concerning picture of mismanagement, the breakdown of scrutiny and accountability. a dysfunctional culture, putting the spending of public funds at risk, and undermining the city's economic development. the report identifies multiple apparent failures by liverpool city council in complying with its best—value duty. this includes a failure of proper and due process across planning and regeneration, including worrying lack of record—keeping. indeed, documentation had sometimes been created retrospectively, discarded in skips, or even destroyed. a lack of scrutiny and oversight across highways, including dysfunctional management practices, no coherent business plan, and the awarding of dubious contracts. a failure of proper process relating to property management, including compliance with the council's own standing orders, leading to a continued failure to correctly value land and assets, meaning taxpayers frequently lost out. when selling land, the report states that liverpool city council's best interests were not on the agenda. poor governance arrangements for council operated companies. an overall environment of intimidation, described as one in which the only way to survive was to do what was requested without asking too many questions or applying normal professional standards. the review finds that there was a fundamental failure by members to understand and appreciate the basic standards governing those in public service. and with no regular ethics or standards committee, and no means of monitoring complaints effectively, there was no established way to hold those falling below those acceptable standards to account. one of the world's most important shipping routes — the suez canal — is blocked after a giant container ship ran aground after losing power. at 200,000 tonnes and more than 400 metres long — the �*ever given' is going to take some shifting. 50 ships a day normally pass through the canal, carrying 12 % of the world's trade — so the pressure's on to get her re—floated. earlier we heard from the secretary general of the international chamber of shipping, guy platten. he told us how unusual the occurance is. it's a very unusual occurrence. the last time _ it's a very unusual occurrence. the last time the — it's a very unusual occurrence. the last time the canal was blocked like this was— last time the canal was blocked like this was back in 2013 so with 18,000 vesset— this was back in 2013 so with 18,000 vessel transits a year you have to put it _ vessel transits a year you have to put it in _ vessel transits a year you have to put it in context. ships sail safely every— put it in context. ships sail safely every day — put it in context. ships sail safely every day so this is a very unusual occurrence — every day so this is a very unusual occurrence and we just hope we can .et occurrence and we just hope we can get the _ occurrence and we just hope we can get the ship — occurrence and we just hope we can get the ship refloated as soon as possible — get the ship refloated as soon as possible. i'd heard a number of reasons— possible. i'd heard a number of reasons why, it could have been a large _ reasons why, it could have been a large gust— reasons why, it could have been a large gust of wind and it was a very hi-h large gust of wind and it was a very high freeboard and perhaps coupled with the _ high freeboard and perhaps coupled with the fact is that is what could have _ with the fact is that is what could have caused this.— with the fact is that is what could have caused this. 200,000 tonnes, that is quite — have caused this. 200,000 tonnes, that is quite a _ have caused this. 200,000 tonnes, that is quite a gust _ have caused this. 200,000 tonnes, that is quite a gust of _ have caused this. 200,000 tonnes, that is quite a gust of wind. - have caused this. 200,000 tonnes, that is quite a gust of wind. the - that is quite a gust of wind. the canal is about _ that is quite a gust of wind. the canal is about 250 metres wide so the margins of a but generally this is a very— the margins of a but generally this is a very safe transit. i have done it many— is a very safe transit. i have done it many times myself. this is highly unusuat _ it many times myself. this is highly unusual. nonetheless, it has caused massive _ unusual. nonetheless, it has caused massive disruption. the ships are already— massive disruption. the ships are already starting to stack up and it's gone — already starting to stack up and it's gone on for over a day so it needs— it's gone on for over a day so it needs to — it's gone on for over a day so it needs to clear quickly, otherwise this witi— needs to clear quickly, otherwise this will have an impact on the supply— this will have an impact on the supply chains. it this will have an impact on the sunply chains-— this will have an impact on the supply chains. it has an impact aloball . supply chains. it has an impact globally- we — supply chains. it has an impact globally. we are _ supply chains. it has an impact globally. we are already - supply chains. it has an impact| globally. we are already seeing supply chains. it has an impact - globally. we are already seeing the markets responding to this because this is a crucial waterway. it is. this is a crucial waterway. it is. the alternative _ this is a crucial waterway. it is. the alternative which - this is a crucial waterway. it is. the alternative which is - this is a crucial waterway. it is. the alternative which is to - this is a crucial waterway. it is. the alternative which is to sail| the alternative which is to sail round — the alternative which is to sail round the _ the alternative which is to sail round the cape of good hope in south africa _ round the cape of good hope in south africa and _ round the cape of good hope in south africa and add to that 3800 miles which _ africa and add to that 3800 miles which is _ africa and add to that 3800 miles which is another two weeks, so it has a _ which is another two weeks, so it has a huge — which is another two weeks, so it has a huge impact in terms of that economically and $3 billion passes through— economically and $3 billion passes through each day, that's over $1 trillion _ through each day, that's over $1 trillion of— through each day, that's over $1 trillion of goods each year go through— trillion of goods each year go through the suez canal, so the longer— through the suez canal, so the longer this goes on the more likely disruption — longer this goes on the more likely disruption they will be and it just shows— disruption they will be and it just shows you — disruption they will be and it just shows you the fragility of the global— shows you the fragility of the global shipping supply chains when things— global shipping supply chains when things like this happen. john lewis is to shut eight more stores, putting more than 1a hundred jobs at risk. the closures are part of its new strategy to adapt to online shopping. our business correspondent, alice baxter gave us this update. another blow for the high street today. 1,400 jobs at risk today asjohn lewis announces these eight store closures up and down the country. they include four of their at—home stores in ashford, basingstoke, chester and tunbridge wells, and four of their large development stores in aberdeen, peterborough, sheffield and york. the company says that for all of those little over 1,400 jobs at risk, huge efforts will be made to find those employees employment elsewhere within the company. they also say that all of those eight locations were struggling before the pandemic hit but, yes, they will not be reopening after restrictions lift as per government guidelines on april the 12th, but what the company says they're going to be doing instead is investing in smaller john lewis outlets on our high streets around the country to reflect our changing shopping habits. they've conducted a huge amount of research, which they say shows that up to 70% of us are choosing to do ourjohn lewis shopping online. 50% of us like to mix and match, so they're also going to be investing in their click and collect service through waitrose shops and other third party outlets as well. so, these eight store closures a reflection of our changing shopping habits, and also a reflection of which stores were struggling even before the covid pandemic hit, but, yes, another blow for the high street today. world champion heptathlete katarina johnson—thompson fell in love with athletics at her local track in liverpool, but her career was put on hold when the pandemic struck last year. now she has set up an academy to help other young athletes whose careers are at risk of stalling. sally nugent has been speaking to her. years of work and preparation. reaching a peak atjust years of work and preparation. reaching a peak at just the years of work and preparation. reaching a peak atjust the right time, she had to put the brakes on when last year's olympics was suspended —— postponed. it when last year's olympics was suspended -- postponed. it literally not halted suspended -- postponed. it literally got halted and _ suspended -- postponed. it literally got halted and i _ suspended -- postponed. it literally got halted and i had _ suspended -- postponed. it literally got halted and i had no _ suspended -- postponed. it literally got halted and i had no control - suspended -- postponed. it literally got halted and i had no control over| got halted and i had no control over a pandemic. there are going to be so many people who would have been in the champions who won't be olympic champions because of this pandemic. i think the olympus will be won and lost on whoever has handled the pandemic the best.— lost on whoever has handled the pandemic the best. over the last 12 months she — pandemic the best. over the last 12 months she has _ pandemic the best. over the last 12 months she has wanted _ pandemic the best. over the last 12 months she has wanted to - pandemic the best. over the last 12 months she has wanted to give - months she has wanted to give something back and has set up their own academy. she wants to help young athletes who she feels are at risk of dropping out. athletes who she feels are at risk of drooping out-— of dropping out. they have to be from a diverse _ of dropping out. they have to be from a diverse ethnic _ of dropping out. they have to be i from a diverse ethnic background, they have to be state schools and at county level competition. they are the groups that the most help. you think the olympics is a diverse place but i was really surprised to find out there are a number of sports would all right and it's a privilege to be able to train alongside them. a lot of people and young athletes out there could be in the olympic team butjust haven't had the right support. for the olympic team but 'ust haven't had the right support._ had the right support. for world cham - ion had the right support. for world champion has — had the right support. for world champion has worked _ had the right support. for world champion has worked hard - had the right support. for world champion has worked hard to i had the right support. for world - champion has worked hard to protect yourself from the mental pressures of a year in lockdown.— of a year in lockdown. social media with its pressures _ of a year in lockdown. social media with its pressures as _ of a year in lockdown. social media with its pressures as well, - of a year in lockdown. social media | with its pressures as well, everyone posting things. i think it is self caterjust posting things. i think it is self cater just log posting things. i think it is self caterjust log off or not follow. this could be a gold medal winning jump _ this could be a gold medal winning “um -. this could be a gold medal winning 'um . _ ., , this could be a gold medal winning 'um. ., jump. even with the delay and difficulties _ jump. even with the delay and difficulties of _ jump. even with the delay and difficulties of the _ jump. even with the delay and difficulties of the last - jump. even with the delay and difficulties of the last year, i difficulties of the last year, what's it like going into an olympic games as will champion in your event? ., ,, ., ., ., ., event? for me, knowing that for a number of — event? for me, knowing that for a number of years — event? for me, knowing that for a number of years i _ event? for me, knowing that for a number of years i didn't _ event? for me, knowing that for a number of years i didn't think - event? for me, knowing that for a number of years i didn't think i - number of years i didn't think i could ever win on that sort of global world championship stage, i just know that it's possible now. so i'm happy that if it's happened before it can happen again and that is my belief. i know there is a strong chance i could be outperformed but as long as i do my best and have no regrets. the olympics _ best and have no regrets. the olympics will _ best and have no regrets. the olympics will look _ best and have no regrets. the olympics will look different this year. in overseas fans of families in the crowd. but katarina johnson thompson will be ready. borisjohnson is due to appear before the liaison committee shortly where he'll face questions on the uk's place iin the world, the government's covid response and the economy. let's speak to our political correspondent, jonathan blake, who's is in westminster. might he get asked about what he said last night?— might he get asked about what he said last night? quite possibly and that could be _ said last night? quite possibly and that could be in _ said last night? quite possibly and that could be in the _ said last night? quite possibly and that could be in the context - said last night? quite possibly and that could be in the context of- said last night? quite possibly and that could be in the context of one of those three areas you mentioned which we are expecting the committee to focus on. the government's response to the pandemic. broadly speaking that is one of the three areas along with the economy and the uk's place in the world that the chairs of the select committee in parliament to make up the liaison committee will question the prime minister on. but nothing is out of the picture really. nothing is off the picture really. nothing is off the table when it comes to questions so i'm sure one or two mps may well want to clarify the prime minister's comments that he gave to the 1922 committee last night. talking in terms of greed and capitalism to explain the uk's success in its vaccine roll—out. but they will be bigger questions about the government's response to the pandemic as a whole and perhaps trying to pin the prime minister down to the timing of the public enquiry which labour and others have called for into the government's handling and its response to covid—19. perhaps i'm looking to the more immediate future and questions about what the third wave in europe looks like for this year. is his road map out of england still what travel restrictions will people face when the government hopes to open up international travel beyond mid—may. and then there is that huge topic of the uk's place in the world, that coming in a short time after the government published its integrated review of foreign security and defence policy and talking about a pivot in the uk's focus in terms of international relations away from europe and the united states. a lot of conservative mps in particular have been concerns about what that means for the uk's relationship with china. government has talked a policy of engagement whilst still holding them to account on human rights and other issues but i would expect that to be a bit of a flashpoint over the next 19 minutes or so. so it will be a fascinating sessional round. this happens usually about three times a year and it is really an opportunity for mp5 to put sustained questions and some of the biggest topics of the date of the prime minister and the other when we haven't talked about as the economy and so i am sure we will go back to some of the response to the budget that we heard when rishi sunak gave details of that some weeks ago. how the government plans to manage the huge levels of borrowing that its undertaking to respond to the coronavirus pandemic and may be also on the financial support like the feel of a scheme on thejob retention scheme and increasing universal credit, how far into the future those things will continue and how things can expect them to continue to fall away and given what is happening in europe perhaps if the road map out of lockdown is called into question and cases of coronavirus rise, what that would mean for those policies as well. so a lot of questions on some big topics but also the detail of government policies coming the prime minister's way. government policies coming the prime minister's way-— minister's way. proceedings will start shortly _ minister's way. proceedings will start shortly but _ minister's way. proceedings will start shortly but it's _ minister's way. proceedings will start shortly but it'sjust - minister's way. proceedings will start shortly but it'sjust gone . minister's way. proceedings will| start shortly but it'sjust gone to start shortly but it's just gone to bernard jenkin so it will be with some relief that you don't have to answer anything and i can go to him. the first of the 2021 meetings were very grateful for that. our main session— very grateful for that. our main session today is about three topics. obviousty— session today is about three topics. obviously covid is still top of a political— obviously covid is still top of a political agenda but we will start with the — political agenda but we will start with the uk's place in the world because — with the uk's place in the world because of the upcoming defence white _ because of the upcoming defence white paper and integrate a rereview. then we will come to covid and the _ rereview. then we will come to covid and the economy. if we have time we will have _ and the economy. if we have time we will have to _ and the economy. if we have time we will have to ask the government's view on _ will have to ask the government's view on lifting the covid restrictions on parliament to get parliament back. first i will go to the chair of the select— first i will go to the chair of the select committee. the first i will go to the chair of the select committee.