Both their covid jabs to visit europe this summer. And coming up, covid Hits Eurovision with one of the favourite� s having to pull out the live performance. Good evening. Surge testing and vaccinations are being expanded to six more areas of england to combat the spread of the so called indian coronavirus variant. The health secretary, Matt Hancock, said almost 3,000 cases had now been identified in the uk a rise of nearly 30 compared with monday. But he added there was increasing confidence that existing vaccines were effective against the variant. 0ur Health Editor Hugh Pym reports. A Vaccine Bus in brent, no bookings needed, people can walk up and have theirjabs. Do not run away because i am going to have stuff to give you. Parts of the country, after a rise in cases of the indian variant in some parts of the country, second doses have been pulled forward for certain groups and that is what those we spoke to had come to get. I thought when the time is right, i would get my second dose. I saw the van and thought i would pop along. We cannot ignore what is going on. Just all do our bit. For the people who live i here it is good and nice. Lam happy and i am relaxed. Ministers believe vaccines can work against the variant. We have increasing confidence that the vaccines are effective against it. That means that our strategy is the right one. To carefully replace the restrictions on freedom with protection from the vaccine. What is your current assessment of how fast this new variant is spreading relative to the existing Uk Variant . We have a credible range that goes from a few percent more transmissible through two, and you have probably read the sage papers, through to 50 more transmissible. I think most people feel it is going to be somewhere in the middle rather than at the extremes of that band, but it is just too early. He said things would be clearer from data next week. More pockets of cases of the indian Covid Variant are emerging including five at a school in shropshire. A Testing Centre has opened and all secondary school pupils, staff and families have been urged to take a test. And in areas where variant cases have already been identified, including parts of glasgow, the drive to get more people vaccinated continues. In brent, the focus is on parts of the borough where take up of the vaccine has been low. For some people it can be difficult to get to big vaccination centres, for example a couple of bus rides or more. The idea here is to use the Vaccine Bus to get to the heart of local communities. They are monitoring developments with the variant. We are seeing an increase in the variant that was first found in india and while many of the cases are associated with Traveller Contacts or people who have travelled, there has been some community transmission. How concerning is that . It is something we have to keep a very close eye on. Uk wide situation is encouraging. Intensive care units have no covid patients. Some Intensive Care Units have no covid patients. Total Hospital Admissions have been below 100 for the second successive day. The question now is whether the variant changes that in any way. Lets speak to Andrew Hayward, professor of infectious Disease Epidemiology and Inclusion Health Research at University College london, and member of the governments scientific Advisory Group for emergencies. Quite a title to put on screen, professor. Thank you forjoining us. What more would you like to know about the indian variate in terms of how it behaves in the community and how it behaves in the community and how it behaves in the community and how it spreads . How it behaves in the community and how it spreads . How it spreads . Before i start to sa , im how it spreads . Before i start to say. Im speaking how it spreads . Before i start to say, im speaking in how it spreads . Before i start to say, im speaking in a how it spreads . Before i start to say, im speaking in a personal. Say, im speaking in a personal perspective rather than a committee, but broadly speaking is finding out how much more transmissible it is in the previous training. That is the single biggest thing that will make the most difference. Previous training. If it is 20 more transmissible, we are probably not particularly concerned. If it is 50 , that could be a really big problem in terms of the number of people who will get infected and the knock on a number of hospitalisations we get. The knock on a number of hositalisations we net. , hospitalisations we get. The other factor is how hospitalisations we get. The other factor is how severe hospitalisations we get. The other factor is how severe a hospitalisations we get. The other factor is how severe a dose hospitalisations we get. The other factor is how severe a Dose Of Factor is how severe a dose of coronavirus are you likely to get from it. Do you know . That coronavirus are you likely to get from it. Do you know . Coronavirus are you likely to get from it. Do you know . That is also imortant from it. Do you know . That is also important of from it. Do you know . That is also important of course. From it. Do you know . That is also important of course. If from it. Do you know . That is also important of course. If the from it. Do you know . That is also important of course. If The High i important of course. If The High proportion of people who do get the infection get ill, and seriously ill ended up with hospital, that would be a problem. Again, we dont have good information on that. We know that the vaccine is very likely to prevent you getting it in the first place and if you do get it is likely to reduce your chance of being really ill but we dont know the exact figures on that yet. We expected to have a good protective effect but we dont know the exact figures. It is all of this uncertainty that mean it is right for the government to be cautious and continues to follow the road map. And continues to follow the Road Ma N. � ,. , and continues to follow the road ma. � ,. , and continues to follow the road ma. ~ , and continues to follow the road ma. ,, and continues to follow the road map. Also seeing Sirs Testing Taking Lace in map. Also seeing sirs testing taking place in those map. Also seeing sirs testing taking place in those areas map. Also seeing sirs testing taking place in those areas that map. Also seeing sirs testing taking place in those areas that are map. Also seeing sirs testing taking place in those areas that are most L Place in those areas that are most effective at the moment and the encouraging more people to take of the vaccine. Surge testing. What is the efficacy of the vaccines against his variant . I is the efficacy of the vaccines against his variant . Is the efficacy of the vaccines against his variant . I think our exoectation against his variant . I think our expectation is against his variant . I think our expectation is that against his variant . I think our expectation is that the against his variant . I think ouri expectation is that the efficacy will be good. But we know what some other variants that they can be a bit of a Drop Off in protection. I think the early indicators with this one is the protection should be good but it may not be quite as good as it was against the previous train. But still, absolutely it is the thing to do, take the vaccine if youre offered it. Thing to do, take the vaccine if youre offered it. How might this emergence youre offered it. How might this emergence and youre offered it. How might this Emergence And Spread youre offered it. How might this Emergence And Spread of youre offered it. How might this Emergence And Spread of this i youre offered it. How might this Emergence And Spread of this variant affect the easing of restrictions that for example an england are supposed to be lifting on the 21st ofjune, a day that someone people are looking forward to . Yes. Are looking forward to . Yes, obviously are looking forward to . Yes, obviously everybody are looking forward to . Yes, obviously everybody is are looking forward to . Ya obviously everybody is looking forward to that and particular businesses that rely on footfall and find it difficult to make a profit with social distancing