Transcripts For BBCNEWS Breakfast 20201230

Good morning. Its wednesday, the 30th of december. Our top story. Millions more people in england are expected to be moved into the highest level of coronavirus restrictions, after a record rise in infections. The Health Secretary, matt hancock, will make the announcement in the house of commons this afternoon. Anisa kadri has more. The centre of southampton empty, after the toughest coronavirus restrictions came in on boxing day. Today, the government is expected to announce more areas of england will enter tier 4. And theres also talk of whether four tiers is enough. Yesterday, the uk announced another 53,135 covid cases, a record daily figure. Its partly down to a christmas lag in reporting, but also reflects the fast spreading new variant of the virus. And nhs staff say theyre at risk of becoming overwhelmed. The peak is not going to come for maybe two weeks from now, three weeks from now . And the big thing for us will be weve had the christmas social mixing. People will do the same thing at a new year, and then well have another peak further up. More than 21,000 people are being treated in hospitals for covid across the uk. In wales, theyre dealing with their highest level of patients now. This is something thats taking a real toll on the staff. At some point we will sit down and take stock. I dont think weve fully absorbed the effects on us all psychologically. But at the minute were very focused that weve got a job to do, weve got several months more of the winter to get through, and were really still in the eye of the storm. In Northern Ireland, hospitals say although under pressure, they are coping. And in scotland, people are being urged to stay at home over new year as cases hit a record high. In romford, patients had to be treated in parked ambulances outside the queens hospital. Essex has declared a Major Incident, enabling the county to seek further support from the government to address the pressures. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister is expected to decide whether to keep secondary schools shut, in order to try to reduce coronavirus transmission. Nhs providers, the Group Representing hospitals and other health trusts in england, want to see the government put more areas under tier 4 restrictions today, concerned that services are being stretched to their limits. As many pin their hopes on the vaccine for normality to return, trying to keep cases down through the winter remains a priority. Anisa kadri, bbc news. And well be talking to the Health Secretary, matt hancock, at around half past seven. There is so much to talk to him about. If you have got any questions, do send them in. Borisjohnson is calling on mps to back his post brexit trade deal ahead of a vote in the house of commons later. Parliament has been recalled for the vote a day before the brexit transition period ends. 0ur political correspondent, jessica parker, reports. Boris johnson will tell the commons its a new chapter in our national story, time to reassert global britain. His post brexit trade deal has the broad backing of tory mps, including long standing eurosceptics. There are bits and pieces where weve had to compromise that we dont like. But overall, to produce a sovereignty compliant deal, a Free Trade Agreement with the eu, where we get free access to the eu Single Market for our goods without tariffs and without quantitative restrictions, is what people said we would never be able to achieve. Talks went to the wire. The agreement, set to be approved today, will take Effect Tomorrow night. That is when the uk stops following eu rules as the transition period comes to an end. Up against no deal, we accept this deal. Sir keir starmer has instructed his mps to back the deal. He said its thin, but suggested its better than no deal. But some labour mps are expected to defy him. I think keir is making a fundamental mistake in whipping to do this. I think if hed whipped to abstain, hed have a unified party. I think also as well, our cons on this, or why were voting for this, have been, ithink, appalling. And i think what we are doing is walking in, yet again, to a long term bear trap that the government has put down. Brexit has often caused division, even at times political turmoil. But after years of heated debate and hard negotiations, the country will soon start to find out what brexit really means. Jessica parker, bbc news. Rescuers in croatia have spent the night searching for survivors after a powerful earthquake hit the country. At least seven people, including a 12 Year Old Girl, died and there was widespread damage. The epicentre of the quake was just 30 miles from the capital, zagreb. Keith doyle reports. A man is rescued from a crushed car. Hes reunited with his child, who had already been pulled free. It was a little after midday when the 6. 4 magnitude earthquake hit, the strongest to hit croatia in decades. The town of petrinja took the full force. Half of its buildings have been destroyed, according to the mayor, who was talking to reporters when the quake struck. Screaming. A 12 Year Old Girl died. These women were able to walk away from the collapsed town hall. Others were moved to safety, however they could be. Rescuers from all across croatia searched amongst the rubble for survivors. This man said, i dont have anything left. Everything crumbled. In the nearby city of sisak, the mayor was holding a News Conference when the tremor started. The main hospital here was badly damaged. It was also felt hundreds of miles away in the Slovenian Parliament building. The town of petrinja was almost destroyed during the brutal civil war in the 1990s. Todays earthquake has brought devastation here once again. Keith doyle, bbc news. The us president elect, joe biden, has strongly criticised donald trump for the slow pace at which americans are being vaccinated against the coronavirus. Speaking just weeks ahead of taking office, mr biden said the roll out of the pfizer and moderna jabs had fallen well below expectations, and promised to ramp up a programme of immunisation. Im going to move heaven and earth to get us going in the right direction. Im going to use my power under the defence production act when im sworn in and order private industry to accelerate making of the materials needed for the vaccines, as well as protective gear. Vice president harris and i have been speaking with county officials, mayors, governors of both parties to speed up the distribution of the vaccines across the nation. The duke and duchess of sussex have shared their hopes for 2021, with a little help from their i9 month old toddler archie. After me, ready . Happy. Happy. New. New. Love to grow. Laughter micro. Prince harry and meghans son has spoken publicly for the first time, in the royal couples new podcast for spotify. The half hour holiday special features celebrities, including sir eltonjohn and james corden. They reflected on the past year and paid tribute to Health Care Workers for their sacrifices. Lets get the weather with matt. Very cold start this morning, mad. Those figures just prove it. Very cold start this morning, mad. Those figuresjust prove it. They do indeed. Good morning. Coldest at the moment in the highlands of scotland. Minus nine degrees. A widespread frost elsewhere. 0nce minus nine degrees. A widespread frost elsewhere. Once again to go with some icy conditions, a little bit of sleet and snow. Let me show you with the latest of these showers have been. I see around North East Wales in two parts of north west england. More significant snow putting into words the islands. Rain around the coast. For mostly dry and bright start. For many it will stay that way. Hazy sunshine. Rain affecting south wales. Snow continues to fall across parts of the north and west of scotland, to be some good covering possible over higher ground. Southern scotland are staying dry and bright. Showers in Northern Ireland potentially this afternoon. Showers going into north wales, rain and of the coast, snow over the higher ground. Towards the south west many will see rain. Snow across the moors. That extends across the moors. That extends across the moors. That extends across the downs and other southern counties of england tonight. A covering of snow possible here and there. Rain for many. Tonight, mostly there. Rain for many. Tonight, m ostly 5 now there. Rain for many. Tonight, mostly snow flurries to north wales, north west england. The most significant snow through eastern scotland. A cold and icy starting new years eve. 0r scotland. A cold and icy starting new years eve. Or in an hour. Yeah, plenty more. Thank you, matt. Lets take a look at todays papers. New tiers eve is the headline in the sun, which reports that two thirds of england is set to be under the toughest coronavirus restrictions from as early as tomorrow. The paper also suggests that school years 11 and 13 are now likely to be delayed from returning until 11 january. They were the ones due to the back on time. Where to go back in time. Millions more people will be placed under the stay at home measures, says the times. It reports that hospitals in london are drawing up plans to send intensive care patients to other parts of the country, amid increasing alarm that covid cases have reached a record high. 0nline, the i reports that the Prime Minister has been warned that the nhs faces a catastrophe in the new year without a nationwide lockdown. The mail reports that borisjohnson is to hail a new chapter in britains history as his eu trade deal goes before parliament. The paper says mps will spend five hours scrutinising the 80 page bill which places the trade deal into law. Lets look inside some of the papers. This is inside of the sun. Talking to mad about the cold weather, the cold start. A lot of snow yesterday in many parts of the country. Some pictures here mainly from the north, from wakefield, barnsley, stalybridge, but also worcestershire. People enjoying the snow. There could be six inches of snow. There could be six inches of snow for a new year, it says here. It is nice that some people are out enjoying it, isnt it . Yes. This is in quite a few of the papers today. It is a bad cups of tea. I have quite a few cups of tea. If you are over 85 it is a good thing. I am not over 85 i have too many. Probably more than five, i would say. I have cut them down a little bit. It has got caffeine. Pensioners are drink more than five cups a day have better brain function than their counterparts who dont. But according to research. 676 people we re according to research. 676 people were studied. Tea drinkers who enjoyed more than five cups a day had more focus and a sustained attention span, according to Newcastle University research. Youve got a dog is, so you will empathise with this. I have one. This is incredible. The Festive Season . We are dog tired. The wolfhounds that turned into real party animals. Claire and jason have got nine dogs. Here they all are lined up for their christmas lunch. A very organised, i have to say. Here they are flaked out. |j a very organised, i have to say. Here they are flaked out. I think you get a Critical Mass once you have passed two. Nine is obviously a lad. I took our little dog out of this morning before i left the house. Rooting around, picking m essa 9 es house. Rooting around, picking messages up from house. Rooting around, picking messages up from the loan and you think, really . What a glamorous life. You dont want him to get use to you waking up at 4am. You will expect that. Lots of tributes paid to the pioneering designer piet cardin, who died at the age of 98. Lots of sci fi things. He changed suits, for example. The beatles, the sharp suit they wore in 1963. A lot of people talking about him yesterday. You are up to date. Those are the stories in some of the papers. New york is known as the city that never sleeps but that all changed when it became the epicentre of an outbreak of coronavirus. Thousands of people lost their lives and the citys economy has suffered badly. Our new york correspondent, nick bryant, reports. Christmas 2020, where the carols sound more like laments, and where the traditional decorations come with the new protocols of the pandemic. Social distancing at a time when people normally congregate together. For many new yorkers, the Festive Season sounds more like a misnomer. Its a time of empty chairs at the family table, a time to think of loved ones who didnt survive the year. The last time i was here was with my dad. The funfair at coney island brings back memories for angelina, of herfather, richard, a keen Long Distance runner, who died from the coronavirus at the beginning of the outbreak. He was just 66 years old. Do you feel let down . Um, let down is an understatement. Um, i feel like my country has turned its back on us. Um. I feel like ive lost more than just my dad. Ive lost a feeling of safety, a feeling of confidence in my living situation, in my government, in my fellow citizens. It feels like, um, were all alone. Then theres the economic toll of this crisis. Forjust as poverty has been a propagator of the pandemic, the pandemic has become a propagator of poverty. Good morning, everyone. Please have your bags open and ready. Thank you. Pre covid, this food bank served 200 people a week. On this morning, it provided vital assistance to 200 people in the first ten minutes. These queues are as long now as they were in march. Its extraordinary to see. Yeah. They keep getting longer and longer, the lines, and the need keeps growing and growing. And its harderfor us as an organisation to keep up with the need and the demand right now. I was present during 9 11. I was present during Hurricane Katrina and hurricane sandy. Those incidences stopped, and thisjust keeps going and going. People are gathering again in times square, the crossroads of the world. But this is a global city thats suffered so much bereavement and where the flags are still at half staff. The coronavirus outbreak has exposed so many of americas long term ailments. Its income and racial disparities. The dysfunction in washington. The rundown of its government. And the politicisation of everything, even the wearing of facemasks. 2020, the year of the pandemic, and one that people here cant wait to consign to the past. Nick bryant, bbc news, new york. 17 minutes past six. Good morning. Cat is here with the sport. Sport is being somewhat affected by coronavirus, isnt it . Yeah. No surprise it is following what we are seeing across the country. A huge debate about what schools should do. Whether they should be open for the new term. A debate about whether we need another National Love them. And football, huge debate about whether foot ball football, huge debate about whether football itself should take a pause. Maybe we should go back to march, not have the game is happening. Good morning everyone. West brom boss Sam Allardyce says there should be a circuit break in football, after the premier league returned its highest number of positive coronavirus results in a single round of testing this season. 18 were found in total. Manchester city have had an outbreak which meant their gamer against everton was cancelled on monday. And theres doubt over fulhams game against tottenham tonight because of new cases of cancellations at fulham. Covid 19. The efl has also been affected with seven of 12 championship games postponed last night because of outbreaks. Sam allardyce says the games authorities need to take action. We can only do the right thing, which would be to have a circuit breaker. You know, im 66 year old, and the last thing i want to do is catch covid. So, if thats what we need to do, thats what we need to do. I mean, probably all the players will overcome it. Itd be more difficult for me to overcome it, if i caught it, than them. So, yes, im very concerned for myself and football in general. Well, allardyce was speaking after his west brom side lost 5 0 at home to leeds, a defeat that included one of the most bizarre own goals in premier league history. It was scored by midfielder romaine sawyers. I doubt hell have watched match of the day last night. Elsewhere, Manchester United are now up to second in the premier league after a 1 0 win over wolves at old trafford. Marcus rashford got the only goal of the game which came three minutes into injury time. Theyre just two points behind leaders liverpool. Arsenal look to be through the other side of their crisis as they won their second game in a row. They beat brighton 1 0, Alexandre Lacazette scoring just 29 seconds after coming on as a substitute. Several players and staff at Sheffield United tested positive for coronavirus ahead of their match against burnley. The game went ahead though, and it was burnley who got an important win at the bottom of the table. Elsewhere, southampton and west ham drew 0 0. And the wales forward jake ball says hes retiring from International Rugby union because he still hasnt seen his newborn son. His wife gave birth to theirfourth child in november, but they live out in australia, and ball plays his rugby for scarlets in wales. Hes decided that he wants to be with his family, and welsh rugby rules mean that he cant play for the National Side unless he plays for a welsh club. That is a really tough decision, isnt it . Isnt it. If you want to play for wales, you have to play your professional rugby in wales. That means he hasnt seen his newborn son. That is the tough bit of it as well. Thanks, carter. Four years ago, Deborah James was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer. Since then, she says shes approached every christmas as if it was a gift. She has shared her experience of the disease on social media and co hosts the Award Winning bbc podcast, you, me and the big c. Now, deborah has been speaking to breakfasts Graham Satchell, as she reflects on a year of living with cancer during a pandemic. Im Deborah James. Ive been living with metastatic bowel cancer for four years. I co host the Award Winning podcast on radio 5 live, you, me and the big c. I genuinely hope that every december, i can just meet you and go like, im here again, graham, its all good. Erm, because its milestones like this, its milestones talking to you again, it reminds me how lucky i am to be here again. The Christmas Lights at kew gardens in london, extra special for deborahjames this year. She took part in a new drugs trial and was told at the end of it that she was cancer free. The biggest thing for me this year has been that actually those drugs have been now approved on the nhs, recently. It was a really good christmas present, in fact, to know that thousands of others would benefit from it. And i was the case study for that. So kind of, ifelt really proud of that, actually. And to know that my example would be used to literally, hopefully save other peoples lives. There are brilliant things happening in cancer, although it has been massively, massively impacted this year because of covid, and we cant shy away from that. Earlier this year in a panorama programme, deborah saw for herself the impact the pandemic has had on cancer care. In the first lockdown, two million screenings were cancelled, gp referrals to Cancer Specialists were down 75 . We may not see the impact of that for years down the line, but as somebody who knows the difference between an early diagnosis and a late diagnosis, its literally the difference between life and death. Really, really ha rd decisions had to be made. But its the messaging that says, no, no, cancer doesnt matter, its not important. And yet actually this year, more people will have died from cancer than have covid in this country. And we have to remember that. This is kelly smith. She was diagnosed with bowel cancer at the same time as deborah. They became friends. Kellys treatment was put on hold when the pandemic started. I dont want to die. Like, ifeel like ive got so much more to do. Erm. But yeah, terrified. Kelly died in june. I dont think for a second anybody was saying that she was going to live forever. I think all of us stage fourers know that one day our time will be up. But she had a five year old at the time. And you know what . Theres a really big difference between seeing your son to secondary school, living an extra month, i dont know, dancing again, feeling the rain on your face, whatever it is, and not having that opportunity. And she died being more scared of covid than of cancer. The department of health in england told us cancer diagnosis and treatment has remained a priority throughout the pandemic, and it urged people to come forward if they have symptoms. In recent weeks, deborahs cancer has returned. Shes just had a major operation. But she remains optimistic. I know i was told that i wouldnt see 20, 21. I was told im going to be a0 next year i was told i wouldnt see my 40th birthday. I have hope. I always have hope. And if we get one more day living, we have to grab it. So heart rending, isnt it . Yes. She is an extraordinary young woman. And well be speaking to deborah just before 9am. Time now to get the news, travel and weather where you are. Good morning from bbc london. A Major Incident has been declared in essex because of the increased pressure that covid 19 is putting on health services. The number of patients in the county receiving treatment for coronavirus has increased to levels higher than those seen in the peak of the first wave in spring. Declaring the Major Incident enables the county to seek further support from the government to address the pressures. Londons Nightingale Hospital remains on standby for use, nhs england has insisted, despite the removal of some equipment from the site. Nhs england sent a letter to trusts a week ago asking them to plan for the use of additional facilities such as the Nightingale Hospitals amid rising numbers of patients with the virus. The wife of a human rights worker who was detained in egypt has told the bbc shes over the moon hes been released. Jessica kelly from bayswater had been increasingly concerned about his safety after her husband karim ennara, who is a human rights worker, was held on charges of spreading fake news and belonging to a terrorist orgamisation. Suddenly, when he was released, it was just a wave of belief and also surprise because i wasnt expecting for him to be released as quickly. So, yeah, just a wave of emotion and hearing his voice was, you know, almost something kind of supernatural. Lets take a look at the travel situation now. 0n the tube the District Line and picadilly lines are part closed due to enginering works. No service on the london 0verground between surrey quays and Clapham Junction due to a track fault. No service on the london tramlink between reeves corner and east croydon due to a fire at george street. London northwestern, buses replace trains between bedford and bletchley, and between watford junction and st albans abbey due to shortage of train crews. 