— first i will go to the chair of the select committee. the world has to decarbonise — select committee. the world has to decarbonise by _ select committee. the world has to decarbonise by 2030. _ select committee. the world has to decarbonise by 2030. so _ select committee. the world has to decarbonise by 2030. so far - select committee. the world has to | decarbonise by 2030. so far climate change action plans and only got as 1% of that way. will you be providing the cop unit with more resources to help countries improve their plans before they arrive at cop26 this november? the cop26 summit is one _ cop26 this november? the cop26 summit is one of _ cop26 this november? the cop26 summit is one of the _ cop26 this november? the cop26 summit is one of the biggest - summit is one of the biggest priority to any government could have domestically as well as internationally and it is a massive job and we are throwing everything at it. every department in whitehall is now thinking about cop and how we can reduce our emissions, cuts and deliver on our mdc. the cop unit is the president and his team are well staffed at the moment. but clearly we will be looking to provide some reassurance and i agree that they need to be properly staffed but so far in terms of our international reach you should know that after the uk became the first major country to go for a net zero target, so far, long before november, we have china, united, japan, canada, brazil, switzerland, sweden, spain, austria, chile, ireland, norway, was to be costa rica, fiji, andorra... etc... all committed to targets we thought were very ambitious when he traded it but we're now seeing country after country around the world coming into line global britain. thank you prime minister. in the past few weeks we have had the argument about the new coal mine in cumbria. the transport secretary wants to make it cheaper to fly within the uk. the green homes grant has been cut by £1 million and presumably when cutting our aid budget we are also causing climate aged. do you think other countries will listen to us when we asked them to be better on climate action? yes. to be better on climate action? yes, because first — to be better on climate action? yes, because first of _ to be better on climate action? yes, because first of all _ to be better on climate action? yes, because first of all the _ to be better on climate action? yes, because first of all the uk's - to be better on climate action? yes, because first of all the uk's 68% reductions on 1990 levels is a huge commitment. people can see how big thatis, commitment. people can see how big that is, how determined we are, and they also know we have an incredible record of doing it. the uk has already delivered very considerable cuts in co2 just in already delivered very considerable cuts in co2just in our, you know, in my political lifestyle is longer than yours, butjust in my political lifetime we have done a colossal amount to decarbonise our country. i think in 1970 when i was six years old and i doubt you were even born we were, i think, 70%, old and i doubt you were even born we were, ithink, 70%, 90% old and i doubt you were even born we were, i think, 70%, 90% of our emissions of energy came from coral. that is now down to much less than 1%. ., ~ , ., ~ , that is now down to much less than 1%. ., ~ _, ~ , ., 1%. thank you, prime minister. i am afraid i 1%. thank you, prime minister. i am afraid i am — 1%. thank you, prime minister. i am afraid i am limited _ 1%. thank you, prime minister. i am afraid i am limited on _ 1%. thank you, prime minister. i am afraid i am limited on time - 1%. thank you, prime minister. i am afraid i am limited on time so - 1%. thank you, prime minister. i am afraid i am limited on time so we . afraid i am limited on time so we are not able to go back to the 19705 and i need to move on. it has been reported that he personally the uk to spend... million pounds buying a satellite company and that the chancellor personally had to sign the cheque. both of those reported facts correct?— facts correct? well, certainly the government _ facts correct? well, certainly the government was _ facts correct? well, certainly the government was involved - facts correct? well, certainly the government was involved at - facts correct? well, certainly the government was involved at all | government was involved at all levels in doing the... in doing the deal. i don't think i should comment exactly on who did what but it was i think the ambition for the uk to have a presence in space and the lower market is a notable one and important one. i think for too long the uk has been left behind in the space race. this is an area of colossal commercial importance... thank you by minister. prime minister, i don't mean to consent, i just wanted to know whether you and the chancellor personally involved in brokering that deal. can iju5t ask which budget line in government at the £400 million come from? iststeiiii. at the £400 million come from? well, the commitment, _ at the £400 million come from? well, the commitment, as _ at the £400 million come from? well, the commitment, as you _ at the £400 million come from? well, the commitment, as you all _ at the £400 million come from? well, the commitment, as you all know is one that the whole of government has made but if you are asking which department is responsible for the space strategy then the responsibility lies with the secretary of states which is clearly quite long. —— which is kwasi kwarteng. that claim is news to me but any such contacts or whatever, of course, we will be registered in the proper way. will be registered in the proper wa . ~ . will be registered in the proper wa . ~ , , way. prime minister, might 'ust sa in: in way. prime minister, might 'ust saying in response i way. prime minister, might 'ust saying in response to i way. prime minister, might 'ust saying in response to my i way. prime minister, mightjust. saying in response to my question about whether you personally brokered the deal whether the chancellor personally signed the cheque and whether mr cameron was having private conversations with your special advisers. you have not provided an answer to any of those questions and from a parliamentary scrutiny and overnight so my oversight perspective... isrrstith scrutiny and overnight so my oversight perspective... with great res - ect oversight perspective... with great respect you — oversight perspective... with great respect you and — oversight perspective... with great respect you and i — oversight perspective... with great respect you and i don't _ oversight perspective... with great respect you and i don't wish - oversight perspective... with great respect you and i don't wish to - respect you and i don't wish to disagree with anything you said but certainly on your point about contacts between david cameron former prime minister and my office or anybody in my office i simply have no knowledge of that. that is news to me is what i said to you, and on the deal with... , that was a deal obviously done by the government. thank you, professor —— prime minister. i am afraid we have run out of time.— run out of time. unless the public accounts committee _ run out of time. unless the public accounts committee wants - run out of time. unless the public accounts committee wants to - run out of time. unless the public - accounts committee wants to comment on that— accounts committee wants to comment on that i_ accounts committee wants to comment on that i will— accounts committee wants to comment on that i will move straight on. thank— on that i will move straight on. thank you _ on that i will move straight on. thank you very much chaired by minister. and i very much welcome the integrated review publication spelling out but in's vision and the growing threats that we face but just packing aside how we might respond, prime minister, would you agree with the threat picture drawn up agree with the threat picture drawn up by this review? this review? the security environment is deteriorating, democracy imperialism will continue to decline with strains on our international institutions, maritime tension will not decrease, china's assertiveness will not decrease, russia... space and cyber significant challenges... climate change will regrettably impact on global food and water security. so, do you agree with that summary? a simple yes or no, please? that sounds very sensible to me. well, as we concur on that, during the cold war dispense spending was up the cold war dispense spending was up 4% of gdp. today's threats of more complex and dangerous but we remain on a peacetime defence budget ofjust 2.2%. we are absolutely welcome the structure shake—up and the investment in cyberspace resilience i5 the investment in cyberspace resilience is also welcome but it is coming at a huge price with sweeping cuts to our conventional defence budget, exposing u5 cuts to our conventional defence budget, exposing us to the very threats that you and i both agree are there. is it not time to move britain into a conflict footing and raise defence spending to at least 3%, notjust to defend our interests but to play a leadership role to counter the growing global instability?— counter the growing global instabili ? ~ ., ., instability? well, tobias, i have a hiuh instability? well, tobias, i have a high regard _ instability? well, tobias, i have a high regard for— instability? well, tobias, i have a high regard for your _ instability? well, tobias, i have a high regard for your expertise - instability? well, tobias, i have a high regard for your expertise in i high regard for your expertise in this area and you and i have discussed these questions many times and i know that you care passionate about this subject. i just wish to be clear, the 2.2% is an increase. it is not that we have aiming at 2.2%, we have gone up to 2.2% as a result of the biggest investment in our armed forces in defence instead of the cold war, £24 billion investment, and it is a full spectrum investment. it covers everything from cyber to modernising and protecting our tanks to enabling us to go ahead with the future combat air system that i think will be essential for defending our skies in the future and enabling us to project a force for good. the uk is one of the few countries in the world able to project force that 8000 miles or more and this integrated defence and security and foreign policy review allows us to continue to do just that. thank you for that, continue to do just that. thank you forthat, but continue to do just that. thank you for that, but there are some concerns i have. it is very much welcome but we are cutting them into just 400. the you mentioned is also welcome but in order to pay for that in the future we are having to cut back on the f 35 i5 and indeed our typhoons and our special focus back on the f 35 i5 and indeed our typhoons and our specialfocus i5 typhoons and our specialfocus is going to lose their c 130 typhoons and our specialfocus is going to lose their c130 aircraft. just make special forces are going to lose. i'm concerned we're not looking at the wider picture engaging ourselves of what is going over the hill. it does feel a little bit like there is competition in our time and we are in denial as to the scale of threats that we face. cunning move onto subject to do with the office of veterans affairs. news today has come out that there will be a 40% cut in the support here, with a reduction in its budget from 5 million to £3 million. i know you are passionate about supporting our armed forces and veterans as well. we have come a long way in providing the support. could i ask you to revisit this decision? there is no decision that has been taken about the office of veteran's affairs and the spending on veterans i5, affairs and the spending on veterans is, after all, affairs and the spending on veterans i5, afterall, not affairs and the spending on veterans is, after all, not primarily through that office of thejohnny mercer and his team do an outstanding job. we spend up to £18 million through the nhs on specific mental health services that are targeted at veterans, £10 million in support for veterans, £10 million in support for veterans mental health charities, we have national insurance rebates for those that obviously subsidised for those that obviously subsidised for those that obviously subsidised for those that hire veterans, as well as cut priced free transport for veterans public transport, something that i remember, actually, pioneering when i was mayor of london and i am very proud that we have taken that in the government as well. . ~ have taken that in the government as well. . ,, , ., have taken that in the government as well. . ~' ,, g have taken that in the government as well. . ,, ,, g ., have taken that in the government as well. . ,, g ., , ., well. thank you. my final question is to be where _ well. thank you. my final question is to be where we _ well. thank you. my final question is to be where we might _ well. thank you. my final question is to be where we might be - well. thank you. my final question | is to be where we might be putting troops on at the earliest occasion and that is in yemen. a ceasefire was put forward by saudi arabia and a possible political solution could be secured. we are the un security council pen holder and you and i worked on the solution for some time. would we be willing to provide themes if requested for a un stabilisation force? —— to provide troops? taste stabilisation force? -- to provide troos? ~ . stabilisation force? -- to provide troos? . ,. ,, troops? we have indeed discussed it and i remember _ troops? we have indeed discussed it and i remember some _ troops? we have indeed discussed it and i remember some of _ troops? we have indeed discussed it and i remember some of your - troops? we have indeed discussed it and i remember some of your very i and i remember some of your very creative plans that you suggested to me, for instance for a mission to consolidate hodeidah and other projects vividly that we discussed and i know how much you care about the peace and security of yemen. we, of course, backed the un led approach that has been led by martin griffiths as we both no. i think thatis griffiths as we both no. i think that is the best way forward. it is encouraging that there is a ceasefire now between the saudi forces and the huthis. we must hope that that leads to serious political progress. i think it was not realistic to simply to say that the heat these could not be negotiated with or talk to in any way. —— that is the huthis. remember that was a previous approach and i don't think that was going to work. we do not have an opportunity to go further. there has been a specific request or suggestion for uk engagement, but it is certainly something that we would be prepared to look at if the conditions were right, but i have got to stress, before everybody on the committee picks up their ears, that yemen, the conditions would really have to be very different from what they are now for us to go ahead with boots on the ground. thank you prime minister. can iju5t thank you prime minister. can ijust interject— thank you prime minister. can ijust interject one — thank you prime minister. can ijust interject one point. the decision of the integrated review to raise the cap on— the integrated review to raise the cap on the — the integrated review to raise the cap on the number of warheads came as something of a surprise. continuous deterrent has always been a bipartisan _ continuous deterrent has always been a bipartisan policy based on quite a broad _ a bipartisan policy based on quite a broad consensus of the will of course — broad consensus of the will of course there are dissenters but it has been — course there are dissenters but it has been a — course there are dissenters but it has been a bipartisan policy. what members — has been a bipartisan policy. what members do make measures of the government going to take to build the same — government going to take to build the same kind of consensus around this more _ the same kind of consensus around this more controversial decision about— this more controversial decision about raising the cap on the number of warheads?— about raising the cap on the number of warheads? ., ,, , ., , . ,, of warheads? thank you very much sir bernard. i think _ of warheads? thank you very much sir bernard. i think you _ of warheads? thank you very much sir bernard. i think you obviously - bernard. i think you obviously personally have a great deal of expertise in this field and, you know, you are absolutely right to raise it, but it is crucial to stress that the number in question thatis stress that the number in question that is in the integrated review is a ceiling, it is not a target. we remain as a government committed to the minimum credible deterrent, and it is very important for everybody to understand that as well. istateiiii. it is very important for everybody to understand that as well. well, i ho -e to understand that as well. well, i hope there — to understand that as well. well, i hope there will _ to understand that as well. well, i hope there will be _ to understand that as well. well, i hope there will be open _ to understand that as well. well, i j hope there will be open discussion as far— hope there will be open discussion as far as— hope there will be open discussion as far as we — hope there will be open discussion as far as we can be open across the party— as far as we can be open across the party divide — as far as we can be open across the party divide-— party divide. yes, and i think it certainly oughta _ party divide. yes, and i think it certainly oughta be _ party divide. yes, and i think it certainly oughta be possible i party divide. yes, and i think it. certainly oughta be possible and party divide. yes, and i think it - certainly oughta be possible and pay the council terms for members of this committee to receive everything about the nature of the decisions. —— the council. —— privy council. phi minister, and are you committed to increasing 14% the spending on defence but i'm curious how there is enough money in the public purse to increase defence spending were not enough to maintain the uk was like legal commitment to spend not .7% of g and i on aid. you legal commitment to spend not .7% of g and i on aid-— g and i on aid. you asked me the same sorts _ g and i on aid. you asked me the same sorts of— g and i on aid. you asked me the same sorts of questions - g and i on aid. you asked me the same sorts of questions last - g and i on aid. you asked me the l same sorts of questions last time, quite properly because i think you certainly have about this issue greatly and so do i. i think being a greatly and so do i. i think being a great aid donor has been one of the most important features of our country, a global britain over the last few years, but i just want to try to reassure you that we still are and £10 billion in the year, which is what we are giving this yearin which is what we are giving this year in uk taxpayers money, is a huge sum. we remain one of the biggest, if not the single biggest european donor, for instance, to yemen, which tobias was just raising. the time you have asked how can we find the cash for this and the answer is that times are very tight. we have had to spend £407 billion supporting our public services and our economy through covid, and i think people do understand that these are the exceptional circumstances that are foretold in the 2015 act and that it is reasonable for us to deviate from the axe under these extreme circumstances.— the axe under these extreme circumstances. thank you, prime minister. circumstances. thank you, prime minister- in _ circumstances. thank you, prime minister. in the _ circumstances. thank you, prime minister. in the integrated - circumstances. thank you, prime | minister. in the integrated review you argued that absolute poverty is set to be eliminated in asia and latin america by the 20 305 but by 2045 85% of the poorest billion will live in the africa. you map out the perceptions of global population growth intersecting the climate change, poverty, instability or being at the greatest in sub—saharan africa so given the stark backdrop, why have you decided to sue sharply cut development funding in africa? well, thanks, sarah. we haven't. we're still one of the biggest aid donor i5 we're still one of the biggest aid donor is in africa in the world and we will continue to be so. we will continue to look at the immediate concerns of the planet and of the african continent where one of the biggest donors to co—the —— we are one of the biggest donors to covax and i think we have given £540 million on a global vaccine alliance and 1.6 billion to g avi and mux of that funding goes to distributing vaccines to the poorest intermediates, particularly on the african continent.