Isaid we i said we were going to hearfrom the Health Secretary, and here He Is. ~. ,. , 4 the Health Secretary, and here He Is. Who Had worked hard throughout all of these testing is. Who Had worked hard throughout all of these testing times. Is. Who Had worked hard throughout all of these testing times. He is. Who Had worked hard throughout all of these testing times. He has i all of these testing times. He has achieved a great amount in the work that he did, and i know that he will have more to offer in public life, and i wishing very best. Mr deputy speaker, there remains a big task ahead of us, to restore our freedoms, freedoms that save for the greatest of circumstances, no government should ever wish to curtail. So my task is to help return the economic and cultural life that makes this country so grades while of course protecting life and our nhs. Now, that task has been made all the more difficult by the delta variance. We now know makes up some 95 of new cases in the uk. Not only does it spread more easily, but the evidence points to a higher risk of those who have not been vaccinated Meeting Hospital Treatment compared to the previously dominant alpha variance. This narrowing of the race between the virus and the Vaccine Led to the governments difficult decision to pies step four on our Road Map until the 19th Ofjuly. We are using this extra time to protect as many people as we can. When the government took that decision onjune the 14th, over point a5 million that decision onjune the iath, over point a5 million over A0s Have Had affairs dosed. Now thats down to three point two over a0. We can all be assured by how many more people are getting the life saving opportunity. Mr deputy speaker, at this two Week Review points, want to update the House on our progress to the Road Map to freedom. Mr deputy speaker, ouraim is that the Road Map to freedom. Mr deputy speaker, our aim is that around two thirds of all adults in this country will have Had both doses by the 19th Ofjuly. We are bringing forward second doses and bringing forward our target for first doses so that we can meet that 19th Ofjuly goal. Vaccine uptake remains sky high. We have seen that age is no barrier for enthusiasm for getting the job. As of this week and, more than half of adults under 30 have taken at the chance to be vaccinated, including in the last couple of weeks all three of my own adult children. Hear, hear three of my own adult children. Hear. Hear three of my own adult children. Hear, hear . U ,. ,. , ~ hear, hear vaccines are working, includin hear, hear vaccines are working, including against hear, hear vaccines are working, including against the hear, hear vaccines are working, including against the delta including against the delta variance. The latest modelling from public Health England shows that they have saved over 27,000 lives and have prevented over 7 Million people from getting Covid I9. Now, we do know that after a single dose of vaccine, the effectiveness is lower against the new Delta Variant at around 33 reduction in symptomatic disease. But to doses of that vaccine are just as effective with Hospital Admission compared to the alpha variance. The jabs are making a difference in our hospitals too. Injanuary, people over 65 who were vaccinated earlier in our programme made at the vast majority of Hospital Admissions. The latest data shows that that group now makes up data shows that that group now makes up less than a third. So while cases now are taking up, the number of deaths remains massively low and we will continue to investigate however vaccines are breaking that link between cases, hospitalisations and deaths. Im also encouraged by new data just today from oxford Universitys Mix and match trial, which shows that a mixed schedule of jabs such as getting the Astrazeneca Jabs such as getting the Astrazeneca Jab first and then the pfizer second could give our Booster Vaccination more flexibility and possibly even some better Immune Responses. Finally, Mr Deputy speaker, we continue to see a hospitalisations, although, in line with the kinds of numbers we Had anticipated on our Road Map, the number of people needing Hospital Treatment for Covid I9 has doubled since the start of may. Admissions are most clearly increasing in the northeast and the southwest of england, so we have been boosting Testing Centres and vaccines in those areas and keeping a coat close watch on the numbers. I spent my first as Health Secretaryjust numbers. I spent my first as Health Secretary just yesterday looking at the data and testing it to the limit. Whilst we decided not to bring forward step four, we see no reason to go beyond the 19th of july. Because in truth, no dates we choose comes with zero risk for covid. We know we cannot simply eliminate it. We have to learn to live with it. We also know that people and businesses need certainty. So we want every step to be irreversible. Make no mistake, Mr Deputy speaker, the restrictions on our freedoms, deputy speaker, the restrictions on ourfreedoms, they deputy speaker, the restrictions on our freedoms, they must come to an end. We owing to the british people who have sacrificed so much to restore their freedoms as quickly as we possibly can and not to wait a moment longer then we need to. Mr deputy speaker, with the numbers heading in the right direction, all while we protect more and more people each day, July The 19th remains our target dates. The Prime Minister has called that our. For me, the 19th Ofjuly is not on the end of the line, but the start of an exciting newjourney for our country. So, Mr Deputy speaker, at this crucial moment in our fight back against this pandemic, we must keep our resolve and keep on our Road Map to freedom. Together, we can beat this pandemic and we can build back better. It is a task that i am deeply honoured to lead and when i know well succeed. I commend the statement to the House. The statement to the House. Hear, hear . The statement to the House. Hear, hear for the statement to the House. Hear, hear for up the statement to the House. Hear, hear . For up to the statement to the House. Hear, hear . For up to five the statement to the House. Hear, hear . For up to five minutes, hear . For up to five minutes, jonathan hear . For up to five minutes, jonathan ashworth. Hear . For up to five minutes, jonathan ashworth. Can hear . For up to five minutes, jonathan ashworth. Can i hear . For up to five minutes, jonathan ashworth. Can i justl hear . For up to five minutes, | jonathan ashworth. Can ijust at hear . For up to five minutes, jonathan ashworth. Can i just at the jonathan ashworth. Can i ust at the outset, jonathan ashworth. Can i ust at the outset. Despite h jonathan ashworth. Can i ust at the outset, despite our jonathan ashworth. Can i just at the outset, despite our fierce jonathan ashworth. Can i just at the outset, despite our fierce political l outset, despite ourfierce political differences that my dealings with the previous Secretary Of State where always courteous, respectful and professional. Iwish where always courteous, respectful and professional. I wish him well in resolving his personal difficulties. Now, i welcomed the right honourable gentleman to his place and thank him for his statements. He will find working with the nhs and social Care Staff both inspirational and rewarding. I hope you will agree and make arrangements for them to receive a fair Pay Rise and not the real terms pay cut that is currently penciled in. Now, today, he let it be known thatJuly The 19th reopening will effectively go ahead. He told the news this morning that there is no going back, that Lifting Restrictions will be irreversible. Well, i wear to the wise, Mr Deputy speaker, ive responded to a lot of these Statements Committees last 15 months, and i remember ministers telling us there was nothing in the data to suggest that the June 21 Deadline Wouldnt go data to suggest that theJune 21 Deadline Wouldnt go ahead. Remember school children returning to school children returning to school for one day, i remember it will all be over by christmas. I remember we will send you packing in 12 weeks. Well, we have seen around 8a,000 cases in the last we increase of around 61 . Today we saw the highest Case Rate since january. If these trends continue, we can hit 30 5000a5,000 these trends continue, we can hit 30 5000 a5,000 cases a day byJuly 19. 