russia tells the united states that there is still room for dialogue over ukraine. portraits of the uk's last holocaust survivors go on display at buckingham palace — on the 77th anniversary of the liberation of auschwitz. one of the most influential figures in british comedy for the last six decades — barry cryer — has died at the age of 86. and coming up on the bbc news channel... england women are under pressure in the ashes. they drop catches, while the aussie�*s make hay on the first day of the test in canberra. good evening and welcome to the bbc news at six. from today, england has dropped the legal requirement to wear face coverings in indoor settings. the health secretary, sajid javid, said 0micron is now in retreat. but many shops will still ask customers to wear masks as a courtesy to others — and it remains mandatory to wear a face covering on transport for london services. face coverings are still required in indoor settings everywhere else in the uk. 0ur correspondent, emma simpson, reports. it has been 18 months since we started wearing these, face coverings, to help fend off covid. so is this the beginning of the end of mask wearing in england at least? here in st albans, as restrictions eased, commuters seemed keen to carry on wearing them, for now. {131 carry on wearing them, for now. of course on a train, on the underground, i think for the next few months, yeah, for sure, just to be safe and in supermarkets as well. i will be wearing one on the train. i've decided — i will be wearing one on the train. i've decided for the moment, with the number of cases, i would still rather_ the number of cases, i would still rather protect myself and everyone else~ _ rather protect myself and everyone else. ,., , ., , else. the government is advising masks should _ else. the government is advising masks should still— else. the government is advising masks should still be _ else. the government is advising masks should still be used - else. the government is advising masks should still be used in - masks should still be used in crowded and places but the legal requirement has now gone. the health secretary now says thanks to the vaccination programme, it's time to move on. ~ ., , ., , ., move on. where now be able to start a new chapter. _ move on. where now be able to start a new chapter, omicron _ move on. where now be able to start a new chapter, omicron is _ move on. where now be able to start a new chapter, omicron is in - move on. where now be able to start a new chapter, omicron is in retreat| a new chapter, 0micron is in retreat and we begin trying to find the best ways to live with covid. back and we begin trying to find the best ways to live with covid.— ways to live with covid. back in st albans, this _ ways to live with covid. back in st albans, this gift _ ways to live with covid. back in st albans, this gift shop _ ways to live with covid. back in st albans, this gift shop isn't - ways to live with covid. back in st| albans, this gift shop isn't wasting any time. it’s albans, this gift shop isn't wasting an time. 3 . , albans, this gift shop isn't wasting an time. �*, ., , ., , albans, this gift shop isn't wasting an time. 3 . , ., , ., albans, this gift shop isn't wasting an time. 3 . , ., any time. it's really lovely to be able to get _ any time. it's really lovely to be able to get a — any time. it's really lovely to be able to get a bit _ any time. it's really lovely to be able to get a bit of— any time. it's really lovely to be able to get a bit of lipstick- any time. it's really lovely to be able to get a bit of lipstick on i able to get a bit of lipstick on again— able to get a bit of lipstick on again and not have to worry about having _ again and not have to worry about having masks sticking to me. so today— having masks sticking to me. so today has — having masks sticking to me. so today has felt quite liberating. so today has felt quite liberating. sc you today has felt quite liberating. you think today has felt quite liberating. sr you think the time is right for change? you think the time is right for chance? , , ., , ., change? definitely for us, we are read to change? definitely for us, we are ready to rip _ change? definitely for us, we are ready to rip the _ change? definitely for us, we are ready to rip the mask _ change? definitely for us, we are ready to rip the mask self, - change? definitely for us, we are ready to rip the mask self, of - ready to rip the mask self, of course — ready to rip the mask self, of course while being really respectful of 0ther— course while being really respectful of other people. but course while being really respectful of other maple-— course while being really respectful of other people-— of other people. but down the road it is business _ of other people. but down the road it is business as _ of other people. but down the road it is business as usual— of other people. but down the road it is business as usual for— of other people. but down the road it is business as usual for this - it is business as usual for this hairdressers. fist it is business as usual for this hairdressers.