nationwide tells thousands of staff they can choose where to work once the pandemic is over. delayed but not dimmed — the olympic torch relay gets under way from japan's frozen north to its tropical south. and coming up on bbc news... after making the semi—finals in russia, gareth southgate and his england side get their world cup campaign for qatar 2022 under way against san marino. good evening and welcome to the bbc news at six. mps have voted to extend till the autumn the government's power in england to impose covid restrictions — that's months after we're supposed to have returned to something like normal life. the debate has raised questions about what kinds of restrictions we shoud tolerate — none more so than borisjohnson�*s suggestion that you might need a vaccine passport to go for pint in the pub. he did say it couldn't happen till all adults have had the jab but there's still been a backlash from the hospitality industry. here's our political editor laura kuenssberg. eager to get to the bar? forget approving your age, what about proving you had a jackson mac low negative test to get a point? the bell and kross has already spent thousands to get ready to serve outside. i thousands to get ready to serve outside. ~ , ., ., , thousands to get ready to serve outside. ~ , . ., , outside. i think it is a really bad idea. outside. i think it is a really bad idea- the _ outside. i think it is a really bad idea. the checks _ outside. i think it is a really bad idea. the checks we _ outside. i think it is a really bad idea. the checks we had - outside. i think it is a really bad idea. the checks we had to - outside. i think it is a really bad idea. the checks we had to do | outside. i think it is a really bad| idea. the checks we had to do to open were extensive. it creates a huge amount of extra work, which leads to an increase in staffing costs under the stress of the staff. because we were meticulous in following the instructions. boris johnson paints _ following the instructions. boris johnson paints himself- following the instructions. boris johnson paints himself a - following the instructions. boris johnson paints himself a freedom lover, but regular covid checks are being considered as the government wrestles with how to safely open the economy. it's not easy to grab onto straightforward solutions. heed economy. it's not easy to grab onto straightforward solutions.— straightforward solutions. need to net a straightforward solutions. need to get a haircut _ straightforward solutions. need to get a haircut. you _ straightforward solutions. need to get a haircut. you booked - straightforward solutions. need to get a haircut. you booked in - straightforward solutions. need to get a haircut. you booked in for. get a haircut. you booked in for aril the get a haircut. you booked in for april the 12th? _ get a haircut. you booked in for aprilthe 12th? for— get a haircut. you booked in for april the 12th? for the - get a haircut. you booked in for aprilthe 12th? forthe pub? - get a haircut. you booked in for. aprilthe 12th? for the pub? yes. with haircuts on this issue, there is a lot to plan. with haircuts on this issue, there is a lot to plan-— is a lot to plan. you have to be careful how — is a lot to plan. you have to be careful how you _ is a lot to plan. you have to be careful how you do _ is a lot to plan. you have to be careful how you do this. - is a lot to plan. you have to be careful how you do this. you i is a lot to plan. you have to be - careful how you do this. you might only be able to implement a vaccination passport scheme, even if you wanted such a thing, in the context of when absolutely everybody had been offered a vaccine. so, there are complexities, moral complexities and ethical problems that need to be addressed. hang on, this was only — that need to be addressed. hang on, this was only last _ that need to be addressed. hang on, this was only last month. _ that need to be addressed. hang on, this was only last month. what - that need to be addressed. hang on, this was only last month. what i - this was only last month. what i don't think— this was only last month. what i don't think we _ this was only last month. what i don't think we will _ this was only last month. what i don't think we will have - this was only last month. what i don't think we will have in - this was only last month. what i don't think we will have in this l don't think we will have in this country is, as it were, vaccination passport to allow you to go to, say, the pub. passport to allow you to go to, say, the ub. , ' , passport to allow you to go to, say, the ub. , f, , passport to allow you to go to, say, theub.g , passport to allow you to go to, say, theub. ,, the pub. duffy was shifting. this is one of downing — the pub. duffy was shifting. this is one of downing street _ the pub. duffy was shifting. this is one of downing street was - the pub. duffy was shifting. this is one of downing street was not - the pub. duffy was shifting. this is one of downing street was not the| one of downing street was not the locals, like everywhere else around the country, it has not seen a punter for months. the country, it has not seen a punterfor months. the the country, it has not seen a punter for months. the government is not planning to make vaccines compulsory, orforce you not planning to make vaccines compulsory, or force you to do a test every time you leave the house. but they are looking at how pubs, restaurants, venues, football grounds and workplaces can use covid checks to help open up and let us back in. officials are considering if pubs and venues could stop social distancing if they carried out covid tracks. but they would leave the decision to do so up to individual firms. it decision to do so up to individual