And the Worlds Coral reefs, in danger from overfishing and Climate Change now theres a multi billion Pound Project to save them. Coming up on the Bbc News Channel. Can chelsea set up an all English Champions league final, by knocking out the 13 time champions Real Madrid in tonights semifinal second leg, with Manchester City lying in wait . Good Afternoon And Welcome to the Bbc News at one. Were at holyrood in edinburgh on the final day of campaigning in a series of elections across Great Britain. Only northern Ireland Wont be going to the polls. The Voting Tomorrow represents the biggest set of local and national elections in almost half a century. In a moment, well look at the contests here in scotland and in wales, but first, lets look at whats at stake in england. 4,650 Council Seats are being contested across 143 local authorities. 13 directly elected mayors are being selected, including for london, where 25 seats are also up for grabs in the citys assembly. Elsewhere, all eyes will be on hartlepool, where theres a parliamentary By Election to choose a new mp. Voters across england and wales will also have the chance to select a total of 39 new police and Crime Commissioners. Our political correspondent Helen Catt has a Round Up of a frantic day of campaign visits around england. It is being called super thursday, tomorrow voters in england will choose who is in charge of services like police, social care, recycling and membereding the roads. It will be a Bumper Set of elections unlike any others but the pressure on the parties to do well remains the same. I have five plus one. I have five plus one. There is particular i have five plus one. There is particular scrutiny i have five plus one. There is particular scrutiny on i have five plus one. There is particular scrutiny on how. I have five plus one. There is| particular scrutiny on how the numbers add up for labour. Keir starmer at a Food Bank in pot facts is facing his first public test of opinion as leader. He is under pressure for labour to win in where the tories took seats from them at the tories took seats from them at the General Election. The tories took seats from them at the General Election. What we need across the country the General Election. What we need across the country are the General Election. What we need across the country are labour across the country are labour candidates from their community, of their communities that are going to stand up against this government, and that is the choice before the country tomorrow. Country tomorrow. There is a burelection country tomorrow. There is a byelection to country tomorrow. There is a byelection to use country tomorrow. There is a byelection to use a country tomorrow. There is a byelection to use a new country tomorrow. There is a byelection to use a new mp| country tomorrow. There is a I Byelection to use a new mp for By Election to use a new mp for hartlepool. Labour has represented it since 1974 so anything other than a win would be difficult for keir starmer. Forthe a win would be difficult for keir starmer. For the conservatives, these elections are largely about staying on track. How they perform with voters in places like the midlands and in Northern England will be key, as they try to make sure that gains at the General Election werent a one off. These are very important election werent a one off. These are very important Sets Election werent a one off. These are very important sets of election werent a one off. These i are very important sets of elections and the choice is clear, between you know, the Labour Opposition who seem absolutely determined to continue to play political games, and government, that is getting on with the agenda. Government, that is getting on with the aaenda. ~. ,. Government, that is getting on with the agenda the agenda. Who gets elected as councillor. The agenda. Who gets elected as councillor, mayors the agenda. Who gets elected as councillor, Mayors Police the agenda. Who gets elected as councillor, Mayors Police and the agenda. Who gets elected as i councillor, Mayors Police and Crime Commissioners will have an influence on daily life. It has a political impact too and it will be watched closely at westminster. In london the green, they have gained seats in recent local elections and hope to go further. We recent local elections and hope to go further go further. We stood up for those that have no go further. We stood up for those that have no voice, go further. We stood up for those that have no voice, to go further. We stood up for those that have no voice, to Who Go further. We stood up for those that have no voice, to Who Have L Go further. We stood up for those that have no voice, to who have been reflected, we have given them a platform and people have appreciated and that and voted green, 1150 platform and people have appreciated and that and voted green, and that and voted green, also in london, and that and voted green, also in london. The and that and voted green, also in london, the lib and that and voted green, also in london, the lib dem, and that and voted green, also in london, the lib dem, they and that and voted green, also in london, the lib dem, they have i london, the lib dem, they have struggled to gape in recent comblikes, and hope their traditional strength in local campaigning will see them advance. We have had a weird Election