— it is business as usual for this hairdressers. �* ., hairdressers. at the moment we feel that it is better _ hairdressers. at the moment we feel that it is better to _ hairdressers. at the moment we feel that it is better to stick _ hairdressers. at the moment we feel that it is better to stick with - that it is better to stick with wearing the masks and we want people to come in and have their hair done feeling comfortable that we are still taking precautions, because it's a mixture of how people feel at the moment. the it's a mixture of how people feel at the moment-— it's a mixture of how people feel at the moment. ., ., ., , ., ., the moment. the mandatory wearing of masks has been — the moment. the mandatory wearing of masks has been contentious _ masks has been contentious throughout this pandemic. today's move, its too early for some and for others, it can't come soon enough. so how are people likely to behave now?— behave now? regulations make a difference- _ behave now? regulations make a difference. if _ behave now? regulations make a difference. if you _ behave now? regulations make a difference. if you put _ behave now? regulations make a difference. if you put in _ behave now? regulations make a difference. if you put in place - difference. if you put in place regulations, people will do things and if you take them away, people are less likely to do things. we still can be very clear about the messaging to say, look, it's important you do this, it is effective if you do it, it makes a difference. to effective if you do it, it makes a difference-— effective if you do it, it makes a difference. ., ., ., ., ., difference. to wear one or not, in encland difference. to wear one or not, in england it's _ difference. to wear one or not, in england it's now— difference. to wear one or not, in england it's now largely _ difference. to wear one or not, in england it's now largely up - difference. to wear one or not, in england it's now largely up to - difference. to wear one or not, in england it's now largely up to us. difference. to wear one or not, in | england it's now largely up to us to decide. emma simpson, bbc news, st albans. some of the tighest restricitons during this pandemic have been on care homes — with very few visitors allowed inside. but from next monday — covid guidance in england will finally be eased, with no limits on the number of visitors, self—isolation periods will be cut and there will be changes on how to manage covid outbreaks in a care home. here's our social affairs editor alison holt. from monday we have unlimited visiting. fist from monday we have unlimited visitinu. ,, ., , ., , ., visiting. at quarry house care home in bristol they _ visiting. at quarry house care home in bristol they are _ visiting. at quarry house care home in bristol they are going _ visiting. at quarry house care home in bristol they are going through - in bristol they are going through details of two day's announcement to make sure they are ready for monday. unlimited visiting is a welcome change but it means having extra tests and ppe in place.— change but it means having extra tests and ppe in place. should make a lot of people _ tests and ppe in place. should make a lot of people happy. _ tests and ppe in place. should make a lot of people happy, fantastic. - a lot of people happy, fantastic. dorothy cook is one of the few family members who has been able to visit her sister regularly in recent weeks, so she can't wait for restrictions to be eased. it weeks, so she can't wait for restrictions to be eased. it will make things — restrictions to be eased. it will make things a _ restrictions to be eased. it will make things a lot _ restrictions to be eased. it will make things a lot easier, - make things a lot easier, absolutely. she hasn't seen her nephews and nieces for a while. so that will be really good, so we can all come and take it in turns. the new guidance _ all come and take it in turns. the new guidance means from monday in care homes in england there will be no limit on the number of visitors that residents can have. if they go out on a day trip, they will no longer have to test or self—isolate when they return and if there is a covid outbreak, so that means two or more staff or residents testing positive, then the length of time that the care home has to close its doors will be reduced from 28 days down to 1a days. at this care home, they believe vaccinations mean they can manage additional risk. 50 they believe vaccinations mean they can manage additional risk.- can manage additional risk. so far the guidance _ can manage additional risk. so far the guidance has _ can manage additional risk. so far the guidance has been _ can manage additional risk. so far the guidance has been quite - can manage additional risk. sr f: the guidance has been quite cautious on those measures, quite rightly. we are working with a vulnerable group of people. with all of those management processes we have put in place around a race, it feels right to bring those restrictions down. and visiting restrictions have taken their toll. and visiting restrictions have taken theirtoll. kate and visiting restrictions have taken their toll. kate believes her mum believes her mother deteriorated when visits are like this from behind a screen. now she is recognised as an essential caregiver so come visit her mum whenever. she wants the role recognised in law. i've lost 18 months of her life at a time when she needs her family around her most. so it's vital that we have... that we get essential caregiver status put into law. visiting restrictions have already decreased in northern ireland. alison holt, bbc news. more than 77,000 staff working in the nhs in england who haven't been vaccinated against covid — that's