firms. , ., ., , ., firms. it is not really for the government _ firms. it is not really for the government to _ firms. it is not really for the government to abdicate - firms. it is not really for the government to abdicate its | government to abdicate its responsibility and leave it to the private sector to decide the rules, and then take the flak for what may be very unpopular decisions. iliiuiith and then take the flak for what may be very unpopular decisions. with so many doors — be very unpopular decisions. with so many doors still _ be very unpopular decisions. with so many doors still shot, _ be very unpopular decisions. with so many doors still shot, this _ many doors still shot, this suggestion has wild a small but noisy group of tory mps, already unhappy that ministers asked them to extend the government's sweeping powers. extend the government's sweeping owers. , , , ., ., extend the government's sweeping owers. ,, i. ., ., powers. unless you fight for freedom is everyday. — powers. unless you fight for freedom is everyday. it _ powers. unless you fight for freedom is everyday, it will— powers. unless you fight for freedom is everyday, it will end _ powers. unless you fight for freedom is everyday, it will end up _ powers. unless you fight for freedom is everyday, it will end up taken - is everyday, it will end up taken away— is everyday, it will end up taken away from — is everyday, it will end up taken away from you. is everyday, it will end up taken away from yon-— away from you. after months of denial, away from you. after months of denial. now _ away from you. after months of denial, now indeed _ away from you. after months of denial, now indeed it _ away from you. after months of denial, now indeed it will - away from you. after months of denial, now indeed it will be - away from you. after months of| denial, now indeed it will be the case _ denial, now indeed it will be the case that— denial, now indeed it will be the case that you _ denial, now indeed it will be the case that you will _ denial, now indeed it will be the case that you will have - denial, now indeed it will be the case that you will have to - denial, now indeed it will be the i case that you will have to provide your vaccination _ case that you will have to provide your vaccination owner— case that you will have to provide your vaccination owner fides - case that you will have to provide | your vaccination owner fides when you go— your vaccination owner fides when you go to the _ your vaccination owner fides when you go to the uuh _ you go to the pub. madras conservatives, _ you go to the pub. madras conservatives, we - you go to the pub. madras conservatives, we should l you go to the pub. madras l conservatives, we should be you go to the pub. madras - conservatives, we should be very careful not to constrain the private sector on how they choose what customers they have.— sector on how they choose what customers they have. covid checks would not be _ customers they have. covid checks would not be used _ customers they have. covid checks would not be used until— customers they have. covid checks would not be used until everybody| would not be used until everybody has been offered a vaccine and will not affect grand plans to reopen outdoor venues next month. but as restrictions one thing is clear, the world won't look the same. as we've just heard the earliest there could be any decision on vaccine passports — as they are sometimes called — will be april when ministers review the situation. that hasn't stopped people in the hospitality industry from worrying about the implications. our news correspondent, sian lloyd reports from stratford. serenaded in the sunshine, and making the most of being able to meet another person in the open air. but at this nearby bar it's the next steps towards opening up that are on the mind of publican nick robery. he finds the idea of policing a vaccine passport uncomfortable. the headline idea is unpalatable because it is another restriction on something that could be ongoing, but if it's what it takes for us to run a business with a degree of normality, successfully, in an enjoyable manner for our staff and our customers, i think it is something we'll have to accept. it's only a short walk from nick's bar to the town's world famous theatre. its doors have been closed now for a year. keith and sue are missing their visits there. they say the idea of a vaccine passport would give them more confidence to take their seats back in the audience, but do have questions about how it would work. it's just whether they're going to be doing these things electronically, on smartphones, or are they doing the paper side of it? just the logistics, really, of how they're going do it. having a passport, if it means we can get back here, we can come back to our very regular visits. amelie and ellie are both 17. they wonder how a passport certificate would affect them. i am willing to wait a lot more time for the theatres to - open and wait for things to get better to maybe i implement more strategies |to keep covid—safe than rush backj into it and have another break—out happen, because we are l in our third lockdown now. if you can also maybe get in with proof of a negative covid test, but i guess it's all just kind of trial to see what works best for everyone. the streets of stratford have never been quieter. people living here have had to get used to all the restrictions imposed, but now there's a new suggestion for them to digest. at this confectioners, fudge tastings and tours have been put on hold due to covid, with only one customer allowed in the shop. but grace says she wants to welcome everyone back, passport or not. i don't think the passportj is a good idea, because if people have got mental problems, i underlying health issues, or