5000 a5,000 cases a day byjuly19. That will mean more long call that, He Didnt mention marlon covid, that will mean more disruption to schooling. Forsome, it could mean hospitalisation. More along covid. We know after two doses come he can catch and transmit the virus. So what is he going to do to push infections down . Vaccination will do it eventually, Mr Deputy speaker, but not in the next four weeks. Now, i want to see an end to restrictions, our constituents want to see an end to our restrictions, but i hope his Competence Today aboutJuly 19 does not prove somewhat premature or even, dare i Say Its can a hubristic. Can he confirmed that by irreversible, He Is rolling out restrictions this winter. And has he abandoned the plan which the previous Secretary Of State and officials were drying up for restrictions this winter. Increased infections will impact on the ability of the nhs to provide wider care. Today, hes promised to get the Nhs Everything they need to get the Nhs Everything they need to get through the backlog. So will the Hospital Discharge and Support Funding be extended beyond the september . 0rwill funding be extended beyond the september . Or will trusts have to make cuts instead . How does he define getting through the backlog . When will the nhs again guarantee that 95 of patients will start treatment within 18 weeks of referral . We know thousand seven people are waiting too long for cancer care, so when will the Nhs Meet its Cancer Track at that 96 of patients wait no longer than a month from diagnosis to first treatment. When will he give primary care the resources to meet the challenge of the hidden Waiting List of over 7 Million Patient Referrals that they wouldve expected since the march 2020. Given the pressures on primary care, is it still has pain to press ahead with the gp Data Transfer . To be frank Mr Deputy speaker, if the Department Cant keep It Cctv Footage secure, how does he expect it to keep our personal data secure . Will be see a plan to fix Social Care . 0r will be see a plan to fix Social Care . Or is todays telegraph correct when it reports that he, the Secretary Of State, is of the opinion that we are completely the wrong stage of the parliament to lunch a new Social Care strategy. Is that really his view . Given the pressures across the whole of the health care service, will he abandoned the ill thought through Top Down reorganisation of the nhs that the previous Secretary Of State was set to embark on . Finally, Mr Deputy speaker, given the recent questions of propriety around public contracts, he will understandably want to present himself as a new brood. Can you confirm that he will not use a present E Mail Account to carry out Government Business . Can he explain why the social Care Minister has been using a personal E Mail Account to carry out Government Business . And why was the parliament under Secretary Of State for Innovation The Noble Lord Bethel using his personal E Mail Account to discuss the awarding of Government Contracts . Invited he Had meetings with the firm with a contract but not declared . Can he tell us what that he maintains confidence in minister, and isnt it time that that particular Health Minister was believed at the ministerial responsibilities as well . Secretary of state. Thank responsibilities as well . Secretary of state. Thank you, responsibilities as well . Secretary of state. Thank you, mr responsibilities as well . Secretary of state. Thank you, Mr Deputy i of state. Thank you, Mr Deputy seaker. Of state. Thank you, Mr Deputy speaker. First of state. Thank you, Mr Deputy speaker. First of of state. Thank you, Mr Deputy speaker. First of all, of state. Thank you, Mr Deputy speaker. First of all, can of state. Thank you, Mr Deputy speaker. First of all, can i of state. Thank you, Mr Deputy j speaker. First of all, can i think my honourable gentleman for his comments, and also what he said about my predecessor. Intending to his questions, first of all, Mr Deputy speaker, he started off by Talking About, rightly so, pointing out the incredible work are Nhs Staff across the country have been doing, obviously before this pandemic, but especially i think we would all agree, throughout this pandemic. And i heard about that myself this morning with my visit to St Thomass Hospital talking to staff doctors, nurses, consultants, and hearing directly the challenges they face at the time, but also the challenge that is they continue to base. What i want to hear from them is what more can the government do, whether its on recruitment, resources, what more help can be provided . So it remains an absolute priority, of course, it is absolutely essential that when the Pay Settlement Process is complete, that it Pay Settlement Process is complete, thatitis Pay Settlement Process is complete, that it is a fair process and, of course commit absolutely will be and it will be fair pay settlements. Turning to his question about the move to step four, the timing of that, well, Ithink Move to step four, the timing of that, well, i think Mr Deputy speaker, i have sent out, i think quite clearly and make statements, the government present an appointment the rationale for that plan. The thing i would point out is that what is at the heart of this is the Vaccination Programme and the excellent work thats being done by many across the country, the volunteers, the doctors, nurses, i the vaccination centre today, the excellent work by my honourable friend here as well, because the more people that are getting vaccinated, we are seeing clear evidence that we are breaking the link, and this is absolutely crucial, we are breaking the link between people getting infected by covid 19 so the number of cases versus those that are actually ending up, sadly, in hospital even in some cases losing their lives. The more evidence we see at that, the more confident it can make us to put this behind us. Thats what makes me confident about the date of July 19 without the data that have seen yesterday, i sat down and discussed it with the experts, some of my colleagues commit is very clear that we are heading in the right direction, and i am very confident about that date, July The 19th. The right honourable gentleman also asked about the backlog. He is right to raise that. Of course, because of the focus for all the right reasons at the nhs, the social Care System on dealing with the pandemic, sadly, there is a significant backlog of cases that has been built up. The government already has provided record amounts of funding to try to deal with some of funding to try to deal with some of that backlog. In total, to debit the pandemic, some £92 billion of extra funding has been put into the nhs and social Care System. Much of Thatis Nhs and social Care System. Much of that is targeted at the backlog, and that is targeted at the backlog, and thatis that is targeted at the backlog, and that is something that will be an absolute priority. It was for my predecessor and will be certainly for me about how quickly we can deal with that with the best and most efficient ways, and just today with my visits to the hospital again, i Had some excellent new ideas from the people on the Front Line and we will certainly be listening to them as he set out for their plans. The right honourable gentleman also asked about Social Care, and i should want him not to believe everything he reads in the press, and i Thank You should know that Social Care remains an absolute priority for this