Tonight - Season 16 / Year 2020

It's estimated that three quarters of the things now bought in the United Kingdom are now paid for by card - with some businesses refusing to take cash altogether. As more banks and ATMs disappear from the streets, reporter Adnan Sarwar asks if the nation is on its way to becoming a cashless society.

Tonight explores the growing issue of so-called 'Cyber-stalking' and what we can do to stop our use of technology being abused.

A report on the downward trend in spending in Britain's high-street stores over the past 10 years. Geraint Vincent follows typical shopping street Dalton Road in Barrow-in-Furness through the crucial festive period and hears from firms facing high rates and tough competition from the internet and retail parks. But to some, high streets are more than just a place of business - they are a crucial part of the community. Geraint also meets those trying to attract more visitors, and explores whether everyone has a responsibility to support town centres.

Helen Skelton presents a report on the tourism industry, asking how easy it will be to get a bargain holiday in 2020 in the aftermath of the Thomas Cook collapse.

Health experts from around the globe are concerned about the coronavirus, which has originated in China and could destroy many lives. But will it take hold in the UK? Ranvir Singh investigates.

With more than 3.6 million people now vaping in the UK, reporter Jonathan Maitland explores the boom in the industry, while undercover reporters find out what is in the liquid people are smoking. Industry bosses claim vaping is a safer, cleaner, healthier alternative to smoking. But are there any health risks?

With confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Britain on the rise and the UK Government labelling it a "serious and imminent threat" to public health, Fiona Foster investigates if the authorities here are equipped to deal with the challenge.

In 10 years Airbnb has grown into a multimillion-dollar global entity - and revolutionised the way people travel. But there are claims that short-term lets not only threaten the future of traditional hotels, but could be contributing to housing shortages - as well as driving up the cost of properties. Jonathan Maitland investigates.

Rohit Kachroo gains access to MI5, one of the world's oldest and most-renowned spy agencies. Filmed as London experienced two terror attacks at Fishmonger's Hall and Streatham, Tonight sees the engine room of the UK's fight against terror. Surveillance officers and investigators also discuss their secret work and its impact on their lives.

The Government has announced its coronavirus action plan, warning that a fifth of the workforce could be off sick with the illness. The virus would hit businesses, the emergency services and the economy. Jonathan Maitland investigates how people can keep themselves safe.

A healthy gut can do more than help digestion. It is being linked to everything from obesity levels to mental health. Five years ago actress Catherine Tyldesley made a film for Tonight about diets. Now she is back to find out exactly what people need to know about keeping the digestive system in good working order.

The UK is on the brink of a coronavirus epidemic and, with over-65s deemed particularly at risk, Geraint Vincent asks how the general public can protect the elderly from it. The older you get, the greater the chances that the virus could be fatal. Tonight explores why this is and which underlying conditions make people especially vulnerable. With the help of doctors and scientists, Geraint provides specialist advice on what to do if you or a relative has symptoms, tips on how to protect each other from infection, and what to do if you are elderly and told to self-isolate. How are hospitals preparing for what may now be inevitable rises in elderly admissions, and can an already-stretched care system cope? Should we avoid contact with our elderly relatives or should we carry on as normal? With the latest figures, top experts and government advice, the film provides the ultimate guide on how we can protect the elderly from this fast-moving virus.

How seriously could the coronavirus pandemic damage President's Trump's chances of re-election later this year? As the United States grapples with a full-blown health crisis, ITV's Washington Correspondent Robert Moore asks whether his controversial leadership style has properly addressed or even exacerbated the challenge ahead.

Just a couple of months ago the economy was riding high with employment at record levels. But that was before the coronavirus epidemic tightened its grip on Britain, ripping up the way of life. In the past 14 days half a million people have signed on for Universal Credit. With the Government projected to spend many tens of billions in a bid to keep the economy, and jobs, afloat, Sonali Shah investigates how long the lockdown can last.

As Britain and Europe remain locked down in the fight against Covid-19, Julie Etchingham asks how seriously the food supply chain is being affected. Crops will be ready to be harvested in the coming weeks, but there may be no labour available. She looks at how shops, supermarkets and delivery services are coping now the early panic buying is over. And she asks, if vulnerable families cannot get access to food at prices they can afford, will people ultimately be forced to change the way they eat?

Fly tipping costs tens of millions to clean up and is a huge problem across the UK. But it could be getting worse in lockdown. With some council tips shut and many authorities operating a skeleton waste collection service, some people are simply dumping their rubbish illegally. Jonathan Maitland investigates.

As lockdown continues across Britain, Tonight asks what life has been like for the police, tasked with keeping people safe during these unprecedented times. Allegra Stratton follows officers from Merseyside Police to see the impact the pandemic is having on their ability to combat crime, and witnesses the particular crimes and behaviours they are encountering due to the lockdown.

With pay cuts, job losses and businesses shut down for weeks, the financial impact of coronavirus is hitting people hard. Helen Skelton investigates the best ways for people to tighten their belts and try to save money.

Ranj Singh looks at the urgent race to find drugs to successfully treat Covid-19. With hopes of defeating the deadly virus lying with the world's scientists - including those working in Britain - Dr Singh gains first-hand access to laboratories and drug trials across the country. He reports on the unprecedented scientific efforts going into developing drugs to treat those in hospital with the virus, as well as the search for a vaccine to inoculate everyone. With the success of these trials determining how soon people can resume normal life and get the economy running as before, the stakes could not be higher.