restrictions in place. But i think the next couple of weeks will be really critical in understanding what is going to be possible. You know from looking at the data, this variant there seem to be increasing very fast in some areas of the country and new areas of the country cropping up with problems. And i would be surprised if that doesnt continue and affect at least some of the lifting of restrictions injune. Looking ahead then, with the flu for example, we have different vaccines depending on the strain that is most likely to be present in a particular year. How likely are we to get to that point with vaccines for the various types of Covid I9 . I that point with vaccines for the various types of covid19 . I think we will get various types of covid19 . I think we will get to various types of covid19 . I think we will get to that various types of covid19 . I think we will get to that point we will get to that point eventually. Theres News Today about a trial of booster doses but those will be with vaccines that are Vaccine Eating against the same strain. It will get our antibodies up strain. It will get our antibodies up really high and probably increase protection. But i think ultimately what we need is vaccines that are designed for different variants and i would expect those to start the to come into play early next Year Or End of this year but eventually we may get in a situation where the flu where were able to update the vaccine regularly and an annual pattern and protect against infections that way and i think ultimately that is one of the key things that will help us to get back to normal. , ,. ,. , things that will help us to get back to normal. ,. ,. ,, to normal. Professor, thank you very much forjoining to normal. Professor, thank you very much forjoining us to normal. Professor, thank you very much forjoining us this to normal. Professor, thank you very much forjoining us this evening. Lets Take A Look at the latest Government Covid figures. There were 2696 new coronavirus infections recorded in the latest 24 Hour Period which means that on average the number of new cases reported per day in the last week is 2270. The latest Daily Figure for the number of people across the uk in hospital with coronavirus is 939. 3 deaths were reported in the latest 2a Hour Period, thats people who died within 28 days of a positive Covid I9 test. On average in the past week, eight deaths were announced every day. The total number of deaths so far across the uk is 127,694. As for the Vaccination Programme the number of people who have had a firstjab has risen above 36. 9 million, and more than 20. 8 million people have had both doses. The public is being urged to take part in trials to find out whether a third dose of Covid Vaccine could protect against new variants. All seven vaccines the uk has ordered will be tested on working age people and over 75s as part of a randomised trial. The findings will help Vaccine Advisers decide if re vaccinating some people in the autumn is necessary. Professor Saul Faust is the chief investigator of the trial and the director of the southampton clinical research facility. Thank you very much forjoining us. What is the thinking behind this trial . 50 what is the thinking behind this trial . ,. ,. , trial . So this trial as you are ust Talkin Trial . So this trial as you are ust talking about � trial . So this trial as you are ust talking about with i trial . So this trial as you are ust talking about with Andrew H Trial . So this trial as you are just i talking about with Andrew Hayward trial . So this trial as you are just talking about with Andrew Hayward is looking at the Covid I9 vaccines, there are several of them, that will be potentially available to the jcb i to be potentially available to the Jcb Ito recommend for a booster in the autumn if we are a to need a booster, so the study will look at how the vaccines were, the Side Effects, safety of them, and work out whether any of them shouldnt be used as a booster if one of them were to give not enough Immunity Boost or if one of them were to cause more Side Effects. In your introduction you said it is looking for working age people thought that were actually looking for everybody over the age of 30. Two groups of people are both 30 275 and 75 and above. We also really looking for the elderly population and looking for people who have received their first injection either in December Orjanuary this year, so people right at the beginning of the programme. Right at the beginning of the Programme Right at the beginning of the programme. Right at the beginning of the rouramme. ,. , programme. How can people get in touch with you programme. How can people get in touch with you then programme. How can people get in touch with you then if programme. How can people get in touch with you then if theyre touch with you then if theyre interested in taking part . What should they know in terms of the risk they might face . The website has all the information. Risk they might face . The website has all the information. W risk they might face . The website has all the information. W W Risk they might face . The website | has all the information. W W Dot has all the information. W wW Dot mac covboost. Org. The risk are about short Term Side effects. People have already had two doses of the vaccine. Some pain in the arm and the fever and we need to make sure that because these are seven different vaccines, that there will be used in half the people whove at the Astrazeneca Vaccine at half of those who have the pfizer and it might be that one or other of the combinations of that initial cause and this third Dose Isjust combinations of that initial cause and this third dose is just to what will we call many local Side Effects. We need to provide the information to the joint committee on vaccinations and immunisations so that they can take a view of all the data that is available both from the original trials that started last year that are still being tracking people and still keeping an eye on people and still keeping an eye on people and still keeping an eye on people and their Immunity Level so the first question the jcb people and their Immunity Level so the first Question Thejcb i it will be asking is which group of people might need a booster and then this study will inform which vaccines might be used within that booster. Jcvi. Another study is looking at the flu alongside Covid I9 vaccines and whether they can be given at the same time. We are really hopeful that by increasing the antibody level, that should be quite a good way on protecting notjust against the original strain but against all the original strain but against all the strains that are currently circulating in the population, including the indian strain but we are going to be looking in the lab at the responses of people cosmic blood against both the indian strain in south Africa Strain in the constraint in the original one to make sure. We constraint in the original one to make sure constraint in the original one to make sure. ~. , , make sure. We want nearly 3000 eole make sure. We want nearly 3000 people over make sure. We want nearly 3000 people over the make sure. We want nearly 3000 people over the age make sure. We want nearly 3000 people over the age of make sure. We want nearly 3000 people over the age of 30 make sure. We want nearly 3000 people over the age of 30 as make sure. We want nearly 3000 people over the age of 30 as you | make sure. We want nearly 3000 i people over the age of 30 as you say come from various parts of the country, you have explained you want to relock whether there are too many Side Effects but how do you measure Side Effects but how do you measure Side Effects but how do you measure Side Effects apart . How do you measure whether it has worked or worth doing . Measure whether it has worked or worth doing . Whether worth doing . Whether. Whether. Ivina worth doing . Whether. Whether Aaivin A Worth Doing . Whether. Whether giving a booster worth doing . Whether. Whether giving a booster makes worth doing . Whether. Whether giving a booster makes a worth doing . Whether. Whether. Giving a booster makes a difference . 