the nhs and all nhs staff, i know that this — the nhs and all nhs staff, i know that this lockdown is really hard. if that this lockdown is really hard. if you _ that this lockdown is really hard. if you are — that this lockdown is really hard. if you are a — that this lockdown is really hard. if you are a parent and you are home—schooling, if you are someone who lives _ home—schooling, if you are someone who lives on— home—schooling, if you are someone who lives on your own and your lonely, — who lives on your own and your lonely, if— who lives on your own and your lonely, if you are someone who has been _ lonely, if you are someone who has been followed, on behalf of the nhs, thank— been followed, on behalf of the nhs, thank you, _ been followed, on behalf of the nhs, thank you, because you are saving lives _ thank you, because you are saving lives -- _ thank you, because you are saving lives -- if— thank you, because you are saving lives -- if you _ thank you, because you are saving lives —— if you have been icu. i said _ lives —— if you have been icu. i

those still going to work are, of course, nhs staff. the bma say 16,000 of them are off sick with covid. can he go further and faster and ensure that nhs staff, front line staff, receive the vaccination in the next two weeks? and can he provide daily updates on the numbers of nhs staff who have been vaccinated? we do now provide the daily statistics on the roll—out of the vaccine, and we'll provide more data as the system matures and as the roll—out advances. he's absolutely right, mr speaker, to raise the challenges that the nhs is facing today, and it's very important that whilst the roll—out of the vaccine is proceeding well and we are on track to hit the targets that we have set, we must also stress to everybody the importance of following the rules which are in place in order to control this virus and reduce the pressures on the nhs, which are very considerable at this moment. the snp wanted to know how ministers would ensure that everyone could get a jab. as the secretary of state highlighted earlier, - primary care networks

a range of nhs staff, and the “abs? a range of nhs staff, and we the jabs? a range of nhs staff, and we have been _ the jabs? a range of nhs staff, and we have been using _ the jabs? a range of nhs staff, and we have been using the _ the jabs? a range of nhs staff, and we have been using the brent- we have been using the brent employment website to recruit people. 0k, people. ok, so what, medical student, retired gps, poem like that? shall retired gps, poem like that? all sorts retired gps, poem like that? fill sorts of people are being brought in to ensure that we have got competent people, who can provide a vaccination, but of course it isn't simply the vaccination, it is the whole process of taking as we said 4,000 people a day is an incredible fixture, so it is a real operation involving local government, the voluntary sector and the nhs, bringing everyone together, to ensure that it is as smooth experience for people having a vaccination.— experience for people having a vaccination. �* _, ., ., ., vaccination. and it could go on for months couldn't

we've got to protect our nhs staff. we've got to protect our nhs staff. we didn't protect them properly in the first way. we are not protecting them properly now because we are delaying the vaccine roll—out. let's get that sorted. let's get the vaccination rolled out to everybody ina care vaccination rolled out to everybody in a care home rapidly because we are seeing infections increase in ca re are seeing infections increase in care homes again, so yes, the progress made is welcome and good and reassuring, but we still got to goa and reassuring, but we still got to go a lot further, so let's go further and faster. in a very few seconds, we've heard from your leader that he wants the lockdown tightened. well, you see, you've got millions of people who still have to go to work. not everyone can work at home from a laptop and do zoom calls like this, so for those 10 million people who have got to go to work, many going on public transport, public sector workers, usually, many going on public transport, public sectorworkers, usually, but not always, some

nhs england say this marks the first week of the nhs putting its foot on the accelerator to get people vaccinated. they say there will be some teething problems, but we have to give it time to bed in. the way tojudge we have to give it time to bed in. the way to judge this is to look at how many we are going to vaccinate by the end of this week. i expect that the nhs will get to 2 million by the end of the week. so from 1.3 million at the start of this week to 2 million by the end of next week —— this week. the next week, they are aiming to do another 2 million on top of that. they want to do 2 million doses a week so that by mid—february, they will have offered eve ryo ne mid—february, they will have offered everyone who is over the age of 70 01’ everyone who is over the age of 70 or in everyone who is over the age of 70 orina everyone who is over the age of 70 or in a clinically vulnerable position a vaccine. so we should keep an eye on how many people they are vaccinating. at the moment, the uk is third in the world in terms of the numbers of vaccines given per head of pop

qm. could well be even tougher than what the nhs has seen so far.— the nhs has seen so far. 0k, thank ou. the leading critic of the kremlin, alexei navalny, has been detained by police after returning to moscow for the first time since being poisoned with a nerve agent, in an attack he blames on the russian authorities. he flew in from berlin but was led away by police after reaching passport control. western leaders have condemned his arrest. from moscow, steve rosenberg reports. he'd only been back on russian soil a few minutes when alexei navalny was told he was being detained. a kiss goodbye for his wife, yulia. then, the kremlin's fiercest critic was led away. earlier, there were chaotic scenes at a different moscow airport, where mr navalny�*s flight had been scheduled to land. police detained his supporters. "it's a disgrace", they chant. inside, the arrivals hall filled with riot police, who cleared the terminal. but in the end, the plane was re—routed to another airport. for alexei navalny, this isn't quite home sweet home, as you can see from the welcome party. he is bac