— intermediates, particularly on the african continent. thank you. prime minister, i know— african continent. thank you. prime minister, i know that _ african continent. thank you. prime minister, i know that girls _ minister, i know that girls education seems to be your personal development priority and f cbo has said it will place gender equality at the heart of uk's own work but you are cutting funding to the international planned parenthood foundation, which will lead to 7.5 million unintended pregnancies, 27 million unintended pregnancies, 27 million unsafe abortions in 22,000 maternal deaths according to the director—general. you're also cutting by 60% and international rescue committee family planning programme in sierra leone for adolescent girls, a country where one in 17 die in childbirth, you have cut another ric project in lebanon that would have provided vital gender—based violence and child protection services to 107,000 women and girls, and these arejust the examples that we know of. how does that feel, prime minister, when your condition and the reality is so starkly apart? —— your ambition and the reality? i starkly apart? -- your ambition and the reality?— the reality? i don't want to no phi minister, nobody _ the reality? i don't want to no phi minister, nobody who _ the reality? i don't want to no phi minister, nobody who cares - the reality? i don't want to no phij minister, nobody who cares about the reality? i don't want to no phi - minister, nobody who cares about any of these issues could conceivably want to make these changes in these cuts now and i am simply asking you and people watching to understand the particular difficulties that we face right now, our determination to get back to .7 when the fiscal position allows what people will also understand our ehrlich, eagerness nurse. i want to see another 47 million girls and education by 2025. we have the funding for that and think we can do that. our campaign is for 12 years of, otheryou that. our campaign is for 12 years of, other you have mentioned some things that we sadly can't do, there are plenty of things that we are going to continue to do. our campaign is for12 going to continue to do. our campaign is for 12 years of quality education for every girl in the world and together we are going to be leading the girls education summit to try to promote that because an... summit to try to promote that because an. . .— summit to try to promote that because an... , ~ , because an... sorry, prime minister. we are spending _ because an... sorry, prime minister. we are spending a — because an... sorry, prime minister. we are spending a great _ because an... sorry, prime minister. we are spending a great deal- because an... sorry, prime minister. we are spending a great deal of- we are spending a great deal of money on it but it is also about talking issue.— money on it but it is also about talkin: issue. , . ., ., talking issue. does that mean that ou are talking issue. does that mean that you are therefore _ talking issue. does that mean that you are therefore ring _ talking issue. does that mean that you are therefore ring fencing - talking issue. does that mean that you are therefore ring fencing alli you are therefore ring fencing all the money ran girls education and preventing violence against women and girls? it is preventing violence against women and uirls? . . preventing violence against women anduirls? , preventing violence against women and uirls? , ., and girls? it is a piracy of the government _ and girls? it is a piracy of the government and _ and girls? it is a piracy of the government and the - and girls? it is a piracy of the i government and the programme and girls? it is a piracy of the - government and the programme will continue to the best of our abilities and our target remains unchanged. we want another 40 million girls around the world to receive a quality education by 2025, so 40 million that wouldn't otherwise, without british intervention, get that education they need. intervention, get that education they need-— they need. thank you, prime minister- _ they need. thank you, prime minister. and, _ they need. thank you, prime minister. and, finally, - they need. thank you, prime minister. and, finally, my. they need. thank you, prime - minister. and, finally, my committee is grateful for the support you gave to keepers but sadly your officials appear less pleased and they are making it extremely difficult for philip barton to appear before was on the 13th of april to discuss the changes in the aid budget, so can i ask you to intervene and make income in front of us, please? i ask you to intervene and make income in front of us, please?— in front of us, please? i have intervened. _ in front of us, please? i have intervened. i— in front of us, please? i have intervened. i had _ in front of us, please? i have j intervened. i had intervened. in front of us, please? i have - intervened. i had intervened. philip barton will appear but, to be absolutely clear, philip i5 barton will appear but, to be absolutely clear, philip is a wonderful man, i don't believe he would have been the motive a lot to do, but he is coming.— do, but he is coming. thank you for that, do, but he is coming. thank you for that. because _ do, but he is coming. thank you for that, because he _ do, but he is coming. thank you for that, because he is _ do, but he is coming. thank you for that, because he is the _ do, but he is coming. thank you for that, because he is the accounting. that, because he is the accounting officer— that, because he is the accounting officer i_ that, because he is the accounting officer i understand for the very large _ officer i understand for the very large aid — officer i understand for the very large aid budget. can ijust raise a point _ large aid budget. can ijust raise a point about— large aid budget. can ijust raise a point about the science component of the aid _ point about the science component of the aid budget. you got a letter from _ the aid budget. you got a letter from greg — the aid budget. you got a letter from greg clark and you may not have this in— from greg clark and you may not have this in your— from greg clark and you may not have this in your briefing because this letter— this in your briefing because this letter only when yesterday but it points _ letter only when yesterday but it points out that the government's announced that the base oda allocation to uk research and allocation to uk research and allocation has... significantly as part of— allocation has... significantly as part of the — allocation has... significantly as part of the cuts in the budget because _ part of the cuts in the budget because we are now taking... 0ut part of the cuts in the budget because we are now taking... out of the science — because we are now taking... out of the science budget. can you address that you. _ the science budget. can you address that you, the city is not our intention— that you, the city is not our intention to have a dip in science funding, — intention to have a dip in science funding, butjust because we have signed _ funding, butjust because we have signed up — funding, butjust because we have signed up to the horizon programme, the horizon _ signed up to the horizon programme, the horizon programme was always... horizon. _ the horizon programme was always... horizon, bernard, as you know, is a wonderful pan european project. it is extremely costly and the way it operates at the moment is that the uk spends a lot up front and doesn't get much back for a while, and so we are looking at that, but in the context of a huge increase in investment in science and are indeed generally and i don't think there has ever been anything like it under any previous government. i any previous government. i appreciate that but the particular concern — appreciate that but the particular concern is — appreciate that but the particular concern is a dip in funding creates discontinuity in existing funding programmes which would be most unfortunate. i�*m programmes which would be most unfortunate-— programmes which would be most unfortunate. . ., ., ., ., unfortunate. i'm aware of that and i have discussed _ unfortunate. i'm aware of that and i have discussed it _ unfortunate. i'm aware of that and i have discussed it with _ unfortunate. i'm aware of that and i have discussed it with the _ have discussed it with the chancellor, with patrick vallance and others and we want to make sure that scientists don't have that discontinuity that you talk about. i discontinuity that you talk about. i am most grateful. a question on trade, _ am most grateful. a question on trade, please. am most grateful. a question on trade. please-— am most grateful. a question on trade, lease. . ~ , ., , . trade, please. thank you very much. this section — trade, please. thank you very much. this section as _ trade, please. thank you very much. this section as we _ trade, please. thank you very much. this section as we know _ trade, please. thank you very much. this section as we know is _ trade, please. thank you very much. this section as we know is the - trade, please. thank you very much. this section as we know is the uk's i this section as we know is the uk's place in the world and specifically the uk's place in the world without a trade link. this weekend the clocks go forward to british summer time and many people across will be looking forward to the less dark evenings. will this happen next year, prime minister chris make the eu are not going to do this, apparently, and according to the house of commons library in the uk has set no time for clock time in 2022. will the uk be copying the eu and opting for longer, darker summer nights, orwill you and opting for longer, darker summer nights, or will you be and opting for longer, darker summer nights, orwill you be maintaining british summertime, which would have the added benefit, of course, are putting our businesses on the same time zone of those in europe if you do? �* . . , time zone of those in europe if you do? ~ , . , do? angus, an extremely good question- _ do? angus, an extremely good question. the _ do? angus, an extremely good question. the road _ do? angus, an extremely good question. the road map- do? angus, an extremely good question. the road map that i do? angus, an extremely good | question. the road map that we do? angus, an extremely good - question. the road map that we have set out for building and taking our country on the path of freedom, as you know, go so far tojoin country on the path of freedom, as you know, go so far to join the 215t. you know, go so far to join the 21st. we haven't looked forward to 215t. we haven't looked forward to exactly what is going to be happening next spring in terms of the clocks but i'm happy to take that one away. —— jun the 21st. 50. that one away. -- jun the 21st. so, ou that one away. -- jun the 21st. so, you could — that one away. -- jun the 21st. so, you could be _ that one away. -- jun the 21st. so, you could be the _ that one away. —— jun the 215t. in, you could be the prime that one away. —— jun the 215t. 5c, you could be the prime minister who kills british summertime, i5 you could be the prime minister who kills british summertime, is this a possibility? i kills british summertime, is this a ossibili ? ., kills british summertime, is this a ossibili ? . ., kills british summertime, is this a possibility?— possibility? i will have a look at the suggestion _ possibility? i will have a look at the suggestion that _ possibility? i will have a look at the suggestion that you - possibility? i will have a look at the suggestion that you may i possibility? i will have a look at | the suggestion that you may but possibility? i will have a look at i the suggestion that you may but it seems unlikely to me. ok. the suggestion that you may but it seems unlikely to me. ok, moving on a little bit, looking _ seems unlikely to me. ok, moving on a little bit, looking at _ seems unlikely to me. ok, moving on a little bit, looking at the _ seems unlikely to me. ok, moving on a little bit, looking at the world - a little bit, looking at the world and democracy of course and respected democracy and the ballot box unit was on under threat in many places in china, russia and places like belarus play fast and loose with a relationship with the ballot box. i think it is important that we are set commitment under support for the outcomes of the ballot box. now i know you're not in favour, at the moment, of a referendum on scottish independence i'm not asking about that. i'm asking if the scottish people of indeed the welsh people were to say at the ballot box that they wanted independence, would you respect the ballot box and that decision if it were to come about? well, angus, i'm glad you talk about respecting the ballot box because there was, as you recollect, a vote on scottish separation... that there was, as you recollect, a vote on scottish separation. . .— on scottish separation... that is why- -- and _ on scottish separation... that is why- -- and i _ on scottish separation... that is why... and i am _ on scottish separation... that is why... and i am very _ on scottish separation... that is why... and i am very keen - on scottish separation... that is why... and i am very keen to i on scottish separation... that is - why... and i am very keen to respect that vote. why... and i am very keen to respect that vote- itut _ why... and i am very keen to respect that vote. but if _ why... and i am very keen to respect that vote. but if the _ why... and i am very keen to respect that vote. but if the people - why... and i am very keen to respect that vote. but if the people vote - why... and i am very keen to respect that vote. but if the people vote in i that vote. but if the people vote in future, because _ that vote. but if the people vote in future, because you _ that vote. but if the people vote in future, because you said _ that vote. but if the people vote in future, because you said that - that vote. but if the people vote in future, because you said that the i future, because you said that the general election of 2019 was a once—in—a—lifetime general election and i hope that doesn't mean you think that that is the end of democracy in the uk. i'm talking about the future and i am sure there will be more general elections in the uk for as long as it continues to exist and its current form, but if the scottish people and indeed the welsh people were to vote for independence, prime minister, remember people in china and russia and belarus are watching you, do you respect what the people would say the ballot box?— respect what the people would say the ballot box? well, angus, i don't think even my _ the ballot box? well, angus, i don't think even my worst _ the ballot box? well, angus, i don't think even my worst enemy - the ballot box? well, angus, i don't think even my worst enemy is - the ballot box? well, angus, i don't think even my worst enemy is our. think even my worst enemy is our biggest detractors would say that i would at any stage promise to abolish general elections are... you did say was — abolish general elections are... you did say was once _ abolish general elections are... gm. did say was once in a generation! abolish general elections are... you | did say was once in a generation! or did say was once in a generation! 0r trying to get rid of them. there is a clear difference between the two things. when you ask people to vote on a highly controversial and divisive issue and an issue that breaks up... family relationships... prime minister... breaks up... family relationships... prime minister. . .— prime minister... principles of democracy- -- _ prime minister... principles of democracy... toxic _ prime minister... principles of democracy... toxic and - prime minister... principles of| democracy... toxic and divisive prime minister... principles of- democracy... toxic and divisive and you think this should happen only once in a generation i think you should stick to it.— should stick to it. toxic and divisive to _ should stick to it. toxic and divisive to absorb _ should stick to it. toxic and l divisive to absorb democracy should stick to it. toxic and - divisive to absorb democracy and i hope you would do it and the specs democracy and not played fast and loose as we have seen in china and russia and belarus in such places. i will give you one more chance, to respect the ballot box? i will give you one more chance, to respect the ballot box?— respect the ballot box? i greatly resect respect the ballot box? i greatly respect the _ respect the ballot box? i greatly respect the ballot _ respect the ballot box? i greatly respect the ballot box _ respect the ballot box? i greatly respect the ballot box but - respect the ballot box? i greatly respect the ballot box but what | respect the ballot box? i greatly| respect the ballot box but what i will say about another referendum, the independent separation referendum... br; the independent separation referendum... that referendum... by minister... that the snp continually _ referendum... by minister... that the snp continually campaign - referendum... by minister... that - the snp continually campaign thought i think it strikingly enough as it now when we are trying to come together to come to a pandemic to build back better together that instead of talking about any other aspect of global britain, and all the things that we do together, our armed forces, our security services, our scientists working together around the world which is one of the most moving and extraordinary things... taste most moving and extraordinary thins. .. ~ . most moving and extraordinary thins... . , ., most moving and extraordinary thins... ~ , ., , things... we use of this in the previous- -- — things... we use of this in the previous... order, _ things... we use of this in the previous... order, order! - things... we use of this in the i previous... order, order! order, things... we use of this in the - previous... order, order! order, the prime minister! _ previous... order, order! order, the prime minister! well, _ previous... order, order! order, the prime minister! well, i— previous... order, order! order, the prime minister! well, i have - prime minister! well, i have finished my _ prime minister! well, i have finished my answer. - prime minister! well, i have finished my answer. thank i prime minister! well, i have i finished my answer. thank you prime minister! well, i have - finished my answer. thank you very much. finished my answer. thank you very much- moving _ finished my answer. thank you very much. moving on _ finished my answer. thank you very much. moving on to _ finished my answer. thank you very much. moving on to the _ finished my answer. thank you very much. moving on to the ct - finished my answer. thank you very much. moving on to the ct tp - finished my answer. thank you very much. moving on to the ct tp and i finished my answer. thank you very i much. moving on to the ct tp and the comprehensive and the aggressive transpacific partnership that the uk is interested in. there we have any figures on the gdp again? so far, the uk has left the european union and it has got an ulcer paperwork. it is a 4.9% damage to gdp. so far, there has been a trade deal signed that gains any of this loss of gdp. any idea of what the gdp again might be from ctt tp? the overall benefits _ again might be from ctt tp? the overall benefits from trade deals where they are tested... than? where they are tested... any numbers? — where they are tested... any numbers? the _ where they are tested... any numbers? the ambition - where they are tested... any numbers? the ambition of i where they are tested... any i numbers? the ambition of this country is _ numbers? the ambition of this country is to — numbers? the ambition of this country is to continue - numbers? the ambition of this country is to continue to - numbers? the ambition of this| country is to continue to secure them. we have done about... and the... more than 60 trade deals already in the countries that we have secured deals with will cover 80% of uk trade by the end of next year. we are making a serious point about the detriment to exporters and some products, particularly fishing products, earlierthis some products, particularly fishing products, earlier this year, and there are problems continuing and i humbly accept that. i think that it was, in some ways, regrettable that some of our continental friends didn't perhaps make life as easy as they could have done.