0k. Giving a booster makes a difference . Ok. We measure the Side Effects by an electronic diary for people are going to have the feeling for the first seven days. We know if they have fever or if they have pain in the arm and theres also an Emergency Phone with all the sites, 18 sites across the united kingdom, and if people have a real problem they can call one of the study doctors 2a hours a day. In terms of how we measure the Immune Response can we do that by looking at a Blood Test. We take a Blood Test before we at the beginning and then at 28 days and three months and then again at one year. We take that blood and we do a lot of different test and exactly the same labs that the original trials have been done, the standardised at both the public of England And End around the world so that the trials are all comparable because the labs are doing the same tests and essays. Public health england. We look for whether the virus is neutralised and if it is not and if it is very bulimic varied ljy not and if it is very bulimic varied by the booster. We will be able to get a good indication whether they work in the laboratories and that is a good indication of what they do in real life and human. I a good indication of what they do in real life and human. Real life and human. I hope you appearing real life and human. I hope you appearing on real life and human. I hope you appearing on a real life and human. I hope you appearing on a programme i real life and human. I hope you appearing on a programme encourages people to come forward and take part. Thank you very much for talking to us tonight. More Surge Testing for covid is to take place in parts of the country affected by the India Variant of coronavirus, with almost 3,000 cases have been identified so far. One of those areas is hounslow in west london. Lets speak to hounslow� s director of Public Health, kelly oneill. Thank you very much forjoining us. Just paint the picture of what you are seeing in terms of transmission in cases if you would. Are seeing in terms of transmission in cases if you would. Thank you for havin in cases if you would. Thank you for having me in cases if you would. Thank you for having me on in cases if you would. Thank you for having me on the in cases if you would. Thank you for having me on the programme, i in cases if you would. Thank you for i having me on the programme, martin. 0n the ground, we are saying a small increase on the number of cases of Covid I9 over all. We are starting to see a slight increase in the number of cases this variant of concern, that was originally from india, we have about 5k cases roughly that we know about the moment. ~ ,. , i. Roughly that we know about the moment. ~ ,. , roughly that we know about the moment. ~ ,. ,. ,. , moment. Why do you believe hounslow is one of the moment. Why do you believe hounslow is one of the areas moment. Why do you believe hounslow is one of the areas of moment. Why do you believe hounslow is one of the areas of concern . Moment. Why do you believe hounslow is one of the areas of concern . Over i is one of the areas of concern . Over all, we is one of the areas of concern . Over all. We have is one of the areas of concern . Over all, we have had is one of the areas of concern . Over all, we have had a is one of the areas of concern . Over all, we have had a consistent is one of the areas of concern . Of all, we have had a consistent rate of infection that is a little bit higher than the rest of london. We have a lot of Key Workers that live in our borough and people who worked in our borough and people who worked in the service industry, people who work in the airport and the Supply Chain to the airport, and also theres a lot of mobility in the borough. We are well connected world so therefore it is great when people are moving around. But for a pandemic where there is infection spreading, it means there is an increased risk of exposure. Hope increased risk of exposure. How certain are increased risk of exposure. How certain are you increased risk of exposure. How certain are you at increased risk of exposure. How certain are you at the increased risk of exposure. How certain are you at the moment as to whether this is coming from people travelling as you say, at heathrow on your doorstep, part of your borough, or is it now transmitting within the community . Aha, borough, or is it now transmitting within the community . Within the community . A little bit of both actually. Within the community . A little bit of both actually. We within the community . A little bit of both actually. We know within the community . A little bit of both actually. We know that i within the community . A little bit| of both actually. We know that we keep directly in touch with residents and people in the manage Quarantine Service at the hotels that are around heathrow and our burros and other north London World and we also keep in touch with people returning from amber countries that are quarantining in their own homes or in the hotels within the borough we know those cases, there are some that test positive and roughly account for about 15 of our overall cases, but we know that and we support them. We also know from our Contact Tracing. We have been one of the Government Pilot sites for local zero which is an enhanced Contact Tracing offer where we can track people and ask them really probing questions about who they have any contact with. And there are links to other cases. It is like a puzzle. We link these cases up and we have seen cases that are related to International Travel and we have seen cases that are not and we have seen cases that are not a direct link to travel. 50 a direct link to travel. So obviously a direct link to travel. So obviously it a direct link to travel. So obviously it is a direct link to travel. So obviously it is a two pronged approach here. Search testing and encouraging people to be vaccinated. How hesitant are people being . How hesitant have they been on the whole to be vaccinated . Cheer hesitant have they been on the whole to be vaccinated . To be vaccinated . Over all we have vaccinated about to be vaccinated . Over all we have vaccinated about 125,000 to be vaccinated . Over all we have vaccinated about 125,000 people. | to be vaccinated . Over all we have i vaccinated about 125,000 people. Our Over Uptake has been really good. There are pockets of our community, starting community groups, certain areas within our community where we know that what we had enduring transmissions are high rates of infection and low uptake of vaccination, these are the areas that we most want to target as part of our Search Testing so we will be doing a borough right approach where we focus on the whole population in terms of testing and encouraging those who are eligible for vaccination and we will be doing a very targeted approach to those of the various areas of our borough, with our community leaders, with our Faith Groups at are Head Teachers and those people that are keeping our community really trust and see on a day to Day Basis to encourage people to get tested so that we have an oversight of this emerging variantjust to see how an oversight of this emerging variant just to see how widespread it is and to contain it an equally the vaccination is a really big key thing that will get us out of this situation, to encourage those communities to ask questions, have those answers from professionals like me, like the gps, and we are happy to have conversations all the time as long it leads to protection. 