0n the roads, on the a13, one lane closed westbound at beckton water main works. Now the weather with sara thornton. Good morning to you. Another chilly start this morning across london and the south east. Temperatures again and freezing or slightly below. Weve got a met Office Weather warning starting at 10am running until tomorrow morning for the possibility of some snow and ice later but the bulk of the day today is actually dry with some sunshine, not that that sunshine helps the feel of things. It is going to be a chilly day once more. Again, temperatures mid to single figures at best. It is this evening when we see cloud and rain pushing towards us from the south and west. The track of this keeps changing but as it interacts with cold air, especially further south, over higher ground, it could bring some settling snow. It is not a nailed on certainty and this will change back to the risk out towards the Southern Suburbs are specially of seeing a bit of snow tomorrow morning and certainly ice could be a real factor, hence the met 0ffice weather warning. The next few days, it continues to be cold, very cold for the time of year, with the risk of the odd light shower. Thats it. Plenty more on our website at the usual address. Now its back to roger and louise. Hello, this is breakfast with rogerjohnson and louise minchin. This year, england and Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford managed to change government policy on child food poverty, not once but twice. Brea kfasts sally nugent spoke to him throughout his six month campaign, during which he told her about his own childhood experience. This is Marcus Rashford feeding britains children. Ive not been here for ages. This is where it all began. We used to be able to go upstairs and get a cup of coffee and what have you. His painting is on the wall, thats incredible, isnt it . Theres no way you would ever think that would have happened. It is like a dream come true, isnt it . He has worked hard to get to where he has got to now. So have you. I know but i did what i had to do and any parent that wouldnt do that for their own child then there is a problem, isnt there . He is one of the most famous footballers of his generation. Oh, that is a wonderful goal from a quite superb emerging Manchester United talent. Manchester united superstar. And england international. A hometown hero. At the age ofjust 23, Marcus Rashford has the world at his feet. But he is worried by the millions of youngsters experiencing the same levels of hunger he faced as a child. Id rather see myself starve than my kids. The stigma needs to disappear as quickly as possible really. Prime minister, will children go hungry this summer . Rashford is now campaigning to end child food poverty in england. Hello, everyone. Can everyone hear me . It wont be easy. Where is the slick pr campaign. But for Marcus Rashford, this is personal. It brings tears to your eyes, doesnt it . You should never be ashamed of what you have gone through. Everyone comes from somewhere, even if you are a footballer. You are the best footballer. Meet marcus and his mum, mel. As a young single parent, mel worked round the clock in a bid to keep food on the table for the future star. A table is to put things on. I didnt think he was going to be a footballer. I had to drop them off there, go to work and then come back, pick him up and come home. When i first started playing football i didnt know it was something you could do for an actual living. I wasnt at home most of the time, they had to be in on their own. I had three jobs and if i didnt do that ijust wouldnt have been able to cook a pot of food. Sometimes it was really bad. Id rather give the food to the kids than give it to myself. Sometimes i didnt get anything to eat and they said have you had yours . I would say yeah but i didnt. Sometimes we didnt have a loaf of bread in the house. Its embarrassing to say but we didnt. The way we are living now, honestly i sit in my room sometimes and ijust cry. You just sit there crying on your own because you are thinking about where you have come from to where you are at now. Itsjust sad really, isnt it . All them little struggles and sacrifices that you made it helps you appreciate everything ten times more. So i dont see it as a weakness because i think in sport you have to have something behind it thats pushing you. When you come from a place of struggle and a place of pain, a lot of the time it switches and it becomes your drive and motivation. One way in which the government could help those worst affected would be to extend the National Voucher scheme. They mean children who cant go to school because of coronavirus restrictions still get free meals. We are announcing a further £63 million of local welfare assistance to be used by local authorities at their discretion to help the most vulnerable families. Footballer Marcus Rashford writes to mps. Asking the government to rethink its. Decision to end free school during the summer. Prime minster, will children go hungry this summer . This was at the beginning of everything. Dear Prime Minister, my mum worked full time earning minimum wage to make sure we always had a good evening meal on our table but it was not enough. The system was not built for families like mine to succeed, regardless of how hard my mum worked. As a family, we relied on breakfast clubs, Free School Meals and the kind donations of neighbours and coaches. Food banks and soup kitchens were not alien to us. It is things that are personal to me and its actually a bit out of character for me really to open up and speak about something so close to myself to the public. But i definitely feel like it was necessary in order to get the messages across. He is doing a greatjob in trying to get the government to u turn on that decision to stop the voucher going on during the summer. It can happen here if the politicians change the policy, lets see if it can get this. I listen to the story on the tv when he was talking about itand i rang him up, said youve got this, they have got to do the u turn now have to listen to all of that because it was pretty sad. Its just crazy to think that this is all going on, we are into 2020 now and i dont believe it is something that should be happening. Those words that he was saying are coming from the bottom of his heart. Just over 2a hours after marcuss appealed to number ten. In the last few minutes the government has announced it is backing down. 0n on its decision to deny Free School Meal vouchers. 1. 3 million children will be able to claim. I heard that hed done it i thought, god, id better ring him i talked to Marcus Rashford today and congratulated him on his campaign. I only became of it very recently, today. I do think it is right that we should be looking after families of the neediest right now. I must have rung about 20 times i said weve cracked it it was a mad few days, wasnt it . This is only going to be successful throughout the summer period and then we have bought ourselves an extra six weeks of time there to come and figure out whats next and how we keep taking steps forward because i dont want this to be the end of it because there is definitely more steps need to be taken. Marcus wants to find out if he can help families facing child food poverty, so he sends a tweet to his 7. 3 million followers asking for their stories. Hi, marcus, i am a single working mother with three daughters. For years i did struggle. The struggle is real, mate. Even though i am back in work full time we have lost so much money through paying bills. My partner has now been made redundant. Until recently we have all worked but now we cant afford the transport to get our children to school. I feel ifeeljudged being in this situation. Im a single mum with two children. I work full time. At the end of the month when i pay the bills thats it, all the money is gone. Its what the community actually wants, they have no experience what some of the families have experienced and they are the voices i want to hear because they are the people i want to help. Marcus is paying a surprise visit to some of the families who answered his appeal on social media. Oh, my goodness. Boys. Are you 0k . Yeah, im good. Oh, my god this reminds me of when i was a kid. These are the places that i would come to chill and you dont even realise that you spend all day here just messing about. My mum always comes to get me. Yeah, its like dragging you home. Ive been grounded a few times for not coming home on time. Its been a difficult period for everyone but how is it affecting you guys . We are really grateful because i was really ill in march. I couldnt move out of my bed. They would come in and deliver food to my home. Families are not speaking out. There is a stigma. Because they look at it as who goes to a food bank . Who goes to these places . They look down on it but when you were speaking about it and saying you have been through it, that has given our family confidence to say ok he has been through it. It took me being homeless to know that you need to meet the right people at the right time to make it. Are you trying to hurt me . how do you feel about the senior mum struggling . Seeing your mum struggle . Its very upsetting see my mum upset sometimes and thinking how is she going to give us this meal today. What is going to happen today or tomorrow and feel how can i help . So i tried to do things that help the community, i can clean your windows for £3 or Something Like that. 0r take them to school for this amount of money and then i will try and give it to my mum. Do you do that off your own back . Yeah. For me its refreshing to hear you say things like that and never feel that anyone is looking down on you for doing things like that because they dont know what it feels like to have to survive. Because when you have to survive you do whatever you have to do. And this conversation is really good for me because these moments just give me more understanding of peoples situation. We really appreciate it. It has been refreshing and am very happy. Im happy too you are saying all the right things. You know how to spell your name . M. T. M. T. Actually, a Marcus Rashford is a man on a mission. The england footballer has set up a special task force. In a letter to mps the football acknowledged that the food Voucher Scheme had positively impacted millions of childrens lives but that it was only ever going to support the issue in the short term. We are looking all those policy suggestions he has put forward in his letter to make sure that they do deliver on a shared objective which is alleviating the kind of poverty that he talks about. Hello, everyone. Can everybody hear me . Marcus knows there has to be a long term solution. He has invited representatives from the uks largest supermarkets and food banks on to assume call. And food banks on to a zoom call. Whatever you think about universal credit, that on its own is not going to be able to cope. With the help of you guys we can come together and make massive changes and i really appreciate the help that you are giving me. It should never be normal for somebody to feel how i felt. When you get to the position im in now, ifeel like if they are in need and they dont have anybody really fighting for them then i should be the one that does it really. Were on way to my old school and we are going to have conversations with one of the Staff Members that used to work in the breakfast club. Hello i just wanted to ask you some questions about how its changed basically from when you remember i was here. Has it got more difficult . It has got difficult. We tend to do a lot more supporting families with food. It can be food, housing, anything we deal with. The way i see, if they are in need of Free School Meals when in school then when they go home they still need it. They still need a hot meal. So i think that is probably the next step. It is a stigma that theyve found sometimes and they say no, i dont need anything and it is getting past that. Yeah, the stigma needs to disappear as quickly as possible. It does. Ive never understood it but the quicker it goes. Iagree. Because some families might be working, and then it has affected them that way and then they realise that actually i need help. She said it has got worse and i know there are definitely more students now than when i was there. And ultimately that means for her because she is so passionate about it is there are more families that she has to help. It is definitely disheartening but the main thing is now you cant look back, you have to look forward. Footballer Marcus Rashford successfully campaigned for more than million pupils to receive Free School Meals over the country. He becomes an mbe for services to vulnerable children. In my eyes, a lot of the work is my mums work. She was probably the first person who spoke about it and ijust want first person who spoke about it and i just want to tell her without how you brought me up, none of it would have been possible. Never mind an mbe, even being a football player, itjust wouldnt have been very likely if i didnt have somebody like her behind me. Nice. Whilst marcus waits for commitment from the government, another influential person has been in touch. Acclaimed actor Emma Thompson is also campaigning to end child food poverty. Hello, marcus. We have to stay like this. Lam going i am going to bow. In april 2019 emma went to downing street to deliver a report on poverty written from childrens perspectives, outlining recommendations for change. Hey, you lot. Hello. Would you like me to introduce you . I think we know him very well. So the question is for me now what we do now . Where do we go from where we are . Food commission to see how many people it is affecting and to show the mps and everybody in the uk that this is a real thing and that people are suffering from it, especially young people. That is a massive one. If they actually put themselves in the environment and they see whats actually happening, then we wouldnt even have to speak about any of this. On your twitter you said its not the parentss fault that they cant feed their child because no parent doesnt want to feed their child. That needs to be heard by more adults and we could be the ones to tell them to stop stigmatising people. When the disbelief goes and the denial goes, then that hopefully will take some of the shame and stigma away. We have all gone through this, we have all seen people go through this. And we are showing that we are going doing what were doing and having people like you, emma, new marcus, show the support that we need. It is the governments responsibility to ensure that children do not go hungry. They dont stop being hungryjust because the School Bell Rings for the end of term. Free school meals have only ever been intended to provide support during term time periods while children are engaging in activity learning. I urge the government to set out Long Term Plan to tackle child food poverty. Where is the slick pr campaign encouraging absent parents to take some responsibility for their children . I do not believe in nationalising children. Instead, we need to get back to the idea of taking responsibility. The ayes to the right, 261, the noes to the left, 328. The noes have it. Mps have voted against plans to provide Free School Meals during holiday time. The people are speaking about it have had a life where there parents are struggling like they can literally afford to buy food and afford to pay bills and thats it. Because i doubt that they have, the way they speak about, is so insensitive and for me it is just a lack of understanding. Basically you have had to go through it to understand it. We understand it clearly because we have been through it. The next step is for the government to just sit down and try and gain a proper understanding of the people that we are actually helping and what they go through day to day because they dont quite understand the effect it has on peoples lives and it is because they are not seen it first hand. So once they do see it and they see how people have to live their lives day to day and you can see the pain in their eyes. For me, the decision would be a simple one. We have to prioritise. Either food or gas. We do what we do, dont we, to get by. I would rather see myself starve. We eat a lot less nowadays to make sure we have the food for the kids. We live off one meal a day. This is what i have got left to last me till payday. Im really anxious because have i got enough that is going to last until i get that payment of the last day of the month when i can go and do my shopping. We try not to let them realise whats going on because the stigma that comes with it. In some ways i feel embarrassed about having to do this but it is to ensure my son is eating properly. I know i try my best normally but during half term is any holidays it is always difficult. The stigma is still there but is how you deal with it as a person. The end of the day if you have got no other choice than let them think and say they want, if we need to go and get food from elsewhere because we cant provide for the kids at least we are providing for the kids, no matter where it comes from. If we can make one little difference, make one child go to bed for, go to bed with their belly full, and knowing other people care. Iam full, and knowing other people care. I am told off because i keep treats for the kids but actually seeing. And knowing that a child is going to go with a little smile, you know, theyre actually there are people out there who do care and actually we do care, you know, we do. During lockdown, marcus and his mum, mel, worked with the food charity fair share. They raised £20 million, enough to feed more than 3 million children throughout the uk. Today, they are visiting their local depot in manchester. Hi, there. Hello, mr rashford. Welcome to fareshare greater manchester. We have got some ppe to share with you. The mayor of Manchester Andy burnham is attending. He shares marcus disappointment towards the debate in parliament. Some of the comments were hard to listen to in the debate, i bet they were for you. But that tells you why the campaign is needed because some people still need educating, some people in parliament so need educating. One thing it has done is raise more awareness anyway. More and more people are learning about it. We have to keep the momentum now. When its finished, i will vacate the mayor of greater manchester, straight in honestly, on behalf of everyone, we are so proud of you. All of us are so proud of you. But there is some good news. Fareshare is expanding to provide more food for children in need and they are naming their new depot after marcuss mum, mel. Start your own trophy cabinet im overwhelmed and i dont know what to say. All i can say is thank you. For us and my mum especially, we were concentrated so much on the people that we were trying to help, everything elsejust sort of goes over our heads. You need to grow a little bit 1 Million People have signed footballer Marcus Rashfords petition to extend Free School Meal vouchers to children during holiday. 