Campaign because of the pandemic, and we havent been able to get on the doors as much as we would have liked to, but when we have managed to talk to people, they are responding positively to the message because we are community politician, people know if they get a liberal Democrat Councillor things get done. It is the voters who decide when the polls open tomorrow. Political parties here in scotland are making Theirfinal Push ahead of elections to the holyrood parliament. Voters will elect 129 msps, with the campaigning this year looking a little different. And Polling Day and the count will also be unusual, as Lorna Gordon explains. Getting ready for tomorrows vote constructing booths, cleaning surfaces. Pandemic procedures mean Polling Stations, like this one in glasgow, will be a little different this time round. There will be screens to protect staff and voters. That will have to go at the front. Familiar one way systems and the number of people in a Polling Station at any one time will be limited. Pandemic procedures mean Polling Stations, like this one in glasgow, outside the Polling Stations we will also have marshals, who will welcome voters to the Polling Station. We do expect that there will be an element of queueing required. That is something we have got used to over the last year, going to supermarkets and the like, so they will have to ensure that physical distancing is maintained throughout that whole period of the poll day, from seven in the morning till 10. 00 at night. In glasgow alone, 250,000 single use pencils have been bought to reduce the risk of infection, and for those who are having to self isolate, their part in the democratic process is assured. Youll still be able to vote, youll be able to apply for whats known as an emergency proxy. Youll be able to apply for whats if you have to self isolate because of covid reasons, even on Polling Day you can apply for one up to 5pm on Polling Day, and you appoint someone to vote on your behalf. That is common to england, wales and scotland. Counting Wont Start till 9. 00 on friday morning. . Ballot boxes will be disinfected and then guarded overnight. And that wont be the only change. The counts will look and feel very different this year. The officials counting the Ballot Papers are much more spread out, and instead of seeing a huddle of party agents looking over their shoulders, seeing which way the vote is going, they all have to keep their distance, and their numbers are vastly reduced. The hubble and bubble of the count centre, with politicians talking to Each Other and masses of people, that wont happen. Because we have to spread people out, we are using largely the same buildings, it means you can have fewer people in the building, so that includes counting staff, so that is one of, that is the real reason why it is going to take longer than normal. It will be saturday before the final result in scotland becomes clear. The new intake here will have their work cut out, though with Covid Recovery and the question of another Referendum On Scottish Independence dominating the debate. Lorna gordon, Bbc News. Politicians are campaigning across wales in key seats today. tx across wales in key seats today. 60 members of the senedd will be chosen by Voters Tomorrow our Wales Correspondent Tomos Morgan is in Cardiff Bay for us. They are responding positively to the message because we are community politician, people know if they get a liberal Democrat Councillor things get done. It is the voters who decide when the polls open tomorrow. Set the scene for us. So decide when the polls open tomorrow. Set the scene for us. Set the scene for us. So this election. Set the scene for us. So this election, think, set the scene for us. So this election, think, for set the scene for us. So this election, think, for the set the scene for us. So this. Election, think, for the majority set the scene for us. So this election, think, for the majority of welsh public will mostly come down to who the public believe will be able to steer wales through the rest of the pandemic, and the First Minister throughout the pandemic has been welsh Labour Leader Mark drayed for and polls have shown he has done a Betterjob Than Borisjohnson and he is the most recognised First Minister there has been here. But will that work for them or against Welsh Labour, Welsh Labour seem to think it will, he has been front and centre of campaign. The tories have been using Uk Ministers to front their push, Borisjohnson And Rishi sunak have been in the North East of wales, with a Red Wall there, fell somewhat in the 2019 General Election, they feel as though they could take a few seats there on thursday, what of Plaid Cymru . They will be pushing the tories hard for second place again, pushing in areas like llanelli, the liberal democrats hold one seat in wales in brecon, that ms is standing down, so they will be fighting hard to hold on to that and be challenging in places like the centre of cardiff. There is a few other sentiments going on in wales, there is party establish the welsh assembly, they are looking to establish the welsh assembly, will that sentiment resonate at all with the welsh public . Potentially they could gain some of the regional seats here. But i think really, whether it is independence in Plaid Cymru or establishing the welsh senedd, will that resonate or will it come down to