0ne time as long it leads to protection. One person at a time is one fewer person who will get infected and End P Person who will get infected and end up in hospital. That is really key. Kelly 0neill, thank you very much for talking to us this evening. Pat hancock led Surge Testing and jabs will be expanded to six new areas of concern in england to combat the spread of the indian Covid Variant, Matt Hancock has said. He told todays downing Street Briefing that the areas were identified using new techniques, including analysing Waste Water and travel patterns. Mr hancock also said that while the indian variant seems to pass on more easily between people, it appears that the vaccines are effective against it. Lets lets speak now to Peter Kyle mp, labours shadow schools minister. Thank you very much forjoining us. What is your assessment of how quickly and accurately the government has responded to this variant being president in parts of the country . The country . There are two real ositives the country . There are two real positives that the country . There are two real positives that have the country . There are two real positives that have come i the country . There are two real positives that have come out i the country . There are two real positives that have come out in | positives that have come out in recent days. The first is the way citizens and residents have responded. 0ur citizens and residents have responded. Our nation is out a real debt of gratitude were doing their duty of getting vaccinated. The second is some real marches forward with science and all of that. Testing Waste Water and so forth is giving us a real advantage in knowing where the spread of the coronavirus occurring. Is owed a great debt. Especially before symptoms emerge. We should be thankful. The challenge we have is the government has been behind the curve consistently which is where you have so many of the variance in our country at the moment. Way back in the very beginning of april, the government stop people coming into the country by doing the read less. People from pakistan and bangladesh. But they didnt put india which was the source of where the first new variant was first identified in the two and half weeks afterwards after that period, 21,000 people came from india into britain. 0n the 1 of those went into quarantine. The government really allow people to come into our country, go to parts of the country like blackburn so and allowed the new variant to emerge and take root, so there was a real failure of policy. Im afraid it is the same Laxjudgment Failure of policy. Im afraid it is the same lax judgment we have seen throughout the pandemic and it is still occurring even though scientists are there who are actually trying to batten down the hatches but the policymakers and government are letting us down and causing more problems. That government are letting us down and causing more problems. Causing more problems. That brings us to the issue causing more problems. That brings us to the issue of causing more problems. That brings us to the issue of travel causing more problems. That brings us to the issue of travel and causing more problems. That brings us to the issue of travel and what i us to the issue of travel and what people should be expecting to be able to do. How unhelpful has it been then do you think you have this Amber Category where we are told we can travel but then we are told we really shouldnt . Wouldnt it be simplerjust to have read and green countries . I simplerjust to have read and green countries . ,. , countries . I remember having the same conversation countries . I remember having the same conversation with countries . I remember having the same conversation with you i countries . I remember having the same conversation with you well | countries . I remember having the i same conversation with you well over a year ago when borisjohnson announced pubs would stay open but the public should not go to them. It is the same problem. Again and again. We are well over a year, pushing 15 months since the first mistake was made. Now we are repeating the exact same place. If you countries now in the green lettuce, there are a few countries in the red list, the vast majority of countries are in this Amber List but we have this same conflict again. Government saying we shouldnt go to these countries but the law says it is acceptable to do so. It means every minister that comes out says something slightly different. Yesterday we had a minister saying people are sitting on visit the green atlas countries. Today Boris Johnson on visit the green atlas countries. Today borisjohnson said people should not go to the Amber List countries but other ministers say something slightly different. There shouldnt be this ambiguity. If government consult the parliament before the announcement, we can attest that the weaknesses in the systems and really nailed it down. But before it was announced. So that everybody knew with absolute clarity, the Labour Party is calling for very clearly is a big expansion of people going into quarantine. 0nly1 of people coming into the country have been quarantine. It is simply not effective enough and you dont have to take my word. We have so many variance in the first variant that was discovered in india, the fact that it is rampaging and parts of our country is the proof that currently the government does not have a grip on our borders. Finally and briefly come how supportive would you be of any further easing of restrictions being put on hold until the science supports the . Put on hold until the science supports the . Put on hold until the Science Suortsthe . A. ,. ,. ,. , supports the . Actually jonathan Van Beliefs and i supports the . Actually jonathan Van Beliefs and i said supports the . Actually jonathan Van Beliefs and i said that supports the . Actually jonathan Van Beliefs and i said that they supports the . Actually jonathan Van Beliefs and i said that they push i beliefs and i said that they push the announcement or further easing to next week because they are waiting for the data to be released. Jonathan van tam. We are supportive of that. We want to be cautious. Back in autumn of last year september that Keir Starmer said we should have a Circuit Breaker Lockdown based on the science im writing at that moment. The Labour Party is always been guided by the science but putting the Public Health and the interests of P Keeping people say first Emperor Morse even sometimes that means is going ahead of where the government are. If we took that Approach And Government had taken an Approach And Government had taken an approach come all the way through im absolutely certain that our country would have been through such long and damaging lockdowns. Peter k le, mp, long and damaging lockdowns. Peter kyle, mp, shadow long and damaging lockdowns. Peter kyle, mp, shadow schools minister, thank you very much for your time. Can we go on holiday abroad. The Traffic Light System is meant to answer that question the governments so called Traffic Light System is meant to answer that Question System is meant to answer that question but theres growing criticism about the way ministers have explained it. Borisjohnson insists that people should not be travelling to countries on the Amber List. That should rule out travel to most European Destinations but today the eu said tourists with a double dose of vaccinations were welcome. 0ur Consumer Affairs Correspondent Colletta Smith reports. It is usually the moment when the excitement of a holiday can begin, the luggage is loaded up and there is no cure at check in, and there is no queue at check in, but for those heading to Mykonos The News had then a bind. Some people say you can go, you have to come to a decision or lose your money. We are aware we will be quarantining when we come back for the ten days. We have had bothjabs, we have done a test before we came out so we are doing everything we can to keep us and everyone else around us safe. We have covered that criteria so we are just happy to be leaving. Greece is on the Amber Travel List on the Environment Secretary has and the Environment Secretary has said people could go to those countries if they quarantine when they returned, which has left the public and politicians wondering what amber actually means. If he doesnt want people to travel to Amber List countries, if that is his position, he doesnt want them to travel to Amber List countries, why has he made it easierfor them to do so . You should not be going to an Amber List country except for some extreme circumstances such as the serious illness of a family member. What exactly are the rules . It is not illegal to travel to an Amber List country but the Government Website says. It is clear but it is only advice. Travelling to mexico on the Amber List but we are looking forward to going away. Hopefully it will be nice to get some sun and get out of the uk. Because flights are still running to Amber List countries it is a difficult choice for passengers at the moment if they cannot reschedule all of their holiday plans, the decision is to cancel and lose the money or to go anyway, and that is why plenty of passengers seem to be doing. International travel is not illegal. What you need to do are follow the rules and what we need the government to do is be really clear on what those rules are and we also need support in getting the price of testing down so that people can afford a holiday without massive cost for the whole family to get tested. European union is expected to relax its Travel Rules for Uk Holiday makers but we will not know for sure until friday. While the Government Advice is to stay put, the decision to to amber countries has been left up to passengers. The official rate of inflation that measures how quickly prices are rising more than doubled in april, as Energy Costs soared and clothing retailers increased prices. The Office For National Statistics said the Consumer Price indexjumped from 0. 