— didn't perhaps make life as easy as they could have done.- we i didn't perhaps make life as easy as they could have done. but. .. we are they could have done. but... we are doinu they could have done. but... we are doing what — they could have done. but... we are doing what we _ they could have done. but... we are doing what we can _ they could have done. but... we are doing what we can to _ they could have done. but... we are doing what we can to address - they could have done. emit... we are doing what we can to address the matter. we have got a £23 million fund to support the fishing industry with some of the bureaucratic problems but also at a £100 million fund to enable scottish fishing to build up in preparation, angus, in preparation for the time when we control access to and the right to fish every fish in scottish waters. yeah, ok. back to trade. we know there is no trade deal, no new trade deal, and... the sorts of things which are given notice, again, because we have an place anyway, so we have lost 4.9% of gdp, we have gained nothing so far. the best in american trade deal can give you is .2% so the government are losing £4 90 and gaining 20 p. australia zealand are worth a penny. i'm asking you asking you what you think ctt tp is worse. some people think it is worth may be a penny of 3p in the pound. it is worth may be a penny of 3p in the pound-— the pound. globalfree trade is something _ the pound. globalfree trade is something that _ the pound. globalfree trade is something that is _ the pound. globalfree trade is something that is of _ the pound. globalfree trade is something that is of great - the pound. global free trade is| something that is of great value the pound. global free trade is - something that is of great value and uk exports actually rose last year and i think we are now the fifth biggest exporter in the world with less than 1% of the global population. that is a stunning achievement and it is thanks to the uk working together with the great uk working together with the great uk single market exporting to the rest of the world with uninterrupted supply chains and i think it would be foolhardy for anybody, i can't believe that you would even think of it, foolhardy for anybody to detach scotland from the rest of the uk and break up our supply chains. this scotland from the rest of the uk and break up our supply chains.- break up our supply chains. this is what i break up our supply chains. this is what i was — break up our supply chains. this is what i was saying _ break up our supply chains. this is what i was saying about _ break up our supply chains. this is what i was saying about wales - break up our supply chains. this isj what i was saying about wales and scotland earlier.— scotland earlier. order, order. i think we are _ scotland earlier. order, order. i think we are over _ scotland earlier. order, order. i think we are over time. - scotland earlier. order, order. i think we are over time. moving | scotland earlier. order, order. i. think we are over time. moving on. why have so many other parts of the pandemic response across the nations of the uk been fragmented, disjointed and divisive? what went wrong with the four nations approach? i wrong with the four nations approach?— wrong with the four nations approach? wrong with the four nations auroach? . ., , �* ., ., approach? i am not sure i'm going to acce -t the approach? i am not sure i'm going to accept the premise. _ approach? i am not sure i'm going to accept the premise. it's _ approach? i am not sure i'm going to accept the premise. it's very - accept the premise. it's very important the messaging should be as direct and local as possible. that has been a good thing. we have worked together very closely and if you look at the road map that we have set out its actually very similar to those that are being followed around the whole of the uk. i think you dismiss the vaccination programme as though it didn't show the benefits of the union plainly it has. it's been incredible to go around the country and angus would concede that scottish scientists and scottish post grads in glasgow during the testing that we depend upon to isolate the sequence of the bug throughout the whole of the uk. british army people distribute in vaccines across the whole country. it's been an amazing union effort. the point about the vaccination programme, it was based on central government decision made particularly around procurement rather— particularly around procurement rather than leaving it to four separate _ rather than leaving it to four separate administrations to make up their own _ separate administrations to make up their own schemes and rolls around this _ their own schemes and rolls around this can— their own schemes and rolls around this can i_ their own schemes and rolls around this. can i ask you, do you think it was a _ this. can i ask you, do you think it was a mistake 12 months ago not to deploy— was a mistake 12 months ago not to deploy central civil contingency measures and a genuinely uk wide response? — measures and a genuinely uk wide resonse? ., ,., measures and a genuinely uk wide resonse? . ,., , .,, measures and a genuinely uk wide resonse? ., ,., , .,, ., response? there are some people who arc ue response? there are some people who ara ue that. response? there are some people who argue that- i— response? there are some people who argue that. i think _ response? there are some people who argue that. i think the _ response? there are some people who argue that. i think the time _ response? there are some people who argue that. i think the time will - argue that. i think the time will come when we can look back and evaluate the way the messaging worked and the impact of the way we did it and that will be one of the things we will be looking at in the enquiry. one of the things we are trying to do now with the new uk health security agencies not to take away powers from the devolved administrations but to make sure we can insert our energies and i was thinking more closely together. you have previously spoken about good cooperation that has happened with devolved _ cooperation that has happened with devolved administrations. the welsh first minister in my committee three weeks _ first minister in my committee three weeks ago _ first minister in my committee three weeks ago said in contrast he doesn't — weeks ago said in contrast he doesn't really have a relationship with you — doesn't really have a relationship with you and he described it as a remote — with you and he described it as a remote relationship. he complains you don't— remote relationship. he complains you don't talk to him. what do you think— you don't talk to him. what do you think should be the appropriate amount— think should be the appropriate amount of time that the uk prime minister— amount of time that the uk prime minister invests in building and maintaining sustainable relationships with the first ministers of the devolved administrations? | ministers of the devolved administrations?- ministers of the devolved administrations? . , ., ., administrations? i am sorry to hear that mark drakeford _ administrations? i am sorry to hear that mark drakeford doesn't - administrations? i am sorry to hear that mark drakeford doesn't feel i administrations? i am sorry to hear| that mark drakeford doesn't feel he gets enough time with me. i will do what i can to rectify that. i've had some very good meetings and conversations with him. but clearly the way it works is that the chancellor of the duchy of lancaster generally has been sharing the meetings and that is how it has tended to work and it has been pretty effective. a5 tended to work and it has been pretty effective. as i said earlier on, it's a system that has produced much more unity than is commonly supposed from the coverage. [30 much more unity than is commonly supposed from the coverage. do you think we will— supposed from the coverage. do you think we will have _ supposed from the coverage. do you think we will have a _ supposed from the coverage. do you think we will have a stronger- supposed from the coverage. do you think we will have a stronger union i think we will have a stronger union by investing more time with first ministers — by investing more time with first ministers what is it fine to devolve that function entirely? for ministers what is it fine to devolve that function entirely?— that function entirely? for all of the prime _ that function entirely? for all of the prime minister _ that function entirely? for all of the prime minister of _ that function entirely? for all of the prime minister of the - that function entirely? for all of the prime minister of the uk i that function entirely? for all of the prime minister of the uk is | that function entirely? for all of i the prime minister of the uk is to lead the whole of the uk. n the prime minister of the uk is to lead the whole of the uk. i am the prime minister of the uk is to lead the whole of the uk. i am very much in favour _ lead the whole of the uk. i am very much in favour of _ lead the whole of the uk. i am very much in favour of the _ lead the whole of the uk. i am very much in favour of the council - lead the whole of the uk. i am very much in favour of the council of - lead the whole of the uk. i am very much in favour of the council of the isles for instance where we come together as representatives of the whole of the british isles to talk about issues that matter to us. on the other hand i don't think we want to turn our deliberations into a mini eu. hf to turn our deliberations into a mini eu. ., , ., to turn our deliberations into a mini eu. . , ., , mini eu. if there was a new first minister in _ mini eu. if there was a new first minister in scotland _ mini eu. if there was a new first minister in scotland after - mini eu. if there was a new first minister in scotland after the i minister in scotland after the scottish— minister in scotland after the scottish parliamentary elections, would _ scottish parliamentary elections, would you choose to invest more time in a relationship with them? i would you choose to invest more time in a relationship with them?— in a relationship with them? i hope i have in a relationship with them? i hope i have made _ in a relationship with them? i hope i have made my — in a relationship with them? i hope i have made my point _ in a relationship with them? i hope i have made my point about - in a relationship with them? i hope i have made my point about the i in a relationship with them? i hopel i have made my point about the way in a relationship with them? i hope i i have made my point about the way i think this should work. i am the prime minister of scotland as well as the whole of the uk and obviously i need a good relationship with everybody. i have talked many times to nicola and mark and michelle and arlene and i continue to do so. but what i don't think would necessarily be writers to have a sort of permanent council as it were, the kind that is taking place tomorrow in brussels. i don't think that is the model we are after. this in brussels. i don't think that is the model we are after.- in brussels. i don't think that is the model we are after. as we get to the model we are after. as we get to the first section _ the model we are after. as we get to the first section about _ the model we are after. as we get to the first section about our— the model we are after. as we get to the first section about our place - the model we are after. as we get to the first section about our place in i the first section about our place in the first section about our place in the world, how will the devolved governments be engaged in the preparations?— preparations? they are already involved because _ preparations? they are already involved because it's _ preparations? they are already involved because it's taking - preparations? they are already i involved because it's taking place involved because it's taking place in glasgow and ijust pointed out to angus it's one of the beauties of the union that the un brings this summit to the uk, to glasgow, and it's thanks to our collective membership of the union that we are able to host this in glasgow. that is a great thing. so there are also some conversations going on about the feel of the summit, what it's going to involve, the fringe, over of stuff. taste going to involve, the fringe, over of stuff. ~ ., ., ., ., of stuff. we will move on to our next section _ of stuff. we will move on to our next section of— of stuff. we will move on to our next section of covid _ of stuff. we will move on to our next section of covid and - of stuff. we will move on to our next section of covid and we i of stuff. we will move on to our. next section of covid and we start with jeremy next section of covid and we start withjeremy hunt. i next section of covid and we start with jeremy hunt.— with jeremy hunt. i want to start with jeremy hunt. i want to start with the vaccine _ with jeremy hunt. i want to start with the vaccine issues _ with jeremy hunt. i want to start with the vaccine issues in - with jeremy hunt. i want to start with the vaccine issues in the - with jeremy hunt. i want to start l with the vaccine issues in the news today _ with the vaccine issues in the news today you — with the vaccine issues in the news today. you have been totally clear about— today. you have been totally clear about your— today. you have been totally clear about your opposition to vaccine nationalism. but if british lives were _ nationalism. but if british lives were at— nationalism. but if british lives were at risk, do you rule out taking measured — were at risk, do you rule out taking measured retaliation to discourage the eu _ measured retaliation to discourage the eu from impeding legally binding contracts? . ~ the eu from impeding legally binding contracts? ., ,, , ., ., contracts? thank you for the question _ contracts? thank you for the question and _ contracts? thank you for the question and you _ contracts? thank you for the question and you are - contracts? thank you for the question and you are right i contracts? thank you for the j question and you are right to contracts? thank you for the - question and you are right to follow this issue as closely as you are. the partnership we have with our european colleagues i5 the partnership we have with our european colleagues is very important, we continue to work with them. vaccines as you no other of international cooperation. i don't think that blockades of either vaccines or medicines are sensible. i think the long term damage done by blockades can be very considerable. i would just gently point out anybody considering a blockade or interruption of supply chains that companies may look at such actions and draw conclusions about whether or not it is sensible to make future investments in countries where blockades are imposed.- investments in countries where blockades are imposed. what's clear is that although _ blockades are imposed. what's clear is that although we _ blockades are imposed. what's clear is that although we wish _ blockades are imposed. what's clear is that although we wish our - is that although we wish our european friends well, you are not taking anything off the table in terms of the british response. fiur terms of the british response. our riori is terms of the british response. our priority is to _ terms of the british response. 0ur priority is to continue the vaccine roll—out, to vaccinate the british people. we will do everything necessary that we can to ensure that happens. we are on course to vaccinate groups one to nine by april the 15th. everybody over 50. vaccinate groups one to nine by aprilthe15th. everybody over50. i don't know whether you had one yet. i've had myjab. i've still got the virus but three days afterwards. he got the three —— the virus three days after the jab? i am very sorry to hear that. days after the 'ab? i am very sorry to hear that.