theyl just don't want to have the jab, you know, we've just _ got to accept that. the town's cinema would love to see customers again, but will it be with a covid passport? sian lloyd, bbc news, stratford—upon—avon. european union leaders are holding a virtual meeting where they've been discussing their handling of the pandemic, and how to increase supplies of the coronavirus vaccine. among the options to consider are tougher export controls, which could affect the number of doses available in the uk. our europe editor katya adler joins us from brussels. how likely are they to approve tougher controls? which way do you think the argument is running? which way do you think the argument is runninu? ~ which way do you think the argument is runnin- ? . , ., which way do you think the argument is runnina ? ~ , ., ., �* is running? well, george, what i'm heafina is running? well, george, what i'm hearin: is is running? well, george, what i'm hearing is that _ is running? well, george, what i'm hearing is that it's _ is running? well, george, what i'm hearing is that it's unlikely - is running? well, george, what i'm hearing is that it's unlikely that - hearing is that it's unlikely that eu leaders will give the green light to those controls tonight. the commission says that they should. it says it's exported so many vaccines, despite short supply here. one diplomat saying to me 20 million were sent to the uk since december. but the eu is still waiting to receive one vaccine back from the uk in return. but, you know, a lot of those eu leaders don't like the idea of blocking vaccine exports. trade minded countries like the netherlands or ireland say it could trash the eu's reputation and disrupt global supply chains needed to make vaccines. but make no mistake, all of these leaders are under a lot of public pressure to take action. belgium is among a number of eu countries reintroducing lockdown measures because of a third wave of the virus. and as i say, vaccines are in short supply. but away from the politics, if you ask people do they want to take away vaccines from the uk to keep for themselves, they don't say that. they are calling on their government, and on the eu, to sort out what they see as their vaccine mess, and to hurry up and getjabs into arms here. {lila mess, and to hurry up and get 'abs into arms herefi mess, and to hurry up and get 'abs into arms here. 0k, thank you very much. the latest government figures show there were 6,397 new coronavirus infections recorded in the latest 24—hour period, which means on average 5,489 new cases were reported per day in the last week. the latest figures show 5,122 people were in hospital across the uk. 63 deaths were reported in the latest 2a hour period, that's people who died within 28 days of a positive covid—i9 test. on average in the past week, 7a deaths were announced every day. the total number who have died is now 126,445. as for vaccinations, more than 337,665 people have had their first dose of a covid vaccine in the latest 24—hour period, bringing the totaljust under 29 million people. almost 2.8 million people have now had both doses of the vaccine. a school in west yorkshire has apologised after a cartoon of the prophet mohammed was shown to pupils during a lesson on blasphemy. the headteacher at batley grammar school called the use of the image "completely inappropriate", and a member of staff has been suspended. shabnam mahmood reports. videos posted online show an angry protest this morning outside a school in batley. parents calling for the sacking of a teacher who used an image of the prophet mohammad, the founder of islam, during a school lesson. by lunchtime, the teacher in question had been suspended, pending an independent formal investigation. the school unequivocally apologises for using a totally inappropriate image in a recent religious studies lesson. it should not have been used. the member of staff has also relayed their most sincere apologies. showing the image has offended the muslim community. any depictions of the prophet mohammad are strictly forbidden in islam. batley grammar school is in a town with a high number of asian families. according to a 2015 ofsted report, three quarters of its pupils come from ethnic minorities. people i've spoken to outside the school say they are shocked by what happened. overall, it's offensive. whether it was, like i said, a family member, friend, teacher, it's offensive. the issue has been raised and flagged and dealt with. it should be laid to bed now. it's quiet outside the school this evening, and community leaders here say, although they're deeply hurt by what happened, they will continue to work closely to resolve the issue. shabnam mahmood, bbc news, batley. the nhs in england is to spend an extra £95 million to improve maternity care. it follows the baby deaths scandal at the shrewsbury and telford nhs trust. the funding will help to provide an additional thousand midwives across the country. the move has been welcomed by bereaved parents as a step in the right direction. here's our social affairs correpsondent michael buchanan. baby ba by kate baby kate was just hours old when she died after mistakes at the shrewsbury and telford trust in 2009. after 12 years of campaigning for better maternity care, her parents are welcome today's investment.