1 Million People during the week. Fantastic. Following the governments recent announcement that theyre not going to extend Free School Lunches during half term we know someone. The Great British public are now getting behind marcus and in a big way. This week we will be giving out Free School Lunches to any child who needs it. If you are struggling. We will do our best. Here at the Gainsborough Trinity foundation. At this Great Yarmouth pub. Morley and west yorkshire. The thought of any child going hungry, we couldnt let it happen. This local business is answering the call by Marcus Rashford. That is a picture for many across the country to see. So many people do off their own backs all over the country, for me it was just a really proud moment. It has been the most challenging year for everyone around the country and i think the least that children deserve as a christmas dinner this year. Manchester united now lead 2 1. It is early november and marcus arrives home from a big game to a long awaited phone call from the Prime Minister. Yeah, i have literallyjust got back now from the game. I got an assist today. No goal but we won the game so thats good. Can you hear me . Can you just say that again please . The government is to provide free meals to disadvantaged children in england during the Christmas Holidays as part of a package of measures costing nearly £400 million. An existing programme which provides activities and food in the School Holidays will be extended across england for the whole of new next year. That would be the perfect situation for me and we ask for that and because of that we will be able to help families in a better way. The significant climb down comes after a campaign led by the Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford. Thank you very much and on behalf of the families as well that you are helping ijust want to say a big thank you from them as well because they really appreciate it. Thank you very much. Speak to you soon. Bye. He said the u turn came in a phone call from the Prime Minister. A good conversation, good outcome. I think now we have managed, well, we finally managed to be on the same page. The main thing for me is that it is happening and families are going to be a lot better off. Come on. She rang me about a week ago and she was telling me dont give up because it is something that we all believe in and we have all experienced at the end of the day and we dont want other people to have to experience it. So that was, you were the last person i spoke to about that. I rang him a week ago to say theyre going to change. She will get the u turn. Something that i knew that they had to take place, he had a petition out there with over a million signatures and they couldnt say no after all that. Im happy that we have got to this stage but in my mind i cant stop thinking about what the Bigger Picture looks like. So for me im still a long way from sort of working towards that. So im happy for this moment but i just look ahead to what can we do now. As marcus was growing up we have always told him a couple of words and that is never forget where you have come from. And that is one thing i would like to tell the whole world hes never forgotten where he is come from where a lot of people are coming from now, the Free School Meals and all that. It is good to get out there that he has never forgotten that. Hes actually helping the world because of where he has come from. Well done, marcus. Thank you. You are watching breakfast. We will be hit with a headline is at 7am, time now to get the news, travel and weather where you are. Good morning from bbc london, im alpa patel. Londons Nightingale Hospital remains on standby for use, nhs england has insisted, despite the removal of some equipment from the site. Nhs england sent a letter to trusts a week ago, asking them to plan for the use of additional facilities such as the Nightingale Hospitals, amid rising numbers of patients with the virus. Meanwhile, ambulances have been seen queuing outside hospitals in london due to a reported shortage of beds. A Major Incident has been declared in essex because of the increased pressure that covid 19 is putting on health services. The number of patients receiving treatment has increased to levels higher than those seen in the peak of the first wave in spring. Declaring the Major Incident enables the county to seek further support from the government to address the pressures. The wife of a human rights worker who was detained in egypt has has told the bbc shes over the moon hes been released. Jessica kelly from bayswater had been increasingly concerned about his safety after her husband, kareem ennara, who is a human rights worker, was held on charges of spreading fake news and belonging to a terrorist organisation. Suddenly, when he was released, it was just a wave of belief and also surprise because i wasnt expecting for him to be released as quickly. So, yeah, just a wave of emotion and hearing his voice was, you know, almost something kind of supernatural. Lets take a look at the travel situation now. 0n the tube, the District Line and piccadilly lines are part closed due to engineering works. No service on the london 0verground between surrey quays and Clapham Junction due to a track fault. No service on the london tramlink between reeves corner and east croydon due to a fire at george street. On london northwestern, buses replace trains between bedford and bletchley, and between watford junction and st albans abbey due to shortage of train crews 0n the roads, one lane is closed on the a13 westbound at beckton because of water main works. Now the weather with sara thornton. Good morning to you. Another chilly start this morning across london and the south east. Temperatures again and freezing or slightly below. Weve got a met Office Weather warning starting at 10am running until tomorrow morning for the possibility of some snow and ice later but the bulk of the day today is actually dry with some sunshine, not that that sunshine helps the feel of things. It is going to be a chilly day once more. Again, temperatures mid to single figures at best. It is this evening when we see cloud and rain pushing towards us from the south and west. The track of this keeps changing but as it interacts with cold air, especially further south, over higher ground, it could bring some settling snow. It is not a nailed on certainty and this will change back to the risk out towards the Southern Suburbs are specially of seeing a bit of snow tomorrow morning and certainly ice could be a real factor, hence the met 0ffice weather warning. The next few days, it continues to be cold, very cold for the time of year, with the risk of the odd light shower. Thats it. Now its back to roger and louise. Good morning, welcome to breakfast with rogerjohnson and louise minchin. 0ur headlines today a huge step forward in the fight against coronavirus as the Oxford Astrazeneca vaccine is approved by the uk regulator. Millions of people are set to be moved into the highest tier of restrictions, as the nhs struggles to cope with a Record Number of coronavirus cases. Boris johnson urges mps to back his brexit trade deal in a vote later today. Another icy starter. The coldest starter so far this season. Its wednesday the 30th of december. Our top story. Within the past few minutes its been confirmed that the Oxford Astrazeneca vaccine has been approved for use by the uk medicines regulator. It is the second Coronavirus Vaccine to be given the green light. Lets get the very latest from our medical editor fergus walsh. Good morning. So, it sounds really exciting news. How significant is this . This is really huge, louise, because unlike the Pfizer Biontech vaccine, which is already being used, the Oxford Astrazeneca jab doesnt need to be handled so carefully. It doesnt need to be transported at 70. It can be kept ina transported at 70. It can be kept in a fridge. That is a real game changer. It means there can be a dramatic escalation in the roll out of the vaccine and all the difficulties weve had of getting it into care homes, this can now go everywhere to every village, every gp surgery across the uk. It will allow a dramatic escalation of immunisation in the months ahead. 0k. Immunisation in the months ahead. Ok. So many questions. How many doses do we have ready to go . So, the astrazeneca has been saying for weeks now that it had 4 million doses ready. There may be more than that. Some will be, im told, handed over today to the nhs. Immunisation will begin next week. Any millions more are ready to be filled and finished, put into vials and transported. It is being produced in the uk and in other places around the uk and in other places around the world. So it really should it change things very, very quickly. No in terms of the timing of the two doses, because it will be a two dose schedule for adults over the age of 18, the regulator has said that the interval can be between four and 12 weeks. So longer than the pfizer jab. That will allow many more people to get their first dose. It should mean people are at least partially protected in the coming months. Im just partially protected in the coming months. Imjust reading partially protected in the coming months. Im just reading that statement from the department of health and social care saying that from today the nhs across the uk will prioritise giving the first dose of the vaccine to those in the most high risk groups. That is a change from how the previous vaccine was being rolled out . Thats right. I think the decision has been taken because things are looking so grim within the nhs, the burden on intensive care units, theyve decided they should go for one dose initially. And if you do that, if you made the gap to four weeks apart, which is what they have been doing with the Pfizer Biontech, you can now do three times as many people with an initial dose. Now although the Astrazeneca Oxford vaccine wasnt quite as effective as the pfizer jab or vaccine wasnt quite as effective as the pfizerjab or in its trials, percentages can vary when you get into a real world situation, nobody who got at least one dose of the oxford vaccine was hospitalised with covid. So it should prevent severe illness. That really is the most important thing at the moment. Other questions as well. We know from what they are saying that those of the most high risk groups will be prioritised. Then we had a list previously. Do we know about what order people would be vaccinated in after that . Yes, absolutely. It is the over 80s, care after that . Yes, absolutely. It is the over80s, care home after that . Yes, absolutely. It is the over 80s, care home workers, people in care homes. Then you go down in groups of five years. But of course front line and health and ca re course front line and health and care workers as well. Then also, people with very, very severe underlying conditions, who are clinically vulnerable, between the ages of 16 and a 64. And the aim will be to get all the groups who are in those groups, 65 plus, immunised by easter. Around 25 billion people. That would mean perhaps doing perhaps 2 Million People per week in order to do that. 13 weeks only until easter. That is from new year. A huge amount to do. A huge logistical operation, as you say. We will be speaking to matt hancock at half past seven. So many questions for him about all of that. We know, of course, both these new strain. What can you tell us about this vaccine and of the new strain . So, this vaccine should be effective against the new variant of coronavirus. There is lab work being done that is checking those. It has a broad range against the protein which sits on the surface of coronavirus. And although there are changes in this variant, which make it more contagious, the vaccine, and also the Pfizer Vaccines, should be effective. If, at any point, there are further variations, it can be tweaked reasonably quickly. There is no suggestion, but the assumption would be this vaccine should be effective. Also, i would imagine a lot of people are watching this morning. Those who want the vaccine will say, when can i get it . Do people need to wait . Yeah, people need to wait. A lot of the over 80s have been done now. But it is going to be done fairly strictly in terms of age ranges. So the 80 plus front line Health Care Workers, then the 75 plus. Then the 70 plus, going down like that. Extremely clinically Vulnerable People are high on the list. Then it will be people who have Underlying Health conditions, about 8 Million People there who are going to be called in the coming months. But yeah, people should wait, they should be patient. We are very, very close here. What it is a race between the vaccine and of the virus, with this contagious new version, this new variant of coronavirus. So version, this new variant of coronavirus. So we version, this new variant of coronavirus. So we have to try to hold on. One of the really interesting things is that the astrazeneca vaccine didnt show evidence of effectiveness in the elderly, because they didnt have enough cases. But the immunological data showed that of the immunity response didnt drop off in the elderly. So its assumed it would be just as effective in older people is in younger people. Thank you so much for your time. I know you are a busy man. We will be speaking to the Health Secretary as well here at half past seven. So many questions as well about how it will be rolled out. Lots of guests that granddad subject. In other news, millions more people in england are expected to be moved into the highest level of coronavirus restrictions after a record rise in infections. Will make the announcement in the house of commons this afternoon. A Major Incident has been declared by nhs and Emergency Services in essex, because of growing demand on hospitals and on social care services. The Prime Minister will urge mps to get behind his post brexit trade deal when it comes before a vote in the house of commons later. Borisjohnson said the agreement which was reached on christmas eve, marked the beginning of a new chapterfor britain. Parliament is being recalled to put the deal into law, a day before the brexit transition period ends. And i had nine minutes past seven, lets look at the weather. A very cold start to the morning. Matt, lots of people will be scraping the ice of the windscreens . Oh, yes. I was one of them this morning. 10 in dalwhinnie makes it the coldest of the season so far. Cold est the coldest of the season so far. Coldest since february earlier in the year. Most waking up with temperatures close to freezing if not below. We have got some ice. More wintry showers. Particularly across north wales, north west england, Northern Ireland and the far north of scotland. The ones in scotla nd far north of scotland. The ones in scotland will bring the most skin the covering of snow. Significant. We will continue to see showers feeding across north wales. They will turn mainly to rain around the coast. It would be a cold day. Temperatures are best after that very cold start around two to three degrees in scotland. Some are staying under zero. Wintry showers are easing in Northern Ireland this afternoon. Some continue to run through the isle of man into wales. Much of england and wales dry and bright. Workload cloud to south wales, south west england. A covering of snow over the high ground of the moors, maybe also the downs and the southern part of england. That will lead an ice risk for many into tomorrow morning. More significant snow in the eastern half of scotla nd significant snow in the eastern half of scotland as we go into new years eve. Another cold and icy start tomorrow. Another cold day ahead. More detailed in half an hour. Thank you. In the past few minutes, the Oxford Astrazeneca Coronavirus Vaccine has been approved for use in the uk by the regulator, the mhra. The government has ordered 100 million doses of the vaccine which means that immunisation can be dramatically speeded up across the uk. We can speak now to professor andrew hayward, who is a member of sage and a professor of Infectious Disease epidemiology at University College london. Good morning. Thank you so much work talking to us. Fair to call this a game changer . It is a game changer. Imean, game changer . It is a game changer. I mean, its exactly what we need right now. Were facing an extraordinarily difficult situation with the step change in the transmissibility of the virus, which means we need a step change in our response. I think essentially what this has turned this into is a race between us and the virus, and we need to slow the virus down as much as we can wisely get as many people as we can wisely get as many people as possible. They are talking about giving the first dose as quickly as possible and then may be waiting 12 weeks before a second dose. They think the efficacy will be maintained. Just explain what the rationale behind that might be . Well, i think we get at least a partial protection, a reasonable proportion of the protection will come from the first dose, particularly the protection against severe disease. Although its not exactly the schedule that was in the trials, we would expect a similar level of effectiveness ultimately, but to be able to protect a lot more people a lot more quickly. That is why it comes down to this race. Would very likely to see is, despite strict restrictions, we are likely to see growing cases in this virus, which is more transmissible. And so protecting as many of the population as possible makes sense. The issue that many people have talked about for the five biontech vaccine is the very cold temperature at which it has to be stored. Pfizer biontech. This can be kept in a normalfridge. Iwill that Pfizer Biontech. This can be kept in a normalfridge. I will that help Pfizer Biontech. This can be kept in a normal fridge. I will that help to speed up the roll out . A normal fridge. I will that help to speed up the rollout . It means that all of the centres that would normally get involved in that stage, and all bdp practices, as well as