7 in march to 1. 5 in april. But the figure is partly explained by the big fall in prices last year, as the pandemic took hold. 0ur Reporter Nina Nanji joins me now. Was Nina Nanji joins me now. This Pick Up in inflation inevitable . Was this Pick Up in inflation inevitable . To was this pickup in inflation inevitable . Was this pickup in inflation inevitable . , , inevitable . To some extent yes, when ou inevitable . To some extent yes, when you consider inevitable . To some extent yes, when you consider with inevitable . To some extent yes, when you consider with the inevitable . To some extent yes, when you consider with the economy inevitable . To some extent yes, when you consider with the economy is i you consider with the economy is just gone through. 0bviously earlier in the year we were in a lockdown which meant people were travelling less, they were spending less, there go outlets, and all that meant there was less demand for items such as Consumer Goods and also energy, but what we saw in april was the great on lockdown, so we saw the opening of Nonessential Retail and the relaxation of some of those covid restrictions and what we saw that was a sort of relaxation of pent up demand for consumers rushing out to spend money on others items they had not been up to God And Purchase before unlockdown. And as you say that led to an increase in prices, and in particular We Saw Closing Prices the Pick Up but also Energy Prices the Pick Up but also Energy Prices really picked up over the Period Clothing prices. That taps into a wider trending down a trend we are seeing around the world, for Oil And Energy prices to go up as the economy opens up, and all of this has led to an increase in inflation. If you Take A Look at the chart, you can say in march, inflation was at 0. 7 , and now in april, it went up to 1. 5 , so thats more than doubled and it takes you right back up to where we were in march of last year, when the pandemic which is starting to take hold. �. ,. , hold. And where our Economist Protecting hold. And where our Economist Protecting Inflation hold. And where our Economist Protecting Inflation is hold. And where our Economist Protecting Inflation is going i hold. And where our Economist Protecting Inflation is going to l hold. And where our Economist L protecting inflation is going to go from here . , from here . That is the milliondollar from here . That is the l milliondollar question from here . That is the i milliondollar question that from here . That is the milliondollar question that is what they are milliondollar question that is what they are paid milliondollar question that is what they are paid money i milliondollar question that is what they are paid money for. L milliondollar question that is i what they are paid money for. And it really depends what they are paid money for. And it really depends on what they are paid money for. And it really depends on who what they are paid money for. And it really depends on who you what they are paid money for. And it really depends on who you ask, i what they are paid money for. Sing it really depends on who you ask, but there is a debate out there going on, there have been fears that inflation will continue to increase over the course of the year, and thats leading to concerns that central banks may have to raise Interest Rates because that is what they do when they want to control inflation. And that is actually spooking financial markets, notjust here in the uk but also in the us in recent months, so why should we care if ingest rates go up . If you Take A Look at governments but also small businesses, and indeed some poor households, many of them have been saddled with debt during this period, so any increase that you see in Interest Rates is going to make it more expensive to pay those debts back. If you Take A Look at what the Bank Of England has been saying, theyve been trying to calm those concerns in a way. They do expect inflation will start to, will continue to Pick Up over the course of the year, and they think it will overshoot their 2 target i the end of the year, but theyve also suggested that that spike would be temporary and that inflation will then start to come back down closer towards its 2 target over the medium term. Towards its 2 target over the mediumterm. Towards its 2 target over the mediumterm. � ,. , , mediumterm. And ust finally, it is all an one mediumterm. And ust finally, it is auanonyowno mediumterm. And ust finally, it is all anyone who was i mediumterm. And just finally, it is all anyone who was not mediumterm. And just finally, it is all anyone who was not debt mediumterm. And just finally, it is all anyone who was not debt that i mediumterm. And just finally, it is all anyone who was not debt that is | all anyone who was not debt that is not at a fixed rate, they could be affected by it . Mortgages come at a time when people lost theirjobs are worried about paying bills. Time when people lost their obs are worried about paying bills. I worried about paying bills. Exactly, so its a lot worried about paying bills. Exactly, so its a lot of worried about paying bills. Exactly, so its a lot of people worried about paying bills. Exactly, so its a lot of people who worried about paying bills. Exactly, so its a lot of people who would i worried about paying bills. Exactly, | so its a lot of people who would be impacted by this. So its a lot of people who would be impacted by this impacted by this. Nina, thank you very much impacted by this. Nina, thank you very much. Nina impacted by this. Nina, thank you very much. Nina nanji. Now its time for a look at the weather with louise lear. Good evening. This Weeks Sunshine and showers is going to be replace by something a little more significant, some Heavy Rain and strong winds. You can see this mass of cloud pushing it off the atlantic. It is an area of low pressure that will arrive during the early hours of thursday morning, unseasonably strong winds for the time of the year, and the heaviest of the rain first thing well be through Northern Ireland, southern scotland, North England and north wales. The bulk of the wet weather not really arriving for the far North East of scotland but it is going be really dumb equity for all, gusts of wind widely 30 40 mph, perhaps in excess of 55 on exposed south coast. The Temperatures Subduedin south coast. The temperatures subdued in comparison to the last few days, 10 15 at the very best. Moving out of thursday to friday, that area of low pressure continues to dominate the weather story, the songs of the wins and fully across england and wales, with further contact truckers of the winds will be across. Further Heavy Rain to come. Hello, this is Bbc News with me, martine croxall. The headlines Surge Testing and more vaccines will be made available in six new areas of concern in england to combat the spread of the indian variant. With cases of the new variant still rising, the government has said its important people get vaccinated. As the