government, for me, the Print Minister as well, and i absolutely intend to meet them. When it comes to reform, the belt that ive talked about, my predecessor has talked about On Nhs and social Care Reform, of course we are committed to that. I think that the right honourable gentleman should sit down with me, and perhaps i can persuade him of the virtues of that bill because im sure i can convince him a little bit that it is essential. If he believes that like me what matters most is the patients that people that are going into our Hospital Feeling unwell and we went to see them quickly and efficiently, we want them to get better, people in our social Care System have better integration, then he will believe in the pages of that bill. I hope eventually he can come to support the bill and did the right thing. Lastly, he asked me about my ministers. Mr deputy speaker, i have got to say, i have such a fantastic ministerial team. Got to say, i have such a fantastic ministerialteam. Every single got to say, i have such a fantastic ministerial team. Every single one of them, its not even a question of confidence, its a group of ministers that are incredibly talented bats have delivered both in this has come in the lloyds, and i can say, Mr Deputy speaker, i have Had some considerable experience of working with ministers having that five departments before, and this is one of the best things ive ever Had. , mr one of the best things ive ever| Had. Mr speaker, one of the best things ive ever Had. Mr speaker, my Had. Jeremy hunt. Mr speaker, my atoloies Had. Jeremy hunt. Mr speaker, my apologies for Had. Jeremy hunt. Mr speaker, my apologies for missing Had. Jeremy hunt. Mr speaker, my apologies for missing the Had. Jeremy hunt. Mr speaker, my apologies for missing the start Had. Jeremy hunt. Mr speaker, my apologies for missing the start of l apologies for missing the start of the session, but can a warmly welcome a right on his post. He will bring experience, Ability And Integrity to this role, and i have No Doubt he will do it with great distinction. He will understand, of course, in my role, i have to scrutinise him, so i want to say to him now that he has welcomed to his many Seminar Sessions at the select committee as He Is willing to attend, and will forward to talking to them there, but i do want to wish him well and i also went to echo his comments about his predecessor to the Health Secretary in the pandemic is the most difficultjob imaginable, and the right honourable memberfor west imaginable, and the right honourable member for West Suffolk brought enormous to Energy And Determination to that role in the country is in his tent. As he deals with what we hope are the final stages of this pandemic, can i ask him what he will also be giving thought as to how to prepare the nhs and Care System for future pandemics, and whether the top of his list will be putting more resilience into the social Care System, Notjust Meeting Our Manifesto Promises and a cap on Social Care, but also making sure that local authority has the long Term Stability and funding to make sure that they rarely can look after every older person with dignity and respect. Mr every older person with dignity and resect. ~ , , every older person with dignity and resect. ~ , respect. Mr deputy speaker, can i think my right respect. Mr deputy speaker, can i think my right honourable respect. Mr deputy speaker, can i think my right honourable friend l respect. Mr deputy speaker, can i l think my right honourable friend for his remarks and welcome the scrutiny that he and his committee are going to provide, im not sure about the seven hours bats, but i very much welcome the scrutiny and intention. 0n welcome the scrutiny and intention. On his two questions, absolutely in terms of preparing for future pandemics, huge amount of work thats already gone on that. Just yesterday, met the Chief Executive for the uk hsa that will work on much of this and also i think my right honourable friend knows this, but for the benefit of others that the best part of the year i have spends away from the front bench. Ive also spent time as a Senior Fellow where my project at the time was looking at future potential pandemics, and im going to put that knowledge to use as well and everything ive learned through that process and getting that preparation, but He Is also right to raise the importance of social Care Reform in the wreck that needs to be done including sustainable funding, and he will remember that as ministers, we work often together in the past, again, i look forward to working with him in different roles now, but on the same issue which is how do we provide a longer lasting sustainable solution to the social Care Challenge this country faces, and as i said earlier to the sHadow Health Secretary, this remains a huge priority and i look forward to talking with my right honourable Friend And Learning from him as well. ,. , Friend And Learning from him as well. , ,. , Friend And Learning from him as well. , well. That was said javid in his first appearance well. That was Sajid Javid in his first appearance in well. That was Sajid Javid in his first appearance in the well. That was Sajid Javid in his first appearance in the House-l'>House L well. That was Sajid Javid in his | first appearance in the House of commons, as Health Secretary. You may remember He Is to be the chancellor until he resigned just before Valentines Day last year. Seems like a lifetime ago, doesnt it . He has confirmed thatJuly The 19th remains our target date, he said. He said, yes, cases are taking up to the public cases are taking up because of the Delta Variant, but the number of deaths remains, as he put it, mercifully low. He says were using the extra couple of weeks to vaccinate even more people. He says that our aim is that around two thirds of adults will have Had both doses by the 19th Ofjuly, so we can meet the lifting of restrictions goal. Thats for adults in england, of course. He said he was encouraged by this Mix And Match trial. We will hear more about that in just a trial. We will hear more about that injust a moment. Trial. We will hear more about that injusta moment. Of trial. We will hear more about that in just a moment. Of course, trial. We will hear more about that injust a moment. Of course, we heard from labour� sjonathan , and suggested that they might want to look at a fair Pay Rise rather than a real terms pay cuts. He also reminded the new Health Secretary that he, the sHadow Health Secretary Had been here before. He said ministers to say that there is nothing in the data to make sure thatjune the 25th doesnt go ahead. He said he Had heard people talk about pack up this virus in 12 weeks, etc, etc, so he was warning thereto to the new Health Secretary. Lets speak to our Health Correspondent michelle roberts. Whats the most important thing they take from that . We whats the most important thing they take from that . Take from that . We have all been watchint take from that . We have all been watching this take from that . We have all been watching this data, take from that . We have all been watching this data, it take from that . We have all been watching this data, it is take from that . We have all been watching this data, it is clear, take from that . We have all been watching this data, it is clear, we| watching this data, it is clear, we have been looking at infection rates going up a lot, and the big . Was what will that mean in terms of hospitalisations and deaths . Thankfully, it looks like the vaccines are working to protect and break that link between high infections and the outcomes that we dont want to. So he said the data is looking really good we know that today in the Coronavirus Update we heard that there are over 22 Thousand new cases in the uk which doesnt sound good, that is a big number. That is the latest dates. 