more Simple Community for example, can get involved in the vaccine. All of the gp practices. We can take the vaccine to where it is needed rather than bring people into the limited places where we can deliver it. So it should make for a step change and it should also reach out to be most affected communities. And although this is a uk designed, uk made vaccine, this really is the one that the world is looking to, because of some of the reasons you have outlined. More of this is being ordered around the world than anywhere else, isnt it . |j ordered around the world than anywhere else, isnt it . I believe so. I think what we need are vaccines that are affordable, not for profit. And are easily deliverable. And that really is the most important thing. The effectiveness of the vaccine is really dependent on how many peoples arms you can get it into. This Technology Allows that. Can you just explain simply, if possible, in layman terms, how this actually works . Well, as with all vaccines, what it does is it stimulates the body to produce an immune response. Within this vaccine it stimulates two arms of the immune system, antibodies and t cells. These two arms of the immune system well for broader protection and stronger protection than if you just stimulate one or the other. It is really designed to produce higher levels. I think some of the unknown questions in this as yet are, exactly how long the protection will last. It can last at least six months. Beyond that we would expect it to last. But it is likely we will need repeated doses over time. We may need to update the vaccine over time as the virus evolves. Thats an interesting point. Obviously there isa interesting point. Obviously there is a new strain which is particularly infectious. But the scientists hope this will work against that. But as the virus mutates over time, what you are saying is it is possible to make changes to the vaccine . Yeah, i think the Technology Make it quite possible to make changes on a more rapid the timeframe than, for example, the technologies were we we re example, the technologies were we were using for influenza vaccines. Some major advances in the Technology Driven by the extreme need to develop this. Youve talked about the race now between getting the vaccine rolled out and into peoples arms, and the spread of this new strain of the vaccine, which seems to be particularly contagious. Today the tier ofs are going to be reviewed. What is your view on the way that things need to move now in order to achieve keeping a lid on things as best as possible . I think we are really facing a very stark choice between many tens of thousands of avoidable deaths, despite of the vaccine, or tighter restrictions across the country that will damage our economy. I think the scale of the thread that we face means that we really do need to tighten across the country. I would expect that to be the decision today. We could see a lockdown. Different parts of the uk have different rules. This primarily will be about england. Do you expect a full lockdown . I think a tear for is quite close to a lockdown. Tier 4. It is early days yet to see whether the tier 4 restrictions have been sufficient to control the virus. That is going to be difficult tojudge because everything is different over christmas anyway. But i think we are going to need at least tier 4 level restrictions. And we are going to need to keep a close eye on what is happening over the next week or two, to decide whether we need to strengthen that further. Professor hayward, we are grateful to you for taking the time to talk to you for taking the time to talk to us this morning and mark this day when the vaccine from Oxford Astrazeneca has been improved. Approved. Trials for the Oxford Astrazeneca vaccine began earlier this year. Lydia guthrie volunteered to take part and joins us now. Good morning. Lovely to speak to you on this day when it actually has been approved. Tell us what you wa nted been approved. Tell us what you wanted to take part . Thanks, louise. Good morning. Iwanted wanted to take part . Thanks, louise. Good morning. I wanted to take part because back in march, when we were alljust getting used to the idea of the pandemic, it felt like a tiny thing i could do to be part of an amazing human endeavour, trying to do something really constructive to support the whole community. But putting it really bluntly, itjust felt like the right thing to do. So knowing now it has been approved, how do you feel this morning . Its fantastic news. I am so proud of the whole team. They have moved mountains in terms of Scientific Research. They have achieved is unprecedented. Theyve not just research. They have achieved is unprecedented. Theyve notjust done it using amazing scientific skills, but speaking as a participant, they have been kind and compassionate and respectful and caring towards all the participants all the way through. Which, ithink the participants all the way through. Which, i think is what we expect of our nhs. Do you know if you had the vaccine or the placebo . Well they used either the Covid Vaccine or a meningitis a vaccine. None of the snow which one we got. From the side effects i suspect i got the Covid Vaccine because i had symptoms that were consistent with that. But i wont know for sure until the end of the trial. Ok. People would be interested because this is going to be rolled out. We will speak to matt hancock shortly here on bbc. What kind of side effects that you have . Here on bbc. What kind of side effects that you have . |j here on bbc. What kind of side effects that you have . I had a side effects that you have . I had a side effects that you have . I had a side effects that were just like the ones they warned me about. It was like a flu jab might. I would really suggest to anybody who is thinking about taking up the offer of having the vaccine, to make a really careful decision about their health and their welfare. You know, we all think really hard about any kind of medical treatment. And it vaccine is just at the same. But i would really encourage people to be really clear about where are you getting your information from . And who is giving you advice . Listen to your doctors, listen to the nhs. This vaccine wasnt developed by politicians. It wasnt developed by politicians. It wasnt developed by huge corporations looking to make masses of money out of it. Its in done on a not for profit basis and it was done through the nhs, through researchers at Oxford University, andl researchers at Oxford University, and i believe these are people i felt i could trust. And i would really encourage people, if you want to help out of the nhs, if you are looking at venues and are seeing the stories of hospitals being overwhelmed, then taking up the vaccine is something really constructive people could do that would help the nhs when they really needed. Its ok for other people taking it now, because it has been approved. At the point you had it it was not approved. Did you feel nervous . Yeah, of course. Of course i felt nervous. I am a mum. I got two teenage kids. Ive got family who loved me. I didnt want to do anything that would affect my health or put me at risk. But when i read the information i felt that the risk was small. Of course there was a risk. It was an untested experimental vaccine. But i felt as though i could trust the Research Team and the nhs, because whenever ive needed the nhs in the past theyve always been there for me. So i felt i could trust them. Lydia, without people like you it would not have been approved, or it would not have been approved, or it would not have been approved, or it would not have been able to go through the process. Thank you very much indeed. Lets talk to rachel reeves, the shadow cabinet minister. Good morning. Thank you for talking to us. You originally agreed kindly to talk about brexit later on over the trade deal. We will get onto that. First of all, your reaction to the news this morning that the Oxford Astrazeneca vaccine has been approved . That the Oxford Astrazeneca vaccine has been approved . Well, isjust wonderful news. And who think there is light at the end of the tunnel. I just listened to your interview with lydia. What an inspiring woman. And what a story. Also, i hope that people will listen to what he said about is what we can do to protect the nhs and get control of this virus by getting this vaccine. And due to people like her, but also, she said, the amazing scientists at Oxford University and in our nhs, that we can, i hope, look forward to a Brighter Future after everything we have gone through in this terrible year. A thought then and what might happen regarding restrictions over heres in england . The Health Secretary is expected to make a statement later. What are you hoping to see . Well, the vaccine is on the horizon. And people will start to get that astrazeneca vaccine. That is good news. But it doesnt deflect from the real challenges we face right now. We have heard of the stories this morning about essex, a Hospital Trust declaring a Major Incident. All over our country we are seeing figures on the rise. While there is light at the end of the tunnel, we cannot relax right now. We have still got some really difficult times to get through. And that is likely to mean restrictions for some time to come. And in some parts of the country tougher restrictions than weve got now. But there are other things the government needs to be doing. Like most testing, like improving the testing trays system. And better supporting businesses, who, in many cases, are on their knees. Christmas is the most important time of the year for so many businesses and many of them have not been able to open or take the money they would normally do. We are urging the government to do those things and ensure we get a grip of the virus and protect the nhs. They would say theyve spent millions trying to support business and behind testing trays. Lets move the brexit trade deal, the bill been discussed in the house of commons today. Sir keir starmer is saying labour should support the bill. Why . All the other opposition parties seem set to oppose it. Were no cheerleaders for the deal but the country faces to path now. Tomorrow, we can either trade with our nearest neighbours with a trade deal, or we can be with no deal. But that wont happen. Sorry to interrupt you so quickly. No deal will not happen because the government has enough of a majority, it will go through. But those are the two paths we face as a country. We are not ambivalent between those two parts. We prefer to trade with a deal than no deal. It is in the National Interest to vote how you wanted this vote to go this evening. We want this deal to be incorporated into uk law by the end of today, so that tomorrow evening we can trade with a deal. It isa thin evening we can trade with a deal. It is a thin deal. It is not the deal labour would have negotiated. It is a Foundation Upon which labour would build in government what it is better than the alternative. We will vote for this evening because it is in our National Interest that the deal passes. Doesnt that undermine your position of argument in the future when you criticise the way that things have turned out, that the government and tom back to you and say, well you voted to support it, you could have abstained . It would send a clear message. Were voting this evening to incorporate a treaty into uk law. That is the right thing to do, to give businesses the stability they need. Labour are businesses the stability they need. Labourare a businesses the stability they need. Labour are a government in waiting. Governments have to make tough decisions. Labour would in government. We are acting in the National Interest. We have tabled a numberofamendments to National Interest. We have tabled a number of amendments to the legislation going through this evening. For example, an erasmus, on helping musicians and touring artists to continue touring without extra costs and bureaucracy in the European Union. Those amendments are not incorporated into the treaty anyway. These wouldnt be changing the treaty, but these are things that labour would like to see happen in the future. And it gives an indication of the way that labour would have approached these trade negotiations, but also what a Labour Government would do under a keir starmer leadership in 2024. These are the things government can do neither support businesses in the transition to the new trading relationships. To ensure that qualifications gained in this country are recognised in the European Union. These are all things that can be built on based on the thin deal, the foundational deal, the government has secured. We are urging the government to do those things. When you say things can be built upon, things can be changed and amended in the future, that, of course, depends on the European Union agreeing to continue a dialogue and make tweaks along the way. Why would they do that . They have got a deal they are happy to sign off . There are there a lot of gaps in this deal for both sides. It makes sense, for example, for european qualification is to be recognised in this country, whether you are a doctor, a nurse, yvette, an accountant, a lawyer. In the same way it makes sense for our qualifications to be recognised in europe, as they are now. There are twea ks europe, as they are now. There are tweaks that can be done, there are gaps in this deal that can be filled. We want the government to do these things. You got to have a deal is the basis to do these things. That is why we will be voting to bring this treaty into domestic law this evening. It gives us something to build on rather than the chaos and acrimony that would result in a no deal i would come, if that was the part of the country went down from tomorrow. Which we want to, as previously discussed, because it will go through tonight. But it is the right thing to do, to show what labour would do in government. We would do nothing to stop a deal. We have always said no deal would be the worst outcome for our country and we will vote that way this evening. Thank you. Rachel reeves. Lets remind you of the breaking news we have had in the last half an hour. A second Coronavirus Vaccine has been approved for use in the uk. Its been manufactured by astrazeneca and Oxford University. We know the uk has ordered 100 million doses. We understand it will start being rolled out on the 4th of january. We to the Health Secretary, matt hancock. So many questions to ask him. We will speak to him shortly. As soon as we can. Time now to get the news, travel and weather where you are. Good morning from bbc london, im alpa patel. Londons Nightingale Hospital remains on standby for use, nhs england has insisted, despite the removal of some equipment from the site. Nhs england sent a letter to trusts a week ago asking them to plan for the use of additional facilities such as the Nightingale Hospitals amid rising numbers of patients with the virus. Meanwhile ambulances have been seen queuing outside hospitals in london due to a reported shortage of beds. A Major Incident has been declared in essex because of the increased pressure that covid 19 is putting on health services. The number of patients receiving treatment has increased to levels higher than those seen in the peak of the first wave in spring. Declaring the Major Incident enables the county to seek further support from the government to address the pressures. The wife of a human rights worker who was detained in egypt has has told the bbc shes over the moon hes been released. Jessica kelly from bayswater had been increasingly concerned about his safety after her husband, kareem ennara, who is a human rights worker, was held on charges of spreading fake news and belonging to a terrorist orgamisation. Suddenly, when he was released, it was just a wave of belief and also surprise because i wasnt expecting for him to be released as quickly. So, yeah, just a wave of emotion and hearing his voice was, you know, almost something kind of supernatural. Lets take a look at the travel situation now. 0n the tube the District Line and picadilly lines are part closed due to enginering works. No service on the london 0verground between surrey quays and Clapham Junction due to a track fault. No service on the london tramlink between reeves corner and east croydon due to a fire at george street. 0n the trains london northwestern, buses replace trains between bedford and bletchley, and between watford junction and st albans abbey due to shortage of train crews. 0n the roads one lane is closed on the a13 westbound at beckton due to water main works. Now the weather with sara thornton. Good morning to you. Another chilly start this morning across london and the south east. Temperatures again and freezing or slightly below. Weve got a met Office Weather warning starting at 10am running until tomorrow morning for the possibility of some snow and ice later but the bulk of the day today is actually dry with some sunshine, not that that sunshine helps the feel of things. It is going to be a chilly day once more. Again, temperatures mid single figures at best. It is this evening when we see cloud and rain pushing towards us from the south and west. The track of this keeps changing but as it interacts with cold air, especially further south, over higher ground, it could bring some settling snow. It is not a nailed on certainty and this will change back to the risk out towards the Southern Suburbs are specially of seeing a bit of snow tomorrow morning and certainly ice could be a real factor, hence the met Office Weather warning. The next few days, it continues to be cold, very cold for the time of year, with the risk of the odd light shower. Thats it. Plenty more on our website at the usual address. Now its back to roger and louise hello, this is breakfast with rogerjohnson and louise minchin. Good morning. The big news this morning the approval by the medicines regulator of the Oxford University astrazeneca Coronavirus Vaccine which has been approved for use in the uk. That happened at 7am and it has been described by fergus walsh is a game changer and lots more information to come on this and so many questions to be answered but lets tell you what we know so far. There has been a department of health and social care quote from a spokesperson saying that from today the nhs across the uk will prioritise giving the first dose of the vaccine to those in the most high risk groups with two vaccines now approved and it goes on to say well be able to vaccinate a greater number of people who are at highest risk protecting them from the disease and reducing mortality and hospitalisation. There is so much to know about this because the key to this, one of the things that is key, is that unlike the previous vaccine, the Pfizer Biontech vaccine, this doesnt need to be transported at 70 doesnt need to be transported at 70 degrees which will make it much easier to get the vaccine to other parts of the country and be able to speed up the process and roll out of the vaccine. Much cheaper as well, only £3 a dose, the astrazeneca vaccine, which makes it more affordable. Astrazeneca said it would be done across the world as a not for profit project so they are supplying it. As fergus walsh said, it is the big hope for the world, more of this vaccine will be used around the globe, that has been ordered. Indonesia has ordered 50 million doses of it to work with their population so this is the one which the world is hanging a lot of hope on. And what is really interesting to see as well is the first dose and second dose, is because they are saying everyone will receive a second dose within 12 weeks of the first dose and the second dose completes the course and is important for longer term protection but it means they can get more doses out to more people. It also means as well that the key thing about this vaccine particularly is no one who received at least one dose of the vaccine when they were doing the trial was hospitalised with co covid 19. As roger