who has done a betterjob leading country, the uk nation, through the pandemic, has it been Welsh Labour, the tories over the border, or is it time for a different change here . Could it be time for another coalition on the cards. , ~ time for another coalition on the cards. ~ ,. , thank you. If you live in england, scotland or wales, you can find out what elections are taking place in your area by entering your postcode into our search tool, on our website, or the Bbc News app. And well be bringing all the results as they happen. Thats all from holyrood back to you in the studio, ben. The entire indian delegation to the G7 Summit in london is self isolating after two members tested positive for covid 19. The news came as Foreign Ministers re convened for the last day of the talks, which had been hailed as a return to Face To Face Diplomacy. The labour leader, sir kier starmer, says the two covid cases show questions should be asked about the summit, as our diplomatic correspondent James Landale reports. This is the indian Foreign Minister, meeting his american counterpart in london on monday. Using his invitation to this Weeks G7 Meeting to do some rare Face To Face Diplomacy. He also met the home secretary, Priti Patel yet. And in theory he was supposed to join the official talks this morning, here at lancaster house. But then this. In a tweet he said he was made aware Yesterday Evening of his exposure to possible covid positive cases, as a mesh of caution i decided to conduct my engagements in the virtual mode. India has been suffering grievously from the pandemic in recent weeks and it appears that two junior officials may have travelled while infected. The indian delegation has not yet add tended any meetings where the Foreign Office has impossibled tight rule, but the cases were detected during mandatory daily tests, yesterday morning. Officials say that after an intensive Test And Trace exercise public Health England said the meeting could continue, to the Prime Ministers leaf. Irate meeting could continue, to the Prime Ministers leaf. Ministers leaf. We have a very important ministers leaf. We have a very important relationship ministers leaf. We have a very important relationship with ministers leaf. We have a very important relationship with india,er with our partners, as i understand it what has happened is that the individuals concerned are all isolating now, and when i see, i will be seeing the indian Foreign Minister later on but that will be a Zoom Exchange i am given to understand. 50 Zoom Exchange i am given to understand Zoom Exchange i am given to understand. ,. , understand. So this morning the indian minister understand. So this morning the Indian Ministerjoined understand. So this morning the Indian Ministerjoined the understand. So this morning the l Indian Ministerjoined the meeting in the traditional way. By video ling. Officials say the discovery of the two cases show the effectstiveness of the tight regulations they have put in place but it will raise questions about whether it is too early for Face To Face Diplomacy like this and whether Future Planned International Meetings should go ahead in person as planned. And so todays meeting continued, top of the agenda, yes, the covid pandemic. James landale, Bbc News. James landale, Bbc News. The government is stepping up preparations to give Booster Jabs this autumn, to help fight off another wave of coronavirus. There are reports that people over 50, and those with underlying health conditions, may be offered a third vaccination later on in the year. Meanwhile, the government has also promised almost £30 million to fast track the development of vaccines which can deal with new variants of the virus. Our health correspondent Jim Reed reports. It is less than a fortnight until the next major date for unlocking society, in both england and scotland. And all the data is currently pointing in the same positive direction. New figures this morning showed covid deaths falling to their low Levels Sense september. The success of the Vaccine Roll Out is one major reason for that, the government said its planning for possible Booster Doses of the jab this autumn, the deal with any mutations or variants of the virus that might appear. The mutations or variants of the virus that might appear. Mutations or variants of the virus that might appear. The Nhs Team is already planning that might appear. The Nhs Team is already planning to that might appear. The Nhs Team is already planning to be that might appear. The Nhs Team is already planning to be ready that might appear. The Nhs Team is already planning to be ready for already planning to be ready for deployment, from september on wards, but the Decision Hasnt been made until we go september later in the year or early next year, that depends on the clinicians and how they feel the protection has lasted for the most vulnerable groups and of Course Vaccine Variant or Virus Variants that would be of concern. Ministers are promising more funding to boost Testing Facilitying here at porton down, the extra cash will allow scientists to process 3,000 Blood Samples a week. The allow scientists to process 3,000 Blood Samples a week. Allow scientists to process 3,000 Blood Samples a week. The work we will do in Facility Blood samples a week. The work we will do in facility will Blood Samples a week. The work we will