0bviously on sunday, we Had a problem with some of the data, some of it wasnt logged for england, so that little backlog may explain why the numbers are a bit higher today. Scotland has also said theyve Had a Record Number of 3000 cases today. Thats the latest data dump, if you like. But in terms of that translating to people getting very sick, ending up in hospital and then that having a good outcome, we are not seeing that Hospital Cases have been going up a bit, but as we heard from that Health Secretary, not a massive concern, and you know, before we have these vaccines, and weve also Had some really good new information about the vaccines today. Information about the vaccines toda. ,. , information about the vaccines toda. ,. ,. Information about the vaccines toda. ,. , today. That Mix And Match trial, what is going today. That Mix And Match trial, what is going on today. That Mix And Match trial, what is going on there . Today. That Mix And Match trial, what is going on there . Out, today. That Mix And Match trial, | what is going on there . Out, they have been looking what is going on there . Out, they have been looking at what is going on there . Out, they have been looking at two what is going on there . Out, they have been looking at two of what is going on there . Out, they have been looking at two of the l have been looking at two of the vaccines we have at the moment, Pfizer And Astrazeneca and whether you should get the same does come at the moment we are doing astrazeneca astrazeneca pfizer, pfizer, but they have also looked at mixing them up, so your first dose may be astrazeneca and your second one would be pfizer. In terms of roll out for the uk, there will be no change in policy at the moment, but these results have a lot of impact for the global relapse of these vaccines. When at the combination you use them as long as he felt that doses, the two recommended doses. It seems to be offering really good protection. Thats very important for countries that happens that is big access as we have at the moment to vaccines. Thank you very much. Lets not talk to our political correspondent. So as much as he could come hes essentially confirmed thatJuly The 19th will happen, but we also need to, you know, look at the data from adobe . I5 to, you know, look at the data from adobe . ,. , adobe . Is quite interesting to listen to sajid adobe . Is quite interesting to listen to sajid Javid Adobe . Is quite interesting to listen to sajid Javid Talk Adobe . Is quite interesting to| listen to Sajid Javid talk today. Adobe . Is quite interesting to listen to Sajid Javid talk today. He didnt listen to Sajid Javid talk today. He didnt mention at all that phrase that matt didnt mention at all that phrase that Matt Hancock repeatedly used. Hes been that Matt Hancock repeatedly used. Hes been very confident in his statement saying that July The 19th is a Date Statement saying that July The 19th is a date that would be, he expected it to be is a date that would be, he expected it to be next. It would be irreversible. They should be no going irreversible. They should be no going back. The kind of words that will be going back. The kind of words that will be very going back. The kind of words that will be very welcome from the back benches will be very welcome from the back benches of will be very welcome from the back benches of the tory party, remember, today, benches of the tory party, remember, today, sajid benches of the tory party, remember, today, Sajid Javid was obliged to et today, Sajid Javid was obliged to get the today, Sajid Javid was obliged to get the House of commons and updates on whether get the House of commons and updates on whether there could potentially be a lifting of restrictions even earlier be a lifting of restrictions even earlier thanjuly the be a lifting of restrictions even earlier than July The 19th. Be a lifting of restrictions even earlier thanJuly The 19th. This time earlier thanJuly The 19th. This time next earlier thanJuly The 19th. This time next week, in fact, he said that time next week, in fact, he said that we time next week, in fact, he said that we are time next week, in fact, he said that we are not quite there yet. I think that we are not quite there yet. I think what that we are not quite there yet. I think what they want to do is buy more think what they want to do is buy more time, think what they want to do is buy more time, essentially coming to get more more time, essentially coming to get more people vaccinated, get more people more people vaccinated, get more heaple all more people vaccinated, get more people all double vaccinated head at that point people all double vaccinated head at that point reopening onJuly The 19th that point reopening onJuly The 19th at that point reopening onJuly The 19th. At the message that we are getting 19th. At the message that we are getting from the new Health Secretary and also the prime Minister Secretary and also the Prime Minister earlier today is that they are very. Minister earlier today is that they are very, very adamant that they want are very, very adamant that they want this are very, very adamant that they want this to happen, they want this to be want this to happen, they want this to be irreversible. I think the questions to be irreversible. I think the questions that do remain, however, is what questions that do remain, however, is what does questions that do remain, however, is what does that unlocking the crank is what does that unlocking the Crank On is what does that unlocking the Crank Onjuly tHe Is what does that unlocking the Crank On July The 19th. What happens to the Crank On July The 19th. What happens to the one Crank On July The 19th. What happens to the One Metre Plus rule, what about to the One Metre Plus rule, what about masks on Public Transport from the capacity about masks on Public Transport from the Capacity Limits for theatres, for football stadiums, things like that for football stadiums, things like that. , ~ for football stadiums, things like that. , for football stadiums, things like that. , for football stadiums, things like that. ,. ,. , that. Thank you very much, greg. Now lord nitel that. Thank you very much, greg. Now Lord Nigel chris. That. Thank you very much, greg. Now Lord Nigel chris, who that. Thank you very much, greg. Now Lord Nigel chris, who used that. Thank you very much, greg. Now Lord Nigel chris, who used to that. Thank you very much, greg. Now Lord Nigel chris, who used to run Lord Nigel chris, who used to run the Nhs In England for stability. The new Health Secretary didnt say we would be guided by data and not the dates, is that wise . I be guided by data and not the dates, is that wise . Is that wise . I think he has seen the data and is that wise . I think he has seen the data and i is that wise . I think he has seen the data and i happened. Is that wise . I think he has seen the data and i happened. And i is that wise . I think he has seen | the data and i happened. And im sure that will the data and i happened. And im sure that will be the data and i happened. And im sure that will be going the data and i happened. And im sure that will be going on the data and i happened. And im sure that will be going on behind| sure that will be going on behind the scenes. But He Is clearly wanting to get an upbeat message on his first day, or second day as Health Secretary. But his first day, or second day as Health Secretary. His first day, or second day as Health Secretary. But he cant have seen the data Health Secretary. But he cant have seen the data for Health Secretary. But he cant have seen the data for a Health Secretary. But he cant have seen the data for a couple Health Secretary. But he cant have seen the data for a couple of Health Secretary. But he cant have | seen the data for a couple of weeks time. Thats what im referring to. Young is obviously switching the message slightly, but gracie will need to be guided by the data, and if anything, very significant happens in the next two