Prime Minister said at lunch time, we have increasing confidence that the vaccines are effective against it. That means that our strategy is the right one. Thousands of volunteers in the uk are to receive a Booster Covid 19 vaccination as part of the first Clinical Trial in the world. The Prime Minister defends his advice not travel to Amber List countries on holiday as labour accuses ministers of Confused And Contradictory messages. Meanwhile, Eu Ambassadors back plans to allow Tourists Whove had both their covid jabs to visit europe this summer. And covid Hits Eurovision, with one of the Favourites having to pull out of the live performance. More now on one of our main stories. Labour has urged borisjohnson to abandon the governments Traffic Light System for International Travel, calling it hopeless. The Prime Minister has again told people that they shouldnt visit countries on the so called Amber List such as france or spain unless they have an essential reason. But he said he wouldnt legislate to make Leisure Travel illegal. Sharron livingston is the founder of thetravelmagazine. Net travel website. And shejoins us now. Sharron, think you very much for giving up your evening for evening you very much for giving up your evening for us tonight. How confused do you believe the advice is . Ioiroihozat do you believe the advice is . What makes it confusing do you believe the advice is . What makes it confusing is do you believe the advice is . What makes it confusing is the do you believe the advice is . Tarrisgt makes it confusing is the fact that it is not illegal. From the very beginning, boris was saying that we would rather you did not go, please dont go, that their message was consistent, the because it wasjust guidance, they was not illegal, that is why people thought you could go, and they did. It looked for greece. Greece was a surprising omission from the green List And Everyone thought it would definitely be on the green list. It wasnt. And people booked, but now its on the Amber List. Flights and holidays are not being cancelled, so tourists are left in a position where they are thinking, if i do not go, i will lose my holiday and i will lose my money, so i am going to take the risk and go. Money, so i am going to take the risk and go money, so i am going to take the riskand no. ,. , risk and go. What do you believe the Government Risk and go. What do you believe the government should risk and go. What do you believe the government should be risk and go. What do you believe the government should be Doing Risk and go. What do you believe the government should be doing about L Risk and go. What do you believe the I Government should be doing about it . For clarity purposes, they should have legislated, they should have said you cannot go on this, but made it somehow or other findable, or some way, to send a message that this is not guidance, this is actually really serious. They do have a serious message to tell, but they are looking at the science, and if there is, as far as they are concerned, a high incidence of covid, orthere concerned, a high incidence of covid, or there is a prevalence of some variant of concern, or if their population is not vaccinated, they will not go on the green list. That we have got will not go on the green list. That we have got further will not go on the green list. That we have got further confusion, i suppose, from the eu, saying if you have had two jabs, we will welcome you, and that might be a generational thing, that some will get to go and others wont. Possibly come u get to go and others wont. Possibly come up but get to go and others wont. Possibly come up but the get to go and others wont. Possibly come up but the thing get to go and others wont. Possibly come up but the thing is, get to go and others wont. Possibly come up but the thing is, they i get to go and others wont. Possibly come up but the thing is, they have | come up but the thing is, they have to be on the dreamless for there to be absolutely no research and when you come back, but you know what . I think this is temporary, i think that when we had the review, there will be more countries going onto the green list. I do believe we have something to look forward to. Countries like the eu, they really, really want to be on the coveted greenness, they miss us terribly, and as time goes on, the numbers will tally with what our scientists want to see and, as time goes on, they will appear on there. And also can we have got amazing long haul destinations like the maldives. They are on the Amber List. They are on the red list, actually. It is a shame, because all these countries need to catch up with what we consider here in the uk to be safe, and even the us. With the us, i think we can get some clues that sooner or later that corridor is going to open up, because i know that president biden will be here, he is travelling to the uk for the g7 meeting, and so i imagine they will be some sort of announcement that the us corridor, some sort of corridor, will open up and the us, because i ink we have got things look forward to even though if right now it is very confusing. Though if right now it is very confusing though if right now it is very confusino. ,. ,. ,. ,. , confusing. Sharron livingston from the Travel Magazine confusing. Sharron livingston from the Travel Magazine dot confusing. Sharron livingston from the Travel Magazine Dot Net i confusing. Sharron livingston from the Travel Magazine Dot Net travel| the Travel Magazine Dot Net travel website, think you very much. Hopefully things will become clearer in the next few days. Spain says it has returned more than half of the record 8,000 migrants who illegally entered its North African Enclave of ceuta from morocco this week. Moroccan guards are reported to have closed the border again after they were accused of Turning A Blind Eye to the crossings. Ceuta, which lies across the sea from spain on the north african coast, has become a magnet for migrants trying to reach europe. The territory, alongside the other enclave melilla, has been under Spanish Rule since the 17th century, though it is long claimed by morocco. The flow of migrants has fuelled a diplomatic spat between rabat and madrid. Lets get more on this from Dr Irene Fernandez molina, who is a Senior Lecturer in international relations at the university of exeter. It is very complicated, isnt it . It is geopolitics writ large. Can you try and give us a little bit of simple background to this, please . The current crisis is related to morocco Turning A Blind Eye on entries of migrants in the city of ceuta, but if we want to understand why this has happened now, we need to look at the western Sahara Conflict which has been going on since the mid 70s in northwestern africa. Morocco has occupied and annexed most of Western Sahara for overfour annexed most of Western Sahara for over four decades annexed most of Western Sahara for overfour decades now, but has never got international Recognition And Sovereignty over this territory, and there have been things recently that have promoted crisis with spain, the former colonial power. The leader of the Independence Group that fights for Western Sahara, the leader of the group, has been hospitalised with covid in spain. He is seen as the main enemy from morocco, so this has been viewed as very hostile jester by the moroccan authorities. This happened a couple weeks ago and led to a number of different statements by moroccan representatives, who said that cooperation with spain in controlling the border would suffer if the Spanish Government did not. If we go a little bit more back in time, i think the real cause for all of this crisis and all this escalation lands with trump and trumps Declaration In December Last year, recognising Moroccos Sovereignty over Western Sahara. This was a totally unprecedented move. This totally changed the game, because it strayed away from the international consensus, from the un line and the un process, the un Negotiation Process for this conflict. Morocco thought a little bit too optimistically that other western countries were going to follow the example of the us and were going to formally