— to hear that. one thing that has become very — to hear that. one thing that has become very clear _ to hear that. one thing that has become very clear has - to hear that. one thing that has become very clear has been - to hear that. one thing that has become very clear has been the vulnerability of the social care sector where 29,000 lives were lost in care homes. we've had 12 white papers and consultations but you did something different in your very first speech as prime minister, you said you would fix the crisis in social care once and for all with a clear plan and make sure every older person was treated with dignity and respect. do those words still stand? they do and you will have heard them many times. we stood on about 58 platforms together and recited a virtually identical script on that point. virtually identical script on that oint. �* ., ., ., point. before you go on, the reason i ask this point. before you go on, the reason i ask this is — point. before you go on, the reason i ask this is because _ point. before you go on, the reason i ask this is because last _ point. before you go on, the reason i ask this is because last week - point. before you go on, the reason i ask this is because last week the i i ask this is because last week the nhs got £6.6 billion for covid costs but there was no mention of social care in the budget at all. ijust wondered if you can understand the frustration of 1.6 million people in the sector who feel they are always treated as the poor relation. will you be the first prime minister to see social care will always be treated as equally important as the nhs? , ., ., , ., treated as equally important as the nhs? , ., ., ., ., treated as equally important as the nhs? ,. .h., .,,. nhs? yes and it was one of your achievements _ nhs? yes and it was one of your achievements to _ nhs? yes and it was one of your achievements to turn _ nhs? yes and it was one of your achievements to turn it - nhs? yes and it was one of your achievements to turn it into - nhs? yes and it was one of your achievements to turn it into the | achievements to turn it into the department of health and social care and i thought that was the right thing to do because one of the problems we have is the gulf between the nhs and social care, into which so many people fall and that's a problem we need to fix. do we need a plan to do it? a long—term plan? the answer is yes and the government will be bringing forward our proposals on social care and social care reform later this year. do, care reform later this year. social care going to get a mention in the forthcoming queen's speech? i in the forthcoming queen's speech? i think it's highly likely but i would not wish to anticipate the gracious speech at this stage. you say regrets, you've had a few, over— you say regrets, you've had a few, over the _ you say regrets, you've had a few, over the last — you say regrets, you've had a few, over the last year. _ you say regrets, you've had a few, over the last year. which - you say regrets, you've had a few, over the last year. which mistake. you say regrets, you've had a few, l over the last year. which mistake do you most— over the last year. which mistake do you most regret? _ over the last year. which mistake do you most regret?— you most regret? there are all sorts of thins you most regret? there are all sorts of things that _ you most regret? there are all sorts of things that i _ you most regret? there are all sorts of things that i look _ you most regret? there are all sorts of things that i look back _ you most regret? there are all sorts of things that i look back on - you most regret? there are all sorts of things that i look back on and - of things that i look back on and wonder whether we could have done differently. i wouldn't want to make a mistake about my biggest mistake and single at the wrong one. there are all sorts of things that we didn't initially understand about covid. things we didn't get. we didn't get the asymptomatic transmission which fed into the care homes epidemic thatjeremy has just been talking about. you heard patrick and chris at the press conference yesterday talking about some of the things we still think about and discuss and we are learning the whole time. what we want is a proper enquiry in due course when we can concentrate the time. ~ . ., , ., course when we can concentrate the time. ~ , ., ,. . course when we can concentrate the time. , ., ,. . time. we recognised that science has chanced time. we recognised that science has changed but — time. we recognised that science has changed but what _ time. we recognised that science has changed but what about _ time. we recognised that science has changed but what about what - time. we recognised that science has changed but what about what gordon | changed but what about what gordon mcpherson _ changed but what about what gordon mcpherson described _ changed but what about what gordon mcpherson described as _ changed but what about what gordon mcpherson described as the - changed but what about what gordon mcpherson described as the most. mcpherson described as the most inept _ mcpherson described as the most inept public— mcpherson described as the most inept public spending _ mcpherson described as the most inept public spending of - mcpherson described as the most inept public spending of all, - mcpherson described as the most inept public spending of all, test. inept public spending of all, test entries, — inept public spending of all, test entries, which— inept public spending of all, test entries, which you _ inept public spending of all, test entries, which you promised - inept public spending of all, test i entries, which you promised would inept public spending of all, test - entries, which you promised would be world _ entries, which you promised would be world beating~ — entries, which you promised would be world beating. are _ entries, which you promised would be world beating. are you _ entries, which you promised would be world beating. are you content - entries, which you promised would be world beating. are you content with i world beating. are you content with how that _ world beating. are you content with how that is — world beating. are you content with how that is gone? _ world beating. are you content with how that is gone?— how that is gone? actually, i think the test entries _ how that is gone? actually, i think the test entries has _ how that is gone? actually, i think the test entries has been - how that is gone? actually, i think the test entries has been an - the test entries has been an extraordinary achievement. if you said to me did they get everything right first time, no. and that is not surprising... but right first time, no. and that is not surprising. . .— right first time, no. and that is not surprising... but it's costing £37 million _ not surprising... but it's costing £37 million through _ not surprising... but it's costing £37 million through the - not surprising... but it's costing £37 million through the moneyl not surprising... but it's costing i £37 million through the money that has been _ £37 million through the money that has been allocated _ £37 million through the money that has been allocated to _ £37 million through the money that has been allocated to it. _ £37 million through the money that has been allocated to it. do - £37 million through the money that has been allocated to it. do you - has been allocated to it. do you think— has been allocated to it. do you think it's — has been allocated to it. do you think it's value _ has been allocated to it. do you think it's value for— has been allocated to it. do you think it's value for that - has been allocated to it. do you think it's value for that money? j has been allocated to it. do you - think it's value for that money? 80% ofthe think it's value for that money? 80% of the spending _ think it's value for that money? of the spending goes literally on labs and testing or giving people the results they desperately need. it's notjust that individuals need those results, but it's that massive testing operation that allows us to know where the disease is prevalent, what type of variant it may be, we do have the sequencing anywhere in the world. it's thanks to nhs test entries that we know whether the diseases going and down. and that gives us the tools to fight it. it's been absolutely indispensable. fine been absolutely indispensable. one ofthe been absolutely indispensable. one of the clear tools to fight it is the tracing _ of the clear tools to fight it is the tracing and _ of the clear tools to fight it is the tracing and that - of the clear tools to fight it is the tracing and that is - of the clear tools to fight it is the tracing and that is the - of the clear tools to fight it is the tracing and that is the bitj the tracing and that is the bit pattern— the tracing and that is the bit pattern harding _ the tracing and that is the bit pattern harding says - the tracing and that is the bit pattern harding says itself. the tracing and that is the bit pattern harding says itself is| the tracing and that is the bit. pattern harding says itself is a challenge _ pattern harding says itself is a challenge do _ pattern harding says itself is a challenge. do you _ pattern harding says itself is a challenge. do you have - pattern harding says itself is a challenge. do you have any i pattern harding says itself is a - challenge. do you have any regrets about _ challenge. do you have any regrets about how — challenge. do you have any regrets about how that _ challenge. do you have any regrets about how that programme - challenge. do you have any regrets about how that programme was - challenge. do you have any regrets i about how that programme was ruled out for— about how that programme was ruled out for the _ about how that programme was ruled out for the money— about how that programme was ruled out for the money you _ about how that programme was ruled out for the money you spent - about how that programme was ruled out for the money you spent on - about how that programme was ruled out for the money you spent on it? i out for the money you spent on it? and crucially— out for the money you spent on it? and crucially what _ out for the money you spent on it? and crucially what do _ out for the money you spent on it? and crucially what do you - out for the money you spent on it? and crucially what do you think - out for the money you spent on it? and crucially what do you think you are going _ and crucially what do you think you are going to— and crucially what do you think you are going to get— and crucially what do you think you are going to get the _ and crucially what do you think you are going to get the £37 _ and crucially what do you think you are going to get the £37 billion- are going to get the £37 billion ongoing — are going to get the £37 billion ongoing for— are going to get the £37 billion ongoing for the _ are going to get the £37 billion ongoing for the future? - are going to get the £37 billion ongoing for the future? let- are going to get the £37 billion ongoing for the future? let me re eat ongoing for the future? let me repeat what — ongoing for the future? let me repeat what it _ ongoing for the future? let me repeat what it is. _ ongoing for the future? let me repeat what it is. if _ ongoing for the future? let me repeat what it is. if your - ongoing for the future? let me i repeat what it is. if your argument for spending more money on the tracing as opposed to the testing we can talk about that. but we give people support if they needed to isolate, councils have been given tens of millions of pounds extra to help people to isolate, about 9 million people have been helped to isolate who would otherwise have beenin isolate who would otherwise have been in the transmission chain. that is a very valuable thing. but what test entries are leaders is it enables us to know what is happening with the pandemic in a very granular way. that is absolutely crucial if you are going to fight it.- way. that is absolutely crucial if you are going to fight it. given the vaccine success, _ you are going to fight it. given the vaccine success, is _ you are going to fight it. given the vaccine success, is test _ you are going to fight it. given the vaccine success, is test and - you are going to fight it. given the vaccine success, is test and try i vaccine success, is test and try stilt— vaccine success, is test and try still worth— vaccine success, is test and try still worth the _ vaccine success, is test and try still worth the money? - vaccine success, is test and try still worth the money? there i vaccine success, is test and try| still worth the money? there is going _ still worth the money? there is going to — still worth the money? there is going to be _ still worth the money? there is going to be a _ still worth the money? there is going to be a public— still worth the money? there is going to be a public enquiry- still worth the money? there is going to be a public enquiry to. still worth the money? there is - going to be a public enquiry to look at all— going to be a public enquiry to look at all these — going to be a public enquiry to look at all these questions. _ going to be a public enquiry to look at all these questions. now - going to be a public enquiry to look at all these questions. now we - going to be a public enquiry to lookl at all these questions. now we have the vaccine — at all these questions. now we have the vaccine programme _ at all these questions. now we have the vaccine programme rolling - at all these questions. now we have the vaccine programme rolling out i the vaccine programme rolling out that £37 _ the vaccine programme rolling out that £37 billion— the vaccine programme rolling out that £37 billion on _ the vaccine programme rolling out that £37 billion on test _ the vaccine programme rolling out that £37 billion on test entries - the vaccine programme rolling out that £37 billion on test entries are| that £37 billion on test entries are still good — that £37 billion on test entries are still good value _ that £37 billion on test entries are still good value for— that £37 billion on test entries are still good value for money? - that £37 billion on test entries are still good value for money? if- that £37 billion on test entries are still good value for money?- still good value for money? if you are askin: still good value for money? if you are asking me _ still good value for money? if you are asking me should _ still good value for money? if you are asking me should we - still good value for money? if you are asking me should we have - still good value for money?m are asking me should we have spent and i think it's so far £5 billion up and i think it's so far £5 billion up to november, should we be spending money on this scale to isolate where the disease is prevalent and where it isn't to see what's happening in younger groups, in all the groups. every morning i chair a meeting where i look at the data and every week it has been getting better and better and more and more detailed and our understanding of what we are dealing i5 understanding of what we are dealing is has grown. i think it has been of crucial importance to us in knowing when the disease is rising again and what we need to do to deal with it. so what you are saying it is been a tool to _ so what you are saying it is been a tool to map — so what you are saying it is been a tool to map it _ so what you are saying it is been a tool to map it. it's _ so what you are saying it is been a toolto map it— tool to map it. it's been a tool to fiuht it. tool to map it. it's been a tool to fight it- in _ tool to map it. it's been a tool to fight it. in terms _ tool to map it. it's been a tool to fight it. in terms of— tool to map it. it's been a tool to fight it. in terms of decisions - tool to map it. it's been a tool to| fight it. in terms of decisions you have made. _ fight it. in terms of decisions you have made, do _ fight it. in terms of decisions you have made, do you _ fight it. in terms of decisions you have made, do you regret - fight it. in terms of decisions you have made, do you regret not. fight it. in terms of decisions you - have made, do you regret not making a decision— have made, do you regret not making a decision to — have made, do you regret not making a decision to close _ have made, do you regret not making a decision to close down _ have made, do you regret not making a decision to close down more - a decision to close down more quickly— a decision to close down more quickly at _ a decision to close down more quickly at christmas? - a decision to close down more quickly at christmas? that- a decision to close down more quickly at christmas? that decision was made entirely _ quickly at christmas? that decision was made entirely in _ quickly at christmas? that decision was made entirely in the _ quickly at christmas? that decision was made entirely in the light - quickly at christmas? that decision was made entirely in the light of i was made entirely in the light of what we discovered about the new variant. which again was made possible thanks to the understanding of what was happening was made possible thanks to test and trace and it was because we were able to see the 11—7 variant moving so fast that the scientists were able to make the determination about the increased velocity of transmission. was that test and trace of specialist _ was that test and trace of specialist scientists- was that test and trace of specialist scientists who i was that test and trace of i specialist scientists who had was that test and trace of - specialist scientists who had to track— specialist scientists who had to track down _ specialist scientists who had to track down the _ specialist scientists who had to track down the trend _ specialist scientists who had to track down the trend for- specialist scientists who had to track down the trend for that i track down the trend for that variant? _ track down the trend for that variant? �* ., ., .. �* ., track down the trend for that variant? �* ., ., �* ., ., variant? both. you can't do one without the _ variant? both. you can't do one without the other. _ variant? both. you can't do one without the other. do _ variant? both. you can't do one without the other. do you - variant? both. you can't do one without the other. do you have| variant? both. you can't do one i without the other. do you have any recrets without the other. do you have any regrets about _ without the other. do you have any regrets about the _ without the other. do you have any regrets about the decision - without the other. do you have any regrets about the decision at - regrets about the decision at christmas _ regrets about the decision at christmas which _ regrets about the decision at christmas which saw - regrets about the decision at christmas which saw london| regrets about the decision at - christmas which saw london railway stations— christmas which saw london railway stations crowded? _ christmas which saw london railway stations crowded? of— christmas which saw london railway stations crowded?— stations crowded? of course. of course i stations crowded? of course. of course i regret— stations crowded? of course. of course i regret the _ stations crowded? of course. of course i regret the disruption i stations crowded? of course. of course i regret the disruption to | course i regret the disruption to people's lives, the loss of education, the effects of lockdown, the loss of business, the loss of earnings. nobody in my position could conceivably have had to take the decisions i've taken and not regretted. i think it was the right thing to do in the light of the evidence that we had and if i recall, we were given a date about the speed of transmission on the friday and we made the announcement on the saturday. about what needed to be done. yes it was tough but i think it was the right thing to do. i have taken a close interest in the difficulties of test and trace and i welcome the remarks you've made, admitting that it would have been better if they had organised alongside local government and involved local government much more intensively earlier. so what has been learnt from that because as prevalence falls the isolation of the individual cases to suppress the virus becomes much more important and much more possible because there are fewer cases. what is being learned from that period which will be permitted going forward? it you be permitted going forward? if you listen to the _ be permitted going forward? if you listen to the people _ be permitted going forward? if you listen to the people she _ be permitted going forward? if you listen to the people she has - be permitted going forward? if you listen to the people she has been working with, she's had local government leaders with her from the beginning and i have been talking to them as well. could we have simply relied on local government health officials to do over testing and tracing, i am officials to do over testing and tracing, lam not officials to do over testing and tracing, i am not certain that would have been sensible. taste tracing, i am not certain that would have been sensible.