weeks, then No Doubt they will have to look at it again. He didnt say that, did he . He says it again. He didnt say that, did he . He sastuly the 19th remains our target date. Its not the end of the lane, he said, but i cant remember the exact words, but something like a great new chapter in the exciting history of our country. In the exciting history of our count. ~ in the exciting history of our count. E. , country. Well, he said it remains his tartet country. Well, he said it remains his target date. Country. Well, he said it remains his target date. I country. Well, he said it remains his target date. I imagine country. Well, he said it remains his target date. I imagine you i country. Well, he said it remains| his target date. I imagine you can read into that whatever you want. If something happens between now and then, well, they will have to move on, but its obviously wanting to get a bullish impression of moving on. ,. ,. , on. Shed he gave Nhs Staff the a raise on. Shed he gave Nhs Staff the payraise that on. Shed he gave Nhs Staff the payraise that was on. Shed he gave Nhs Staff the payraise that was promised i on. Shed he gave Nhs Staff the payraise that was promised to l on. Shed he gave Nhs Staff the I Payraise that was promised to them and budgeted for by government . You asked and budgeted for by government . Mt. Asked me to talk a bit about the things hes got to face up to as the new Health Secretary. I think there is a huge range of things that have to be dealt with. 0bviously covet, obviously worries about the winter, obviously worries about the winter, obviously Waiting Lists. Hes got to address Social Care, hes got to address Social Care, hes got to address some of the money issues and hes got to address the nhs bill is not the underlying all of it are the staff issues, and my peering, and ive talked to a number of people around the Country Todayjust in advance of this interview that actually, people are trite quite demoralise and a lot of are tired, people are weary, people are Talking About burn out and leaving and leaving and someone, so there has got to be something that needs to be done here to re energize and re motivate and re energize people and it Cant Cant be soft rates. I do think that 1 Pay Raise was a mistake. I think there could be much more creative about bonuses or whatever the time, so i think that needs to be redressed, and at the Secretary Of State could come in and do something with Nhs Staff whatever they think is recognising in that way, not what kind words, whats going on, what they have been doing, that would be great, because they are the people who will carry us through the next period and two are going to have to deal with Waiting Lists, the problems of Social Care, with money, the nhs Bill And Everything else, and what some of the underlying issues that are also there about inequalities and about Mental Health and so on. We there about inequalities and about Mental Health and so on. Mental health and so on. We Had staff shortages, Mental Health and so on. We Had staff shortages, thousands i Mental Health and so on. We Had staff shortages, thousands of i staff shortages, thousands of vacancies for midwives, for example, thousands of vacancies for nurses for before the pandemic kept. I am a bit distant from its from i dont know the figures at all, but my impression is, and i think that often staff numbers are the biggest barrier to progress in so many places. So i think there are two things that need to be done. There needs to be a huge drive around Recruitment And Retention and motivation of current staff commits all very well to try and recruit new staffing, but you have got to keep the ones you got. Its notjust about Pay Rises, but Pay Raises counts, but i also think its another Thing Cant be done by the nhs themselves. And i would hope that a transformational Secretary Of State are looking at what they want from schools, for men players, from other people to sort of create the wellness in the community to help support what is happening out there, to have really creative partnerships within the community around wellness as well as tackling the disease. Staff are important, but so are people outside in the community. What did you think of the job not tank acted as Health Secretary four to be honest, ive spent most of my time in africa, so i will duck that one. I think is jeremy one. I think Isjeremy Huntjust said, its an extraordinarily difficult thing to deal. I think there have been some inquests done, and we will see some bad mistakes, without seeing the evidence, the transfer of unvaccinated patients to our untested patients to Care Homes early on, but we have seen some great things in the vaccines are obviously the great thing there is a balance there, a bit too early, really, to make the assessment and the assessment anyway will need to be an assessment of the Government And Notjust of one man. Simon stevens, the current chief of the nhs, is leaving soon, we have a new Health Secretary, you wouldnt ideally have two new people in the post. Ideally have two new people in the tost. , �. ,. Ideally have two new people in the tost. , � ,. ,. , post. Youre right, people are lookint post. Youre right, people are looking for post. Youre right, people are looking for leaders post. Youre right, people are looking for leaders here, i post. Youre right, people are| looking for leaders here, what post. Youre right, people are i looking for leaders here, what i heard from the Secretary Of State was talk of a british new Future And Thatis was talk of a british New Future and that is great but we need to see what it means, people need to be taken with that and that means people in the nhs because they are the people who will make it happen, permanent secretaries like me and Chief Executives dont make it happen, the people out there make it happen, the people out there make it happen, and also give confidence to people. Waiting lists will not come down quickly, they may start to come down quickly, they may start to come down but what we as the public need to have is confidence that we are moving in the right direction, that we have people who have a plan, who were thinking about the long term, who are thinking about these dreadfully difficult things about Health Inequalities and a fat poor people get worse health outcomes, about Mental Health and ethnicity issues as well as the immediate stuff that would be picked up by people like you and journalists around numbers and Waiting Lists and the big fight that has to be Had and they have to move on and make a decision on Social Care. They have to move on and make a decision on Social Care. A variety of changes to restrictions for Uk Travellers have been announced today, with those travelling to from the uk to portugal having to quarantine for 1a days unless they can present proof they Had been fully vaccinated a fortnight before their arrival. Spanish prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has also announced Uk Travellers will either need to prove they are fully vaccinated, or provide a negative Pcr Test on arrival in the country. Hong kong has also banned all Passenger Flights from the uk from 1stjuly, after adding the uk to its extremely high risk group. Our Business Correspondent Ben Thompson is here. Fill us in with the reaction around The World, its spreading like a domino effect. The world, its spreading like a domino effect. Yes. Just when we thoutht it domino effect. Yes. Just when we thought it might domino effect. Yes. Just when we thought it might be domino effect. Yes. Just when we thought it might be ok domino effect. Yes. Just when we thought it might be ok to domino effect. Yes. Just when we thought it might be ok to start i thought it might be ok to start thinking about booking a Summer Holiday it seems it has got more complicated again because you will rememberjust last week complicated again because you will remember just last week