on the hospitals and the nhs. , .,, ~ ., , the nhs. yes, last week in the house of commons — the nhs. yes, last week in the house of commons the _ the nhs. yes, last week in the house of commons the prime _ the nhs. yes, last week in the house of commons the prime minister - the nhs. yes, last week in the house of commons the prime minister said l of commons the prime minister said that while it was still very early days there was some indication that the lockdown measures that have been imposed were starting to have an impact and infection rates were falling in some areas. i have to say, there was little sign of that from the nhs chief executive, he has also been speaking this morning, painting a bleak picture on the pressures that the nhs is currently facing. i pressures that the nhs is currently facin. ., pressures that the nhs is currently facin. ~' ., . , pressures that the nhs is currently facin. ~' .,. , ., , facing. i think the facts are very clear and i _ facing. i think the facts are very clear and i am _ facing. i think th

in orderfor us to get reducing the pressure on the nhs. in order for us to get to the point where people can resume some sense of normality we are going to need to have the majority of the population vaccinated and that will take several months. the message now has to be, regardless of this vaccination programme and health and ca re vaccination programme and health and care workers being protected and other vulnerable groups being protected the message is that we have to carry on with the same vigilance and strict rules to prevent this infection spreading and although we do have a more virulent strain of the virus remember, this virus cannot travel across brick walls. it cannot travel between one house on the other physically so if people do stay at home and if they do keep separate when they leave the house, for example, to go shopping. if they stick to the rules of wearing masks et you can bring down the spread. so it is about adherence to the little degree. and for eve ryo ne to the little degree. and for everyone to assume that anyone

staff who are doing this work, _ all the nhs staff who are doing this work. all— all the nhs staff who are doing this work, all these volunteers doing this work. — work, all these volunteers doing this work, in order to ensure that roll-out — this work, in order to ensure that roll-out i— this work, in order to ensure that roll—out. i walk past one of my locai— roll—out. i walk past one of my local vaccine centres earlier this morning — local vaccine centres earlier this morning cosimo —— and seeing people queued up, incredibly— —— and seeing people queued up, incredibly helpful. and -- and seeing people queued up, incredibly helpful.— -- and seeing people queued up, incredibly helpful. and 'ust on the mirror, incredibly helpful. and 'ust on the mirror. picking h incredibly helpful. and 'ust on the mirror, picking up h incredibly helpful. and 'ust on the mirror, picking up on _ incredibly helpful. and just on the mirror, picking up on that, - incredibly helpful. and just on the mirror, picking up on that, rather| mirror, picking up on that, rather shaky on the

to— worst of this, you cannot expect the nhs to kind — worst of this, you cannot expect the nhs to kind of return to how it was before _ nhs to kind of return to how it was before because staff will need that grieving _ before because staff will need that grieving space to recover themselves.— grieving space to recover themselves. ., ,, , ., , themselves. thank you both very much. i should _ themselves. thank you both very much. i should end _ themselves. thank you both very much. i should end by— themselves. thank you both very much. i should end by drawing i much. i should end by drawing attention to the wonderful photographs of captain sir tom moore, the centenarian fundraiser who raised millions. he was knighted for it of course. the guardian said, this serene picture of sir tom smiling and displaying those medals that he earned the distinction during the second world war. the highest praise from everybody, from the queen down, for his work for the nhs. we wish a speedy recovery to him and hope that his next thing on his bucket list is a road trip around the united states can ha

at the moment. real crisis in the nhs at the moment-— real crisis in the nhs at the moment. ~ , ,., , , moment. absolutely the independent also lookin: moment. absolutely the independent also looking at _ moment. absolutely the independent also looking at the _ moment. absolutely the independent also looking at the situation - moment. absolutely the independent also looking at the situation in - moment. absolutely the independent also looking at the situation in the . also looking at the situation in the nhs. notjust people who are suffering from coronavirus but also those who are waiting to get other treatments. fora those who are waiting to get other treatments. for a half million people in england are waiting to start their treatment in hospital. —— it's a really astonishing figure. it's extremely high. and i think this piece by sean linton is an important health story during this coronavirus crisis. the point here is they are saying that four .5 million people are on a waitlist for a routine surgery. 0n million people are on a waitlist for a routine surgery. on a routine sur

on the nhs pressures, can you give us an update?— on the nhs pressures, can you give us an update? amanda, as you said, as case rates — us an update? amanda, as you said, as case rates have _ us an update? amanda, as you said, as case rates have started _ us an update? amanda, as you said, as case rates have started to - as case rates have started to increase _ as case rates have started to increase over the last month or so, we have _ increase over the last month or so, we have seen increasing pressure on the nhs _ we have seen increasing pressure on the nhs and many, many more people coming _ the nhs and many, many more people coming into— the nhs and many, many more people coming into hospital beds. since christmas — coming into hospital beds. since christmas eve, around 15,000 people have been_ christmas eve, around 15,000 people have been admitted with coronavirus into our— have been admitted with coronavirus into our hospitals and that is well over 20 _ into our hospitals and that is well over 20 hospitals' worth of new patients — over 20 hospitals' worth of new pat