As millions start to emerge from lockdown and back into work, Sonali Shah investigates the measures being put in place to keep people safe, asking whether enough is being done.

Government figures reveal car crime has risen for the past six years. It has even continued in lockdown in some areas. As more motorists are targeted by organised gangs, Alex Beresfordinvestigates what people can do to steer clear of vehicle crime.

The travel industry is in dire straits, with the coronavirus crisis leaving summer holiday plans in disarray for many people. But with the prospect of travel beginning to open up, should holiday-makers be trying to grab a break abroad, or is this the year of the Great British staycation? Helen Skelton investigates.

Children seem largely unaffected by physical aspects of the coronavirus. But as the lockdown eases, concerns are growing about young people's mental health as a result of the crisis. Julie Etchingham asks what life has been like for the younger generation, and as the costs are counted - with thousands of teaching hours lost, exams missed and the country entering the worst recession on record - will it have any negative impact on their ambitions and prospects?

After the unprecedented double hit of coronavirus and lockdown, can local businesses and high streets survive? From barbers to bookshops, restaurants to fashion retailers - reporter Adam Shaw investigates are planning their bounce back - and hears from people keen to get back to work in an uncertain job market.

With the coronavirus pandemic still gripping the world, the NHS is facing its biggest crisis in a generation with issues over treatment, funding and care. New technology is one of the tools being used to fight the virus - and many other illnesses - with the use of artificial intelligence on the rise across the health sector. Dr Oscar Duke investigates.

The Government has promised to ban the sale of all new diesel, petrol and hybrid cars in the UK by 2035. But will people - and the necessary technology - be ready for the electric revolution? Motoring journalist Ginny Buckley investigates.

Obesity has been described as a ticking time bomb, with illnesses related to weight costing the NHS £6billion a year - and with people staying at home much more, there is a danger this crisis could get worse. Angellica Bell investigates what can be done.

The numbers of fraudsters targeting victims aged 55 and over has exploded since the start of the Covid-19 crisis, creating a billion-pound industry for the criminals. Fiona Foster investigates.

In the aftermath of the lockdown, millions of people face joblessness, redundancy or uncertainty about their future on a scale unseen since the early 1980s. Robert Peston investigates the impact on the economy, with industries shutting down overnight, millions unable to work, and many more working from home for the foreseeable future. He also asks what can be done to avoid the mistakes of past recessions and assesses whether the Government is on the right track to avoid mass unemployment.

The funeral industry was under fire over charges before the coronavirus crisis. Now, in one of their tragically busiest ever periods, the spotlight is on them again. Sonali Shah investigates if people are paying too much to say goodbye to their loved ones.

As Britain braces itself for a difficult winter with Covid-19 cases on the rise again, Adam Shaw asks how the country is coping with new lockdowns, track-and-trace and a fragile economy. He also hears from frontline workers, central in the fight against the disease.

This summer, America has seen one of the most bitterly fought presidential election campaigns in living memory. As the President himself recovers from Coronavirus, voters reflect on the pandemic that has left America with the highest number of Covid-19-related deaths in the world, and the impact this has had on the economy. A summer of protests over racial justice has seemingly deepened the divide between Democrats and Republicans, and an increasingly ominous rhetoric around the validity of the election result could threaten the democratic process itself. So as Americans go to the polls, have they had enough their maverick leader or are they ready to vote him in for a second term? Can Democratic challenger and former Vice President Joe Biden make the case for a calmer, more traditional presidency that could begin to heal some of America's festering wounds? ITV's Senior International Correspondent John Irvine travels down the Mississippi River, from Minneapolis to St Louis, talking to Americans about the choice they face on November 3rd.

In October 1987, Black History Month started in the UK, with its aim to celebrate the rich and diverse history of black British culture. In this film, reporter Alex Beresford talks to inspirational people who have made a difference in Britain - and around the world.

When the country went into lockdown earlier this year, the property market ground to a virtual standstill. But when it came back, it was with a bang - house prices have hit record highs over the summer. Helen Skelton investigates why so many people are keen to buy and sell at the minute - and asks whether the property bubble could be about to burst.

With households spending millions of pounds every year on building work, Jonathan Maitland investigates whether tradesmen are subject to too few meaningful checks - and asks who should pay the bill when things go wrong.

Lockdown in England has forced many to shop for their Christmas gifts differently this year, with delivery companies reporting a 50 per cent increase in business. Fiona Foster investigates whether consumers know what their rights are when buying online.

Cybercrime costs the UK economy tens of billions of pounds every year - with the festive season particularly lucrative for the fraudsters. Reporter Adam Shaw looks at the latest cons, as well as fakes and faulty goods hitting the virtual market - and how to avoid being caught out.

In previous years, the British have spent more than £4bn on Christmas food and drink, with many thousands working behind the scenes to get that festive fare into the shops. But 2020 has been anything but normal. Jonathan Maitland investigates how different Christmas dinner will be this year.

More than 50,000 Britons killed by Covid-19. A country in lockdown while also heading out of Europe. Freedoms that people took for granted now being controlled by the Government. Julie Etchingham looks back at the past 12 months - a year that changed Britain.