is saying, it cost £3 a dose and we will speak to the Health Secretary shortly. The key is to start rolling it out. Obviously theyve started with vaccinating people with the Pfizer Vaccine but this one they are saying and we will talk to matt hancock about this is that it might start as early as january the 4th. As louise says it is much more transportable so it can be in gp surgeries and as many of you were saying this morning and getting in touch, it can be administered in care homes rather than having to be stored at 70 and having to be administered in hospital. What we want to know is what is the priority . There was a list previously from the joint committee of backs and immunisation about how they would roll the Pfizer Vaccine. I think we can speak to matt hancock right now. Good morning, and i can see by these mothers is a good morning for you. How significant is this . This is a very significant moment in the fight against this pandemic because the vaccine the way out. And the approval of the Oxford Astrazeneca vaccine brings forward the date at which we will bring this pandemic to an end so it is good news for everybody, everybody watching, and the whole country. This is a real british success story, a combination of the science at Oxford University and the uk and vaccines network, the government funding through the National Institutes of health and ri sol ju have done an absolutely brilliantjob, obviously astrazeneca, and the nhs. So, this isa astrazeneca, and the nhs. So, this is a really good news this morning that the vaccine has not onlyjust been approved but also that they find that the immunity to the disease comes after around a fortnight after the first dose, which means we can really accelerate the number of people who get protected. Right, and you talk about accelerating so we know with the previous vaccine people had to have two doses are what will you do here . Prioritise the first dose coming out . Thats right. The regulator will set out later today the details and the data from the huge Clinical Trial taking place, along with the joint committee on vaccinations and immunisations you mention. Theyve said the privatisation in terms of what ordered people should be prioritised should be exactly the same as for the Pfizer Vaccine, which is good news. And that we should prioritise having as many people getting the first dose as possible. That will allow us to get protection to more people more quickly than otherwise, which means we can accelerate the number of people we give protection to, and then people will get their second dose after 12 weeks, which is important for the long term protection but it does mean that over the first three months we can get this jab into the arms of as many people who are vulnerable to this disease as possible. Right, when will the first person get their first dose . On the 4th ofjanuary, so we will start next week. And hospitals across the country are ready but we can also use this vaccine in primary care, we can take ita vaccine in primary care, we can take it a care homes, itjust needs normalfridge it a care homes, itjust needs normal fridge temperature rather than the super cold storage than the Pfizer Vaccine requires so we can get going on this from monday. Have you got a target for the first week . Im not putting numbers on it. Its very tempting but the reason is that the speed of the roll out will be determined by how quickly this can be manufactured. The nhs will be able to deliver it at the speed of which it can be manufactured and approved for use. Today weve got the approvalfor the approved for use. Today weve got the approval for the vaccine as a whole. Each batch needs to be individually approved to make sure that everything has gone right in the manufacture. So, as soon as the material and vaccine can be prepared, and authorised, the nhs will then be able to deliver it. How many doses do you have ready right now . Well, of this one, the number that will be ready for next week is in the hundreds of thousands, and, then, the numbers increased significantly after that. Can you tell us about care homes . Will this be going for example in that first week to care homes . Yes. In the first instance, itll be administered in hospitals, as the Pfizer Vaccine was. Then we will be able to get out and vaccinate all the residents of care homes or offer the residents of care homes or offer the vaccination to residents of care homes and care home staff. We already started that programme with the Pfizer Vaccine and thousands of residents of care homes have already been vaccinated. But the need to keep to keep the Pfizer Vaccine at 70 keep to keep the Pfizer Vaccine at 70 has made it more challenging to get out to smaller care homes and those limitations are not therefore this 0xford astrazeneca vaccine so we can get out and vaccinate People Living in care homes who are some of the most vulnerable to this disease so this is another piece of good news. Lots of people will be watching and thinking how do i get this vaccine . It is really important that you wait for the nhs to contact you. One of the wonderful things about having the nhs in this country is that they look after everybody. And they will be contacting people in priority order to make sure that, essentially, we save as many lives as possible because we know that this disease targets the most elderly and the most vulnerable, and we will therefore target the vaccine at those who need that protection is the most. And, also, at the nhs staff and social care workers who ca re staff and social care workers who care for all of us but in particular ca re care for all of us but in particular care for all of us but in particular care for the elderly and those who are most vulnerable to this disease. So, just hold on, you mentioned Vulnerable People, care home staff, nhs staff, and i know from the pfizer list it went down to people over 50 so is that where you are aiming to orwill over 50 so is that where you are aiming to or will people other than ca re aiming to or will people other than care workers in care homes and a 50 get it . Under 50s will get if they are clinically vulnerable to coronavirus and if theyve received letters during the pandemic about shielding and the specific arrangements that are necessary for those clinically vulnerable. If you get those letters and then you are on the clinically vulnerable list, you will be moved forward, including if you are under 50. And, then, once weve vaccinated all of them and the over 50s, which is a significant chunk of the population, then we will continue to vaccinate the under 50s, even though the likelihood from dying from the disease is very low under 50 because we have enough of this vaccine in order to vaccinate the whole population. We have 100 million doses on order. Add it to the 30 million doses of pfizer and thatis the 30 million doses of pfizer and that is enough for two doses for the entire population so i can now say with confidence we can vaccinate everyone, except of course for children, because this vaccine has not been trialled on children and a nyway not been trialled on children and anyway children are much less likely to have symptoms from the disease. So many questions. It has been described as a race against time and the need to slow the virus tells is effective against this new strain, as far as you know . As far as we know it is effective against the new strain which is really important because weve discussed many times on this programme the strategy is to suppress the virus until the vaccine can make us safe and todays news is great news for the ability of the vaccine to make us safe and make us safe faster tha n vaccine to make us safe and make us safe faster than we previously could have done. But can also, at the same time, the new strain has made suppressing the virus much harder because it passes on from one person to the other much more easily and a third of people have this disease and dont know it but can still pass it on which is one of the big problems of keeping it under control which is why we have a difficult winter week ahead of us, all of us, and we must all keep doing our bit to stop the spread. And that is even more important because the cavalry is here, the vaccine is approved, we are getting it rolled out as fast as we can. Sorry to interrupt you but on your strategy, then, lets talk about tiers, will you extend the tiers today . Yes, i will set out the details of that to the house of commons this afternoon. It is clear, as weve seen from the date of the last few days, the number of infections is going up. U nfortu nately infections is going up. Unfortunately that isnt just happening in london and the south east as it was in the last few weeks but it is starting to happen elsewhere in the country. Especially with the vaccine approved, and especially with the route out of this pandemic being clear, it is important we keep this under control and it is hard to keep under control. Im sure youve done the numbers can you tell us how many people will be under tough restrictions on how many new people . I will set out the details of where to the house of commons and i hope you will forgive me for that, the reason is i want to tell the commons and mp5, his constituents are directly affected, i want to tell them first and i will that later today. But we dont take these decisions lightly. With this new variant is growing rapidly, and it is now the majority of new cases, it is now the majority of new cases, it is very important that we keep people safe and that we protect the nhs, which, as you know, is under significant pressure. Are you considering a nationwide lockdown at this point . We introduce the tier system for a reason because not eve ryo ne system for a reason because not Everyone Needs the same level of restrictions but what id say to eve ryo ne restrictions but what id say to everyone nationwide applying right through the uk is that everybody can do their bit by reducing social contact. Its not just do their bit by reducing social contact. Its notjust about the rules, is about what we do and the responsibility we each individually ta ke responsibility we each individually take and if we all act as if we might have the virus, because we might have the virus, because we might but not know it, then we will limit the spread of this disease and that especially goes for new years eve, which is coming up, where people just need to stay at home. People need to stay at home unless you have to go out and that is the way we will get through this over the coming weeks until the vaccine can makea the coming weeks until the vaccine can make a say. Is that a change to a stay at home message throughout the whole of england, then . The m essa g es the whole of england, then . The messages really clear that in tier 4 it isa messages really clear that in tier 4 it is a legal requirement to stay at home unless you have a good reason to leave. But absolutely my advise to leave. But absolutely my advise to everybody, particularly on new year, is to stay at home. Lets all stay in this new yearsrather than going out, and potentially spreading this disease because we can see our way out of this. 2021 can now be a year of hope and of recovery because we can see our right out of the pandemic do to make one last question because lots of people will be concerned. Many schools are due to go back so are you considering postponing the start of the school yearin postponing the start of the school year in 2021 . We tried to protect education as much as possible through this. Of course we keep these things under review. There is discussions going on and the education secretary will set out the details very soon. Matt hancock, Health Secretary, thank you for your time. Just after 7 45am. We can speak now to professor robin shattock, who is the lead professor for one of the teams developing vaccines at Imperial College london. With us to react to the news that the Oxford Astrazeneca vaccine has been approved. Is this a game changer in your view . Been approved. Is this a game changer in your view . been approved. Is this a game changer in your view . I think it is really important, it is great news for oxford and astrazeneca but great news for the uk as well and the reason it is Game Changing is because this vaccine can be rolled out at a refrigerator temperature which means itll be easier to distribute across the country. We heard the Health Secretary giving more detail on how it will be rolled out, the first injection is expected to be given on monday next week, the 4th of january. And this is to be given on monday next week, the 4th ofjanuary. And this is in many ways no different, although there will be a ranking system on who gets it and then, it is no different from what the nhs does giving out the flu vaccine every year. Thats right although logistically itll still be complex because we need to get as many vaccinated as quickly as possible which is unprecedented in trying to do that in a very short time. Just explain, obviously the mhra has approved this so it is safe but it has been done in remarkable time, given the normal lead times for developing the vaccine. Time, given the normal lead times for developing the vaccinem time, given the normal lead times for developing the vaccine. It has been done at an incredibly quick time which is down to my colleagues at oxford and the team at astrazeneca working very hard but it hasnt meant there have been any short cuts. It has had the same number of participants, tens of thousands of participants, to study the safety and efficacy, so people can be reassured that this is a safe vaccine, it will save lives and itll make a big difference to the uk population. Hopefully globally as well. Do you think lessons might have been learnt and things might have been learnt and things might have been learnt and things might have been done in this process that can be done in future that might make the treatment of other illnesses and the search for vaccines for other illnesses slightly quicker . Certainly the technology is changing. It doesnt mean we can do things quicker. Some things are harder to solve, things like hiv, where vaccines are still waiting to be developed and that is more of a technical challenge rather than a challenge around the Vaccine Technology itself but itll certainly be good news for other diseases, in terms of faster vaccine development. Hiv was one i was thinking of, so that is a more complicated want to solve, effectively, is what you are saying . We can make a vaccine against it today but the vaccine would struggle today but the vaccine would struggle to work against the diversity of hiv, which is enormous. You mentioned globallyjust then, this is the one that most countries are ordering, isnt it, this 0xford astrazeneca vaccine presumably because of its transportability so this is a big morning for the world in many ways. Yes, definitely. It is very good news globally because of this vaccines ability to be shipped at refrigerator temperature which will make a huge difference. There are other vaccines out there that may well be used as well coming from china and russia potentially but the more vaccines we get through this regulatory hurdle the better itll be globally. Just a final thought, we heard a number of scientists and im sure youd concur, saying this new strain of coronavirus causing such problems in this country, which is now i noticed this morning taiwan has recorded its first case of the one that was first identified here in britain, but everybody seems confident this vaccine will be able to cope with that new strain and any others that are similar. So far there is no evidence to suggest it will not. We still need to keep a very close eye on the virus to see whether it does change in the future and if it does there may need to be some adjustment to the vaccine but that should be able to be done relatively straightforwardly. Professor robin shuttock, thank you very much, professor shuttock from Imperial College london. Lots of you getting in touch about the breaking news and we will continue talking about it and the implications and hopefully talk to a gp later because they were be key as well. This is good news, isnt it . And part of this whole roll out, matt hancock starts on monday the first dose. Lets catch up with the weather but i can tell you it is cold ican i can confirm that a tick in the box. The cold start of the winter so far, in parts of scotland minus ten and widely cold and frosty across the country and icy as well. We will see it over the next few days with wintry mix continuing, not much showers, should stay dry and bright but we have a big ice risk with the showers, the snow across the north east midlands, liverpool, isle of man and across Northern Ireland and more significant snow pushing into the highlands, giving it a few centimetres over high ground drifting southwards towards the trossachs through the day. Eastern scotla nd trossachs through the day. Eastern scotland stays dry with sunshine, ac sunshine across many parts of england although showers continue in wales and Northern Ireland and later ona wales and Northern Ireland and later on a day increased cloud with outbreaks of rain primarily an sleet and snow across the likes of the moors in south west england. Whilst the exact track of this feature is uncertain it could do to make scrape the south coast before gradually clearing away into tomorrow morning. That will leave a significant ice risk across southern areas tomorrow morning. The showers continue into northern parts of wales and Northern England and more snow in the north east and tomorrow widespread frost and ice risk. New years eve, it is this feature here bringing more in the way of snow. There will be slightly less cold air tied in so any snow around the coast of scotla nd any snow around the coast of scotland turns to rain through the day with a fair few centimetres of snow in the grampians and later into the lake district. A few heavy rain showers with hail and thunder and sleet and snow to the western parts of wales and cornwall but north of scotla nd of wales and cornwall but north of scotland and Northern Ireland perhaps a brighter day tomorrow and a lot of bright weather across the bulk of southern england and wales, and another cold day. Into the night and another cold day. Into the night and into 2021, there will be more wintry showers running down towards wales and the midlands fading as we go into newsday. Lots of cloud, bit of brightness towards the east, 18 breeze, brighter towards the west of scotla nd breeze, brighter towards the west of scotland and Northern Ireland but we stopped only 21 with temperatures at around 4 6, stone cold, too, into the weekend denoted by the blue colours. A shift in windy direction going through to the end of the weekend bringing some more showers along eastern coast but keeping it cold. Temperatures by day of around 35 at cold. Temperatures by day of around 3 5 at their highest. Some parts of scotla nd 3 5 at their highest. Some parts of scotland struggling to get above freezing as we head through this weekend and even though we see some sunshine i had particularly in Western Areas it means by night there will be widespread frost still around. Temperatures well below freezing in Western Areas during the weekend. Next week stays cold, strongest of the windy will be across england and wales with a greater chance of rain, sleet or snow. Get your warm jackets out and they will remain out into 2021. There is a great big pufferjacket in my wardrobe, i have to say so, there will be a major logistical operation to roll out the new Coronavirus Vaccine expected to start on monday. Werejoined by gp dr william bird. We are getting a sense of how significant this is but what is your view . This is going to make the whole Vaccination Programme so much easier. At the moment we are getting packs of 975 vaccine from the pfizer one causing problems because you have to use it within three days so we are given 3. 