, protect the nhs was pa rt after the nhs, protect the nhs was part of the central slogan and save lives. it is slightly disconcerting we have got to this point and the nhs is struggling with to the levels we are hearing about. turning to the express , we are hearing about. turning to the express, the royals are leading the way. we have been told that the queen and the duke of edinburgh have received their vaccines, they are in the top priority group so talking about over 80 and they are well into the 90s so it is not surprising they have received their covid vaccinations and it is rare we are told, private medical matters are being made public by buckingham palace but in this case it is important and the government are very pleased this has happened because the are trying to address any kind of vaccine hesitancy amongst the public and if this encourages anyone who was feeling worried or anxious about getting a vaccine that actually it is ok to the queen is doing it and that can only be a good thing. maybe it would have been an idea to release a picture or video, i know they are obviousl

how close is the nhs to breaking point? —— that close is the nhs to breaking point? -- that 8% close is the nhs to breaking point? —— that 8% increase. close is the nhs to breaking point? -- that 896 increase. the nhs is here to provide care for everybody who needsit to provide care for everybody who needs it and what we had in place are very carefully laid plans of how to increase capacity when you get extra demand, we have been working really ha rd that extra demand, we have been working really hard that this over the summer, making a whole bunch of adaptations to ensure that we try to increase the amount of capacity we have when you get very high levels of demand, but what we are seeing in places that are under real pressure is we are seeing people having to wait longer, we are having to ask staff to basically put off leave, to work extra shifts, wherever you looking, particularly in london and the south—east and in the east of england but now increasingly other parts of the country, you are seeing very significant pressure that has an adverse impact for bot

_ those beds were not being used by the nhs and then when the contract came _ the nhs and then when the contract came to _ the nhs and then when the contract came to end, at the end of december, the government walked away from them and no _ the government walked away from them and no longer has capacity. if they were _ and no longer has capacity. if they were not— and no longer has capacity. if they were not being used and there wasn't any point _ were not being used and there wasn't any point to— were not being used and there wasn't any point to them, it seems stupid to waste _ any point to them, it seems stupid to waste money and keeping for them, but it seems— to waste money and keeping for them, but it seems a bit of a shame that the nhs _ but it seems a bit of a shame that the nhs didn't find a way to use these _ the nhs didn't find a way to use these in — the nhs didn't find a way to use these in the same way that we have not seem _ these in the same way that we have not seem to — these in the same way that we have not seem to have found a way to use the nhs _ not se

thank you so much, chris hopson from nhs providers. we can chris hopson from nhs providers. we ca n co nta ct dr mike tildesley from the university of warwick is a member of the sage subgroup, the scientific pandemic influenza group on modelling — known as spi—m. the group provides advice on epidemiology and infectious disease modelling to the uk government. we have been hearing from the chief medical officer, chris whitty, who says we are not yet at the peak of this pandemic. can you give us more detail about where you think we are? well, i mean i think i would have to concur with chris in that probably the next couple of weeks are really crucial. we have seen over the last week or so the number of cases being reported for covid—19 has plateaued, but is not really starting to go down. as you have been discussing, it takes a week to two weeks before we see any change reflected in hospitalisations and deaths. sadly, we are unfortunately seeing a record number of daily deaths compared with where we were back in april, and sadly i would expect that that might increase for

the nhs in london is out of control. the nhs in london is at risk of being overwhelmed. the staff are working heroically, but there is a real risk over the course of the next couple of weeks that u nless of the next couple of weeks that unless the virus reduces and there are fewer people going to hospital, we could run out of beds. across london, on average, one out of 30 londoners now has the virus stop but in some parts, it is one out of 20. the number of people now in hospital with covid is 35% more than the peak in the spring. the nhs is doing an amazing job and they are stretched. to give you an example, normally the amlin service on a daily basis receives around 5000 calls a day. they risk are receiving between eight and 9000, and that is why we are bringing firefighters to drive ambulances. it is essential that londoners heed the warning from the best way you can help the nhs is by staying at home. how much do we know about what exactly is driving this? how much of this is about the new strain that we know about? how much is about londoners not doing as much as th