— parents are welcome today's investment. , . investment. there will be children alive in years _ investment. there will be children alive in years to _ investment. there will be children alive in years to come _ investment. there will be children alive in years to come that - investment. there will be children alive in years to come that will. investment. there will be children alive in years to come that will be | alive in years to come that will be born perhaps in need of medical intervention, and that care hopefully will be there to prevent adverse outcomes or the avoidable death of a baby. so there will be children alive in years to come as a direct result of this money. the shrewsbury _ direct result of this money. the shrewsbury and _ direct result of this money. the shrewsbury and telford trust was at the centre of a large maternity inquiry. dozens of babies died or suffered avoidable harm. the care that more than 1800 families received is being investigated. the new money builds on what has been learned already in an initial report published last year. £95 million will be invested on maternity safety. up to 1000 midwives will be hired, as well as around 80 abstract risk consultants. some of the money will be used to allow them to train together. will be used to allow them to train touether. ., , will be used to allow them to train touether. . , ., ., ., together. teams that train together will then work _ together. teams that train together will then work well _ together. teams that train together will then work well together, - together. teams that train together will then work well together, in - will then work well together, in emergency scenarios, when they are all needed and reliable, in order to deliver safe care. i think this is very welcome. deliver safe care. i think this is very welcome-— deliver safe care. i think this is very welcome. deliver safe care. i think this is ve welcome. ., ., , very welcome. though maternity care is improving. — very welcome. though maternity care is improving. in _ very welcome. though maternity care is improving, in recent _ very welcome. though maternity care is improving, in recent years - is improving, in recent years scandals in shropshire, morecambe bay, ayrshire, east kent and elsewhere have highlighted significant problems. poor investigations when things go wrong, as well as a nationwide shortage of thousands of maternity staff have been recurring problems. midwives have been telling _ been recurring problems. midwives have been telling us _ been recurring problems. midwives have been telling us for— been recurring problems. midwives have been telling us for a - been recurring problems. midwives have been telling us for a long - been recurring problems. midwives| have been telling us for a long time there is just not enough of them around to deliver safe and high—quality care. but, more importantly, women have been saying there's not enough midwives. and thatis there's not enough midwives. and that is really important, that women are confident in the care that they have. . ., ., are confident in the care that they have. . . ., ., ., have. richard and rhiannon, alongside — have. richard and rhiannon, alongside kayleigh _ have. richard and rhiannon, alongside kayleigh and - have. richard and rhiannon, | alongside kayleigh and colin, have. richard and rhiannon, - alongside kayleigh and colin, fought tirelessly for improvements after losing their baby is due to maternity errors. they welcome the investment, but they are incredulous such efforts were needed. iurethral] investment, but they are incredulous such efforts were needed. when care is auestion such efforts were needed. when care is question because _ such efforts were needed. when care is question because it _ such efforts were needed. when care is question because it is _ such efforts were needed. when care is question because it is so _ such efforts were needed. when care is question because it is so poor - is question because it is so poor and there has been so many adverse and there has been so many adverse and woeful outcomes, people should speak sooner and louder to make sure that these kind of tragedies don't occur. this should never be allowed to happen ever again. the preventable _ to happen ever again. the preventable death - to happen ever again. the preventable death of a baby leaves a life long scar. this money should mean fewer families suffer such crippling hurt. it has just it hasjust gone it has just gone a quarter past six. our top story this evening... a backlash from landlords after the prime minister says a vaccine passport might be needed to get into a pub. and coming up... these are the hands that touch us first _ the words of the poet michael rosen — dedicated to the nhs workers who saved his life and thousands of others coming up on sportsday on bbc news... fifa says norway will not face disciplinary proceedings after players wore t—shirts with the message "human rights on and off the pitch" before their 2022 world cup qualifier to show support for qatar migrant workers. how often have you heard people ask the question, "i wonder if we'll ever go back to normal"? well, the nationwide building society has given us a hint that one lockdown legacy will be changes to the way we work. it seems many of us have liked working from home and now the company has said that 13,000 staff can choose to work anywhere they like once the pandemic is over. will it catch on? our consumer affairs correspondent colletta smith reports. carray�*s cracking on with work, but she's happy for a few welcome interruptions. today she has heard from her employer that this world of working from the dining room can carry on after the pandemic —— kelly's carrying on with work. this has given me so much more freedom than i ever could have imagined. mr; than i ever could have imagined. m eldest child than i ever could have imagined. mg eldest child started school back in september and at the start of last year before all of this hit i was worried about being an absent parent from the school gates, not being able to be part of his school life, and actually if anything the pandemic has given me that flexibility to block time out to do the school run in the morning. but it has not been