do in facility will help Blood Samples a week. The work we will do in facility will help us will do in facility will help us assess the effectiveness of vaccines against new variants of the virus. And also provide important information that will help inform the development of new vaccines. There was another stark reminder today. The locking down society does come at a cost, figures show one in five adults experienced some form of depression during the latest wave of covid. Double the level before the pandemic. Those under 30er with more likely to be affected, with 43 of younger women reporting symptoms compared with 26 of men. Many people had already experienced significant economic harm, people had lost theirjob, they were struggling to find new employment and of course the data were painfully clear about increases in Domestic Violence and other harmful experiences. Government ministers and scientists will be watching the data closely, before the next stage of unlocking on May 17th in england. Details of how International Travel will resume properly will be set later this week with flights starting by the mid of the month. President biden says he wants to see at least 70 of adult americans have their first dose of a Covid Vaccine by independence day, 4th july. Almost One Million doses are being give each day in the united states and the president says hell also expand the Vaccine Roll Out to children between the ages of 12 and 15 once the regulator gives approval. The former Minneapolis Police officer convicted last month of the murder of George Floyd has requested a new trial. Derek chauvins legal team have filed Court Documents alleging misconduct by both prosecutors and jurors. Chauvin, who was filmed Kneeling On mr. Floyds neck for more than nine minutes, was found guilty of Murder And Manslaughter after a three week trial. His lawyer says his client was deprived of a fair trial. France has warned it could cut electricity to jersey in an escalating row over Post Brexit Fishing rights. The french government is angry that its Fishing Boats are facing new limits on access to the waters offjersey. France says the limits are a violation, and its now threatening to plunge jersey into darkness. More than 90 of the Islands Power comes from france in cables under the sea. From jersey, freddie miller. Theyve been friendly neighbours for centuries, but since the Brexit Deal was signed relationships have been slowly sinking. French fishermen are unhappy licences issued byjersey� s government dictate where, how often and through what means they can fish in the islands waters. And the french government is threatening to cut the Islands Power in retaliation. Translation so, as far as jersey is concerned,. I would remind you, for example, of the transport of electricity by underwatercables, so we have the means, and even though i am sorry it has come to this, we will do so if we have to. Rather like the tides, tensions have been rising in recent days, and just 14 miles from here, on the french coast, there are growing calls for a blockade of this, the islands main harbour, which it is thought could take place as soon as tomorrow. At the same time, jersey fishermen have been told to stay away from french ports and normandy� s regional office, which works to foster relations between the two sides, has closed in protest at the new rules. Well, it is not the first time that we have received threats from the french government, unfortunately. What we must do now is deal with the technical issues that they have experienced. Of course, it seems disproportionate to suggest that, for the sake of conditions on 17 licences that we are issuing together with the eu, that such threats should be made. Although the industry doesnt contribute significant amounts to jerseys economy, many feel fishing is an integral part ofjerseys island identity, and, whilst some have sympathy with the french, the head ofjerseys Fishermens Association believes no matter what the island offers it will not be enough. Its really important that we dont capitulate at the very first point, at the very first stage, so. Otherwise we are just going to see a legacy left forfuture ministers, for our fishermen, where every time a sustainable Management Measure is put in place it will see this kind of blockading of ports and bans on landings, which is just an unacceptable way of going about business. With talks ongoing today, both sides will be helping Stormy Seas will soon subside. Freddie miller, Bbc News, jersey. Our top story this lunchtime millions of people will head to the Polls Tomorrow for the biggest set of local and national elections in 50 years. And still to come a lost generation of young swimmers how the pandemic has affected lessons in the water. Coming up on the Bbc News Channel eight of the 11 england players involved in the indian Premier League have arrived back home theyll have to quarantine for ten days in government approved hotels. They are known as the rainforests of the Sea Coral reefs that are home to around a quarter of all marine species, and a precious part of our global ecosystem. But they are under growing threat Over Fishing and rising Sea Temperatures mean more and more Coral Reefs have become grey and lifeless. Now, in indonesia, theres a pioneering initiative to try to restore them as our Science Editor David shukman reports. Its one of the