around 5% of the workforce. if they don't have their first jab by next thursday, they risk losing theirjob. the government has made it compulsory in england — unlike the rest of the uk. as time runs out, our health editor, hugh pym has been talking to some of those who have chosen not to be vaccinated to find out why. i'mjocelyn, i've been a nurse for 13 years, and i'm not going to have the second dose of the vaccine. i'm pauline, i'm a mental health nurse for nearly 20 years and i do not agree with the compulsory covid—19 vaccination. they risk losing theirjobs because they don't want the jabs. there's been a heated debate, not least on social media. the hashtag getvaccinated trended on twitter as doctors called for their colleagues to have the jab. i want the choice. jocelyn is a community nurse. she says it should be a question of personal freedom rather than an order by the government. isn't the best way to protect patients to get fully vaccinated? would you give up your freedom, your, you know, your god given freedom of choice for a job? i think we should have the right to choose at this stage for our body about, is it right for us individually? there is nothing more insulting to a nurse than telling her that she's, you know, causing harm to her patients. one minute, the nurses they were being clapped for and and i had to work through it and they didn't care about all this. and then all of a sudden, oh, by the way, if you don't get a jab, you're going to lose yourjob. with england being the only nation with a mandate, pauline is considering looking for a job in wales. but dr chintal patel, who's a gp, is not against the mandatory nhs staff vaccine. for her, your freedom to choose is lost when that decision could impact on patient safety. i think if you are unvaccinated, then there is a risk that you are potentially exposing your patients to harm. up to a third of people do not mount an immune response to the infection, and actually vaccination provides a much better immune response and also reduces the risk of transmission. so i do think those that are patient facing should be vaccinated. most health leaders are supporting compulsory vaccines for frontline staff. at the time of the consultation a majority of nhs leaders believed that mandating the vaccine had benefits to their services, benefits to their staff and their teams, and had benefits in terms of protecting the public against transmissibility of the virus, but also in terms of building the public�*s confidence in the services that the nhs were providing. on saturday, those against the mandate made their voices heard. maternity staff turned out in large numbers. for them, bodily autonomy is fundamental to their profession. so i was going to ask about the protest. kathryn, who's a midwife, was at the march. medical experts are strongly recommending the vaccine. isn't that enough assurance for you? i believe history has shown us that all of us should make our own decisions when it comes to our health. she says if things don't change she'll leave her hampshire trust, but worries about the impact on care. i do understand everybody wants patient safety, but during a staffing crisis, that safety will be severely compromised with less staff, and this decision will assuredly provide less staff. there's now a week to go for unvaccinated nhs staff to have first doses. ministers point to the fact that 95% have already had that firstjab. hugh pym, bbc news. coronavirus cases in the uk remain stable, with nearly 97,000 recorded in the latest 24—hour period. on average, just under 91,000 new cases were reported per day in the last week. the number of people in hospital with covid is 16,510. and there were 338 deaths reported in the latest 2a hour period — that's of people who died within 28 days of a positive test — though there will be some amongst this number who won't have died from covid. on average in the past week, 263 deaths were announced every day. 0n vaccinations, just over 37 million people have now had a boosterjab, which means 6a.5% of people aged 12 and over, have now had three vaccine doses. the prime minister has rejected allegations that he personally authorised the airlift of cats and dogs from afghanistan, following the fall of kabul to the taliban. it comes after emails from officials published yesterday suggested borisjohnson intervened to help the animal charity nowzad. labour says mrjohnson has been "caught out lying". here's damian grammaticas. they were desperate days. british citizens, afghans who had worked with the british army, thousands at risk from the taliban who never made it out. but pen farthing did, along with his animals. dogs and cats cared for by his charity were on one of the last plane is out. today borisjohnson again denied he had a hand in it. trio. boris johnson again denied he had a hand in it. ., ., , ., hand in it. no, and this whole thing is total rhubarb. _ hand in it. no, and this whole thing is total rhubarb. i _ hand in it. no, and this whole thing is total rhubarb. i was _ hand in it. no, and this whole thing is total rhubarb. i was very - hand in it. no, and this whole thing is total rhubarb. i was very proud i is total rhubarb. i was very proud of what our armed services did and it was an amazing thing to move 15,000 people out of kabul and the way we did. but 15,000 people out of kabul and the wa we did. �* ., 15,000 people out of kabul and the way we did-— way we did. but an internal foreign office e-mail _ way we did. but an internal foreign office e-mail leaked _ way we did. but an internal foreign office e-mail leaked yesterday - way we did. but an internal foreign j office e-mail leaked yesterday said 0ffice e—mail leaked yesterday said the pm hasjust authorised 0ffice e—mail leaked yesterday said the pm has just authorised the charity's staff and animals to be evacuated and campaigners for the charity said mrjohnson agreed it staff were under threat. the charity said mrjohnson agreed it staff were under threat. the prime minister understood _ staff were under threat. the prime - minister understood those arguments, accepted them and did put those people on the evacuation list, working with the home secretary and foreign secretary to get the wheels of vital moving.