he wants to raise money for the nhs. well, i have had such marvellous service from the national health service, particularly the nurses, they looked after me when i borke my hip. we said, "oh, if you walk 100 times, your 100th birthday's coming up, we'll pay you a pound for every length that you do," and i think i said, "let's raise some money for charity." and he said, "well, let's raise it for covid—19, for the nhs. " you're doing a good job, carry on, old boy! thank you from myself and from everybody at the royal armour corps and the nhs for everything you're doing. thank you, captain tom! we were talking earlier to tom moore, who's walking 100 lengths of his back garden before his 100th birthday on 30th april. and he hoped he would raise about £1,000. that went up to about £5,000. when we spoke to him and his lovely daughter hannah, in the first half of the show, they had just over £200,000. well, since we talked to him, another £45,000 had gone into hisjust giving page. the target had gone up to £100,000. let

new figures show of the 100,000 nhs workers off sick in - 100,000 nhs workers off sick in england last week, half either had the virus or were self—isolating. tomorrow, this vaccination centre at blackburn cathedral will open offering thousands ofjabs a day to nhs staff as well as care workers and those over 80. or by invitation only at this stage. we and those over 80. or by invitation only at this stage.— only at this stage. we felt it would be really appropriate _ only at this stage. we felt it would be really appropriate to _ only at this stage. we felt it would be really appropriate to offer- only at this stage. we felt it would be really appropriate to offer this | be really appropriate to offer this space _ be really appropriate to offer this space up— be really appropriate to offer this space up as a place where people could _ space up as a place where people could come and feel safe and secure. a place _ could come and feel safe and secure. a place that — could come and feel safe and secure. a place that they know. it is one of ten new regional vaccination centres open

that would be wiped out in _ nhs in scotland. that would be wiped out in an— nhs in scotland. that would be wiped out in an instant. rather, i would have _ out in an instant. rather, i would have the — out in an instant. rather, i would have the resources of the scottish government and the uk government working _ government and the uk government working together, focused on economic recovery and creating jobs in scotland. — economic recovery and creating jobs in scotland, and also getting the nhs back on track. that is much more important. _ nhs back on track. that is much more important. a _ nhs back on track. that is much more important, a much bigger prize, then constitutional infighting. we would rule constitutional infighting. we would ruie it— constitutional infighting. we would rule it out— constitutional infighting. we would rule it out for the duration of the next _ rule it out for the duration of the next parliament in order to focus on recovery— next parliament in order to focus on recovery from the pandemic. constitutionally, can scotland go ahead? the sn

nhs england said the new centres would offer thousands of jabs per week. blackburn is one of ten, stretching from york in the north to bournemouth in the south. theyjoin the existing seven sites already fully operational, from newcastle down to bristol in the south—west. in scotland more than 5,000 nhs staff were vaccinated here at a temporary hospital in glasgow over the weekend. larger centres are also open in wales and northern ireland. it's part of a uk—wide drive to vaccinate the 15 million people most at risk from covid by the middle of next month. the government pledged today that all adults would be offered the jab by september. there are some early signs that lockdown measures might be working, and infections are starting to fall back in some places. it is more positive news, but will take time to be reflected in hospital admissions, meaning the pressure on nhs services is likely to continue for weeks to come. jim reed, bbc news. the latest government figures show there were 38,598 new coronavirus infections, recorded in the latest 24—hour p

no, we will follow the protocols the nhs give i follow the protocols the nhs give us, and the nhs has ten priority groups, and we will be vaccinating those groups in the order that they are issued their letters and make appointments with us. we are very clear that we can't sneak vaccines in to anybody we want. we need to make sure we follow the right protocols. make sure we follow the right protocols-— make sure we follow the right rotocols. . ~' ., ., i” protocols. going back to what you said about boots _ protocols. going back to what you said about boots not _ protocols. going back to what you said about boots not making i protocols. going back to what you said about boots not making any. said about boots not making any money out of this, because there has been concern and criticism about contracts being given it without proper tendering processes and oversight, and the assumption would be that some companies would have sought to profiteer. talk to us about how you are funding this and why you are doing it and what you are getting paid to do this. i why you are doing it and wha

now to discuss that and the pressures on the nhs, i have got with me the medical director of the nhs. good morning. can ijust ask you, i was with you in oxford last week when the first people got the oxford vaccine. this is another ramping up, isn't it? yes, fergus. it was a cold morning, wasn't it? it is colder today. that was a big moment last week as the astrazeneca vaccine started to be rolled out. this feels like another gear change. the first of those seven large—scale vaccination centres that will give yet another way for people to get the vaccine. so we are really speeding ahead now in order to get all those people that we need to get vaccinated by the middle of february. nearly 15 million people are offered the vaccine. what sort of pressure will that take off the nhs? it is under inbred —— intense pressure at the moment. the nhs is really under intense pressure at the moment. we have had hospitals filled with covid patients since christmas eve. this is much bigger than the first wave in april. many more patients. it is critical we start to ta ke patients. it is critica