there were updates to the so called Green List which gave more opportunity for us to travel to places like the Spanish Islands of majorca were our base and malta. And that was the Green List that has been brought in by the Uk Government and it looks at what we will need to do when we return from those places, but now what we are seeing on the other side is that countries around The World are nervous about Uk Travellers so they are imposing their own rules on arrivals from the uk in their countries and you run through some of them there, portugal was the first to go on that Green List before being turned amber in the last update, they are asking for fully vaccinated travellers only and if not you will have two quarantine for 1a days, and what is crucial here is that you will have to have Had that full vaccine two weeks before you travel. Spain also says it needs a full vaccination or a negative Pcr Test on arrival. Germany we know is already pushing other Member States of the eu to require and restrict Uk Travellers because of the emergence of the Delta Variant, and it is that dealt a variant that is causing so much concern around The World, especially in hong kong, they are banning all uk flights, because they are concerned about the uks status were that variant is so dominant. What these countries are saying is they need to buy themselves more time because it is so prevalent here and yet the Vaccination Rate is high, they need to get more vaccines into more arms in their own countries because while infections are rising sharply, we are not seeing a corresponding increase in hospitalisations and deaths, so these countries are very nervous about Uk Travellers coming to their countries so are asking for fully vaccinated travellers only unless you can prove your status and for Spain And Portugal that wont go down well with people who have just booked a holiday on the basis of that Green List that was updated by the Uk Governmentjust last week. We the Uk Government ust last week. We reall the Uk Governmentjust last week. We really wanted to show you this amazing moment from wimbledon today where Professor Sarah Gilbert who Co Designed the Oxford Astrazeneca Vaccine was a guest in the royal box. Have a look at what happened. Before we welcome players onto court, we would like to thank all of those who have contributed so much during this unprecedented period and all our lives. Throughout this coming fortnight, the Clubs Chairman has invited to the royal box individuals and representatives of organisations who have contributed so much in the Nations Response to the pandemic. And who have helped to make this wimbledon possible. Today, they include leaders who have developed the anti Covid Vaccines. Applause. Nhs. Applause. Cheering. How moving it was that . And that guy in the yellow t shirt, i love him. Lets bring you the weather. Hello there. We are looking at a North South Divide across the country for the next few days. Lower pressure towards the south means its here where we will see the thickest of The Cloud, misty, murky, humid conditions, some showers or thunderstorms further north, closer to an area of High Pressure, it will be drier with some spells of sunshine. You can see this on the pressure chart. This is the area of low pressure im Talking About centred across northwest france and biscay. It will continue to bring this damp and humid weather across much of england and wales. Further pulses of rain, some of which could be heavy and thundery through this evening and overnight. Further north, away from coasts, it will be rather grey and misty. Itll be a dry night with some clear spells, temperatures here 9 10 degrees. A muggy 12 15 celsius further south. For tuesday, a similar set up, the best of the weather further north, away from the coast, which will be rather grey and misty. Further south and it will also be murky and humid, quite a bit of cloud around, again, the risk of some heavy, maybe thundery downpours across southern and southeastern areas. And those are the temperatures, the best of those across central scotland. Hello, this is bbc news. The headlines in the last half are the new Health Secretary Sajid Javid has confirmed that restrictions in england will stay in place until the 19th of july. Stay in place until the 19th of jul. , g ,. Stay in place until the 19th of jul. July. The 19th Ofjuly is not only the end of july. The 19th Ofjuly is not only the end of the july. The 19th Ofjuly is not only the end of the line july. The 19th Ofjuly is not only the end of the line but july. The 19th Ofjuly is not only the end of the line but the i july. The 19th Ofjuly is not onlyj the end of the line but the start july. The 19th Ofjuly is not only i the end of the line but the start of an exciting newjourney for our country. Scotland records its highest number of coronavirus cases in a 2a Hour Period with over 3000 people testing positive. There have been over 22,000 new cases in total across the uk. More restrictions for Travelling Brits now portugal requires 1a Days Quarantine for anyone who isnt vaccinated. Six people have been treated for injuries after a fire at Elephant And Castle station in london. Several buildings were evacuated after a Fire Case a huge plume of smoke to billow into the sky above south london. 100 firefighters were sent to tackle the blaze. Nicolas chinardet lives in a block of flats near the station and he said he saw a plume of smoke before seeing a fireball in the streets below. When i was having my Lunch Break i saw some big pillars of smoke outside my window so i looked at what was happening and there was this big column of really dark smoke coming from under the station. And after a while there was a Ball Of Fire in the street below and i think there are videos of these and there were Fire Services and ambulances and people being cordoned off the street and after a while, they were moved further off as well and we kept hearing a banging sound, i dont if it was Steam Exploding or not. Nissan is set to announce up to 2,000 newjobs in sunderland to build batteries for electric cars. A,000 jobs will also be created in the supply chain. The government is contributing to the overall cost of a project which is expected to run into hundreds of millions of pounds. Winchester Crown Court has heard that a 13 year old was lured to a park by a girl and ambushed by two teenage boys who stabbed him and left him to die. 0liver stephens, known as 0lly, was pronounced dead at bugs bottom fields in reading on three january. 0lly believed he was meeting a girl on her own, but two boys were lying in wait. Two boys, both 1a, deny murder. A girl, also 1a, and one of the boys, have pleaded guilty to manslaughter. The trial continues. A man has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of a University Worker, and to charges in connection with seven other people who were injured in a series of Knife Attacks in birmingham last year. 0ur Correspondentjo Black has this update from court. You may remember these attacks took place in september of last year, just before the second lockdown, so here in Birmingham City centre people were out at pubs and bars, there were revellers out and about. It happened late saturday night, early sunday morning. These attacks took place over a 90 Minute Period and eight people were stabbed. Sadly, one lost their life, that was 23 year old jacob billington, who was a University Worker who was stabbed in the neck. He was from merseyside and his mother was here today at the hearing. Zephaniah mcleod appeared in Court Today. He admitted one count of manslaughter, four counts of Attempted Murder and three counts of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. We heard in Court Today that Zephaniah Mcleod Had suffered Paranoid Schizophrenia at the time so, as you might imagine, the courts have now been ordered to assess his condition and we come back here in september when he will be sentenced. In