— have been sensible. we will move forward to yvette _ have been sensible. we will move forward to yvette cooper. - have been sensible. we will move forward to yvette cooper. good i forward to yvette cooper. good afternoon _ forward to yvette cooper. good afternoon prime _ forward to yvette cooper. good afternoon prime minister. - forward to yvette cooper. good afternoon prime minister. on i forward to yvette cooper. good afternoon prime minister. 0n the lessons _ afternoon prime minister. 0n the lessons learnt issue, last march an estimated — lessons learnt issue, last march an estimated 10,000 covid cases came into the _ estimated 10,000 covid cases came into the country mainly from france, spain _ into the country mainly from france, spain and _ into the country mainly from france, spain and italy with no uk or the restrictions in place. do you accept now that _ restrictions in place. do you accept now that was a mistake and what lessons _ now that was a mistake and what lessons have you learned from it? the uk _ lessons have you learned from it? the uk has — lessons have you learned from it? the uk has very tough measures in place against people bringing virus into this country from france or anywhere else. so if you come in in the normal way from france or you are a british citizen returning from france but you are not on the specialist, then you have to go through a huge amount of isolation for ten days, you have to take a test 72 hours beforehand and two tests and very considerable fines if you fail to quarantine. there is a group of people who are exempt as you say. they are overwhelmingly people involved in bringing in for instance medicines food to the uk. they typically turnaround very rapidly and go back to france. there is an issue about whether we decide to apply a more stringent measures to apply a more stringent measures to them with the delays that would entail. and the knock—on effects that that would entail. we are certainly looking at that but people should be in no illusions that it would have consequences. that should be in no illusions that it would have consequences. that is not an answer to — would have consequences. that is not an answer to my _ would have consequences. that is not an answer to my question _ would have consequences. that is not an answer to my question which - would have consequences. that is not an answer to my question which was i an answer to my question which was about whether you now felt that last year's failure to put border restrictions in place were now mistake at a time when 130 other countries did have restrictions in place and we didn't. let me turn then to these current arrangements. france has two to 3000 uk cases —— new cases. why have you not introduced additional measures or put france on the red li5t? first introduced additional measures or put france on the red list? first of all, we put france on the red list? first of all. we did — put france on the red list? first of all, we did introduce _ put france on the red list? first of all, we did introduce bands - put france on the red list? first of all, we did introduce bands as - put france on the red list? first of| all, we did introduce bands as soon as we knew about the new variant. december the 23rd measures, as soon as we knew about the south african variant of the brazilian variant we applied travel bans on those countries and those continue to be in place. just for everybody�*s understanding this is an issue about trying to keep out these variants, which i think you are driving at. at the moment in the uk those variants of concern and the effectiveness of the vaccines against them are still a matter of debate but those variants of concern are not rising, the numbers are low, they are stable. i think about 350 or so in the case of south africa, may be 50 orso the case of south africa, may be 50 or so in the case of the brazilian. so we are containing those as best we can with search testing and with door—to—door tracing. which i think is the right thing to do. in terms of putting france on the red li5t of putting france on the red list and the consequences that would have for uk supplies and cross—channel movements, 75% of our medicines and 50% of ourfood movements, 75% of our medicines and 50% of our food come through the short straight so there are consequences. but it is something we will have to look at. we will have to look at tougher measures just because of this ambiguity about the effectiveness of the vaccine.- effectiveness of the vaccine. you've not a effectiveness of the vaccine. you've got a 20,000 _ effectiveness of the vaccine. you've got a 20,000 people _ effectiveness of the vaccine. you've got a 20,000 people arriving - effectiveness of the vaccine. you've got a 20,000 people arriving from | got a 20,000 people arriving from france in the uk every week. of those two thirds are exempt from all of the testing and quarantine arrangements. everyone understands that hauliers clearly can't be covered by quarantine and carry on doing the vitaljob. but why are you not testing them? you have two to 3000 cases, new cases a day, of south africa and brazil variant in france and in some parts of france it's over 30% of the cases and cases have been rising overall. so why are you at least not testing hauliers? oli i5 you at least not testing hauliers? oli is going to france are tested and that systems work. why are you not testing hauliers coming back to the uk? , ., , .,, not testing hauliers coming back to the uk? , ., , the uk? the number of people coming into the uk overall _ the uk? the number of people coming into the uk overall from _ the uk? the number of people coming into the uk overall from france - the uk? the number of people coming into the uk overall from france has i into the uk overall from france has massively diminished. it’s into the uk overall from france has massively diminished.— massively diminished. it's still 20,000 massively diminished. it's still 20.000 a _ massively diminished. it's still 20,000 a week. _ massively diminished. it's still 20,000 a week. it _ massively diminished. it's still 20,000 a week. it is - massively diminished. it's still 20,000 a week. it is now- massively diminished. it's still i 20,000 a week. it is now greatly reduced and _ 20,000 a week. it is now greatly reduced and the _ 20,000 a week. it is now greatly reduced and the people - 20,000 a week. it is now greatly reduced and the people who - 20,000 a week. it is now greatly reduced and the people who are l reduced and the people who are coming in as you rightly say overwhelmingly are those whose business is deemed essentialfor the security of supply country. i've explained that tougher measures would have serious disruption on those trade flows. but would have serious disruption on those trade flows.— those trade flows. but there are testin: those trade flows. but there are testing arrangements _ those trade flows. but there are testing arrangements are - those trade flows. but there are testing arrangements are in - those trade flows. but there are i testing arrangements are in place for hauliers — testing arrangements are in place for hauliers going _ testing arrangements are in place for hauliers going to _ testing arrangements are in place for hauliers going to france. - testing arrangements are in place for hauliers going to france. that| for hauliers going to france. that has to be balanced _ for hauliers going to france. tiirj�*ii has to be balanced against for hauliers going to france. has to be balanced against the current ambiguity about the effectiveness of the vaccines on the variance. i agree with you that this is an issue of concern. it wasn't until quite recently that the situation was the other way around and we had a situation in france where things seemed more under control than in the uk and we had more of the virus prevalent. i think we now in all seriousness need to look at the situation in the channel, i'm afraid we cannot rule out tougher measures and we will put them in if necessary. you out tougher measures and we will put them in if necessary.— them in if necessary. you are dela in: them in if necessary. you are delaying again- _ them in if necessary. you are delaying again. if— them in if necessary. you are delaying again. if we - them in if necessary. you are delaying again. if we need i them in if necessary. you are delaying again. if we need to | them in if necessary. you are - delaying again. if we need to bring in testin: delaying again. if we need to bring in testing then _ delaying again. if we need to bring in testing then we _ delaying again. if we need to bring in testing then we will _ delaying again. if we need to bring in testing then we will do - delaying again. if we need to bring in testing then we will do so - delaying again. if we need to bring in testing then we will do so but i in testing then we will do so but you need to understand the balance between doing that and the destruction it would entail and the risk we are trying to address. there is a series of— risk we are trying to address. there is a series of top _ risk we are trying to address. there is a series of top scientists - risk we are trying to address. there is a series of top scientists have - is a series of top scientists have now warned _ is a series of top scientists have now warned the _ is a series of top scientists have now warned the biggest - is a series of top scientists have now warned the biggest threat i is a series of top scientists have. now warned the biggest threat to is a series of top scientists have - now warned the biggest threat to our vaccine _ now warned the biggest threat to our vaccine programme _ now warned the biggest threat to our vaccine programme and _ now warned the biggest threat to our vaccine programme and to— now warned the biggest threat to our vaccine programme and to our- now warned the biggest threat to our vaccine programme and to our abilityj vaccine programme and to our ability to come _ vaccine programme and to our ability to come out— vaccine programme and to our ability to come out of— vaccine programme and to our ability to come out of lockdown _ vaccine programme and to our ability to come out of lockdown and - vaccine programme and to our ability to come out of lockdown and keep i vaccine programme and to our ability. to come out of lockdown and keep the road map— to come out of lockdown and keep the road map on— to come out of lockdown and keep the road map on track— to come out of lockdown and keep the road map on track is _ to come out of lockdown and keep the road map on track is the _ to come out of lockdown and keep the road map on track is the potential - road map on track is the potential arrival— road map on track is the potential arrival of— road map on track is the potential arrival of new— road map on track is the potential arrival of new variants, _ arrival of new variants, particularly _ arrival of new variants, particularly from - arrival of new variants, particularly from south arrival of new variants, - particularly from south africa arrival of new variants, _ particularly from south africa and brazit _ particularly from south africa and brazit we — particularly from south africa and brazil. we knew— particularly from south africa and brazil. we knew about _ particularly from south africa and brazil. we knew about the - particularly from south africa and i brazil. we knew about the numbers particularly from south africa and - brazil. we knew about the numbers of cases _ brazil. we knew about the numbers of cases in— brazil. we knew about the numbers of cases in the _ brazil. we knew about the numbers of cases in the middle _ brazil. we knew about the numbers of cases in the middle of— brazil. we knew about the numbers of cases in the middle of february. - brazil. we knew about the numbers of cases in the middle of february. the i cases in the middle of february. the problem _ cases in the middle of february. the problem is, — cases in the middle of february. the problem is, this— cases in the middle of february. the problem is, this is— cases in the middle of february. the problem is, this isjust _ cases in the middle of february. the problem is, this isjust one - cases in the middle of february. the problem is, this isjust one delay- problem is, this isjust one delay after— problem is, this isjust one delay after another. _ problem is, this isjust one delay afteranother. i— problem is, this isjust one delay after another. i asked _ problem is, this isjust one delay after another. i asked you - problem is, this isjust one delay after another. i asked you about| after another. i asked you about brazit— after another. i asked you about brazil tast— after another. i asked you about brazil last time _ after another. i asked you about brazil last time you _ after another. i asked you about brazil last time you came - after another. i asked you aboutj brazil last time you came before after another. i asked you about - brazil last time you came before the committee _ brazil last time you came before the committee and _ brazil last time you came before the committee and they— brazil last time you came before the committee and they were _ brazil last time you came before the committee and they were long - brazil last time you came before the. committee and they were long delays i’ilht committee and they were long delays right back— committee and they were long delays right back at — committee and they were long delays right back at the _ committee and they were long delays right back at the beginning. - committee and they were long delays right back at the beginning. you - right back at the beginning. you said just — right back at the beginning. you said just this— right back at the beginning. you said just this week _ right back at the beginning. you said just this week previous - said just this week previous experience _ said just this week previous experience has— said just this week previous experience has taught - said just this week previous experience has taught us i said just this week previous i experience has taught us that said just this week previous - experience has taught us that when a wave hits _ experience has taught us that when a wave hits our— experience has taught us that when a wave hits our friends _ experience has taught us that when a wave hits our friends and _ experience has taught us that when a wave hits our friends and europe - experience has taught us that when a wave hits our friends and europe i'mi wave hits our friends and europe i'm afraid _ wave hits our friends and europe i'm afraid it _ wave hits our friends and europe i'm afraid it washes _ wave hits our friends and europe i'm afraid it washes up _ wave hits our friends and europe i'm afraid it washes up on _ wave hits our friends and europe i'm afraid it washes up on our— wave hits our friends and europe i'm afraid it washes up on our shores - wave hits our friends and europe i'm afraid it washes up on our shores as| afraid it washes up on our shores as welt _ afraid it washes up on our shores as welt but— afraid it washes up on our shores as welt but that's _ afraid it washes up on our shores as well. but that's because _ afraid it washes up on our shores as well. but that's because we - afraid it washes up on our shores as well. but that's because we have i afraid it washes up on our shores asj well. but that's because we have no border— well. but that's because we have no border restrictions— well. but that's because we have no border restrictions in _ well. but that's because we have no border restrictions in place. - border restrictions in place. shouldn't— border restrictions in place. shouldn't that _ border restrictions in place. shouldn't that previous - border restrictions in place. - shouldn't that previous experience have taught — shouldn't that previous experience have taught us _ shouldn't that previous experience have taught us that _ shouldn't that previous experience have taught us that what _ shouldn't that previous experience have taught us that what we - shouldn't that previous experience have taught us that what we needi shouldn't that previous experience. have taught us that what we need is an effective — have taught us that what we need is an effective border— have taught us that what we need is an effective border arrangements i have taught us that what we need is an effective border arrangements to spreading — an effective border arrangements to spreading you _ an effective border arrangements to spreading. you need _ an effective border arrangements to spreading. you need to— an effective border arrangements to spreading. you need to bring - an effective border arrangements to spreading. you need to bring in- spreading. you need to bring in restrictions— spreading. you need to bring in restrictions and _ spreading. you need to bring in restrictions and testing - spreading. you need to bring in restrictions and testing on - spreading. you need to bring in. restrictions and testing on hauliers coming _ restrictions and testing on hauliers coming from — restrictions and testing on hauliers coming from france. _ no, actually, that isn't true but thank you for giving me the opportunity to clarify that, yvette. there is a balance to be stroke and what we don't know is the efficacy of the vaccines against the new variants and we have to balance that against a very serious disruption thatis against a very serious disruption that is entailed by curtailing a cross—channel trade. this country depends very likely that the food in our shops, for the medicines we need on that trade flowing smoothly. now, we will take a decision, no matter how tough, to interrupt that trade and into up those flows if we think that it and into up those flows if we think thatitis and into up those flows if we think that it is necessary to perfect text public health and to stop me variants coming in. —— interrupt those flows. it may be that we have to do that very soon. but i would ask the committee just to think about the logical position. when you are in a state of knowing about the potential that any possible variants around the world from coming into the country on yvette's logic, you would put the whole of the world into a red li5t would put the whole of the world into a red list and stop movement flowing freely of any kind for a very long time, and i'm not certain that that is something that the uk economy, the uk public, would understand and accept, because you're doing something to fill hib it5 movements also stop movements when you don't actually know the risk that you're trying to mitigate. —— prohibits movements. prime minister, that is exactly what new zealand, australia, south korea and singapore 12 months ago with success. thank you, because we're going to go on to dating out. those countries, with great respect, don't depend on other countries for 75% of their medicines are 50% of their food. ~ ., ., ., ., ., ., ., ., food. we are going to go on to data now. chairman _ food. we are going to go on to data now. chairman of— food. we are going to go on to data now. chairman of the _ food. we are going to go on to data | now. chairman of the administration and constitutional affairs committee which _ and constitutional affairs committee which is _ and constitutional affairs committee which is responsible for the government's data operation. you need _ government's data operation. you need to— government's data operation. you need to unmute, william. good afternoon. _ need to unmute, william. good afternoon, prime _ need to unmute, william. good afternoon, prime minister. - need to unmute, william. good afternoon, prime minister. iti need to unmute, william. good afternoon, prime minister. it is| afternoon, prime minister. it is good to have you with us. —— extension of the act which goes past the 1st ofjune stage of the road map. the 1st ofjune stage of the road ma -. ~ , the 1st ofjune stage of the road ma,. ., ~' the 1st ofjune stage of the road ma. ~ ., ., the 1st ofjune stage of the road ma. ~ . ., ., map. why? thank you. there are a number of — map. why? thank you. there are a number of reasons _ map. why? thank you. there are a number of reasons why _ map. why? thank you. there are a number of reasons why we - map. why? thank you. there are a number of reasons why we want i map. why? thank you. there are a number of reasons why we want to | number of reasons why we want to maintain. i mean, obviously, levered back provisions, the restrictions, the lockdown, all that end so people should not be confused between the teeth things. —— road map provisions. what we do need to do is continue to be able to deal with the backlog i5 continue to be able to deal with the backlog is that we've built up and to be able to, for instance, use the hearings for courts to clear the backlog in the courts, to make sure that people return to the colours in the nhs who were volunteering can continue to practice and to serve, and there are various powers we need to ensure that education can continue to run smoothly, so those are the reasons why there are powers and differences that will persist beyond the end of the road back on june the 21st, but, being no doubt that afterjune the 21st, all the restrictions that we have, we hope, will be gone, and, remember, this is a, these are, not before dates. they are, that's their status. thank thank you for that.