5 days to get through that and once it is out youve only got a few hours before it goes off and if someone doesnt turn up to their appointment and we are dealing with very elderly who are having to come up with the weather not very good so sometimes they are unable to come up to the clinic, then those vaccines might go to waste but with this weve got that to store it in the fridge which will allow a lot more people to come and if they miss the vaccinations it can be popped back into the fridge no problem. The point of view of getting this out, logistically it is much better and of course weve got that one dose only, which beforehand weve had to had two doses within 28 days and we know one dose gives a good effect and doesnt have to be given for three months again so it spreads the load. From a gp and primary care point of view it is good news. Lots of people will be thinking, right, i am eligible, how do i know when i will get it . You are a gp, tell us. We know the first lot of people who got the Pfizer Biontech vaccine will get the second one in the first week of january. So, they get the second one in the first week ofjanuary. So, they will get the second one in the first week of january. So, they will not get anything more, that is them. What we will see and we heard from matt hancock, we will start to see this vaccination being rolled out. Who gets which one i am not sure and i think thatll be decided as time goes on. We are told last minute which batch is going to arrive and how that will be used. Of course, from the point of view of the vaccination itself, getting consent from people, making sure they sit there for 15 minutes afterwards, it makes no difference which vaccine it is but at the moment we are not sure which groups will get the new vaccine, and which people will get the Pfizer Vaccine. The important thing is people dont turn up at the surgery, you get in touch with people. Yes, dont pick up the phone and say when it is my vaccination, have you got my name on the list. It isa have you got my name on the list. It is a very big operation and primary ca re is a very big operation and primary care has stepped up to the mark which has been good to see. Some practices have been able to do 975, which is one pack of the biontech, ina day, which is one pack of the biontech, in a day, 975 vaccinations. We are getting through but there are a lot of people over the age of 80 who will not have had their appointment yet and they will be worried because they feel that perhaps they have been missed out or they have not had a letter. Nothing has gone wrong it is just we a letter. Nothing has gone wrong it isjust we got a letter. Nothing has gone wrong it is just we got those first batches in some of these centres and it will ta ke in some of these centres and it will take a bit more time before the next batch of people will be called in. So, thatll be in the new year. Im going to have my vaccine on the 6th of january so im going to have my vaccine on the 6th ofjanuary so im not going to have my vaccine on the 6th of january so im not there at the beginning, we are all in the queue to get it which will take some time through january for that first batch. Of course, the care homes, this will be a real game changer because this can now be stored in the care home without the worry about having to do it all in one go which will help, and itll be pushed out very quickly. The thing to remember is this vaccination is very good. We know not a Single Person was hospitalised. When you think the problem we are getting at the moment is the risk of death or very severe illness in intensive care units, if you give one dose to everyone, the risk of death, hospitalisation and intensive care disappears. That is why it is so important to get the first dosed out. It is good to chat to you on a day when its been good news. Thank you for your time as ever. The Prime Minister calling a truly fantastic news, a triumph for british science. Headlines on the way. Good morning, welcome to breakfast with rogerjohnson and louise minchin. 0ur headlines today a huge step forward in the fight against coronavirus, as the Oxford Astrazeneca vaccine is approved by the uk regulator. The government has ordered 100 million doses, and the first vaccinations will take place on monday. The approval of the Oxford Astrazeneca vaccine brings forward the data would likely date at which we are going to bring this pandemic to an end. Millions of people are set to be moved into the highest tier of restrictions, as the nhs struggles to cope with a Record Number of coronavirus cases. Boris johnson urges mps to back his brexit trade deal in a vote later today. And its the coldest start to winter so far, with temperatures at the moment around 10 in parts of scotland. More wintry showers today with a mixture of rain, sleet and snow are mainly in the west. Good morning. Its wednesday, the 30th of december. Our top story. Within the past hour, its been confirmed that the Oxford Astrazeneca vaccine has been approved for use by the uk medicines regulator. Has been approved for use by the uk it is the second Coronavirus Vaccine to be given the green light, and is expected to be delivered from next week. Earlier we spoke to the Health Secretary matt hancock it was good news for everyone. This is a really significant moment in the fight against this pandemic, because the vaccine is the way out. And the approval of the Oxford Astrazeneca vaccine, it brings forward the date at which we are going to bring this pandemic to an end. And so its good news for everybody, everybody watching, and the whole country. This is a real british success story. And so this is really good news this morning, that the vaccine has notjust been approved, but also, that if they find that the immunity to the disease comes after around a fortnight after the first dose, which means that we can really accelerate the number of people who get protected. Matt hancock speaking to azalea. Earlier. Were joined by our medical editor, fergus walsh. Obviously we have had a vaccine already with the Pfizer Biontech one. But why this one specifically, why is this so important . It is important because, unlike the Pfizer Biontech vaccine, this one can be stored in your fridge, my fridge, it can be transported at fridge, it can be transported at fridge temperature, whereas the pfizerjob mike is to be very carefully handled and transported at 70. Carefully handled and transported at 70. Carefully handled and transported at 70. Jab. Carefully handled and transported at 70. Jab. That immediately takes away the worries about getting it inter village surgeries and into ca re inter village surgeries and into care homes. And globally, its important too. Astrazeneca is planning to produce 3 billion doses of this vaccine in 2021. And it will be playing a really Important Role in trying to bring the Global Pandemic to an end. Can you just explain what we understand know about the roll out, who will get it, when, etc . A very, very interesting shift in strategy here on both the oxford and the pfizerjob ors. Initially the pfizerjob might, there was a three week interval between dosing. The oxford jab, there was a four week interval. Now there was a four week interval. Now the government saying that the nhs will provide both of these vaccines with up to a 12 week interval between first and second doses. Thats an important shift, because it means that millions, potentially tens of millions of more people, will be protected, because they will be doing the second dose straightaway. It will allow this race between the vaccine and the virus. It will allow us, hopefully, to protect many, many more people, which is urgently needed given the really grim news we have been hearing about cases and the impact on the nhs. Some people might listen to that and feel slightly anxious that they might get their first shot and it might wear off by the time the second shot comes along. This is not just a political the second shot comes along. This is notjust a political decision, there is Science Behind why they are able to do this . There is a Science Behind this, and both the vaccines. Protection casing two to three weeks afterwards. For example, on the oxford trials, three weeks after getting their first dose of vaccine, nobody received the oxford jab or was then hospitalised with code 19. It will protect against severe disease. It might not stop you getting a covid infection. It might not stop you getting a little bit ill. But the key thing is if it prevents people being so ill they are admitted to hospital, that would really blunt this pandemic. So there is very good evidence of that. People do need their second dose. But what this will allow is more people to get that initial protection. Will the rollout, in terms of who get it and when, will that remain the same for this as was already outlined for the Pfizer Biontech one . Already outlined for the pfizerbiontech one . Yes, that will remain. It is the over 80s, and then after the over 80s are done, it will go in tranches of five years. 75 plus, 70 plus. Front line nhs workers. Care home workers. People in care homes. Obviously they are at the top of the list. Then, somebody or other important groups. People who are extremely clinically vulnerable will be part of that. And also, people with Underlying Health conditions. That 25 about 25 Million People in the First Tranche of the over 50s. Once all of those are immunised, that would take away about 99 of those at risk of dying from covid 19. An absolutely massive task to do that. It would involve early 2 Million People a week, they would need to be immunised between now and easter for those people to have just one dose of these early pfizer or Oxford Astrazeneca vaccine. Which would be a remarkable schedule to try to stick to. It has been unprecedented in the way in which a scientist around the world have worked together here in order to go towards this common goal in record time . Its been absolutely astounding. And i would gently point of view is, if they would like to see behind the story of this, there isa see behind the story of this, there is a documentary on iplayer, the race for a vaccine, which follows the year that it took the oxford team to create the vaccine and do all the trials, crunch all the data, and its been a remarkable story. An incredible achievement for a university, an academic institution, Oxford University, to create and then do the trials of this vaccine, and then in partnership with astrazeneca, to then be in the position where they will have more doses at the end of next year than any other Covid Vaccine. To get that approved is really, really remarkable. Voges, thank you ever so much forjoining us again this morning. I wasnt aware i was going to lead you nicely into a trail for a player a programme on iplayer. It sounds well worth watching. We will also be talking in the next few minutes and hopefully, to somebody from the Oxford Vaccine Group as well. They can give us more details. Millions more people in england are expected to be moved into the highest level of coronavirus restrictions after a record rise in infections. The Health Secretary, matt hancock, will make the announcement this afternoon. Were joined now by our political correspondent, nick eardley. Nick, what can we expect in Parliament Today . We wa nted we wanted details. He didnt give us any details but it is confirmed that other people will be moving into higher tiers . Good morning. Yes, thats right. There is a lot of optimism around government this morning because of the oxford vaccine, but there is also a warning that the next few weeks and months will be quite difficult, because of the new variant of the virus that we have been talking about over the la st have been talking about over the last few weeks. We heard matt hancock speaking to you a little earlier, saying exactly that. Basically it was harder to control at the moment. And because of that he was going to extend the tier syste m he was going to extend the tier system in england later today. We dont know exactly what that will mean. Its a pretty safe bet that some parts of the country where the virus is increasing, are going to see themselves into that top category, tier 4, where people are told to stay at home apart from for some very specified reasons. There are also conversations taking place in government today about the start of the school year in england. The plan was for a staggered return where some years would wait to go back. Kids of key workers and pupils facing exams in the next year or so, they would go back as soon as next week. There are conversations happening about that. We may well hear more about that later today. The key statement to watch out for in terms of restricting that people in england are facing, will come from the Health Secretary in Parliament Later this afternoon. They will also pass the brexit deal. There is a lot going on today. Fast moving one. Normally that might be top of the news. Thank you. The Prime Minister will urge mps to get behind his post brexit trade deal when it comes before a vote in the house of commons later. Borisjohnson said the agreement which was reached on christmas eve, marked the beginning of a new chapterfor britain. Parliament is being recalled to put the deal into law, a day before the brexit transition period ends. You are watching a very busy bbc brea kfast. You are watching a very busy bbc breakfast. Also, you should watch this carefully because it is very cold out. Matt has all the details. Look at that coldest start to the winter so far. 10 in dalwhinnie at one point. Freezing from the highlands of scotland to the south coast of england. Temperatures lifting across wales and the south west as these cloud and rain arrives. Showers clearing from the north east of england. Still some from across north wales. Significance no putting south across the north west of scotland. A fair few centimetres across the highlands today. Some flurries as far as south as the trossachs. Any parts of southern scotland drive. Cold. Temperatures 2 degrees, three degrees at best. Showers on and off. A mixture of rain, sleet and snow. Showers still affecting Northern Ireland and north wales this afternoon. Everyone is towards the we st of afternoon. Everyone is towards the west of wales. Much of england and wales will be dry and bright. Hazy sunshine. The good cloud, grey skies and rain. Hill farm in devon and cornwall later. A dusting of snow on the downs possible before eventually clearing away. A fine balance whether that does happen. More showers in the same areas you saw la st showers in the same areas you saw last night. Scotland, the north west and the north will take woodsy heavy snow to take us into tomorrow morning. Snow and ice and frost around tomorrow morning. As we see the year out, it stays cold. Louise and roger. We have to wrap up warm. Thank you mad. The approval of the Oxford Astrazeneca vaccine is a huge step forward in the Immunisation Programme in the uk. There are 100 million doses on order. So what happens next . Were joined by professor andrew pollard, who is leading the oxford trial. Good morning. This must be quite a moment for you this morning . M good morning. This must be quite a moment for you this morning . It is a great moment. It only brings some warmth on the cold morning you were talking about. A real moment of pride for all of the team here in oxford, but really a triumph, i think, for both academia and research this year, and a triumph of collaboration amongst the institutions here, the 19th sites in the uk, and internationally, with our teams the uk, and internationally, with ourteams in the uk, and internationally, with our teams in brazil and in south africa, all of whom have contributed to this huge effort to bring us to this point. Sorry to interrupt you. It has been described on this programme is a game changer. What different is it going to make . I think it is a game changer because it isa think it is a game changer because it is a vaccine which can be distributed easily. There are large numbers of doses manufactured around the world. Of course, the moment we have Regulatory Approval for the emergency use here in the uk. But what were hoping over the weeks ahead is that we will hear more approvals elsewhere in the world, which means that we can really start moving the vaccine to all the Vulnerable People that there are in different populations, to have the greatest possible impact. Right. So how fast can it be made . Many doses have you got at the moment . Im not responsible for making it no. That is our partner, astrazeneca, doing that. They are working closely with government to make sure that the supply is being matched with the roll out the nhs is planning. That is in hand at the moment. That is not something i can speak too specifically. We are hearing from astrazeneca, the ceo, saying they can astrazeneca, the ceo, saying they ca n start astrazeneca, the ceo, saying they can start delivering today or tomorrow. We spoke to so many who had taken part in those trials. Tell us had taken part in those trials. Tell us how it affected people . Either side effects, what are they like . Either side effects. What i was going to say before you interrupted me, we are so grateful to the volunteers who took part. At the start of this we didnt know very much about how this vaccine would form, whether it would work. They put their trust in the science of the vaccine to take part in the trial. Until now we have got about 100,000 blood samples from these volunteers that we are using to study to understand more about the immune response. The vaccine does cause minor side effects around the time of vaccination some people. Some will feel they have a mild viral illness in the first day with a sore arm, sometimes their muscle aches and they feel shivery. That usually wears off quickly during the first week. We really havent seen a major significant side effect in the nearly 40,000, over40,000 people who have been vaccinated. What we are understanding from government, matt hancock, is that there will be a priority getting more of that first low side rather than people having two doses. Tell us about the significance of that . This is an important Public Health decision made byjcb important Public Health decision made by jcb yesterday. Important Public Health decision made byjcb yesterday. I think weve got the early information about that in the department of health statement, but there will be more information about it during the course of the morning. I think essentially what they are saying is, quite rightly, that you give the first dose to as many people as possible, then you dont have to give the second dose just a few weeks later, then you can vaccinate a lot more people with the first dose, stop them getting severely ill and going into hospital. You do still need the second dose, but if you delay that you could have vaccinated a lot more people are protected them before you go to the second dose, which is important for durability. Getting that impact as early as possible is important. Vaccine impact is about the timeliness of vaccination have the cove rage , timeliness of vaccination have the coverage, the number of people you can vaccinate as soon as possible. You have done this at super, super speed, havent you . What you say to people who say, this has not been seen before, has it . Well, thats right. I mean, weve had an enormous effort, an enormous human endeavour from the trial teams and from the volunteers together to this point. But it has been possible because the immense support that we have had, whether its from government with funding, with the regulators for moving swiftly as we have gone through the various processes this year to check what we are doing, to check our protocols, to make sure that we can stay on track and not have the normal downtime that there is through a vaccine. It has been an astonishing effort. We cant underplay the achievement of getting it this year. Absolutely no corners cut in doing that. And under incredible scrutiny both from the normal regulatory process and of course externally. The