Cheat Sheet with Ridge & Frost

Health Secretary Matt Hancock says if the Indian variant is 50% more transmissible than the Kent variant, it will cause "problems" for the lockdown easing roadmap. He says local lockdowns could return, and defends the government against the charge that it was too slow to stop travel from India. Sir Mark Walport, former Chief Scientific Adviser, raises concerns about Monday's easing of restrictions. Adam Finn of the JCVI says the Astra-Zeneca vaccine could now be given to under-40s.

International Trade Secretary Liz Truss insists the Prime Minister hasn't broken any rules around the refurbishment of his Downing Street flat. Labour's Jess Phillips calls for a full investigation. Philanthropist Bill Gates argues for vaccines to be sent to the developing world soon. He also criticises UK foreign aid cuts.

SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon defends her record on education, health and drug deaths. She calls out Alex Salmond for his "contemptuous" attitude to voters. U.S. Climate Envoy John Kerry says the consequences will be "beyond catastrophic" without "urgent" action on climate change.

Sophy and her team discuss what Alex Salmond's new party 'Alba' will mean for the Scottish elections in May. Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross says it poses a serious threat to the Union. Kenny MacAskill - who has defected to Alba from the SNP - says his new party aims to help his old.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace says we “can’t be deaf and blind” to rising coronavirus cases abroad, insisting progress made by the UK’s vaccination programme can’t be put at risk.
He says it’s vital the Government monitors the situation, and he responds to fears the spread of Covid-19 in Europe could put plans to holiday overseas this summer on hold.
Concerns around restrictions at home are also gathering momentum, as a growing Conservative rebellion fights to prevent extending the emergency coronavirus laws until October.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson says the government is considering longer school days and shorter holidays to help children catch up. Ofsted chief Amanda Spielman warns against the idea. Williamson says teachers will not get a pay rise. Shadow Foreign Secretary Lisa Nandy and the SNP's Mhairi Black talk International Women's Day.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak strongly hints that the furlough scheme and other coronavirus support will be extended in the Budget. He refuses to deny he told Conservative colleagues that he plans to raise taxes now so he can cut them before the next election. He also warns that the public finances will have to be rebalanced. Shadow Chancellor Anneliese Dodds will not say whether Labour would support a corporation tax rise.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock lays out the government's new vaccine target. He says the lockdown easing roadmap will be "cautious" and "indicative". Keir Starmer says all children should return to school on 8 March. William Hague calls for the end of most restrictions in April. Lord Hague and John McDonnell give conflicting advice to Keir Starmer.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab suggests schools could reopen on a staggered basis. He says the UK is "on track" to meet its mid-February vaccine target. He also says Conservative MPs are making "arbitrary" demands for the end of lockdown. Professor Tim Spector explains research suggesting vaccines are 67% effective three weeks after one dose.

Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi defends the UK government's decision to only put arrivals from certain countries into hotel quarantine. He also confirms the UK will not have vaccine passports. The WHO's Special Envoy on Covid-19 Dr David Nabarro says the UK should give away vaccine once it has jabbed over-50s. He also says British scientists have been vindicated over the 12-week dosing gap.