— are, that's their status. thank thank you for that. there are a number of _ thank you for that. there are a number of provisions - thank you for that. there are a number of provisions in - thank you for that. there are a number of provisions in the i thank you for that. there are a i number of provisions in the acts that the government hasn't used so will you give an undertaking that those measures will be dropped. nope i extended what you have used to date? . ~ . i extended what you have used to date? , ~' . . . , date? yes, i think we have already weeded out _ date? yes, i think we have already weeded out quite _ date? yes, i think we have already weeded out quite a _ date? yes, i think we have already weeded out quite a few— date? yes, i think we have already weeded out quite a few but - date? yes, i think we have already i weeded out quite a few but anything thatis weeded out quite a few but anything that is a redundant will go. thank ou. that is a redundant will go. thank you- coming _ that is a redundant will go. thank you- coming on — that is a redundant will go. thank you. coming on to _ that is a redundant will go. thank you. coming on to sage _ that is a redundant will go. thank you. coming on to sage and, - that is a redundant will go. t�*jafus; you. coming on to sage and, indeed, other advisory groups, that weekend... of the government's advisory body said there wasn't going to be any international travel this summer which i have no doubt cleared the nation immensely. is that a policy of the government? == that a policy of the government? -- she had that a policy of the government? —— she had a nation immensely. sage said that, did they? == she had a nation immensely. sage said that, did they?— she had a nation immensely. sage said that, did they? -- cheered the nation immensely. _ said that, did they? -- cheered the nation immensely. a _ said that, did they? -- cheered the nation immensely. a member- said that, did they? -- cheered the nation immensely. a member of i said that, did they? -- cheered the| nation immensely. a member of the government's advisory committee. taste government's advisory committee. we will do is get the findings of the local and global travel taskforce on may the 5th and be finding out what i think will be possible for may the 17th. a5 i think will be possible for may the 17th. as if that was saying, things are looking difficult on the continent. and, you know, we will have to look at the situation as it develops. but is it helpful to have members of these august bodies freelancing across the media when decisions have been made by ministers? i think it is one of those things that, you know we just have to get used to. it has been a feature of life for quite some time. do you find it helps prime minister? i think what it shows is that as a wide spectrum of scientific opinion. so, advisers advise ministers decide? oh, yes. very good. can i bring you onto covid—free vaccine... do you believe covid vaccine certification for domestic use is compatible with a free society such as ours? i compatible with a free society such as ours? ., ~' compatible with a free society such as ours? ., ,, ., compatible with a free society such as ours? ., ~ ., , . as ours? i do think that the basic conce -t as ours? i do think that the basic concept of _ as ours? i do think that the basic concept of vaccine _ as ours? i do think that the basic concept of vaccine certification i concept of vaccine certification should not be totally alien to us because, after all, when you have, when you are entrusted with the care of a patient all you are a surgeon you are expected to have a vaccination against hepatitis b, the principle is there. this is a particularly contagious disease. it can be very nasty indeed. we have seen what happened in care homes, as we were discussing earlier. it doesn't seem to me to be irresponsible at all for, far from it, it is wholly responsible, for care home companies to think of acquiring vaccination. you care home companies to think of acquiring vaccination.— acquiring vaccination. you make assertions _ acquiring vaccination. you make assertions in — acquiring vaccination. you make assertions in the _ acquiring vaccination. you make assertions in the care _ acquiring vaccination. you make assertions in the care sector- acquiring vaccination. you make i assertions in the care sector which is very different to the ordinary citizen going to the pub so do recognise that for covid vaccine certification? i recognise that for covid vaccine certification?— certification? i think that is the kind of thing — certification? i think that is the kind of thing that, _ certification? i think that is the kind of thing that, you - certification? i think that is the kind of thing that, you know, i certification? i think that is the - kind of thing that, you know, maybe to individual publicans, it may be “p to individual publicans, it may be up to the landlord. i to individual publicans, it may be up to the landlord.— to individual publicans, it may be up to the landlord. i am interested to know what. _ up to the landlord. i am interested to know what, in _ up to the landlord. i am interested to know what, in politics _ up to the landlord. i am interested to know what, in politics at - up to the landlord. i am interested to know what, in politics at the - to know what, in politics at the moment, there is a great deal of time for... thinking so i'm thinking that perhaps your previous daily telegraph, which i'm not going to quote from, don't worry... please do. i am wondering _ quote from, don't worry... please do. i am wondering if— quote from, don't worry... please do. i am wondering if you - quote from, don't worry... please do. i am wondering if you had - quote from, don't worry... please. do. i am wondering if you had been the prime minister _ do. i am wondering if you had been the prime minister in _ do. i am wondering if you had been the prime minister in those - do. i am wondering if you had been the prime minister in those years. | the prime minister in those years. they are all excellent. i cannot imagine in a past life you are writing in support of a covid certification to go to the pub. well, you know, you will appreciate, well, that there are other members of your committee, distinguished members such as a vet who take a passionately opposing view about the need for tougher measures —— distinguished member such as yvette. i think my self in this long national conversation thinking very deeply about it and i think the public will be thinking very, very deeply about my impression is there is a huge wisdom in the public�*s feeling about this and people, human beings instinctively recognise when something is dangerous and nasty to them, and they can see that covid i5, collectively, a threat, and they went all is as by government and me as the prime minister to take all the actions i can to protect them, and that is what i have been doing for the last year. do, and that is what i have been doing for the last year.— for the last year. a quick final cuestion for the last year. a quick final question for _ for the last year. a quick final question for me, _ for the last year. a quick final question for me, if _ for the last year. a quick final question for me, if i - for the last year. a quick final question for me, if i may. - for the last year. a quick final i question for me, if i may. prime minister, have you thought about a radiated scheme of sanctions for infractions of the ministerial code? do straightforward... of resignation as a minister to be too severe? of ethos about introducing a range of them? . ~ ethos about introducing a range of them? , . ., , ethos about introducing a range of them? , . ., them? yes. well, actually no, i hadn't thought _ them? yes. well, actually no, i hadn't thought about _ them? yes. well, actually no, i hadn't thought about a - them? yes. well, actually no, i hadn't thought about a range i them? yes. well, actually no, i hadn't thought about a range of disciplinary measures that one could take but, you know, he wanted to suggest, you know, lesser punishments, then i would be, perhaps as to appear before this committee, but i am happy to think of... is interesting idea. aha, of... is interesting idea. pleasure and not a chore, prime minister. it pleasure and not a chore, prime minister. . . pleasure and not a chore, prime minister. , . , ., , ~ , minister. it is a pleasure. by the wa , i minister. it is a pleasure. by the way. i want _ minister. it is a pleasure. by the way. i want to — minister. it is a pleasure. by the way, i want to say _ minister. it is a pleasure. by the way, i want to say was _ minister. it is a pleasure. by the way, i want to say was a - minister. it is a pleasure. by the| way, i want to say was a pleasure minister. it is a pleasure. by the i way, i want to say was a pleasure it is for me to appear in wonder this committee and no punishments than it at all. peer, peer of unalloyed pleasure, at least on my part. i pleasure, at least on my part. i recently gave evidence the committee on public _ recently gave evidence the committee on public life about the ministerial code and _ on public life about the ministerial code and i— on public life about the ministerial code and i will send you my evidence _ code and i will send you my evidence-— code and i will send you my evidence. ~ ., ., ., , evidence. would you. that would be most kind. — evidence. would you. that would be most kind, thank _ evidence. would you. that would be most kind, thank you. _ evidence. would you. that would be most kind, thank you. but _ evidence. would you. that would be most kind, thank you. but this - evidence. would you. that would be most kind, thank you. but this ideal most kind, thank you. but this idea of havin: most kind, thank you. but this idea of having a — most kind, thank you. but this idea of having a less _ most kind, thank you. but this idea of having a less absolute _ most kind, thank you. but this idea of having a less absolute binary - of having a less absolute binary decision— of having a less absolute binary decision for a prime minister receiving _ decision for a prime minister receiving advice from the independent adviser does seem to .ive independent adviser does seem to give the _ independent adviser does seem to give the opportunity for the prime in sort _ give the opportunity for the prime in sort things out and rectify matters _ in sort things out and rectify matters rather thanjust in sort things out and rectify matters rather than just to get a resignation and then have a minister back18 _ resignation and then have a minister back 18 months later as if nothing had happened which seems to be rather— had happened which seems to be rather unsatisfactory way of the system — rather unsatisfactory way of the system learning. and we just move on now to _ system learning. and we just move on now to the _ system learning. and we just move on now to the economy. we system learning. and we 'ust move on now to the economy.— break away from that there and we are going to get a little bit of reaction for the first time from alex salmond to that report this week, independent reports, exonerating nicola sturgeon and her dealings with sexual allegations against him and parliament. let us go to our correspondence who joins us now from hollywood. what has mr salmond had to say? —— holyrood. well, it was the last piece of the story what his reaction would be. it was only a few weeks since he was claiming there was a plot to bring him down, leaving open the door to nicola sturgeon having to stand down. two things that mr salmond says he is going to do now. he is about to launch a legal action in the court of session, scotland's highest civil court against the scottish government, and another legal action about, he says, the actions of the permanent secretary, leslie evans. she was in charge of the harassment policy that was used to investigate mr salmond back in 2018. there are no details of what the legal action is going to involve but he said that will be coming soon. the other thing he's going to do is make a formal complaint to police about the leak of the fact that enquiry by the scottish government into him was taking place in 2018. that appeared in a newspaper that mr salmond 5ay5 in 2018. that appeared in a newspaper that mr salmond says he will now go to police to make a formal complaint. however, and i think this is the thing that many in the scottish government will be looking at the moment, he also makes it clear that he absolutely accepts the findings of the two reports we have had this week, so the report claiming that miss sturgeon of breaking the ministerial code, that was the most important one, and also be committee report which criticised her and criticised the government what has been kind of dismissed by some as political. he says in a statement that he has just sent out that the enquiry i5 statement that he has just sent out that the enquiry is over and despite the limitations the findings are in. they must be accepted. i intend to move on just to scotland should now move on just to scotland should now move on. now, he is not disappearing in the field completely, as i say, because there is that legal action coming in the complaint to police but also mr salmond i5 coming in the complaint to police but also mr salmond is quite clearly accepting the findings of those two enquiries despite the fact that in both of them he was claiming that there was a lot more going on. i}!(. there was a lot more going on. ok, nick, there was a lot more going on. ok, nick. thank — there was a lot more going on. ok, nick. thank you _ there was a lot more going on. ok, nick, thank you for that. our correspondence at holyrood. just to reiterate, that was unexamined's first comments following those two reports this week exonerating nicola sturgeon in her dealings with sexual allegations against him. he accepts the results of those two enquiries. this is the turn out to boris johnson facing the liaison committee of the commons. —— let us return to borisjohnson. the reason why i raise this is that there are many economists who believe the particulars on spending in that forecast are not reliable and one of the iss has offered a ten to one on that not being met and thatis to one on that not being met and that is because there are a lot of customers are not captured in the figures... number of discussions on things and social care, for example, not baked into the budget. there is not baked into the budget. there is no provision force bending on annual vaccinations beyond the current programme. we have got test and trace that we have discussed this afternoon. huge backlog in our hospitals, nurses pay, all the children who one presumes will need more resources there to catch up on lost learning, and perhaps fresher for yet a further uplift in uc and universal credit uplift. does all that leave you feeling at least slightly queasy about the assumptions on spending that the government is operating to? given its critical importance in terms of the actions that we take in supporting the public finances? well, these were the figures that the treasury put out and the office for budget responsibility recorded and i'm not going to make predictions now about the future, about future budgets and future spending reviews, what i can certainly say is that i think that the uk, if we continue with the road map to freedom in the way that we are, as i said yesterday, i don't see any reason to, there is no sign in the data that causes me to believe at this stage that we are going to have to deviate from that very much to freedom. i believe our chances of a strong recovery very good. chances of a strong recovery very aood. ., . chances of a strong recovery very .ood, ., ., chances of a strong recovery very good. you are saying a little while auo good. you are saying a little while a . 0 that good. you are saying a little while ago that you _ good. you are saying a little while ago that you remain _ good. you are saying a little while ago that you remain committed i good. you are saying a little whilej ago that you remain committed to resolving the social care crisis and yet you know that there is no money in those forecast to pay... take that into account. there's two things, it seems to me, don't square, was if we accept that your statement that you do have... does not therefore mean that taxation and the tax burden of the uk will be expected not to rise, and can you make that commitment? this afternoon that we should expect what is already the highest... chancellor since 1960, that we shouldn't expect the tax burden to rise on the basis of your confidence? i the tax burden to rise on the basis of your confidence?