whole world watching us has made in a very interesting experience. You get to have a rest, just briefly . Thats where do you get to have a rest . |j hope there will be a bit of a rest but of course the research continues. The trial hasnt dented. We are gathering more data about the performance of the vaccine. There is lots of research into the virus. We know about the new mutant strains that are arising. This is what is going to continue to happen around the world. We need to study and monitor that. Now is not the moment to rest. It is a moment to celebrate and to have some optimism about where we have got to today and moving forward, but we have to keep up moving forward, but we have to keep up this battle against the virus, notjust here up this battle against the virus, not just here but up this battle against the virus, notjust here but across up this battle against the virus, not just here but across all of the vaccine developers. My colleagues in the hospital today are facing the horror of this virus this morning. And it really isnt at the moment to try but get more information about how we can best prevent it. We are gonna talk about that now. Thank you for talking to us. Appreciated. Professor pollard described it as the horror of the virus. We can speak now to dame donna kinnair, chief executive of the Royal College of nursing. Your members are on the front facing this. I guess first of all, dame donna, if it is ok to get your reaction to this mornings news about the approval of the Oxford Astrazeneca vaccine . Well, its really good news for us because it means that we can start to vaccinate those that are on the front line giving care. And if we can keep those people vaccinated and safe, they will be able to give the care to the patients. How straight to are they at the moment . How stretched either at the moment . The pandemic is highlighted what happens when youre going to pandemic with tens of thousands of nurses short. We have had so many vacancies that people have been stretched to the limit. We know Critical Care bed occupancy is high. In some parts of the country we know that we dont have enough staff to deliver the care. And actually, we cant even expand bed occupancy because we cant have enough staff to deliver ca re even cant have enough staff to deliver care even if we could expand it. You mention about having vacancies. There is a lot to talk about around this issue. But do you hope that perhaps, as a result of the enormous esteem which Health Care Workers are held in because of the work they have done, not just held in because of the work they have done, notjust during the pandemic but it has been highlighted during the pandemic, that he will have many more people signing up to join your ranks . Of course i hope that. At the other side of that is that. At the other side of that is that actually, this has been designated as one of the toughest years in the history of the nhs. Therefore, nurses have been working flat out, relentlessly, since the pandemic was declared back in march. And actually, that will take its toll on people, not only are the nurses are seeing some of their friends and family suffering at the hands of covid, so actually what i am hoping is that i can keep those nurses that are already there, in nursing, wanting to continue. Many of them have told us already they are considering leaving the profession. We now see this awful new mutant strain which is causing such problems in some parts of the country more than others. How difficult is it in those areas for your staff . How stretched are they . What kind of stories are they telling you . Well, what interesting, just talking to some of the nurses this morning, you can actually see that the virus is notjust this morning, you can actually see that the virus is not just affecting our patients, it is affecting our staff. In some parts, some hospitals, up to one third of the staff are sick. It is not the first time that they have been affected by this, because obviously the new strains that are coming online are continually affecting infecting some of those nurses. What you have got is that we too, as members of the population, are affected by covid and halfyou self isolate, or indeed are sick. Have to self isolate. Hospitals are under strain at the moment. Also, we dont have staff because of the impact of the virus on them. Good news today with the vaccine. Tomorrow is new years eve. There will be some people what in this will think, well, there is hope on the horizon, well, there is hope on the horizon, we will have a new years get together. What would be your message on behalf of your members, your nurses on the front line, to anybody thinking of doing that . So, i would urge caution and asked them not to do that. Because actually, we can see already that we are 10,000 higher than we ever were in terms of people that are infected, then we we re people that are infected, then we were in the previous peak of this pandemic. Please consider those. Stay at home, look after yourselves and do not spread this virus. Dame donna, thank you for talking to us. Lets find out the experiences of those on the front line. Lets hear the experience of Yousef Eltuhamy hes a Junior Doctor working in itu at a hospital in london. I know this has been a really busy time for you. You have done a run of night shifts. How has it been . Good morning, louise. Thank you. Its really great to speak to you. Honestly, its been really, really difficult. Notjust for honestly, its been really, really difficult. Not just for me honestly, its been really, really difficult. Notjust for me but honestly, its been really, really difficult. Not just for me but for all of the colleagues i have spoken to across the nhs. Its been really, really tough. Every time i start my shift i walk into my intensive care unit and imjust shift i walk into my intensive care unit and im just greeted with a side that takes me back takes me aback every time a row on row of patients extremely unwell, all with the same awful virus, severely, critically unwell. And looking to me and my colleagues to help them get better. That pressure is felt not just in intensive care, it is felt in a e, in the wards, in primary ca re in a e, in the wards, in primary care as well. And seeing things get worse, seen cases rise, admissions rise, makes me feel very, very anxious about the future. As you said, the number of infections has risen again. Just tell us about the kind of impact on the actual hospital . You talk about the pressures. Hospital . You talk about the pressures. Is there space . Is the hospital coping . How would you assess it . So, there are massive challenges. And i think everyone is doing their absolute best to maximise capacity, to utilise the resources we do have, as best as we can. But unfortunately, there are shortages of staff and there are people that are off sick. It is extremely difficult. Everyone is stretched pretty thin. Tell us also by the people who you are caring for it . Are they all age groups . What is going on . Ok, so its actually really surprising. I didnt expect to see so many young people, people in their40s and to see so many young people, people in their 40s and their 50s, patients with no prior medical history. People who are fit and well. And having had to run a virus myself backin having had to run a virus myself back in may, and being on well with it, even though ive got no medical problems, ive regard myself as fit and healthy, low risk, i really dont take this lightly. And i dont think anyone should take this virus lightly. Young or old. We know today that another vaccine has been approved. Along you think it will have, it will make a difference to where you are on the front line . Have, it will make a difference to where you are on the front line7m is, of course, really fantastic news. Im due to get my own Pfizer Vaccine tomorrow, which im really looking forward to. I think vaccines are the way out of this pandemic. But i think the pressure now is the strain on hospitals. We know that admissions go up after cases go up. Sol admissions go up after cases go up. So i dont know how soon an impact will be felt. But we really need to see a change on the ground as soon as possible. Thank you very much indeed for your time. Thank you. More on the Oxford Astrazeneca vaccine after her past date. Time now to get the news, travel and weather where you are. Good morning from bbc london, im alpa patel. Londons Nightingale Hospital remains on standby for use, nhs england has insisted, despite the removal of some equipment from the site. Nhs england sent a letter to trusts a week ago, asking them to plan for the use of additional facilities, such as the Nightingale Hospitals, amid rising numbers of patients with the virus. Meanwhile ambulances have been seen queueing outside hospitals in london due to a reported shortage of beds. A Major Incident has been declared in essex because of the increased pressure that covid 19 is putting on health services. The number of patients receiving treatment has increased to levels higher than those seen in the peak of the first wave in spring. Declaring the Major Incident enables the county to seek further support from the government to address the pressures. Fulhams premier league match at tottenham is in doubt tonight. Because of new coronavirus cases at the west london club. News of the positive results emerged yesterday as the latest round of premier league covid 19 testing found 18 people had the virus the highest recorded in the testing programme. The wife of a human rights worker who was detained in egypt has has told the bbc shes over the moon hes been released. Jessica kelly from bayswater had been increasingly concerned about his safety after her husband, kareem ennara, who is a human rights worker, was held on charges of spreading fake news and belonging to a terrorist orgamisation. Lets take a look at the travel situation now. 0n the tube, the district and piccadilly lines are part closed due to engineering works. No service on the london 0verground between surrey quays and Clapham Junction due to a track fault. No service on the london tramlink between reeves corner and east croydon due to a fire at george street. 0n the trains, london northwestern, buses replace trains between bedford and bletchley, and between watford junction and st albans abbey due to shortage of train crews. 0n the roads, one lane is closed on the a13 westbound at beckton because of water main works. Now the weather with sara thornton. Good morning to you. Another chilly start this morning across london and the south east. Temperatures again and freezing or slightly below. Weve got a met Office Weather warning starting at 10am running until tomorrow morning for the possibility of some snow and ice later but the bulk of the day today is actually dry with some sunshine, not that that sunshine helps the feel of things. It is going to be a chilly day once more. Again, temperatures mid single figures at best. It is this evening when we see cloud and rain pushing towards us from the south and west. The track of this keeps changing but as it interacts with cold air, especially further south, over higher ground, it could bring some settling snow. It is not a nailed on certainty and this will change but the risk out towards the Southern Suburbs are specially of seeing a bit of snow tomorrow morning and certainly ice could be a real factor, hence the met Office Weather warning. The next few days, it continues to be cold, very cold for the time of year, with the risk of the odd light shower. Thats it. Whatever your up to, take care but bye bye whatever your up to, take care but bye bye for whatever your up to, take care but bye bye for now. Hello, this is breakfast with rogerjohnson and louise minchin. Good morning, it is 8 30am, lets give you a summary of the main stories. We will talk about the Coronavirus Vaccine, the Oxford Astrazeneca in the next few minutes, that was given the next few minutes, that was given the green light at 7am, so many implications and we know that roll out starts on 4th of january, on monday, and more details on that shortly. First, lets talk brexit. A damaging hard tory brexit deal which is a disasterfor scotland. Thats how the Scottish National party has described the Prime Ministers trade agreement with the eu. The party says it will vote against the deal when it goes before Parliament Later. Were joined now by the snps westminster leader, ian blackford. Thank you very much for your time. A thought first of all, if you would, on news about the vaccine this morning. How might the approval of that help in scotland . Good morning, roger, it is a pleasure to be with you and it is fantastic news we have that the approval has been given to the astrazeneca vaccine. This is really the best news we could all hope for coming into the new year. We know that across these islands we have up to 100 million doses of this vaccine so it gives hope that all the countries of the uk can get access to this vaccine, that everybody can be vaccinated and it gives us the best hope to come through this crisis, to get back to some degree of normality but if i may say so not just for all of us here but right around the world, those living in disadvantaged communities as well, it is important we share our resources and pool our resources , we share our resources and pool our resources, not just here we share our resources and pool our resources, notjust here but a broad and we can get the uk and globally we can get people through this pandemic into a place of safety and it is fantastic news for all of us. Health care is devolved and we heard from matt hancock about half an hour ago saying that the roll out would start from the 4th of january. Is it your understanding you will be able to start that programme in scotland ona similartime to start that programme in scotland on a similar time frame . Im sure our Health Secretary will talk about that over the coming period but this vaccine will be rolled out through scotla nd vaccine will be rolled out through scotland which is fantastic news for all our communities and we should certainly rejoice at the News Committee best news as we could have coming into the new year. L committee best news as we could have coming into the new year. A final thought on coronavirus, cases are rising in many places. In england the tiers will be reviewed but do you plan making any changes to scotland . All of mainland scotland has gone into tier 4 and id appeal to everybody as we come into the new year, hogmanay, that we know there is the hope of the vaccine in front of us and is about appealing to eve ryo ne of us and is about appealing to everyone to use caution. We are seeing terrible numbers in terms of cases, hospital admissions and deaths as well. That hope is around the corner for deaths as well. That hope is around the cornerfor all of us deaths as well. That hope is around the corner for all of us so please, everyone, exercise caution over the course of the coming weeks because we will be able to get back to a sense of normality but everyone has to err on the side of caution at a major period. When we spoke on boxing day, you were talking from the aisles of sky but you are now at westminster. Todays vote on the brexit trade deal. Having had a couple of days to digest it, to look at it, have you changed your view in any way, are you any happier with it than you were . Not really. In the cold light of day having seen the detail, one of the big flashpoints over the last four years has been about fishing. The Prime Minister and his colleagues have repeatedly told us it was about taking back control and as they put it, it is a sea of opportunity but now we know nothing could have been furtherfrom the truth. The fishing industry has been gutted and filleted. We are left in a situation where many of the key species the scottish fleet catches, hot cod and haddock, well be in catches, hot cod and haddock, well beina catches, hot cod and haddock, well be in a situation where they will be catching less fish. This is a worse deal than the common fisheries policy and its no wonder that the Scottish Fishermans federation have attacked it, just as was the case when we went into the european community, the fishing industry have been sold out. It is a bad dealfor fishing. We are seeing potato farmers facing tariffs. We know our businesses will be surrounded by red tape. This is a bad deal and it need not be like this. Do you see any upside, i dont mean to interrupt, but you are listing the things not good but is there anything you see thatis good but is there anything you see that is good for scotland . Not at all because it is bad for trade, bad for business, our Service Sector has been knocked out, weve been knocked out of the Erasmus Programme which has been so important giving opportunities for young people. They are proposing an alternative to erasmus and generally these deals are about goods not services. Correct which means if we dont take control back of our seas as promised, if we will have a worse dealfor promised, if we will have a worse deal for businesses, where promised, if we will have a worse dealfor businesses, where is promised, if we will have a worse deal for businesses, where is the upside in this . We should be staying in the Single Market and the Customs Union and in the Single Market and the Customs Union and i am saying to people in scotla nd union and i am saying to people in scotland that we always have been a european nation, we have links with european nation, we have links with europe going back centuries and the only future for us is about taking our own responsibility and becoming an independent country and having the route map back to europe. This is good for any of us. I respect the fa ct is good for any of us. I respect the fact people in england voted for brexit, they should choose their own future but people in scotland didnt vote for this. We voted to stay in the eu and it breaks the promise made to us in 2014 that if we stayed in the uk, if we rejected independence, our rights would be respected and what is happening today . We are being ignored, our voices are ignored, we are being taken out of trading relationships against our will and there is the determination we need to fight our own future. The Scottish Parliament is meeting today and has been asked to give consent to this and i am delighted that all the other opposition parties with the exception of the tories willjoin with us. This has not been done in our name and westminster is pushing through this legislation without the support and consent of the Scottish Parliament which sends a very powerful signal that this is something that has been done to us that we do not support. Something that has been done to us that we do not supportlj something that has been done to us that we do not support. I suspect this will be something we talk about many times in the months ahead. Thank you. Lets return now to our top story. The Oxford Astrazeneca vaccine has been approved for use in the uk, with the first doses due to be given on monday. The uk has ordered 100 million doses enough to vaccinate 50 Million People. Earlier on breakfast, the Health Secretary matt hancock said it was good news for everyone. This is a really significant moment in the fight against this pandemic because the vaccine is the way out. And the approval of the Oxford Astrazeneca vaccine brings forward the date at which we will bring this pandemic to an end. So, it is good news for everybody. Everybody watching and the whole country. This isa watching and the whole country. This is a real british success story. So this is really good news this morning that the vaccine is notjust been approved but, also, that they find that the immunity to the disease comes after around a fortnight after the first dose which means we can really accelerate the number of people who get protected. The regulator will set out later today the details and data from the huge Clinical Trial thats taking place along with the joint committee on vaccinations and