— of vital moving. evacuation, mr johnson insists _ of vital moving. evacuation, mr johnson insists was _ of vital moving. evacuation, mr johnson insists was a _ of vital moving. evacuation, mr johnson insists was a success l of vital moving. evacuation, mr. johnson insists was a success and johnson insists was a success and saved lives but left many others behind. so once again the issue is how truthful his being now. somebody isl in: how truthful his being now. somebody is lying about — how truthful his being now. somebody is lying about what _ how truthful his being now. somebody is lying about what happened - how truthful his being now. somebody is lying about what happened in - how truthful his being now. somebody is lying about what happened in the i is lying about what happened in the events that led up to the evacuation of the animals from afghanistan and i think it's become increasingly clear that the prime minister's story is not credible. he has not told the truth. in story is not credible. he has not told the truth.— told the truth. in wales today, he was perhaps _ told the truth. in wales today, he was perhaps hoping _ told the truth. in wales today, he was perhaps hoping to _ told the truth. in wales today, he was perhaps hoping to avoid - was perhaps hoping to avoid questions about that but the focus remains on this one issue. and that applies whether it is afghanistan or downing street parties. 0n afghanistan, the prime minister's spokesman said he thought it was a case of an official thinking in order came from the prime minister when it hadn't. 0n downing street parties, the investigation people hope will clear things up, that seems to be ongoing and being finalised, so it may not be published until next week. thank you. russia has said there is room for further dialogue on the ukraine crisis, as large numbers of its troops remain on the border. but in its first reaction to a us letter officially setting out washington's position, the kremlin says its main security demands have not been met. key to what russia will do next is vladimir putin. is he trying to stop the eastward expansion of nato or has he already made up his mind to invade to preserve his grip on power? steve rosenberg reports from moscow. the world is still puzzling to piece together a picture of what vladimir putin is thinking. what he's planning. what are his intentions in ukraine and in europe? russian muscle flexing... is one piece of the geopoliticaljigsaw. military exercises and 100,000 russian troops near ukraine's border are fuelling fears of a russian invasion. so are moscow's demands. lode fears of a russian invasion. so are moscow's demands.— fears of a russian invasion. so are moscow's demands. we 'ust ask our artners in moscow's demands. we 'ust ask our partners in nate h moscow's demands. we just ask our partners in nato countries, - moscow's demands. we just ask our partners in nato countries, get - moscow's demands. we just ask our partners in nato countries, get out. | partners in nato countries, get out. get out from our borders. get out from post—soviet countries, because it's threatening to russian people, to russian citizens and time is running out. to russian citizens and time is running out-— to russian citizens and time is runnina out. �* ., , . ., running out. another piece of the uzzle, running out. another piece of the puzzle. the _ running out. another piece of the puzzle, the kremlin _ running out. another piece of the puzzle, the kremlin had - running out. another piece of the puzzle, the kremlin had insistedl puzzle, the kremlin had insisted ukraine be barred from joining nato but america's rejected that demand. so now what? what happens next depends on whether america' offered to negotiate with russia on some aspects of europe's security will be enough to satisfy vladimir putin. if it's not, if as some fear president putin was my aim is to dismantle the european security order as it is now, then expect a long—term friction between russia and the west. vladimir putin cut a lonely figure today as he remembered the world war ii siege of leningrad. across europe, there are fears of a new war but is russia's current and very public sabre rattling really a precursor to conflict? after all, this is a leader who normally employs the element of surprise. this is one of the reasons why i do not believe that putin is going to invade ukraine, because if he really intended to do that we would probably be the last to learn about it. that probably be the last to learn about it. �* . probably be the last to learn about it. ~ . , ., , ., it. at the ice festival everyone we soke