at the start of november, nhs hospitals in london we re of november, nhs hospitals in london were caring for 1000 patients with covid—19. on christmas day, that had increased fourfold to 4000, and to date that number has nearly doubled tojust under 8000, date that number has nearly doubled to just under 8000, and date that number has nearly doubled tojust under 8000, and more than 1000 of those are on critical care, the sickest patients. and i'm grateful to colleagues in other parts of the country who have been caring for some of our patients who have come from london. at the same time as london continues to care for patients with covid—19, we care for nearly three times that number of patients without covid, with other conditions such as cancer, heart attacks and strokes. and our plans to search the bed capacity in london means it is important we continue to ca re means it is important we continue to care for the most ill covid—19 patients but also other urgent and emergency conditions. but as the pressure from covid—19 has increased, this has put pressure on the numberof increa

the nhs is a family, too, and it has mourned its own. more than 200 front line staff have died in the pandemic. and see you because they didn't want to get you tired. senior charge nurse dom wood at the royal london feared he wouldn't make it after contracting the virus over christmas. i was doing everything i could to try and deep breathe and everything that i tell everyone to do and that's quite a scary moment. because... you see... the trouble is, in the first wave and the second wave, i've seen what can happen. it's scary. we're all scared... ..that the grave—diggers will keep working due to covid. this cemetery in north—east london has had to expand because of the pandemic dead. today, across the uk, more than 94,000 — that's over 20,000 more than the number of civilians who died in our country in world war ii. we're all scared, that things will get worse before they get better. we're all scared of the cruel ripples of the pandemic — lockdowns, mental health problems, economic shock. so where is the light? martin griffiths i

_, focus, stay at home and protect the nhs.�* . , , ., ., nhs. an answer to your question, to patrick and _ nhs. an answer to your question, to patrick and me, _ nhs. an answer to your question, to patrick and me, we _ nhs. an answer to your question, to patrick and me, we expect _ nhs. an answer to your question, to patrick and me, we expect the - nhs. an answer to your question, to patrick and me, we expect the peak| patrick and me, we expect the peak of infections to occur, we hope, it has already— of infections to occur, we hope, it has already happened in some parts of the _ has already happened in some parts of the country, particularly the south—east, east of england and london. — south—east, east of england and london, where there was initially a really— london, where there was initially a really trig _ london, where there was initially a really big surge with a new variant. it is fantastic that is beginning to happen. — it is fantastic that is beginning to happen, thanks to what everyone has done _ happen, thanks to what ever

a warning of mounting pressure on hospitals and staff by the head of nhs england. i think the facts are very clear and i am not going to sugar coat them. hospitals are under extreme pressure and staff are under extreme pressure. the american music producer, phil spector, who helped define the sound of the �*60s and the creator of the wall of sound has died in prison aged 81, while serving a sentence for murder. mass vaccinations begin at another ten centres in england from tomorrow as the foreign secretary lays out the government's targets for the roll—out. the adult population, entire adult population we want to have been offered a first jab by september. and the government moves to head off a rebellion by backbench mps, who could support a labour proposal to extend the temporary £20 a week increase in universal credit. good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. the head of the national health service in england has warned the service has never been in a more precarious position. outlining the extreme pressures facing the nhs sir simon stevens said a new patient

months and months now, nhs is excellent news. months and months new. nhs staff — is excellent news. months and months now, nhs staff have _ is excellent news. months and months now, nhs staff have been _ is excellent news. months and months now, nhs staff have been under- now, nhs staff have been under enormous pressure. what sort of extra support are you offering them to help them through these next few weeks. figs to help them through these next few weeks. �* , , ., to help them through these next few weeks. a to help them through these next few weeks. , to help them through these next few weeks. as you say, this has gone on for over a year— weeks. as you say, this has gone on for over a year now, _ weeks. as you say, this has gone on for over a year now, with _ weeks. as you say, this has gone on for over a year now, with people - for over a year now, with people being affected not only at work but while at home, because the area of wales under the most pressure —— the areas under most pressure arrows also the communities affected when people are at work, so what we're d

because of the enormous pressures on the nhs, these extra 30,000, more than 30,000, people in nhs beds at the moment with covid, things which we routinely would have been able to do under ordinary circumstances have had to be pushed back in time. and that's very distressing for people, and if they're in a lot of pain, which can often be the case with something like hips, that also is obviously extremely distressing for the person involved. but at the moment, the priority for the nhs has to be to do this for the people who've got the greatest emergency needs, and also to do so in a way that is safe for people. would you say we're at the peak, professor whitty, what are your thoughts about that, professor? i don't think we're yet at the peak, i'm afraid. i think we will be at the peak if everybody can double down and absolutely minimise their contacts. the point of the lockdown is to try and bring that forward, but it only works if everybody really thinks about every individual interaction they have and try and minimise them. that's what we need to do to actually bring this to its peak,