immunisations you just mentioned. Theyve said the privatisation in terms of what older people should be prioritised should be exactly the same as for the Pfizer Vaccine, which is good news. And that we should prioritise having as many people getting the first dose as possible. And that will allow us to get protection to more people more quickly than otherwise, which means we can accelerate the number of people we get protection to come and then people will get their second dose after 12 weeks, which is important for the long term protection but it does mean that over the first three months we can get this jab into the arms of as many people who are vulnerable to this disease as possible. That was matt hancock talking to us earlier. We also talk to somebody part of the trials for the vaccine which began earlier this year. Lydia guthrie was one of the volunteers who took part. It is fantastic news and i am so proud of the whole team. They have moved mountains, in terms of Scientific Research what theyve achieved is unprecedented. And theyve also not just achieved is unprecedented. And theyve also notjust done it using amazing scientific skills but speaking as a participant, theyve been kind and compassionate and respectful and caring towards all the participants all the way through, which is what we expect of our nhs. Were joined by epidemiologist professor sian griffiths. Weve spoken to her so much on bbc brea kfast weve spoken to her so much on bbc breakfast so how would you describe todays news . Fantastic fantastic news and weve been waiting to have the clearance for this vaccine because itll be easier to distribute, and more people will be able to get it and, as weve heard, the regime is changing so this, plus the regime is changing so this, plus the biontech vaccine, will reach many more people in the coming weeks with the first dose and then they dont need to wait, they can wait 12 weeks for the next dose which means there will be more protection in the community for Vulnerable People but the other good thing about this vaccine is that there is a Global Distribution plans isnt just vaccine is that there is a Global Distribution plans isntjust the uk benefiting, it is also a global success. So, fantastic news. Tell us a little bit about the logistics involved because we understand the first doses will start on monday. This is a big operation, isnt it . Huge operation. And i would just say to everybody just wait huge operation. And i would just say to everybodyjust wait because we will all be contacted when we will be called so meanwhile theyve got to roll the vaccine out to gp surgeries, care homes, and work out the logistics alongside the biontech logistics so it is a huge logistical exercise but i know the nhs and primary care in particular are ready for the vaccine, our primary care system in the uk is excellent at mass vaccination. Every year they do the flu vaccination so it isnt as if this is unknown territory. So, i think we will see the roll out very soon, which is fantastic news. And, also, this has been described by some people as a race against time, particularly given the new varied because that is significant, isnt it . Absolutely. The new variant, which has been taking off in london and the south east as really complicated issues. But the manufacturers and the oxford scientists feel confident this vaccine will protect against the variant. Obviously, more research is needed, more science, the continual follow up of how this vaccine affects people over time, but in the trials done so far nobody has been admitted to hospital, it has been well tolerated, and people are optimistic it will provide very good coverage. So it really is good news for us, particularly as the hospitals are under so much pressure at the moment. The usual winter pressures plus covid are pushing the nhs to the limit. Professor sian griffiths nice to talk to you on a day when there is some good news at least. Thank you very much. It is 8 42am, weve been talking largely about the approval of the Oxford Astrazeneca vaccine but we will change the record quite literally with live music, glittery outfits and children running riot, Sophie Ellis Bextors kitchen discos brought smiles to our faces during lockdown. Now shes bringing the same Party Atmosphere to radio 2 on new years eve as she hosts a two hour show to get us all dancing. We will all be stuck at home lets take a look at her in action. Just hear those sleigh bells ringing lets take a look at her in action. Just hear those sleigh bells ringing ring a ling a ling ding dong ding come on, its lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you ring a ling a ling ding dong ding stay at home i know another place to be i do but im not allowed to go there stay at home lets make a move lets leave this world behind i know you approve by the look hes transfixed by the music dig it, the Dancing Queen dance your way to 2021, we love you lots yeah and sophiejoins us now. Thank you very much, good to see you singing dancing around the kitchen, looks like you are in your own version of the cavern club, fantastic you obviously have had a lot of fun doing this. Idea but its funny because whenever i see clips back its a little bit like ive let people inside my brain, ifeel like thats the way ive been coping the last few months is having that in my head somewhere that i go to when i need to. What is so lovely is it is so joyous, a slice of normal life as well with the children, some of them crawling around, others ignoring you, that is what real life is like, isnt it . Exactly the poor kids. I said to them, maybe we should do a kitchen disco on Christmas Day and they were, like, man, stop, can we just have some days when you are not wearing a sparkly leotard. Quite a tough crowd five boys age 16 down tough crowd five boys age 16 down to one year old so how do they relate to mums disco moves . People say to me, are they fans of what you are up to or do they find it embarrassing . Actually the most insulting thing is they are com pletely insulting thing is they are completely apathetic. They are so neutral which is just the worst. Im doing the best i can to get some kind of response but most of the time they are flopped on the sofa wondering what is for supper. People have loved it youve cheered up peoples friday nights and now you will be cheering them up on new years eve as well so what will you be doing . The lovely thing about doing the kitchen disco is it has turned into a movement so with radio two i am doing my third kitchen disco show on new years eve so ive got two hours of music. I went for lots of songs that have got special dances that go along with them, things like the mac arena, so nobody has any excuse not to get a move on. Did you have to go to a studio to record it or did you record it from your kitchen . Well, this is our home studio, so im right next to the kitchen, but this is normally richards space, my husband, but during lockdown everything has gone to psy tu rvy during lockdown everything has gone topsy turvy so this is the only place i can come where i can shut the door and no one can come in. I might pretend we are talking for longer than we are it is totally fine. This has been such a tough yearfor fine. This has been such a tough year for so fine. This has been such a tough yearfor so many fine. This has been such a tough year for so many people. Fine. This has been such a tough yearfor so many people. For you, to have some sort of performance, live performance, has it made it easier . It has been the best tonic of all, to be honest. Like everybody, we have found this year tricky, the news spin has been heavy and relentless in music is something we have turned to as a family and having a bit of a party and getting silly costumes on to alleviate the stress really. It is part escapism but also a catharsis because it lets out all the emotions that are locked up out all the emotions that are locked up at the moment. I feel it isnt just our movements are restricted but also the way we are dealing with our emotions, champions are putting on your favourite songs and being silly for 20 minutes or half an hour every once in awhile, id recommend it to anyone. We are watching you dancing around the kitchen but youve also been on the telly in the mask singer. Lets have a look at you. Walk away walk away you know how you know how dont stop caring dont stop caring tell me now. Cheering and applause. The moment of the big reveal. You have a very distinctive singing voice and people who have followed your career will recognise your voice straightaway so how difficult was it to disguise your voice there . Harder than i thought i honestly thought on the day id done a good job when i was seeing and then some of thejudges said job when i was seeing and then some of the judges said my name and its weird because in my dayjob having a recognisable voice is a positive thing but in this i was so gutted i couldnt disguise it i tried really hard, even my one year old boy said, mummy, when the alien started singing, i thought it was money. But it was nice to have the big head on and have a dance. You will be singing your way to the new year and planning a tour as well. Thats got to be exciting to get something into the diary, presumably. To be exciting to get something into the diary, presumablylj to be exciting to get something into the diary, presumably. I cant wait to sing in front of people. When you played that clip of Dancing Queen, it makes me feel bp because i feel like theres lots of people out there coming to ourfamily like theres lots of people out there coming to our family disco but ijust wanna there coming to our family disco but i just wanna see them, there coming to our family disco but ijust wanna see them, i want to be pa rt ijust wanna see them, i want to be part of that community and hopefully iamon part of that community and hopefully i am on tour in may and it is representative of lots and lots of live events hoping to be back up and running. A lot of people will look forward to that. And i love the home studio, it is fantastic i cant take any credit, it is richards space. Stay there for a bit, enjoy the silence sophies new album songs from the kitchen disco is out now and you can catch a special new years eve edition of one of her discos live on bbc radio 2 tomorrow night between seven and nine oclock. It is just approaching 8 50am. Four years ago Deborah James was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer. Since then she says shes approached every christmas as if it was a gift. She has shared her experience of the disease on social media and co hosts the Award Winning bbc podcast, you, me and the big c. Now, deborah has been speaking to breakfasts Graham Satchell as she reflects on a year of living with cancer during a pandemic. Im Deborah James. Ive been living with metastatic bowel cancer for four years. I co host the Award Winning podcast on radio 5 live, you, me and the big c. I genuinely hope that every december, i can just meet you and go like, im here again, graham, its all good. Erm, because its milestones like this, its milestones talking to you again, it reminds me how lucky i am to be here again. The Christmas Lights at kew gardens in london, extra special for deborahjames this year. She took part in a new drugs trial and was told at the end of it that she was cancer free. The biggest thing for me this year has been that actually those drugs have been now approved on the nhs, recently. It was a really good christmas present, in fact, to know that thousands of others would benefit from it. And i was the case study for that. So kind of, ifelt really proud of that, actually. And to know that my example would be used to literally, hopefully save other peoples lives. There are brilliant things happening in cancer, although it has been massively, massively impacted this year because of covid, and we cant shy away from that. Earlier this year in a panorama programme, deborah saw for herself the impact the pandemic has had on cancer care. In the first lockdown, two million screenings were cancelled, gp referrals to Cancer Specialists were down 75 . We may not see the impact of that for years down the line, but as somebody who knows the difference between an early diagnosis and a late diagnosis, its literally the difference between life and death. Really, really ha rd decisions had to be made. But its the messaging that says, no, no, cancer doesnt matter, its not important. And yet actually this year, more people will have died from cancer than have covid in this country. And we have to remember that. This is kelly smith. She was diagnosed with bowel cancer at the same time as deborah. They became friends. Kellys treatment was put on hold when the pandemic started. I dont want to die. Like, ifeel like ive got so much more to do. Erm. But yeah, terrified. Kelly died in june. I dont think for a second anybody was saying that she was going to live forever. I think all of us stage fourers know that one day our time will be up. But she had a five year old at the time. And you know what . Theres a really big difference between seeing your son to secondary school, living an extra month, i dont know, dancing again, feeling the rain on your face, whatever it is, and not having that opportunity. And she died being more scared of covid than of cancer. The department of health in england told us cancer diagnosis and treatment has remained a priority throughout the pandemic, and it urged people to come forward if they have symptoms. In recent weeks, deborahs cancer has returned. Shes just had a major operation. But she remains optimistic. I know i was told that i wouldnt see 20, 21. I was told im going to be 40 next year i was told i wouldnt see my 40th birthday. I have hope. I always have hope. And if we get one more day living, we have to grab it. Deborah joins us now. Oh, it is lovely to see you i know you have had an operation recently so how are you . A big hug, by the way its so wonderful to be speaking to you today, especially on the day when weve all got great news, a big shining hope. Im 0k, thank you. 30 days ago i was in intensive care, and a massive thank you to all the wonderful nhs nursing staff that looked after me that literally got me back on my feet, learning how to walk again, and ive been back on the back youll be pleased to know already. It isjust wonderful you are campaigning on this, it is important to you but what shines through every time we speak to you, and i know weve become friends over the last four yea rs, become friends over the last four years, your shining optimism, become friends over the last four years, yourshining optimism, if become friends over the last four years, your shining optimism, if we could bottle that, that would be brilliant. No, thank you. We all need hope. If anything this year, we have been taught we can be blindsided by anything and we hold onto the hope we will get through this. I dont know about you but i woke up this morning as somebody who is clinically vulnerable hearing the words that we will actually get prioritised as a group in the roll out of this oxford vaccine, which really lifts the weight of our shoulders. It doesnt mean we are over the worst. I know we will have a collateral to pick up. But it is holding onto that that gets us through the darkest moments, doesnt it . How difficult has this year been for you . You are vulnerable, like many thousands of people, how difficult has it been for you to protect yourself during the pandemic . Im not going to lie, its been challenging. And i think it is weighing up the fact that actually weighing up the fact that actually we still have to manage our conditions, people still have to go forward if they have any lumps or bumps, and it is that way up between covid and cancer or covid or whatever else it is and its been being very sensible. I have two kids at school, walking snot bags, if you wa nt to at school, walking snot bags, if you want to say that, and that is a challenge, the largest challenge but ive never felt unsafe going to hospital every week, which i have continued to do and funnily enough there, i felt the continued to do and funnily enough there, ifelt the most continued to do and funnily enough there, i felt the most protected ive been. Obviously, i am very lucky i can work from home. Absolutely, and youve been very passionate, and we saw the panorama you did earlier in the year, very passionate about the impact this may have on other people, who have cancer or may have cancer in the future. Yes. We cant shy away from that. Covid has impacted so many aspects of our lives and, sadly, cancer hasnt gone anywhere just because covid has been around. And the impact that has had on so many aspects. We know from early diagnosis, unfortunately, millions of screenings were missed in the first lockdown and is very important that as we enter into this phase where we will be asked to knuckle down and we need to do that for the Bigger Picture, we still need to be aware that there are signs and symptoms we still need to go to the doctor, the nhs is open for business. It was devastating to see the impact that those hard decisions we re the impact that those hard decisions were made, so i think actually well need to play our part to protect the nhs. So, even if somebody doesnt feel like they need to access the nhs for covid, one in two of us will get cancer in our lifetime and, actually, none of us want to have to make those hard decisions when we might not be able to access the vital operations that we need. Might not be able to access the vital operations that we needm might not be able to access the vital operations that we need. It is an important point you make about the nhs open for business. Gps say, please, if you have any worries, concerns, please come. Its been difficult this yearfor concerns, please come. Its been difficult this year for the researchers, the charities because, obviously, all the Charity Events have not been taking place. There is a huge income stream that has been gone. It has been catastrophic. So, i worked closely with Cancer Research uk and bowel cancer uk. At the Royal Marsden where i am treated. That research is keeping me alive. This year, i talked with you quys alive. This year, i talked with you guys last month about how proud i was to be the case study and we had it on the vt, to get drugs approved on the nhs. The funding for those drugs happened because of the general public, because of the people running the marathon is, and i was one of them, people putting their hands into their pocket and donating to charities, and that funded Research Saves lives, gives hope to my children to all of our children. Sadly that has been impacted beyond. Row, Cancer Research uk has cut £400 million on spending over the next four years. We cannot let this happen. Could you imagine if we had a world where the same energy that weve just put into this vaccine we could put into cancer . We have the intelligence and we can do this. We will have to leave and fingers crossed you and i will run the London Marathon next year. Come on together stop absolutely this time next year. You can do it twice, you can do it faster than me. I cant walk anywhere at the moment lovely to hear from you, Deborah James. Thats all from breakfast for today. Well be back tomorrow from six. Until then enjoy the rest of your day. Goodbye. This is bbc news, im reeta chakrabarti. The headlines at nine. The Coronavirus Vaccine developed by astrazeneca and Oxford University becomes the second vaccine in the uk to receive Regulatory Approval. The studys director says it is a landmark moment. Its a moment to celebrate and to have some optimism about where weve got to today, and moving forward. But we have to keep up this battle against the virus. The government has ordered 100 million doses, enough to vaccinate 50 Million People. The Health Secretary says the first jabs will be given in the new year. Todays news is great news for the ability of the vaccine to make us safe. And make us safe faster than we previously could have