Newspaper headlines: 'Jab milestone' and Harry and Meghan's 'joy'

The papers feature praise for the government after the UK hit 15 million first-dose vaccinations.

"Credit where credit is due," says the i newspaper's leader, "the prime minister has silenced the doubters."

Metro leads on the story, calling it the "shot in the arm we needed". The Daily Mirror's editorial carries a warning for the prime minister, insisting what happens next must not blow the gains of the vaccination programme.

"Johnson eyes Easter escape," declares the Times. It says that under an "ambitious timeline" being considered by the government, households could be allowed to go on self-catering breaks from April.

Under the headline "The road to freedom," the Daily Mirror reports that there are three different plans to ease the lockdown in England.

They are said to range from "super fast", where pubs would re-open in May once all over-50s have been vaccinated, to the slowest route which would see venues shut until August.

The Daily Telegraph leads on the prospect of family reunions as part of an initial easing of lockdown restrictions in England. "Meet grandchildren outdoors in March," is its headline.

The paper says while schools will re-open first, people will also be allowed to socialise one-to-one with someone from another household outdoors. The government is said to be considering an exemption to the one-to-one rule for children, which would mean grandparents could see their grandchildren with a parent.

"Now it's ready, steady shop," is the Daily Mail's top story. It says while Number 10 officials are working on plans to ease restrictions that can be categorized as "optimistic, moderate, and gloomy", High Street shops will be allowed to re-open "within weeks" if Covid infection rates keep falling.

But according to the Guardian, Downing Street is to resist calls from Conservative MPs for a "swift timetable" to end the lockdown, amid concern any "hastiness" in reopening could undo the progress made so far.

The Daily Mirror reports that staff at the DVLA headquarters in Swansea were asked to reveal details about their midriff to help decide if they should work in the office during the pandemic.

Workers were asked if their waist was larger than 34 inches for women or 40 inches for men as part of an assessment of Covid risk factors such as having a high body mass index.

Unions have described the policy as "demeaning and insulting". The DVLA said its focus "has been and continues to be" the safety of its staff.

Many front pages feature a picture of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and her new baby bump after it emerged the couple are expecting their second child.

The Daily Mail calls the announcement "MEGnificent", while the Daily Star is less complimentary. "Publicity-shy woman tells 7.67 billion people: I'm pregnant," is its headline, in a swipe at the couple's ongoing disputes with the media.

"Echoes of Diana in Valentine's Day good news," declares the Daily Telegraph as it covers the announcement that Prince Harry and Meghan are expecting their second child.

It points out that newspapers reported the late Princess of Wales would be giving birth for a second time on 14 February 37 years ago.

The Sun reports that Alfie and Alexandra are the bookmakers' favourites for the name. The child will also be entitled to be known as a Lord or Lady according to the Daily Express. But it expects Harry and Meghan to style their second-born as a "plain Master".

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The Financial Times reports that HM Revenue & Customs has "drastically scaled back" inquiries into online sellers on sites such as eBay and Amazon despite concerns about VAT evasion.

Data obtained via Freedom of Information legislation reveals the tax authority sent just 80 requests for data between April and December last year.

That figure is down from 2,684 requests in the 2019-20 tax year. HMRC said the fall was down to "resource reallocation" to deal with coronavirus support measures such as the furlough scheme, but campaigners have accused inspectors of "deserting their posts".

"Mulch ado about nothing," is the Daily Telegraph's take on a £150 fine for a man who swept up leaves outside his house and was caught scattering them in woodland.

John Goodall Smith said he was forced to act because he does not have a garden waste bin at his rental property in Wolverhampton.

But although the 56-year-old pointed out he could have swept the leaves onto the other side of the road, South Staffordshire Council said the mulch he had gathered up was classed as "controlled waste" and he should have paid for it to be collected.

And finally, the Times reports on a "new lease of life" for one of Britain's oldest paperboys. George Walker, 80, had been considering giving up his round in the village of Headcorn in Kent because it was becoming too arduous.

But he has been now been given a new electric bike with a top speed of more than 15 miles per hour to complete his round. Mr Bailey, who first delivered papers when he was 11, says he hopes the bike could keep him in a job until he is 90.