that can take a couple of weeks of this week we only had 1 million doses available for the nhs. i'm told that those numbers will increase in the coming weeks and the government is confident that within weeks it can do 2 million doses per weeks it can do 2 million doses per week which will enable it to meet its mid—february target. but a lot has got to go right out it is a complex chain. next, thank you very much. with another lockdown being the very last thing businesses need right now — as we've heard — the chancellor has stepped in to try and stave off a fresh wave of closures and redundancies. andy verity reports. for businesses forced once again by anti—virus measures to shut, being in a cash flow crisis with too little money coming in to pay suppliers, landlords and creditors is a painful new normal. the bank of england's calculated this financial year firms have £180 billion less money flowing in than they need to pay bills. and that was before the new lockdown, which will hit them even harder. we've announced £4.6 billion of additional help. for businesses in th

there is still immense pressure on the nhs. staff are preparing for their shifts, facing the daily challenge of caring for very sick covid patients, some of whom won't survive. there are still more than 35,000 in uk hospitals. hugh pym, bbc news. the latest government figures show there were 29,079 new coronavirus infections recorded in the latest 24—hour period, which means that on average the number of new cases reported per day in the last week is 26,987 — that's almost 30% lower than this time last week. the number of people in hosptial is falling slowly — with an average of 35,375 over the seven days to wednesday — including suspected cases in wales. we don't have the latest daily death toll yet because of a data processing issue today. but the number of people being vaccinated has been published — and it's the highest figure this week. “13,985 people have had their first dose of one of the three approved covid—19 vaccines in the latest 2a hour period, meaning almost 7.9 million people in the uk have had thei

figures from nhs test and trace had suggested a recent drop in symptomatic cases. researchers think that could reflect a fall in infections just after christmas which is only now being picked up in officialfigures. data on people's movements show increased activity in early january, as people went back to work, which researchers say is keeping transmission high. i think what we're seeing in the 0ns data, in the react survey, we are seeing the contagiousness of the new variant that we saw arrive just before christmas. there is no doubt it does spread very fast indeed. it is not more deadly but it is much more contagious, and the numbers are very great. the study suggests the intense pressure on hospitals will continue. critical care beds in 15 hospitals were completely full this week. while a0 others are reporting their icus are more than 95% full, that's even after creating nearly 40% more beds since november. health leaders are worried. i think there's a real nervousness that because of the transmissibility, how transmissible this new variant is, i think the slope

laura here is a member of nhs staff. she'sjust going to demonstrate what actually happens, so she stays in the car... it was not long before we saw for the first time what virus testing involved. one of them has got the full protective equipment on. her colleague stands back at a safer distance. erica, the senior nurse, shows information about the procedure. tilt your head back for me. and then carries out nasal and throat swabs. they are sent off for testing. they get through 12 tests a day. few would have predicted then it would need hundreds of thousands of tests daily across the country. the first death from coronavirus in the uk as the number of cases doubles injust 48 hours. that first covid death in the uk was announced in early march. within a week, the prime minister had this warning. i must level with you, level with the british public. more families, many more families, are going to lose loved ones before their time. in italy, the scale of the crisis was becoming quickly apparent. ten, 50, 60, 70, 200 patients

there were fears without action the nhs could have been overwhelmed. unlike last year, though, a vaccine is here but it needs time to work. i know it's really tough for everybody but we need to do this to make sure that we can save lives and protect the nhs while we get people vaccinated. the government says its aim is for 13 million people to be offered vaccinations in the next seven weeks. the opposition says it supports the new lockdown but promises have been made before and this target has to be kept. there is no room for error by the government here. we cannot have yet another overpromising and under delivering. but we have all got to play our part andi but we have all got to play our part and i have offered my support, i think we would all offer our support, many volunteers that want to come forward. this is a national effort, it is mission—critical. to come forward. this is a national effort, it is mission-critical. even with the vaccination programme, the great measures will have to be in place for weeks, certainly into fabric, it may be beyo

we know that this is impacting on the ability of the nhs to serve patients. the bma hasjust done a survey that says that about half of doctors are saying that shortages of staff due to illness of their collea g u es staff due to illness of their colleagues is affecting their ability to treat patients effectively and adequately. so we have a problem as we speak and the only way to really address that is to make sure that all health and ca re to make sure that all health and care staff immediately are prioritised to be protected against this virus with vaccination so we are saying that all high—risk help and care staff should get the vaccine in the next few weeks and eve ryo ne vaccine in the next few weeks and everyone else by the end of january. when you are looking at the figures, though, taken when you are looking at the figures, though, ta ken together care when you are looking at the figures, though, taken together care home, front line, gps, people like yourself, it is about 3 million people. that is a lot of vaccinations, isn't it? it is but invited t