miami, Rescue Workers are still searching for people under the collapsed apartment block. More than 150 people are missing with tent confirmed to have died. 0ur Correspondent in miami, sophie long, says the mayor is holding out hope of finding survivors. She was keen to say these figures were only released to the media after the families Had been told and that would continue to be the case. She stressed that these numbers are fluid and a Search Operation goes on. This is a hugely difficult time for the families, they are desperate for the families, they are desperate for news, this is not the fifth day of searching and still 151 people remain unaccounted for. You got the sense from the governor how difficult this operation is. This is a 12 Storey Building that has now been reduced to a 30 Foot Pile of rubble. They have brought in heavy equipment but they are using that carefully, surgically removing huge slabs of concrete and painstakingly going through the rubble. They cannot disturb anything in case there are still people alive inside heard the are huel and you heard they are hugely helpful, when the mayor of surfside, the small town where this happened, was spoken to earlier, he was asked if he was hopeful there would be a miracle and said he expected one and all the families cling to hope that they might be one of the lucky few. A study has found that a third dose of the 0xford Astrazeneca Vaccine given more than six months after the second does boost the immune system. The researchers from the Oxford Vaccine Group Say It isnt clear whether a third dose before winter will be needed in the uk. They also Say It would be wrong to give third doses while some countries Had no vaccines at all. 0ur Health Correspondent Naomi Grimley reports. The uk has been vaccinating vast numbers of people for months now, and its more important than ever that people get two jabs, as infections are rising again, with the advent of the more transmissible Delta Variant. But its actually another variant, the beta one, first discovered in south africa, which is now the focus of oxford universitys latest vaccine trial. The universitys top scientists say theres a good reason for that. The Delta Variant, we are seeing very high levels of protection here in the uk, from that, over 90 for the vaccines were using in the uk, so there is no immediate urgency around the Delta Variant. So this is much more about being prepared for this quite testing variant, the south african one, and also future variants. The Oxford Team also said today that a third dose of their vaccine, given more than six months after the second, boosts the immune system. But Expert Opinion is still divided on whether Booster Doses should be rolled out. I think it is very likely that we are going to need to give Booster Doses, as the Immune Response to the vaccines wane, but we still do not really know how long lasting or how stable the Immune Response is going to be to the existing vaccine regimes. I think we need to watch and see whether it is clear that the vaccine induced immunity is waning, and then consider boosting. There was some good news, also, for countries which do not even know when their second doses of the Oxford Astrazeneca Vaccine will be delivered. 0xfords Research suggests that longer delays between the first and second doses, perhaps even of up to a5 weeks, actually leads to a stronger Immune Response. Naomi grimley, bbc news. Last month a two year old girl called Harper Lee Fanthorpe died in hospital after swallowing a Button Battery from a remote control. Those kind of batteries are found in lots of products now, her Mum And Sister are calling for more awareness about the dangers the batteries pose to children. Toddler sings. Harper Lee Fanthorpe was a typical bright, curious, effervescent, happy two year old. She loved to dance, didnt she . She really loved to dance. The best Thing Shed listened to is, she loved rave music, rave and Dance Music Anything else, she wouldnt dance to, would she . Shed always give a little fist pump. She laughs. Five weeks ago, her older sister was looking after her when she suddenly became ill. Her head just went backwards. And then she sat back up and just blood came out. So i rang an ambulance straight away. It must have been very frightening for you . Yeah. She just. She wasnt responding and they told me to put her on her side. So she could still breathe and she just went very wheezy. Her eyesjust closed and she couldnt talk back to me. It was like she wasnt there. No one knew that shed swallowed a tiny Button Battery, and the acid was burning through a major artery. She Had to have two litres blood transfusion. She left surgery. Shed still got my phone, she was still talking. The last thing she ever said to me was, mummy, i need you. I told her i loved her. Thats the last time i saw her. Halfway through her surgery, a surgeon came out and asked if shed swallowed anything. I said, not that i know. Thats when they told me they thought shed swallowed a Button Battery. So, we actually went up then to childrens Intensive Care where we were waiting for more news. And hejust said, im sorry. Thats what i can remember. I can rememberjust letting a loud scream out, shouting, no. And i Had to just go and tell my girls, because they were only letting Two Of Us in a room, and i Had to tell my girls that their Baby Sister Had passed away. Shes left a very big hole. Very. When you realised what Had happened, what did you then think about those batteries, and particularly about the remote control in this instance, but the way that they are relatively easily accessible, i guess, for little children . And we actually found the remote without the Button Battery in. So i turned it around, and itjust came out. It wasnt even secure. There was no lock on it. There was no lock. There was no little thing you Had to push to get it out. Itjust slid out. Harper lees granddads built a memorial at the bottom of the garden. The family really hopes that by Talking About her, other lives will be saved. Phil mackie, bbc news, stoke 0n trent. A service of thanksgiving is to be held at St Pauls cathedral to recognise the work of Nhs Staff whove been on the Front Line throughout the pandemic. It will take place on the 5thjuly, the same date as the Nhs In England was founded, 73 years ago. Simonjones has more, and his report contains some flash photography. Applause and cheering. Emotional tributes to nhs workers, whove risen to the challenge of the coronavirus crisis. This was clap for carers people coming out on their doorsteps near the start of the pandemic to thank the doctors, nurses and Health Staff Whove made such a difference. Bell tolls. Now, St Pauls cathedral is set to host a socially distanced service on the 73rd anniversary of the foundation of the nhs. Among those invited are may parsons, who administered the first Covid Vaccine in The World, outside of a trial, to margaret keenan. All done. And kathrine dawson, who credits doctors with saving the life of her and her baby. Kathrine was 32 weeks pregnant when she contracted covid, and Had to spend eight days on a ventilator. Sometimes, i Had some really dark days in icu, and there was always someone there to hold my Hand And Talk to me and make sure i that understood everything and just Had a chat with me, just to take my mind off what was happening. It was invaluable, really. Also present will be some of the doctors who helped treat the first coronavirus patients in the uk. I will be there with colleagues, and we will be remembering whats been going on. And so all of that will be quite an emotional experience, i think. Weve all been, at times, very emotional, whether its tiredness, whether it was fatigue, whether it was just personal issues. All of this has affected us over the last 18 months. The Nhs In England has provided Hospital Treatment for around a00,000 seriously ill covid patients. There have been challenges with equipment, with the toll the pandemic has taken on staff. There will be more issues ahead. But the St Pauls service will provide a moment to take stock, and to hope for better times. Simon jones, bbc news. Anne robinson is back. Her Goodbye Wink and insults to contestants on the weakest link made her the queen of mean. But now she returns to our screens as the host of countdown, the sixth presenter and first woman to present the Channel A Show in its 39 year history. 