most shocking sights in the underwater world when corals die, either because theyre damaged or because the sea becomes too hot for them and they turn into what looks like a graveyard. When you dive on a reef and its just quiet and its all monotone grey, its desolate, its so depressing. The solution, pioneered by professor smith, involves whole communities in indonesia. They take these metal frames, called Reef Stars, and fix them to the sea bed. Fragments of live corals are attached to them, and the result is a revival of a habitat that many depend on. You see fish come in, you dive on it one day and you see the small Fish Sort of finding a hole in the Reef Stars amongst the coral. Six months later, medium sized fish the whole ecosystem responds when you give it this chance of kick starting the system. The latest reef to be helped in this way is called hope. The word is spelt out in the new corals and the aim is to apply the same technique in other areas around the world. Over the years, there have been dozens of attempts to try to bring reefs back to life, some more successful than others. And they have all been on a really small scale, as with this latest initiative, so there will be questions about it. It is funded by the Pet Food Company sheba, which uses a lot of fish in its products, so can this venture really make any kind of difference . Well, scientists ive spoken to are impressed by the way that reefs that were once dead are now being revived, and, because the task is so huge, they welcome funding from big name companies. For businesses involved, dependent on fish and marine resources, to actually invest in restoring the ocean, in recovering depleted reefs, is a good thing. Obviously in business, you always have that extra filter of scrutiny. And because most corals are threatened as global temperatures continue to rise, any attempt to save even small areas will need real determination. David shukman, Bbc News. A Doorstep Candlelit Vigil was held last night for Police Community Support officerjulia james, one week after her body was discovered in woodland. A Murder Investigation is under way, but police say they still havent been able to establish a motive and no arrests have been made. The local community have been warned to be vigilant if heading out alone. For almost ten years, D Day veterans have been campaigning for a national memorial in normandy to honour their fallen comrades. It will be officially opened at this years D Day commemoration events, but, due to travel restrictions, the british veterans and their families will have to watch the ceremony virtually from this side of the channel. John maguire has been to catch up with one of those veterans. All of it. Keep going. You just cant keep a good man down. Harry is back. Overwhelmed. It brings tears to my eyes, and people, you couldnt really see who they were until they took the masks off, and then i recognised them. Theyve been wonderful. Before the pandemic, harry billinge, a veteran of the D Day landings, was a regular fixture here at parr market, near St Austell in cornwall, but covid forced him to stay at home. He was awarded the mbe for his efforts raising money for a memorial to the 22,442 Men And Women Under British command who died on D Day, and the subsequent battle of normandy. It was a very, very tiring job. Impossible to describe. Hell on earth. Noise and Noise And Noise and more noise. Guns fired over your head, guns fired from inland and the germans. It would be opened officially at ver sur mer, above what was on D Day gold beach. Due to french covid restrictions, veterans and their families are being invited to the national Memorial Arboretum in staffordshire, to watch a live screening of the ceremony, which will take place onjune 6th, the 77th Anniversary of the invasion. Someone else who also raised thousands, cycling hundreds of kilometres, is harry salmon. His father, also called harry, was killed in normandy and the memorial bears his name. I saw veterans being interviewed on television, and ifound it really hard to see them smiling and shedding tears, as they talked about their fallen comrades. My father was a team player, and these were his team mates, and they were shedding tears for him and for the others that didnt come back, and ijust felt i had to do something for them. During his long Distance Cycle in northern france, harry visited the site. I saw my fathers name up there in stone, and its an incredible piece of architecture, the whole thing, and there is one thing that is really, really powerful, and its the sculpture at the entrance. Its of a tight knit group of soldiers, apparently coming up from the beach, obviously facing enemy fire. For some of their comrades, those veterans who worked tirelessly to see the memorial built, its opening will be the Realisation Notjust of many years of hard work, but also of a promise fulfilled to never forget those left behind. John maguire, Bbc News. Its feared that one of the consequences of the pandemic is a lost generation of swimmers. The sports Governing Body estimates Two Million children havent swum at all in the past year. The concern is not only that many children have suffered through lack of exercise, but also that theyve missed out on learning a skill that could save their life. Joe wilson reports. A busy afternoon in birmingham. After school Swimming Lessons are back