everyone's cup of and four of his colleagues have now been asked to come back into the office of his sales company, and he is delighted. shill office of his sales company, and he is delighted-— is delighted. all stuck inside so eve one is delighted. all stuck inside so everyone wants _ is delighted. all stuck inside so everyone wants a _ is delighted. all stuck inside so everyone wants a bit _ is delighted. all stuck inside so everyone wants a bit of - is delighted. all stuck inside so everyone wants a bit of fresh . is delighted. all stuck inside so i everyone wants a bit of fresh air, bit everyone wants a bit of fresh air, hit of— everyone wants a bit of fresh air, bit of freedom, you know? we all feel like _ bit of freedom, you know? we all feel like birds in cages. working from _ feel like birds in cages. working from home can get a bit tiring. you -et from home can get a bit tiring. you get lethargic because you know your bed get lethargic because you know your hed is— get lethargic because you know your bed is only— get lethargic because you know your bed is only on the other room so you can hang _ bed is only on the other room so you can hang up — bed is only on the other room so you can hang up the phone and just have a lie down _ can hang up the phone and 'ust have a lie down. ., ., a lie down. nationwide said it will live a lie down. nationwide said it will give people _ a lie down. nationwide said it will give people a _ a lie down. nationwide said it will give people a choice _ a lie down. nationwide said it will give people a choice but - a lie down. nationwide said it will give people a choice but they - a lie down. nationwide said it will give people a choice but they are| give people a choice but they are not worried staff will slack off when they are not in the office. home workers are working if anything horder— home workers are working if anything harder than— home workers are working if anything harder than they— home workers are working if anything harder than they were _ home workers are working if anything harder than they were in _ home workers are working if anything harder than they were in the - home workers are working if anything harder than they were in the office. i harder than they were in the office. actually, _ harder than they were in the office. actually, the — harder than they were in the office. actually, the challenge _ harder than they were in the office. actually, the challenge of- harder than they were in the office. actually, the challenge of home - actually, the challenge of home working — actually, the challenge of home working is — actually, the challenge of home working is making _ actually, the challenge of home working is making sure - actually, the challenge of home working is making sure people i actually, the challenge of home . working is making sure people are looking _ working is making sure people are looking after— working is making sure people are looking after their— working is making sure people are looking after their own— working is making sure people are looking after their own well—beingj looking after their own well— being and we _ looking after their own well— being and we are — looking after their own well— being and we are doing _ looking after their own well— being and we are doing enough - looking after their own well— being and we are doing enough to- looking after their own well—being l and we are doing enough to support people _ and we are doing enough to support --eole. ~ .,, and we are doing enough to support --eole. ~ ., and we are doing enough to support --eole. ., �*, and we are doing enough to support neale, ., �*, ., ,., people. most of the uk's millions of workers who — people. most of the uk's millions of workers who are _ people. most of the uk's millions of workers who are at _ people. most of the uk's millions of workers who are at home _ people. most of the uk's millions of workers who are at home still- people. most of the uk's millions of| workers who are at home still hadn't been told by their employers when or whether they will be expected back to the office of his sales company, and he is delighted. shall to the office of his sales company, and he is delighted.— and he is delighted. all stuck inside so everyone _ and he is delighted. all stuck inside so everyone wants - and he is delighted. all stuck inside so everyone wants a l and he is delighted. all stuck| inside so everyone wants a bit and he is delighted. all stuck- inside so everyone wants a bit of fresh _ inside so everyone wants a bit of fresh air, — inside so everyone wants a bit of fresh air, bit of freedom, you know? we all— fresh air, bit of freedom, you know? we all feel— fresh air, bit of freedom, you know? we all feel like birds in cages. working — we all feel like birds in cages. working from home can get a bit tiring _ working from home can get a bit tiring you — working from home can get a bit tiring. you get lethargic because you know— tiring. you get lethargic because you know your bed is only in the other— you know your bed is only in the other room _ you know your bed is only in the other room so you can hang up the phone _ other room so you can hang up the phone and — other room so you can hang up the phone and just have a lie down. nationwide said it will give people a choice but they are not worried staff will slack off when they are not in the office.