0ur Entertainment Correspondent Colin Paterson has been to meet her. Countdown theme plays. Hello and welcome to countdown. As youve probably guessed, im new but it does mean now three girls do countdown. Todays the day when Anne Robinson takes Overfrom Nick Hewer to become the sixth host of channel as countdown. A visit to the studio proved that shes already making herself at home. Anne robinson in the Countdown Chair . How is it . Theyve Had to adapt it because im much smaller than nick, so theres a sort of platform coming out here that you wont have noticed, and im right handed. He was left handed, so i dont have the buzzer any more. This is all very interesting. Technical. A hook for my handbag that i only got yesterday, ive been asking for weeks. The stat that keeps getting trotted out, you are the first woman to present the show in 39 years of it. When thats said, how does it make you feel . It made me feel cross because we should be past being surprised that its a women doing a job, shouldnt we . Its going to get mentioned, isnt it . Yeah, but, you know, it shouldnt, really. If you have the brains, what does it matter whether you are male or female . I note you are probably more likely to have the brains if you are female. Are things changing in tv on that front . Well, im still here, colin, and im 76 and three quarters so somethings going in the right direction. Over in dictionary corner, Susie Dent has now worked with all six countdown hosts. If you were to pick one perhaps unusual word to describe anne, what word would you go for . Ok. Youve put me on the spot here. I would say that anne is both discombobulating and then re combobulating. So, she, kind of, takes the rug from under you and you think, help. And then she willjust very gently put you back on it. While on the other side of the studio its 12 years since Rachel Riley replaced carol vorderman. Weve taken over your board. You have can you have any fun with that board . I can you have any fun with that board . , , can you have any fun with that board . ,. ,. , 4 can you have any fun with that board . ,. ,. , ~. , board . I was ust looking. Nothing rude. Im board . I wasjust looking. Nothing rude. Im here board . I wasjust looking. Nothing rude. Im here for board . I wasjust looking. Nothing rude. Im here for the board . I wasjust looking. Nothing rude. Im here for the rude board . I wasjust looking. Nothing rude. Im here for the rude words. J how different is the show with anne . Its very different, and its almost like weve got a different set of contestants i because she gives them a grilling. Not quite weakest Link Style shes toned it down for countdown, but she still gives them the grilling and, for some people it turns them into a stand up comic, | and they are ready to give their repertoire. For some people, they kind of treat her like a dinosaurl and they dont stare directly. At her and if they dont move, maybe she wont see them and she will go away but i it has been really funny. Are you nervous . Yes. Thats Two Of Us. Anne agrees that Countdown Viewers will be exposed to a different side of her. Well, i dont think you could see my form of the weakest link on now. Thats certainly a change. I dont think i could say half the things i used to say. Why is that . I think political correctness why is that . I think political correctness and why is that . I think political Correctness And Wokeness l why is that . I think political. Correctness and wokeness has why is that . I think political Correctness And Wokeness has arrived in the last three years and the tweeting and the outrage would make it impossible. I think the Programme Makers are now nervous that that would make it difficult to do a programme the whole point of it was insulting people for a5 minutes. How different is your persona . Are you being cuddlier . No, im just as horrible in real life, colin. But when you are doing countdown. Ive Had enough of you, now. When you are doing countdown. No, ive Had enough of you. Thats it. I was the weakest link. Goodbye. Colin paterson, bbc news, the countdown studio. I love the fact that colin thought she was joking when she said that and then he realised she wasnt joking. Now its time for a look at the weather with stav danaos. Hello, there. It was another pretty disappointing day across the southern half of the uk, further north the best of the sunshine and warm weather and we will hold onto this for the next few days with the north seeing the dry and bright weather well the south will hold onto The Cloud, because of this area of low pressure across North West France that is pushing this Weather Front across Southern Britain which is generating The Cloud and Showery Rain so it will continue damp across parts of england and wales this evening and overnight, thunderstorms across the south will peter out but they could be further heavy showers throughout the night across southern and South East areas, further north Clearer Skies, South East areas, further north clearerskies, drier, South East areas, further north Clearer Skies, drier, temperatures 9 or10 Clearer Skies, drier, temperatures 9 or 10 degrees but a Muggy Night to come. Fortuesday or 10 degrees but a Muggy Night to come. For tuesday its a repeat performance, the best sunshine on scotland and northern ireland, northern england, still quite grey for northern coast of scotland and the Northern Isles and The Cloud will continue to affect the midlands, centraland will continue to affect the midlands, central and southern wales, we could see pulses of rain, some of which could be thundery again. The best temperatures to central scotland, 2a or 25 celsius, so it looks like wimbledon will stay grey, further spots of rain likely on tuesday and wednesday, its thursday and friday when High Pressure builds in an bc conditions improve and it will feel warmer as well, so this is the picture on tuesday evening, we hold onto Showery Rain Across the South East, some could be thundery, some low Cloud And Mist affecting North Sea Coast of england and into scotland, the best Clearer Skies towards western areas and there is Temperatures Range from ten to 13 or 1a degrees. As we move out of wednesday we start to see conditions improve, low pressure clears away from the South East but it could return to eastern areas, but generally High Pressure will start building infor generally High Pressure will start building in for thursday and friday before this Loop Moves in for the weekend so conditions will improve as we reach thursday and friday across all areas, brighter across the South And South east, feeling warmer but it will start to turn unsettled by the weekend. The new Health Secretary makes his first statement in the job and says england are still on course to lift restrictions onjuly19th. After visiting a hospital this morning, Sajid Javid said he wants to see life going back to normal as quickly as possible. The restrictions on our freedoms, they must come to an end. We owe it to the british people, who have sacrificed so much, to restore their freedoms as quickly as we possibly can. I hope his Confidence Today about the 19th i hope his Confidence Today about the 19th Ofjuly does not prove somewhat premature. Meanwhile, the controversy surrounding the former Health Secretary continues. The Prime Minister is forced to defend why He Didnt sack him. Also tonight. In a further blow to holiday plans, portugal brings in a two Week Quarantine for Uk Visitors if theyre not fully vaccinated