— of your confidence? i strongly believe in _ of your confidence? i strongly believe in a _ of your confidence? i strongly believe in a low _ of your confidence? i strongly believe in a low tax _ of your confidence? i strongly i believe in a low tax government of your confidence? i strongly - believe in a low tax government and i am a low tax conservative and i think that is the best way forward for our country and as we go forward we are going to want to be as dynamic and competitive as we can possibly be in having the right fiscal framework is vital for that but, you know, even the increase in corporation tax, doesn't come in for two years, and the rate is still at the lowest in the g7 and it is preceded by a super destruction of capital investment for business investment which i think is incredibly attractive and i hope will give people confidence and get our economy moving and i don't think you should necessarily draw the conclusion from what is in the ob are numbers about spending that we won't have the room to make the profound changes on social care that jeremy and i discussed earlier on —— the obr numbers. jeremy and i discussed earlier on -- the obr numbers.— jeremy and i discussed earlier on -- the obr numbers._ you j the obr numbers. very briefly. you think it would _ the obr numbers. very briefly. you think it would not _ the obr numbers. very briefly. you think it would not require _ the obr numbers. very briefly. you think it would not require any - think it would not require any uplift and there is suspending? that is quite a large bill. can ijust u5 is quite a large bill. can ijust us one final question. the destruction of the two years that we know. thereafter, countries, companies currently that have chronically low levels of investment notjust because of the panelling but also because of the panelling but also because of the historical situation there will then go into a situation where that is not there and corporation tax is rising quite significantly. what is it after the deduction has gone through in that couple of years that will be there from the government supports for carpet investing further? weill. from the government supports for carpet investing further? well, you have not a carpet investing further? well, you have got a world _ carpet investing further? well, you have got a world now— carpet investing further? well, you have got a world now in _ carpet investing further? well, you have got a world now in which - have got a world now in which business rates are unprecedentedly low. . ., , ., . , low. -- corporate investing further. vat has been _ low. -- corporate investing further. vat has been cut, _ low. -- corporate investing further. vat has been cut, as _ low. -- corporate investing further. vat has been cut, as you _ low. -- corporate investing further. vat has been cut, as you know, - vat has been cut, as you know, you've been following this to huge support through bills, through fellow, through all the instruments the government has used. plus you have now got a super deduction for investment, to say nothing of the kick—start funding for hiring people and, you know, a huge package to get the economy moving and the purpose is to trigger confidence, gross and investment in a virtuous circle. —— confidence, growth and investment. chair of the transport committee. we can't hear— chair of the transport committee. we can't hear you merriman. you, chair of the transport committee. we can't hear you merriman.— can't hear you merriman. you, you need to unmute. _ can't hear you merriman. you, you need to unmute. hello? _ can't hear you merriman. you, you need to unmute. hello? can - can't hear you merriman. you, you need to unmute. hello? can we i can't hear you merriman. you, you i need to unmute. hello? can we come back to you. — need to unmute. hello? can we come back to you. hugh- — need to unmute. hello? can we come back to you, hugh. can _ need to unmute. hello? can we come back to you, hugh. can we _ need to unmute. hello? can we come back to you, hugh. can we sort - need to unmute. hello? can we come back to you, hugh. can we sort out i back to you, hugh. can we sort out his hand? — back to you, hugh. can we sort out his hand? be— back to you, hugh. can we sort out his hand? j ., ., ., , his hand? by the looks of him, he is in portcullis — his hand? by the looks of him, he is in portcullis house. _ his hand? by the looks of him, he is in portcullis house. he _ his hand? by the looks of him, he is in portcullis house. he is— his hand? by the looks of him, he is in portcullis house. he isjust - his hand? by the looks of him, he is in portcullis house. he isjust down | in portcullis house. he i5ju5t down the road. he could literally walk in here, bernard! i mean, there is this incredible thing in cole's actual... why don't we have that revolutionary conceptin why don't we have that revolutionary concept in a covid secure way, if you could come and sit... concept in a covid secure way, if you could come and sit. . .- you could come and sit... yes, i auree you could come and sit... yes, i agree with _ you could come and sit... yes, i agree with that. _ you could come and sit. .. yes, i agree with that. if— you could come and sit... yes, i agree with that. if you - you could come and sit... yes, i agree with that. if you want - you could come and sit... yes, i agree with that. if you want to i you could come and sit... yes, i i agree with that. if you want to just abandon— agree with that. if you want to just abandon your workstation come down here we _ abandon your workstation come down here we will— abandon your workstation come down here we will sort it out that way. brilliant — here we will sort it out that way. brilliant. so here we will sort it out that way. brilliant. ., ,., ., , brilliant. so we moved temporarily to julian knight _ brilliant. so we moved temporarily to julian knight please. _ brilliant. so we moved temporarily to julian knight please. thank - brilliant. so we moved temporarilyj to julian knight please. thank you, chair. to julian knight please. thank you, chair- digital— to julian knight please. thank you, chair. digital culture _ to julian knight please. thank you, chair. digital culture media - to julian knight please. thank you, chair. digital culture media and - chair. digital culture media and sport sector as they no doubt he is aware minister is worth nearly a quarter of the uk economy but people of the sectors are being asked to pay on economic these are fees just to work overseas in the eu, can't transport their instrumental idea and are already being overlooked for work in favour of those who have eu passports. —— their instrument all their gear. why are these people allowed to suffer what is in effect and no—deal brexit? allowed to suffer what is in effect and no-deal brexit?— allowed to suffer what is in effect and no-deal brexit? julian, first of all i want and no-deal brexit? julian, first of all i want to _ and no-deal brexit? julian, first of all i want to say _ and no-deal brexit? julian, first of all i want to say how _ and no-deal brexit? julian, first of all i want to say how strongly - and no-deal brexit? julian, first of all i want to say how strongly i - all i want to say how strongly i share your frustration and the frustration of that sector. can you hear me? can you hear me? yes. frustration of that sector. can you hear me? can you hear me? yes, i can. i hear me? can you hear me? yes, i can- i totally _ hear me? can you hear me? yes, i can. i totally share _ hear me? can you hear me? yes, i can. i totally share the _ hear me? can you hear me? yes, i can. i totally share the frustration. can. i totally share the frustration ofthe can. i totally share the frustration of the sector. _ can. i totally share the frustration of the sector. this _ can. i totally share the frustration of the sector. this is _ can. i totally share the frustration of the sector. this is a _ can. i totally share the frustration of the sector. this is a massivelyl of the sector. this is a massively important part of economy, contributes many, many tens of billions of pounds in tax revenue, and employment, and to the general joy and employment, and to the general joy and productivity of the nation. it is hugely important and they are also a massive export industry, so we must fix this, and the answer is, i am afraid, but in the course of the negotiations the eu as a whole did not give us the deal that we wanted on this issue, though, of course, we are not placing any restrictions on people coming to the uk. we are very happy to welcome performers from around the world and they will always be part of our global britain approach. but what we have got to do now in the time, and we do have some time because, obviously, given what we have been discussing earlier, there isn't a great hubbub of travelling musicians and theatre companies and so on doing gigs around the rest of europe. that has been put on hold for a while. but what we are working flat out with bilaterally with each individual government, and some of them are much, much better, as i'm sure you know, julian, some of them man much, much better and forward leaning than others. some of them it has been absolutely fine, others we asked still got progress to make but one of the reasons that i have invited nick to help us in this whole sector is so that we can get ready for a proper return to our cultural life in the autumn in the way that i think everybody would want. . ~ way that i think everybody would want. . ,, , ., way that i think everybody would want. . , ~ , way that i think everybody would want. . , , ., ~ , ., want. thank you, prime minister, and thank ou want. thank you, prime minister, and thank you for— want. thank you, prime minister, and thank you for those _ want. thank you, prime minister, and thank you for those encouraging - thank you for those encouraging words. what the dcms sectors would love to hear from you is that it is a pleasure to get this sorted, we are already a quarter of the way through the air, and, as such, there are no bilateral talks have taken place. when will those talks take place. when will those talks take place and who will leave them on our side, prime minister?— side, prime minister? initially, actuall , side, prime minister? initially, actually, there _ side, prime minister? initially, actually, there are _ side, prime minister? initially, actually, there are plenty - side, prime minister? initially, actually, there are plenty of i actually, there are plenty of conversation is already happening at national capital levels between the uk and our partners. david frost, lord frost, i5 uk and our partners. david frost, lord frost, is in overall charge of making this happen, and one of the things that we are looking at doing is, you know, we have got 1.57 billion, as you know, that we put into the sector to support it in all sorts of ways and we all want to be helping in the meantime with some of that funding. helping in the meantime with some of that fundinu. . ~ helping in the meantime with some of that fundinu. . ,, , ., that funding. thank you, prime minister. that funding. thank you, prime minister- i _ that funding. thank you, prime minister. i am _ that funding. thank you, prime minister. i am dull, _ that funding. thank you, prime minister. i am dull, glad - that funding. thank you, prime minister. i am dull, glad you i minister. i am dull, glad you mentioned lord frost because he has declined to invitations out of there before my committee so perhaps you can have a gentle word. a5 before my committee so perhaps you can have a gentle word. as i understand it, the first stage of the bilateral talks will take too long and when you cant i5 might consider short—circuiting that and get our minister is negotiating with ministers from spain, italy and greece we seem to be the most recalcitrant nations in terms of access. . . recalcitrant nations in terms of access. , . ,, ., ., ., access. yes. i am passionate about this. i access. yes. i am passionate about this- ithink— access. yes. i am passionate about this. i think it — access. yes. i am passionate about this. i think it was _ access. yes. i am passionate about this. i think it was in _ access. yes. i am passionate about this. i think it was in 1620 - access. yes. i am passionate about this. i think it was in 1620 that - access. yes. i am passionate about this. i think it was in 1620 that a i this. i think it was in 1620 that a group called the english comedians performed hamlet in germany, as far as i can remember. this is something that has been going on for hundreds and hundreds of years. we must get it properly ironed out. it is an obvious, it is a two—way street. we need to make sure that we get this thing totally sorted out and our cultural life and our greatest cultural life and our greatest cultural exports can continue to flourish. . ~ cultural exports can continue to flourish. ., ,, , ., ., ., flourish. thank you, one final question. _ flourish. thank you, one final question, chair, _ flourish. thank you, one final question, chair, if— flourish. thank you, one final question, chair, if i _ flourish. thank you, one final question, chair, ifi may. - flourish. thank you, one final question, chair, ifi may. it. flourish. thank you, one final i question, chair, ifi may. it has flourish. thank you, one final - question, chair, ifi may. it has to question, chair, if i may. it has to do with covid insurance for our festivals. every other nine are a thousand vessels in the uk from glastonbury to the asparagus fair in gloucestershire but without the credit cancellation insurance we risk throwing away economic advantages from motherly vaccination programme. payments are, will you back a summer of fun rather than condemning them to a summer of non—? i mentioned the word that nick is leading for us, we are looking at ways that we can make this happen. another, the culture secretary is clearly leading on this. he has done a huge amount of work trying to get the sector ready. one thing that i don't want to see is people unwilling to take risks on productions, and performances, on events, because they think about what happened last year when, as we have discussed, we thought we could get things open and then, sadly because of the plan the way the pen of it when we couldn't move forward and i remember we had a huge effort on lateralflow testing and i remember we had a huge effort on lateral flow testing to try to move things forward. to get something ready for the autumn or so the christmas season even now you have to do the rehearsals, you have to get the scenery, all that stuff. it takes a huge amount of time, preparation and expense and i totally get that and so that is why we are looking at what we can do to get some of the 1.7 billion to see if we can be useful in that way. there are difficulties with this whole business of indemnifying the tyre sector, as i am sure you will appreciate and i am sure mel would appreciate, but that is what we are looking at. i appreciate, but that is what we are lookin: at. ., �* , , looking at. i wouldn't suggest indemnifying _ looking at. i wouldn't suggest indemnifying the _ looking at. i wouldn't suggest indemnifying the whole - looking at. i wouldn't suggest| indemnifying the whole sector looking at. i wouldn't suggest - indemnifying the whole sector but updating time limited only to the course occurred, i think there is a way forward for this and at the moment it is not being listened to. we have really serious proposals in this. ., ., ma we have really serious proposals in this-- may i. _ we have really serious proposals in this-- may i. as _ this. love to. may i, as vice-chairman - this. love to. may i, as vice-chairman of - this. love to. may i, as vice-chairman of your i this. love to. may i, as- vice-chairman of your party vice—chairman of your party musically— vice—chairman of your party musicallyjust reinforce the very strong _ musicallyjust reinforce the very strong feeling in the music and performing arts that we have been slow on _ performing arts that we have been slow on the uptake and the seriousness of the impact of brexit on touring — seriousness of the impact of brexit on touring musicians, and the comic performers — on touring musicians, and the comic performers and it does look to them as though _ performers and it does look to them as though we have not been willing to listen _ as though we have not been willing to listen i— as though we have not been willing to listen. i have asked oliver dowden _ to listen. i have asked oliver dowden to host a seem called to the people _ dowden to host a seem called to the people were practitioners on the front— people were practitioners on the front line — people were practitioners on the front line and can your support for this initiative of listening and intelligence?— this initiative of listening and intelligence? this initiative of listening and intellitence? , ,, ., intelligence? yes. i can think of nothint intelligence? yes. i can think of nothing finer — intelligence? yes. i can think of nothing finer than _ intelligence? yes. i can think of nothing finer than to _ intelligence? yes. i can think of nothing finer than to make - intelligence? yes. i can think of nothing finer than to make surej intelligence? yes. i can think of- nothing finer than to make sure you can lead a choir of brexiteers... no, they are not brexiteers. can lead a choir of brexiteers. .. no, they are not brexiteers. on a tour of the _ no, they are not brexiteers. on a tour of the continent. _ no, they are not brexiteers. on a tour of the continent. but - no, they are not brexiteers. on a tour of the continent. but can - no, they are not brexiteers. on a tour of the continent. but can i i a tour of the continent. but can i add portugal— a tour of the continent. but can i add portugal to _ a tour of the continent. but can i add portugal to the _ a tour of the continent. but can i add portugalto the list? - a tour of the continent. but can i add portugal to the list? many i a tour of the continent. but can i | add portugal to the list? many of the issues — add portugal to the list? many of the issues are very much confined to certain— the issues are very much confined to certain countries of concern and it is not _ certain countries of concern and it is not due — certain countries of concern and it is not due to _ certain countries of concern and it is not due to any malevolence of those _ is not due to any malevolence of those countries it is the bedding down _ those countries it is the bedding down of— those countries it is the bedding down of move procedures and practices _ down of move procedures and practices which are unfamiliar to the officials in those countries so can i_ the officials in those countries so can i ask— the officials in those countries so can i ask you to not only advise lord _ can i ask you to not only advise lord frost— can i ask you to not only advise lord frost to attend these matters but also _ lord frost to attend these matters but also that there should be a foreign— but also that there should be a foreign office minister who is going to take _ foreign office minister who is going to take the — foreign office minister who is going to take the fight through the embassies into campaigns in the individual— embassies into campaigns in the individual countries but it needs to be addressed country by country otherwise — be addressed country by country otherwise we will make very slow progress — otherwise we will make very slow progress. it otherwise we will make very slow ”roress. ., , , , ., ., progress. it does. this is one of those opportunities _ progress. it does. this is one of those opportunities for - progress. it does. this is one of those opportunities for strong i those opportunities for strong bilateral