— staff will slack off when they are not in the office. home-workers are workin: if not in the office. home-workers are working if anything _ not in the office. home-workers are working if anything harder _ not in the office. home-workers are working if anything harder than - not in the office. home-workers are working if anything harder than theyl working if anything harder than they were in_ working if anything harder than they were in the — working if anything harder than they were in the office. _ working if anything harder than they were in the office. actually, - working if anything harder than they were in the office. actually, the - were in the office. actually, the challenge — were in the office. actually, the challenge of— were in the office. actually, the challenge of home _ were in the office. actually, the challenge of home working - were in the office. actually, the challenge of home working is i were in the office. actually, the - challenge of home working is making sure people — challenge of home working is making sure people are — challenge of home working is making sure people are looking _ challenge of home working is making sure people are looking after - challenge of home working is making sure people are looking after their. sure people are looking after their own well-heing _ sure people are looking after their own well—being and _ sure people are looking after their own well—being and we _ sure people are looking after their own well—being and we are - sure people are looking after their own well—being and we are doingl own well—being and we are doing enough _ own well—being and we are doing enough to— own well—being and we are doing enough to support _ own well—being and we are doing enough to support people. - own well—being and we are doing enough to support people. mosll own well-being and we are doing enough to support people. most of the uk's millions _ enough to support people. most of the uk's millions of— enough to support people. most of the uk's millions of workers - enough to support people. most of the uk's millions of workers who i enough to support people. most of. the uk's millions of workers who are at home still hadn't been told by their employers when or whether they will be expected back to the they will be expected back to the they will remain working in front rooms, bedrooms, back rooms, offices right across the country, and for some thatis across the country, and for some that is a joy and for others a real am just that is a 'oy and for others a real am 'usr .., �* that is a 'oy and for others a real am 'us. �* ., that is a 'oy and for others a real am'us �* ., ., that is a 'oy and for others a real am'us�* .,., �* that is a 'oy and for others a real am'us�* �* , that is a 'oy and for others a real am just can't go out, can't see your friends. i theo _ am just can't go out, can't see your friends. i theo leggett_ am just can't go out, can't see your friends. i theo leggett is— am just can't go out, can't see your friends. i theo leggett is the - am just can't go out, can't see your friends. i theo leggett is the tiny l friends. i theo leggett is the tiny bit of a social— friends. i theo leggett is the tiny bit of a social life _ friends. i theo leggett is the tiny bit of a social life i _ friends. i theo leggett is the tiny bit of a social life i get, _ friends. i theo leggett is the tiny bit of a social life i get, because l bit of a social life i get, because i feel if i with more staff dealing with calls and online queries from their front line rooms. campaigners calling for compensation for people affected by contaminated blood transfusions in the 1970s and 80s have given a cautious welcome to government plans to review the matter. up to 30,000 people were infected and thousands died as a result. it's been called the biggest treatment disaster in nhs history and so far there's been no government compensation, just limited financial support. here's our health editor, hugh pym. jason evans watches home videos to remember the father he barely knew. he was just four when his dad jonathan died after being infected with hiv and hepatitis c as a result of treatment for his haemophilia. he has been campaigning to get to the truth of what happened and for the government to pay compensation. these are demonstrable losses that have occurred. people couldn't get life insurance, they lost their homes, their careers. my mum was sacked from herjob based on the fact that it was known that my dad had aids, so there are real losses here that have occurred before we even talk about the emotional damage, the physical damage. aha, damage, the physical damage. a public inquiry into what has been called the worst disaster in nhs history is under way. inquiry staff have been trawling through hundreds of thousands... at the hearings those who had lost loved ones were encouraged to leave notes and bottles. more than 3000 people died after being treated with contaminated blood products, some which were imported using blood from paid donors including prisoners. victims and their families do get financial assistance but campaigners say today marks a big change, with the government for the first time saying that compensation could be paid, depending on the outcome of the inquiry. the government have never previously acknowledged this, they have always paid this money on the basis that it will support payments rather than compensation so they have never acknowledged their liability and said they are responsible for this. just the word and the recognition that comes with that word of compensation is hugely significant for our community. the compensation is hugely significant for our community.