to it. at the ice festival everyone we spoke to thought _ it. at the ice festival everyone we spoke to thought it _ it. at the ice festival everyone we spoke to thought it unlikely - it. at the ice festival everyone we spoke to thought it unlikely that l spoke to thought it unlikely that the cold war with ukraine in the west —— mecca and the west was about to turn hot. translation: russians don't want war- _ to turn hot. translation: russians don't want war. we've _ to turn hot. translation: russians don't want war. we've experienced l don't want war. we've experienced that, we know how terrifying war is. the russian public has no appetite for war. they are hoping neither do their leaders. steve rosenberg, bbc news. the time is 6.17. our top story this evening... no more face covering is required by law in england from today, despite infections remaining high. £100 million from the government to help develop the planned nuclear plant sizewell c in suffolk. coming up in sportsday on the bbc news channel... exeter chiefs will drop all references to native americans in their branding after the club came under criticism. they'll still be called the chiefs, but will now use a logo based on a celtic tribe. 77 years ago today, the nazi concentration camp of auschwitz was liberated. more than one million people, most of them jewish, were murdered at the camp in occupied poland. today is holocaust memorial day. and, to mark it, different artists have painted the portraits of the uk's last remaining holocaust survivors. the project was commissioned by prince charles and the portraits have gone on display at the queen's gallery in buckingham palace. 0ur royal correspondent daniela relph has more. a first view of the portraits he commissioned. the prince of wales wanted to preserve their stories. of suffering, of courage, of survival. artist, portrait and subject. clara drummond painted manfred goldberg. the process was challenging. covid meant the sittings began virtually before they could finally meet. she wanted not before they could finally meet. sue: wanted not only to before they could finally meet. si9: wanted not only to paint my before they could finally meet. si9 wanted not only to paint my likeness but she tried to get into my soul. she tried to paint me heart and soul, and looking at my portrait, people tell me that they can see it in the way she has painted my eyes. those eyes witnessed the atrocities of the holocaust. today at auschwitz, a ceremony to remember the 77th anniversary of the camp's liberation. manfred and his family had suffered in the brutal conditions of nazi labour camps. 0ne conditions of nazi labour camps. one day his younger brother herman was taken by ss guards. manfred never saw him again. he taken by ss guards. manfred never saw him again-— saw him again. he described it as hell on earth. _ saw him again. he described it as hell on earth, and _ saw him again. he described it as hell on earth, and it— saw him again. he described it as hell on earth, and it was - saw him again. he described it as hell on earth, and it was very - saw him again. he described it as| hell on earth, and it was very hard for me to imagine what it must have been like. it was very harrowing but i feel like that was really important to go there and to realise how dark it had been in order to realise what a bright light manfred is. so realise what a bright light manfred is, ,, :, . realise what a bright light manfred is, . , realise what a bright light manfred is. : , :, :, realise what a bright light manfred is. so much is in the detail of each ortrait. is. so much is in the detail of each portrait- arek _ is. so much is in the detail of each portrait. arek hersh _ is. so much is in the detail of each portrait. arek hersh rests - is. so much is in the detail of each portrait. arek hersh rests his - is. so much is in the detail of each portrait. arek hersh rests his right hand on his left arm, the arm that bears the number he was marked with at auschwitz. lily erbert was also there. i at auschwitz. lily erbert was also there. :, :, :, , there. i thought we owed it to these remarkable people _ there. i thought we owed it to these remarkable people just _ there. i thought we owed it to these remarkable people just to _ there. i thought we owed it to these | remarkable peoplejust to remember them in this way. there is something very special about the portrait and about the artist's eye in bringing about the artist's eye in bringing about the artist's eye in bringing about the real underlying character. they are portraits of a group of people that sadly gets smaller every year. the collection vivid testimony to the power of their stories and the bravery in their faces. you can watch that documentary, survivors: portraits of the holocaust, at 9pm tonight on bbc two and bbc iplayer. a teenager has been arrested after twojewish men were violently attacked in north london. the police said the incident is being treated as a hate crime. it happened last night in haringey when the victims were locking up their shop. one man suffered bruising and a fractured bone in his hand while the second also suffered bruising and has an eye injury. an 18—year—old man was arrested on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm. our home affairs correspondent daniel sandford is here. what more can you tell us? there has been a very strong reaction to this today. the prime minister in the last hour said, "i'm appalled by this despicable footage. it's a terrible reminder on holocaust memorial day that such prejudice is not consigned to history. we must stamp out anti—semitism." that is the prime minister himself. you have seen two men locking up the bakery last night, a young man walking past. he turns, starts punching them, knocks one of them enter the ground and then punches the other man several times. both men ended up in hospital, one with a broken nose and a fractured wrist. the 18—year—old man was arrested nearby and he remains in custody. it is a really shocking bit of footage but a reminder this kind of casual attacks do happen still in britain.