different parts of the nhs but just to between different parts of the nhs butjust to pick one example, that is the vaccine roll—out, we both invested in the science of this vaccine and brought the vaccines from international companies as uk government for the whole of the uk and we then rolled out to all different parts of the uk to the nhs including in the three devolved nations. as a result of this other than israel and the united arab emirates we have the fastest vaccine roll—out in the world. that is a sign of what the uk can do when we pull together. i think for all those in scotland who are considering this question what i would say as secretary of state is that we are so much stronger together. it means an awful lot to me and my english uk colleagues in the uk government that we are one union and can pull together when things get difficult. and that is an argument that i think is resoundingly powerful that this uk vaccine, delivered by welsh and scottish and northern irish colleagues in the nhs as well as of course all the way across england, thatis course all the way acros

the nhs is a family, too, and it has mourned its own. more than 200 frontline staff have died in the pandemic. and see you because they didn't want to get you tired. senior charge nurse don wood at the royal london feared he wouldn't make it after contracting the virus over christmas. i was doing everything i could to try and deep breath and everything that i tell everyone to do and that's quite a scary moment. because... you see... the trouble is, in the first wave and the second wave, i've seen what can happen. it's scary. we're all scared... ..that the grave—diggers will keep working due to covid. this cemetery in north—east london has had to expand because of the pandemic dead. today, across the uk, more than 94,000 — that's over 20,000 more than the number of civilians who died in our country in world war ii. we're all scared, that things will get worse before they get better. we're all scared of the cruel ripples of the pandemic — lockdowns, mental health problems, economic shock. so where is the light? martin griffiths is

more pressure on the nhs. a daunting task ahead — the vaccine rollout ramps up as the government pledges to vaccinate 13 million people by mid february. mood of the nation — as everyone is told to stay at home, we'll look at the impact the latest lockdowns are having on our mental health. with the whole of the uk facing another period of strict lockdown we appear to be back where we started. we'll have to stay at home, schools are closed and even if you do venture out there's not much you can do to cheer yourself up. few shops, no restaurants, and no pubs. and that'll be the case for weeks. wales is already in lockdown and northern ireland is expected to go the same way. england's rules come into force tomorrow — scotland's started at midnight. when will it end? well much, of course, will depend on the success of the government's vaccination programme. there was some good news for businesses, chancellor rishi sunak saying they will receive support grants worth up to £9,000 to help them survive the lates

this is the biggest immunisation programme in nhs history. large vaccine hubs are already in operation in wales, northern ireland and scotland, with many more planned. across the uk, more than 3.5 million people have now been given their first dose, but the target is to offer vaccines to 15 million by the middle of february. rebecca morelle, bbc news. this morning, the foreign secretary dominic raab has been speaking about the vaccine rollout and when restrictions in england might be eased. we've also been hearing more about the pressure on the nhs. with me is our political correspondent, jonathan blake. what has the government been saying about the vaccine roll—out? the what has the government been saying about the vaccine roll-out?— about the vaccine roll-out? the uk has set hugely _ about the vaccine roll-out? the uk has set hugely ambitious _ about the vaccine roll-out? the uk has set hugely ambitious targets . about the vaccine roll-out? the uk| has set hugely ambitious targets for vaccinating the population far quicker than most oth

they're the ten nhs regions and devolved administrations. they‘ re helping the ten nhs regions and devolved administrations. they're helping to assess the situation on the ground before formulating and coordinating the best effective response. we currently have experts working at the newly reopened nhs nightingale hospital and a mass vaccination facility that will help the capital and covid—19 second wave. defence's effo rts and covid—19 second wave. defence's efforts have been visible like providing critical support to overseas territories. last weekend the royal air force delivered 5000 doses of the pfizer vaccine in gibraltar. we should not forget our armed forces. our plan is embedded in local authorities, working aside regional liaison officers and logistic support. they know how to deal with deadly diseases like ebola and how to stay calm under pressure. those cool heads have been pivotal not just according those cool heads have been pivotal notjust according effort but assessing where defence can deliver the best response. i hav

given £500 _ also ask you, nhs staff in scotland were given £500 bonus _ also ask you, nhs staff in scotland were given £500 bonus in - also ask you, nhs staff in scotland i were given £500 bonus in recognition of their— were given £500 bonus in recognition of their hard — were given £500 bonus in recognition of their hard work— were given £500 bonus in recognition of their hard work during _ were given £500 bonus in recognition of their hard work during the - of their hard work during the pandemic _ of their hard work during the pandemic. even _ of their hard work during the pandemic. even lidl- of their hard work during the i pandemic. even lidl supermarket of their hard work during the - pandemic. even lidl supermarket has given— pandemic. even lidl supermarket has given its— pandemic. even lidl supermarket has given its staff — pandemic. even lidl supermarket has given its staff a — pandemic. even lidl supermarket has given its staff a £200 _ pandemic. even lidl supermarket has given its staff a £200 bonus - pandemic. even lidl supermarket has given its sta