reckon is there sovereignty over Western Sahara, especially france and spain, the former colonial powers. This has not happened, so it is now a mix of pressure on these European Countries and also on the side of the moroccan authorities. In the case of spain, morocco has a very effective and growing leverage, in terms of migration control, because they share a border. This is the key border, see Border And Land border, of the western mediterranean Migration Route, which has become the main Migration Route from africa into europe stop what can ijust ask one final question, briefly . We have seen over A Thousand people risk their lives other babies in the water as well, being carried into ceuta. Water as well, being carried into ceuta what water as well, being carried into ceuta. What obligation, if any, does spain feel to give some of these migrants Safe Haven . Migrants Safe Haven . Legally soeakin migrants Safe Haven . Legally speaking spain migrants Safe Haven . Legally speaking spain has migrants Safe Haven . Legally speaking spain has an i migrants Safe Haven . Legally speaking spain has an agreement with morocco, whereby moroccan cities done next citizens can be returned immediately to morocco moroccan citizens. This does not apply to accompanied minors, so openly there has been a huge number of the migrants who entered the Spanish Territory yesterday and the day before yesterday, have already been returned to morocco, except for these unaccompanied minors who deserve special Protection And Aid and humanitarian aid. So now the Spanish Authorities have deployed all the resources in order to try and see if they can protect them in ceuta or some of them will have to be relocated into mainland spain. Dr have to be relocated into mainland sain. ,. , a,. , spain. Dr Irene Fernandezmolina from the university spain. Dr Irene Fernandezmolina from the university of spain. Dr Irene Fernandezmolina from the university of exeter, spain. Dr Irene Fernandezmolina i from the university of exeter, thank you very much for your time. Next week marks the one Year Anniversary of the killing of George Floyd, the African American man who died after a white Police Officer, derek chauvin, knelt on his neck for more than nine minutes. The murder that was captured on camera shocked the world, prompting millions to take part in global demonstrations against police brutality. In this Special Report on the impact of his death, Clive Myrie has been to france, a country where the police are often accused of violence and racism, to find out what the reaction of the french government has been and the effects on wider society. A warning, you may find some of the images in his report distressing. Spring sunshine bathes a [and ill at ease. Beneath the tranquility swirls a tempest on race. All these people should beat wearing masks due to covid, even outdoors. The fine 135 euros. But the police turn a blind eye. Yet not too far away, different tactics. Two men who happen to be black are stopped and questioned for not wearing masks. One Bystander Reassures and complies. But our presence angers the police. One of our team is pulled by a female officer to go bleep herself. This officer tells us were not allowed to film, but thats not true. Angry, they disappear. It was hoped Winds Of Change would blow when George Floyd died. 12 months ago, so much seemed possible. Tens of thousands marched here, joining millions in global protests. Over a death that resonated, especially in black and arab communities of france, where other men have died in Police Custody. Yet a year later, more, not fewer, laws are being introduced that could insulate violent officers from prosecution. Nothing. Hes not doing anything. Nothing Shahin Hazamy Chronicles French police brutality. Look, look. Hes punching him in the face. Two punching in the face, yes. Two Police Officers . Yes, yes. His footage of the violence, he posts on instagram, but its a risky business. In this video, his friend has been stopped by police and an officer sees shahin filming. Shouting translation if we dont have proof of what we are seeing and what we are reporting, there would be no investigation, there would be no attention, there would be nojustice, because, in france, the world of a Police Officer is worth more than that of a citizen. A terrible indictment of modern france. There is no video of the last moments of adama traore, who died in Police Custody in 2016. In reconstructions, Media Organisations have tried to piece together what happened when the 24 year old ran from police in a Suburb North of paris, afterfailing to show his identity card. But Adamas Sister Assa says the evidence is clear the Police Beat and killed him, despite a Court Ruling that her brother died of natural causes. She retraces his final steps. Thats where he was beaten, just in there . Yes. And down the street, the Police Station where adama was declared dead. Translation everything happened here, in the courtyard of this Police Station. And by coincidence, the cameras were not working. If anyone can build a Prosecution Case against the police a human rights lawyer, he represents several people allegedly attacked by officers. Should i be worried walking down a Parisian Street at night because im black . Oui. I should be worried . Translation yes, you should worry about what could happen to you if you come across the police. There are even politicians, famous men, famous women, who were well known who have been stopped. The fact that this man, Music Producer Michel zecler, is black, say his lawyers, wasnt lost on the officers who beat him in his own recording studio. A Security Camera captured every punch and kick, after he was stopped by police for not wearing a mask outside his front door. The video stunned france, with President Macron tweeting his disgust. And yet, say critics, faith placed in him on his election as president to tackle racism in france is ebbing away, as he attempts to curry favour with voters on the right before elections next year. They see new security laws, including the arrest of anyone filming the police and maliciously making the images public, as an attempt to cling onto power. Its often those who are black or arab in france who have no power and are 20 times more likely to be stopped by police than anyone whos white. The Ministry Of Interior didnt want to comment on the issues raised in our report, but the police told us theyre not racist and point to increases in violent crime and drugs offences as proof of the difficult job they do. However, there is an acknowledgement about the deficit of trust between young people and the police. This generation for us, actually, is lost. We think we lost a generation, but we want to fight for the next generation of people. France simply cannot turn its back on any of its citizens. And President Macron needs to fulfil his promise on taking office of creating a new contact between the police and the public. Failure to do so dooms notjust perhaps this generation but also the next. Clive myrie, Bbc News, paris. Youre watching Bbc News. It is a 50 2pm 850 2pm. Icelands entrant for the Eurovision Song Contest will not perform in this years live shows after a Band Member tested positive for coronavirus. The group will stay in the Competition But Wont perform live at wednesdays rehearsal, thursdays semifinal or the final on saturday. Footage recorded during a recent rehearsal will be used instead. Were joined now by radioi newsbeat� s Music Reporter steve holden, whos in rotterdam covering the event this week. Steve, thanks very much forjoining us. Did not happened last year, did it, this competition, so weve got two years to catch up with . I it, this competition, so weve got two years to catch up with . I know, and wendy two years to catch up with . I know, and wendy for two years to catch up with . I know, and wendy for semifinal two years to catch up with . I know, and wendy for semifinal happened | and wendy for semifinal happened yesterday, i think there was huge sigh of relief for eurovision supporters and fans that they are was a live show after two years. As you said, Life Iceland are not going to be live tomorrow, because