— do happen still in britain. daniel sandford, thank _ do happen still in britain. daniel sandford, thank you. _ £100 million is being provided by the government to help develop the planned nuclear plant — sizewell c — in suffolk. it's the latest stage in efforts to build the £20 billion reactor on the east coast of england. sizewell c would be a near replica of one being built at hinkley point in somerset and would power up to six million homes. here's our business editor simonjack. is this the answer to soaring gas bills? the government thinks in part it is and wants to replicate this plant under construction in somerset here at sizewell in suffolk and today committed £100 million of taxpayers' money to help make that happen. i taxpayers' money to help make that ha en. ., taxpayers' money to help make that ha en. ~ :, , ., happen. i think that in terms of caettin happen. i think that in terms of getting the _ happen. i think that in terms of getting the carbonised - happen. i think that in terms of getting the carbonised local, i getting the carbonised local, secure, affordable energy, this is a fabulous investment. this secure, affordable energy, this is a fabulous investment.— fabulous investment. this will take a decade to — fabulous investment. this will take a decade to build, _ fabulous investment. this will take a decade to build, and _ fabulous investment. this will take a decade to build, and it _ fabulous investment. this will take a decade to build, and it will - fabulous investment. this will take a decade to build, and it will be i a decade to build, and it will be paid for by adding money to people's bills. we have a cost of energy and cost of living crisis right now. i'm s-ueakin cost of living crisis right now. ii"fl speaking with the prime minister, with the treasury, with the chancellor about how we can mitigate that impact and they will be announcement in due course. the com an announcement in due course. the company that— announcement in due course. the company that wants to build here say it will be bringing proven economic benefits to the region. you it will be bringing proven economic benefits to the region.— it will be bringing proven economic benefits to the region. you can see when ou benefits to the region. you can see when you look— benefits to the region. you can see when you look at _ benefits to the region. you can see when you look at hinckley - benefits to the region. you can see when you look at hinckley the - benefits to the region. you can see | when you look at hinckley the effect on the uk, and it's brilliant for training people and giving them skills for the whole construction industry and the whole net to zero electricity industry.— electricity industry. sizewell c has not had final— electricity industry. sizewell c has not had final approval— electricity industry. sizewell c has not had final approval but - electricity industry. sizewell c has not had final approval but the - not had final approval but the government has committed to approving one new station this parliament, and this investment shows their commitment to this site. soaring gas prices are a short—term problem, but they also make a powerfulargument, ministers problem, but they also make a powerful argument, ministers argue, for long—term, large—scale nuclear, for long—term, la rge—scale nuclear, but for long—term, large—scale nuclear, but it is not an argument that washes with everyone. the business secretary got a chilly reception today.— reception today. sizewell c is the wron: reception today. sizewell c is the wrong project — reception today. sizewell c is the wrong project in _ reception today. sizewell c is the wrong project in the _ reception today. sizewell c is the wrong project in the wrong - reception today. sizewell c is the | wrong project in the wrong place. reception today. sizewell c is the i wrong project in the wrong place. it is far too slow, risky and expensive to address our climate emergency and it would be the biggest construction site in europe for well over a decade right next to protected landscapes. decade right next to protected landscapes-— decade right next to protected landscaes. ~ :, , , landscapes. millions of consumers will see energy — landscapes. millions of consumers will see energy bills _ landscapes. millions of consumers will see energy bills rise _ landscapes. millions of consumers will see energy bills rise by - landscapes. millions of consumers will see energy bills rise by 5096 l landscapes. millions of consumersj will see energy bills rise by 5096 in will see energy bills rise by 50% in april, exactly the same time as a £12 billion tax rise takes effect. the business secretary said the government had discussed delaying that but are pressing ahead. that’s that but are