— for our community. the inquiry chair, for our community. the inquiry chair. sir _ for our community. the inquiry chair, sir brian _ for our community. the inquiry chair, sir brian langstaff, - for our community. the inquiry chair, sir brian langstaff, said| for our community. the inquiry l chair, sir brian langstaff, said it was unfair that the uk's four nations were paying out different levels of financial support. today he welcomed a new commitment to get those national schemes up to the same level. claire walton's husband brian died with hiv and hepatitis c after being treated with contaminated blood products. claire, who gave evidence at the inquiry, said today marks a step forward. l said today marks a step forward. i was 23 years old when they started and l _ was 23 years old when they started and i will _ was 23 years old when they started and i will he — was 23 years old when they started and i will be 60. _ was 23 years old when they started and i will be 60. i— was 23 years old when they started and i will be 60. i have _ was 23 years old when they started and i will be 60. i have been- was 23 years old when they started i and i will be 60. i have been turned from _ and i will be 60. i have been turned from a _ and i will be 60. i have been turned from a wife — and i will be 60. i have been turned from a wife into _ and i will be 60. i have been turned from a wife into a _ and i will be 60. i have been turned from a wife into a carer, _ and i will be 60. i have been turned from a wife into a carer, from - and i will be 60. i have been turned from a wife into a carer, from a - from a wife into a carer, from a wife _ from a wife into a carer, from a wife into— from a wife into a carer, from a wife into a _ from a wife into a carer, from a wife into a widow, _ from a wife into a carer, from a wife into a widow, and - from a wife into a carer, from a wife into a widow, and it- from a wife into a carer, from a wife into a widow, and it will. from a wife into a carer, from aj wife into a widow, and it will be good _ wife into a widow, and it will be good just— wife into a widow, and it will be good just to _ wife into a widow, and it will be good just to see _ wife into a widow, and it will be good just to see the _ wife into a widow, and it will be good just to see the end. - wife into a widow, and it will be| good just to see the end. that's what _ good just to see the end. that's what compensation _ good just to see the end. that's what compensation means - good just to see the end. that's what compensation means to i good just to see the end. that's . what compensation means to me. good just to see the end. that's - what compensation means to me. but families what compensation means to me. families of those who died know there have been. once before. for certainty they will have to await the findings of the inquiry next year. hugh pym, bbc news. two pilots have been airlifted to hospital after a fighterjet crashed in a field in cornwall. the ministry of defence said both pilots ejected safely before the plane went down near the town of helston. it's thought engine failure was to blame, but there'll be an investigation. the business secretary kwasi kwarteng has said the government is looking at all options to make sure the uk's third largest steel maker, liberty steel, does not collapse. concerns have grown for the company — which employs 5,000 people — after it's the main financial backer went into administration early this month. here's our our business editor, simonjack. rotherham. one of the 12 towns and cities around the uk facing a new crisis in the steel industry. they're all part of an industrial empire facing financial ruin. well, rotherham's a steel town. it's recognised as a steel town... chris williamson has worked there for 26 years. his father before him for 40. he explained what the impact would be on rotherham if the plant closed. it'd be devastating. rotherham would suffer vastly. all the jobs, they are going at the minute. | what pay... if we go to wearside,| the chains go as well. in the end, you just end up- with a town full of shopkeepers and nobody to buy anything, - because they haven't got the income. down the road is rotherham's sister plant in stockbridge. tracy runs a cafe right outside the gates, and she counts generations of workers among her customers. right from the young apprentices, which are actually trained here, all the way through to the retirees that have worked here all their lives, it's actually the beating heart of the valley. this crisis started a long way from tracy's cafe. sanjeev gupta, once hailed the saviour of steel, was using tomorrow's money to pay today's bills by selling invoices due for future payment to a company run by this australian sugar cane farmer turned banker, lex greensill, who would buy those invoices at a discount for ready cash. but greensill went bust. claims have since emerged that former prime minister and greensill employee david cameron personally lobbied the chancellor on greensill�*s behalf. this is a sadly familiar story. once again, a major uk steel maker finds itself in big financial trouble. it's one—time saviour, sanjeev gupta, who bought this plant and plants right across the uk, has essentially run out of cash. remember, it was only 18 months ago the government had to intervene to keep british steel going. once again, it finds itself having to dust off plans to intervene in an industry it insists the uk still needs. the uk will need plenty of steel for transport and energy projects, so beyond another rescue what could long—term government support look like? lt what could long-term government support look like?— support look like? it could mean supporting _ support look like? it could mean supporting the — support look like? it could mean supporting the industry - support look like? it could mean supporting the industry through | supporting the industry through procurement the same as the french government, to energy prices, the same as the german government do, or finding a way to help the industry compete on a level playing field with other industries.