on. So, children learning, parents watching. A long time, you couldnt do it. Oh, yeah, oh, yeah. Derek, he loves swimming more than anything. Its about the Mental Health benefits of being with their peers and doing something that they love and getting out and doing some exercise. You never know where and when it is going to be important. Birmingham, we are in. The middle of the country, but we have a lot of canals. Over the past year of lockdown restrictions, some Two Million children have missed out on swimming completely, the Governing Body swim england estimate. By the time they leave primary school, all children in england are supposed to be able to swim 25 metres it is part of the national curriculum. There is concern that, this summer, there might be 250,000 children in england who should have learned to swim but wont have managed to. Now, with Summer Holidays in particular often taking place near to water, the fear will move towards drowning. The drowning statistics will be out around may time for last year. We are expecting to see an increase in those, which, to me, is absolutely heartbreaking, and a lost generation Willjust Add to that as the years go on, so we cant afford a lost generation of children not being able to swim. Commentator now the big moment has arrived for Leon Taylor. There are many ways to reach a pool. Here is how Leon Taylor did it. The Olympic Diver has recently become a proud father and ten month old ziggy has given leon a fresh perspective. Swimming was actually my first love before i eventually found diving at the age of eight, so i am chomping at the bit to get ziggy in an environment where he can splash. He loves it in the bath, it is too cold for him in the sea i go in the sea every day. Too cold for him, the sea, of course. But, you know, places like this, our local pool here, so important and i cant wait to share that experience with him. Swim england believe 90 of pools are now operating again, most of them offering lessons. Theres so much to catch up on after lockdown. Their reminder is to learn to enjoy and to respect water. Joe wilson, Bbc News, birmingham. So, back to our top story and a busy day of campaigning across Great Britain ahead of Elections Tomorrow lets go back to Clive Myrie at the scottish parliament in holyrood. Thank the scottish parliament in holyrood. You very muci the thank you very much indeed. Of all the Elections Tomorrow, perhaps constitutionally for the future of the union, it is best that is most significant. We can get more from our political correspondent. How likely is that the snp will do what they did in 2011, get an overall majority which led to the Independence Vote three years later . How likely is that they will get that majority again Tomorrow And Push for another referendum . Home that majority again Tomorrow And Push for another referendum . None of the other parties push for another referendum . None of the other parties are push for another referendum . None of the other parties are claiming push for another referendum . None of the other parties are claiming they the other parties are claiming they can win, the other parties are claiming they can win, they are fighting to be the biggest can win, they are fighting to be the biggest opposition. The question is how big biggest opposition. The question is how big the snp can win and if they can get how big the snp can win and if they can get the how big the snp can win and if they can get the majority. It seems impossible to tell at the moment. It is likely impossible to tell at the moment. It is likely to impossible to tell at the moment. It is likely to come down to some key constituencies and key votes on the second constituencies and key votes on the second ballot, the original and at least second ballot, the original and at least one. Second ballot, the original and at least one, as well. It matters, not ust least one, as well. It matters, not just how least one, as well. It matters, not just how this least one, as well. It matters, not just how this place operates, whether just how this place operates, whether Nicola Sturgeon can do what she wants. Whether Nicola Sturgeon can do what she wants, it matters to the pandemic, that is the issue of the parties pandemic, that is the issue of the parties are pandemic, that is the issue of the parties are all campaigning on today, parties are all campaigning on today, but it also matters to the constitution. If the snp won that majority constitution. If the snp won that majority they will take it as a Clastiron Majority they will take it as a Cast Iron Mandate for another referendum. Even if they fell short but they referendum. Even if they fell short but they can form a majority with perhaps but they can form a majority with perhaps the scottish greens, the other perhaps the scottish greens, the other pro independence party, or others, other pro independence party, or others, they will still say that that mandate is there for another referendum. The Prime Minister has said again referendum. The Prime Minister has said again today he doesnt think it is the said again today he doesnt think it is the time said again today he doesnt think it is the time for that. The unionist parties. Is the time for that. The unionist parties, scottish labour, the tories, parties, scottish labour, the tories, lih parties, scottish labour, the tories, lib dems,