pressing ahead. that's how we will — that but are pressing ahead. that's how we will get _ that but are pressing ahead. that's how we will get the _ that but are pressing ahead. that's how we will get the revenue - that but are pressing ahead. that's how we will get the revenue to - that but are pressing ahead. that's how we will get the revenue to pay j how we will get the revenue to pay for the backlog and to pay for a sustainable social care system. so no u—turn on the tax rise? no u—turn. while progress inches forward, a squeeze on incomes that will change the economic and political weather is accelerating towards us. simonjack, bbc news, suffolk. tributes have been paid to comedian and writer barry cryer, who has died at the age of 86. he was one of the most influential writers of his generation and wrote for comedy giants including bob hope, the two ronnies, morecambe and wise and kenny everitt. and he was known to millions for his role on the long running radio 4's show "i'm sorry i haven't a clue". david sillito looks back at his life # i know a fat old policeman # he's always on our street...# barry cryer, a mainstay of radio's i'm sorry i haven't a clue, but that was only the beginning. what a lovely audience! morecambe and wise... never mind, they'll do. i saw them arriving on the coaches. did you really? yeah, with their blankets over their heads. kenny everett, les dawson, frankie howard, the two ronnies — he wrote for them all, and on radio 4, a 50 year comedy partnership with graeme garden. he was very convivial, very funny, loved telling jokes. and he loved to laugh and he loved the sound of laughter and i had many conversations with him when he'd call about something else, orjust to say hi and how are you, and we'd always end up by, "by the way, have you heard...?" he'd regale me this... his latest. born in leeds, he'd started out in stand—up at the city variety theatre, after failing his university exams. more than 50 years later, he was finally given an honorary degree. my academic cv, it was touched upon earlier, ends with ba english lit, failed. i also failed due to the outbreak of the second world war, which was 16 years before but upset me very deeply. in the �*60s, the comedy writer occasionally appeared on the screen, here pouring the wine in the famous four yorkshiremen sketch. very passable, not bad at all. in the �*70s and �*80s, he was a regular on tv but this stalwart of old school comedy was also a generous friend to the next generation. he was genuine, one of those people who could, well, light up a cigarette and a room at exactly the same time. he was just a joy to be around and he had a joke for every single occasion. even if he told you the same one six times, it would remain funny throughout. # my short—term memory�*s shot to pieces # and i'll tell you something else # my short—term memory�*s shot to pieces...# it was, he said, a life dogged by good luck. barry cryer — a friendly, generous cornerstone of british comedy. # ha—ha—ha.# applause barry cryer, who's died at the age of 86. time for a look at the weather. here's darren bett. hello. we got the sunshine today and it has been a beautiful sunset, but this all points to a colder night tonight. we have got clear skies across many parts of the country already and those north—westerly winds will ease. the showers in northern scotland will fade away, and before any cloud comes into western areas we will find fog patches developing across parts of england and wales. not quite so chilly further west but for many central and eastern parts of the uk, there will be a pinch of frost by tomorrow morning. some early sunshine perhaps, mist and fog patches are slowly lifting in the morning. it will tend to cloud over from the west. we will keep hazy sunshine in the south—east of england. more likely to get some rain coming into scotland. all the while, a strengthening south—westerly wind but that will blow in much milder air so temperatures reaching double figures for many. they won't drop very much overnight. we still have blustery winds into friday night and more rain coming into the north west of scotland. it's not been a dry january here. that weather front as it moves southwards on saturday will weaken, so there is a bit of rain for a short time moving into england and wales. clearer skies and a few showers following on behind and it is getting colder as well. it's also going to be a windy day on saturday with winds reaching 60 mph across parts of scotland. we still have double—figure temperatures across southern parts of england and wales, and further north the temperatures will be dropping off all the while. a cooler day for sunday starting dry in most areas, then another weather system coming in from the atlantic. that will bring wetter and windier weather across northern parts of the uk, and with temperatures a bit lower on sunday we could start to see snow in highland and grampian. darren, thank you. that's all from the bbc news at six — so it's goodbye from me, and on bbc one we nowjoin the bbc�*s hello and welcome to sportsday. i'm jane dougall. missed opportunities for england in their must—win test down under. the aussies make hay as england drop crucial catches. more success for australian women. for the first time in a0 years, a home favourite will play in the open final. and it's a new era in exeter. the rugby club keeps its chiefs nickname, but the native american branding will go.