— compete on a level playing field with other industries. liberty may et with other industries. liberty may yet succeed _ with other industries. liberty may yet succeed in _ with other industries. liberty may yet succeed in finding _ with other industries. liberty may yet succeed in finding a _ with other industries. liberty may yet succeed in finding a new- with other industries. liberty may. yet succeed in finding a new backer but cash is tight and it has started asking customers to pay up front. the government insists it wants to buy more steel from british producers. its firstjob may be keeping one of them in business. simonjack, bbc news. almost exactly a year since it was postponed, the tokyo olympic torch relay is under way. over the next four months the flame will make its way from the icy north of japan to the sub—tropical islands in the far south, before arriving at the tokyo olympic stadium onjuly the 23rd. despite the pandemic and repeated scandals it looks very much like the tokyo olympics will really happen. here's rupert wingfield—hayes. it's a moment many had predicted would never happen. but this morning in fukushima, a year later than planned, the runners got under way. the olympic torch relay has begun. for months, opinion polls have shown an overwhelming majority of japanese are against holding these games this year, but as the torch relay entered the city of iwaki today, a lot of people turned out, ignoring government advice not to gather in crowds, although they did heed the advice to clap rather than to cheer. applause "when i watched the torch go by today it became more real for me," this lady says. "but i am glad they're not going to allow spectators from abroad." "i'm going to be an olympic volunteer," this student says, "so i really want them to go ahead. "when the whole world is down because of the pandemic, i think the olympics will cheer people up." so the torch relay has now arrived in the little town of futaba, and this town is one of them that was evacuated after the nuclear disaster at fukushima daiichi ten years ago. in fact, the nuclear plant is just a few kilometres away from here and despite all of the razzmatazz surrounding the torch relay here today, if you go just 100 metres in either direction you'll find that this town is still completely deserted and some of the people who come from this area are not hugely amused about the amount of money that's being spent on the olympics when they still can't come home. there are still plenty of other things that could go wrong, not least because japan has barely started to vaccinate its population against covid—19. but as the olympic torch sets out today on its long journey towards tokyo, for the first time in over a year it really does feel like the summer olympics are going to happen. rupert wingfield—hayes, bbc news, in fukushima. time for a look at the weather here's helen willetts. hello. hello, good evening. some bright sunshine today between the showers, feeling like spring, but all change for tomorrow. in fact, i think by the end of the day tomorrow it will turn colderfor think by the end of the day tomorrow it will turn colder for all of us with more showers but we will see the temperatures seesaw in the coming days. this is the distribution of current showers, wintry over the front, hail and thunder with some of the heavier ones as well. also showers have been pestering southern and eastern areas. in between, we see that sunshine, and that continues this evening. lots of showers and eventually they merge into a longer speu eventually they merge into a longer spell of rain in the north and west and that is the cold weather front. behind it later in the night there will be a dip in temperatures but for most of us with the cloud, showers and wind temperatures will hold at 67 degrees. we start with some brighter weather, some sunshine in southern and eastern areas —— six or 7 degrees. then a significant band of rain, heavy bursts for some of us, a couple of hours as well, then behind it the sun comes back out. showers, but look. much more wintry looking tomorrow because it is colder air and the temperatures will probably be three or four down on those we have had today. but it should bejust on those we have had today. but it should be just a temporary brief chilly spell, at least one for this week. during tomorrow evening and overnight, look at the wintry weather, even in southern areas. over the hill there could be sleepiness around and a much colder night tomorrow. widespread frost in the north and some rural frost in southern areas as well. that is our start of saturday with a little ridge of high pressure, saturday promising to be ok for the weekend but saturday night, wet and windy weather. the uncertainty of how far south that weather front will come on sunday. if you are trying to make plans for your exercise over the weekend, please stay tuned to the forecast but saturday looks to be the drier day of the weekend and it looks windy across the board. that's it for now. i will hand you back to george. many thanks, helen. tonight marks one year since the first clap for carers. to mark the moment children's author, michael rosen — who spent seven weeks in intensive care last year — is sharing his poem about the nhs. it's illustrated by the artist charlie mackesy and includes the faces of frontline workers we've spoken to over the past year. goodbye. michael rosen: i'd like to read a poem about the nhs, that expresses my feelings that i have for everybody that works in the nhs. for the people that saved my life, and saved the lives of thousands of others. these are the hands that touch us first, feel your head, find the pulse, and make your bed. these are the hands that tap your back, test the skin, hold your arm, wheel the bin. change the bulb, fix the drip, pour the jug, replace your hip. these are the hands that fill the bath, mop the floor, flick the switch, soothe the sore. burn the swabs, give us a jab, throw out sharps, design the lab.