i know you have a family connection in the nhs, - me. i know you have a family connection in the nhs, don't| me. i know you have a family - connection in the nhs, don't you, and you have seen first—hand how tough things have been. i and you have seen first-hand how tough things have been. i smoked my cousins a couple _ tough things have been. i smoked my cousins a couple weeks _ tough things have been. i smoked my cousins a couple weeks ago, - tough things have been. i smoked my cousins a couple weeks ago, and - tough things have been. i smoked my cousins a couple weeks ago, and you| cousins a couple weeks ago, and you don't need me to tell you how tough it must be for them at this moment in time. not only dealing with the pandemic and covid—19, but everything else on top of that. what everything else on top of that. what ractical everything else on top of that. what practical things _ everything else on top of that. what practical things do _ everything else on top of that. what practical things do you _ everything else on top of th

but my remit is nhs england _ united kingdom. but my remit is nhs england. the rest are devolved to the devolved nations. in england. the rest are devolved to the devolved nations.— england. the rest are devolved to the devolved nations. in relation to the devolved nations. in relation to the second — the devolved nations. in relation to the second doses, _ the devolved nations. in relation to the second doses, if _ the devolved nations. in relation to the second doses, if in _ the devolved nations. in relation to the second doses, if in areas - the second doses, if in areas completed down to priority group four, can they move on to group five in group six, or are we so committed to this one to four deadline that they will stop getting supplies until every part of the country has had groups one to four done. back to the balance or back had groups one to four done. back to the balance o— the balance or back to the balancing of su- -l the balance or back to the balancing of supply and _ the balance or back to the balancing of supply and the — the balan

a warning of mounting pressure on hospitals and staff by the head of nhs england. mass vaccinations begin at another ten centres in england from tomorrow, as the foreign secretary pledges every adult in the uk will be offered a first dose by september. the government moves to head off a rebellion by backbench mps, who could support a labour proposal to extend the temporary £20 a week increase in universal credit. the number of coronavirus deaths in france has now exceeded 70,000. britain and italy are the only european countries with a higher number of deaths. all of france is now under a 6pm curfew, advancing the earlier restrictions by two hours. daniel wittenberg has more. the shutters came down early on the champs—elysees and deserted streets all over france, as the country met another unwelcome coronavirus milestone. at the start of the pandemic, president emmanuel macron said the nation was in combat with an invisible enemy. since then, with more than 70,000 casualties, france's death rate has been higher than on the battlefields of the second world war. i

the nhs is working so hard to do this _ the nhs is working so hard to do this we — the nhs is working so hard to do this. we are just asking people to do their— this. we are just asking people to do their bit— this. we are just asking people to do their bit and try and keep the numbers— do their bit and try and keep the numbers down in the meantime. follow the rules _ numbers down in the meantime. follow the rules. fire numbers down in the meantime. follow the rules. �* , ., numbers down in the meantime. follow the rules. . , ., ., numbers down in the meantime. follow the rules— l'm - the rules. are you doing ok? i'm nood, the rules. are you doing ok? i'm good. thank _ the rules. are you doing ok? i'm good. thank you. _ the rules. are you doing ok? i'm good, thank you, dan. _ the rules. are you doing ok? i'm good, thank you, dan. i've i the rules. are you doing ok? i'm good, thank you, dan. i've been| the rules. are you doing ok? i'm| good, thank you, dan. i've been a doctor— good, thank you, dan. i've been a doctor for— good, thank you, dan. i've been a doctor for 16 �

it comes as the head of england's nhs warns that

in other news on the roll—out — the financial times claims borisjohnson clashed with nhs bosses over the pace of the vaccination programme, and that tensions were running high last week. "insult to dignity" — the metro leads on footballer marcus rashford's anger at the quality of food parcels being given to families who'd normally receive free school meals, saying, "children deserve better than this". he said the meals were woefully inaccurate. alongside a photograph of one of those food packages, the guardian reports on how thousands of hospital patients are set to be discharged early to hotels in order to free up beds for those seriously ill with covid—19. quite a lot to get there, let's start. welcome to you both. shall we kick off with the main splash for the guardian, alongside that extremely strong picture of the woefully inadequate food for children? we will pick up on that in a moment. patients sent to hotels to free beds for covid care — an exclusive by the guardian. a home in hotel plan as it's being called. just talk us through it. so the guardian has seen some docum

what can nhs managers do? i think one thing we have shown time and time again is a small amount of supervisor input, a supervisor having a proper, psychologically savvy conversation. when you say to a member of staff, how are you doing? and they say, i am fine. it should not be just, how are you doing? and they say, i am fine. it should not bejust, i'm great. it should be, really? if you can get beyond that, actually, i am not so fine, actually, some of the solutions to stress can be very simple. somebody might be finding it difficult to cope with a particular piece of equipment or a new drug regime, actually with a don't need mental health support, what they need is mentoring to be able to do their piece of theirjob well. so we are calling for supervisors to take brief moments of time to have proper, meaningful, mental health savvy chats with their staff and that can make a big difference. really interesting to talk to you, professor neil greenberg, the lead author of that report, thank you very much. are you