one of their Band Members tested positive for covid. Any problem is, from the Tv Point of view, Tv Viewers might not notice anything different, but for the band themselves, Dadi Freyr and his band, they have been working for 18 months towards this and that the final hurdle, they have told they will not be able to perform live. It is like try to get to the endgame and not quite getting there. They are still in the competition, but it is not how they would have liked into. I how they would have liked into. I noticed you dodged their name, steve. ,. ,. , , steve. Dadi freyr and. That is my best icelandic steve. Dadi freyr and. That is my best icelandic pronunciation steve. Dadi freyr and. That is my best icelandic pronunciation i best icelandic pronunciation i think it is. Youve best icelandic pronunciation i think it is. Youve probably. Think it is. Youve probably said it better than think it is. Youve probably said it better than me. Think it is. Youve probably said it better than me. I think it is. Youve probably said it better than me. I am think it is. Youve probably said it better than me. I am not think it is. Youve probably said it better than me. I am not sure. It better than me. I am not sure about that it better than me. I am not sure about that at it better than me. I am not sure about that at all, it better than me. I am not sure about that at all, but it better than me. I am not sure about that at all, but i it better than me. I am not sure about that at all, but i was it better than me. I am not sure about that at all, but i wasjust| about that at all, but i was just going to show off her a moment. I loved their song from last year, i watched in so many times. It was called think about things. How much of a favourite is it this year . The . Of a favourite is it this year . They are still a favourite, of a favourite is it this year . Tue are still a favourite, because of a favourite is it this year . Tt3 1 are still a favourite, because they are still a favourite, because they are the favourite from last year. That song think about things got into the mainstream, it went on the Radio One and radio two user playlist. This year, he went down i came back and had a song called 10 years, it should his wife, also in the band. He has got a deadpan humour, eccentricity, and he still is one of the Favourites. find humour, eccentricity, and he still is one of the Favourites. Is one of the Favourites. And they do a lot of is one of the Favourites. And they do a lot of dancing is one of the Favourites. And they do a lot of dancing which is one of the Favourites. And they do a lot of dancing which people | do a lot of dancing which people could copy. Tell us aboutjames newman, who is representing the uk. How do you rate his chances . He newman, who is representing the uk. How do you rate his chances . How do you rate his chances . He has brou ht a how do you rate his chances . He has brought a song how do you rate his chances . He has brought a song called how do you rate his chances . He has brought a song called embers. How do you rate his chances . He has brought a song called embers. He. How do you rate his chances . He has| brought a song called embers. He was again selected by The Uk Last Year and he had a ballot last year, and he wanted to do something upbeat, in his words, a banker, so he has got a flashy gold suit, he has trumpets come he has flames and fire. It is a good song, is upbeat. He has been drawn in the first half of the contest, which is not historically winners usually come from the second half, but there is some speculation that he would open the show on saturday come over would be a good start, it is an upbeat song. I think that is what everyone wants, is a banging tuned to win this year . We have the full spectrum, as always, with eurovision for some we have some intense ballads, weve got some pop, weve got some actual rock. Easily have brought their entire Countrys Supply of pyrotechnics italy have. If you watched the french entry on saturday, it is the most friends think you have ever seen. It does exactly that the most french thing. You will imagine yourself on the streets of paris having a Coffee Stop what im and accordion steve holden, thank you very much stop what im and accordion steve holden, thank you very much im heafina holden, thank you very much im hearing and holden, thank you very much im hearing and accordion. China has released the first pictures taken by its Zhurong Rover on mars. The rover touched down on the Red Planet early on sunday making china only the second nation after america to successfully put a probe on the surface of mars. The Colour Picture was taken by a navigation camera, with the Lens Pointing to the rear of the rover. The Black And White images were taken by the front Obstacle Avoidance Camera of the rover, facing the direction of the rover. Iam sure i am sure you understood that i did now its time for a look at the weather with louise lear. Good evening. It certainly has been a showery week so far, hasnt it . But the Showers Today have been a little less frequent, and out to the west, there has been some decent spells of sunshine. In the sunshine it has felt quite pleasant, a beautiful afternoon in dorset. Shower clouds threatening in the Isle Of Sheppey in kent, but even here, the showers have been lighter in comparison to the last couple of days. You can see those shower clouds, with the best of the sunshine out to the west. I want to draw your attention, however, to this mass of cloud pushing in off the atlantic. Its a Weather Front which is winding its way in over the next few hours and will arrive during the early hours of thursday morning. Its going to bring some Heavy Rain and some unseasonably strong winds, really. Ahead of it, we will have the best of the clearer skies across eastern england, some showers continuing into scotland, Clouding Over from the west. So here, temperatures will hold up at around 8 9 celsius to start off thursday. The rain will be quite heavy as it moves in through Northern Ireland, southern Scotland And North West England and wales in particular. Turning Light And Showery across central and southern england, and perhaps not really making much of an impression into the far north of scotland. But the winds, really a feature, widely gusting at 30mph to 40mph. Perhaps, on exposed south west coast, it could even be close to 60mph at times. So, the temperatures are going to be subdued in comparison to today. Highs of 10 11 celsius quite widely. The low continues to move in and anchors itself close to the Scottish Borders in the north of england. The strongest of the wind is down to the south. That is going to continue to push in frequent spells of Heavy Rain across england and wales, and it is going to be windy with it. Showers into the far north of scotland, perhaps a little bit quieter for Northern Ireland through friday afternoon. But, again, a blustery day for this time of year, strongest of the winds across the channel coasts, possibly up to 60mph. Temperatures, again, subdued for the time of year, 8 1li celsius The High. We get a Brief Respite for the start of the weekend, a little more drier and sunnier weather around, before slowly, another front comes in towards the end of sunday from the west. But once we get sunday and monday out of the way, High Pressure is set to build, and that, for our final week of may, should bring us some dry and sunny weather. Unfortunately, temperatures, though, only average. As the pandemic took hold. This is Bbc News thats enough. Joe biden is walking back his support for bibi netanyahu. But the israeli Prime Minister insists he is not on the clock. In the first public sign of pressure on israel, the us president says he expects them to significantly wind down their attacks on gaza today. Congressional commissions used to be two a Penny Theyve held them for lots of things so why dont republicans want to investigate the January Sixth attack on the capitol . Also in the programme. The problems of policing in france. We will bring you the latest our series of Special Reports on the impact of George Floyds death worldwide. Just in there. That is where he was beaten