UK

NHS Test and Trace has failed to achieve its “main objective” of helping break chains of COVID transmission and allowing people to return to normality despite being given an “eye-watering” amount of money, a highly-critical report from MPs has said. According to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), the programme’s outcomes have been “muddled” and a

A former Conservative minister should be suspended from the Commons for lobbying on behalf of two companies, a standards body has ruled. Owen Paterson was found to have “repeatedly used his privileged position” to benefit Randox, a clinical diagnostics company, and Lynn’s Country Foods, a meat processor and distributor and has been recommended for suspension

The number of police officers being reported for abusing their role for sexual gain has soared in the past year following changes to strengthen how the issue is investigated. Two thirds of the cases investigated by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) between 2018 and 2021 happened in the past year. The IOPC’s Deputy

Coronavirus cases could fall significantly in November without any restrictions being reintroduced, modelling seen by the government suggests. Experts at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) have predicted that – even without the government’s ‘Plan B’ – COVID cases, hospital admissions and deaths in England will peak in November and start to

Two million eligible people will be invited to receive a COVID-19 booster jab from the NHS this week, as the government seeks to see off a sharp rise in cases without introducing Plan B measures. Calls for the reintroduction of masks, social distancing and working from home continued over the weekend, but ministers have so

A “record number” of coronavirus booster jabs were administered on Saturday, with more than 800,000 inoculations given in the past 72 hours, the NHS has said. A total of 5.1 million third jabs have been given, with around half of people aged 50 and over – and those who are currently eligible – being given

Boris Johnson has repeated his call for those eligible to get their COVID-19 booster jabs over the coming weeks, insisting vaccines are the UK’s “way through” the pandemic. The prime minister has resisted calls from health leaders to implement the government’s Plan B for managing rising infection rates this winter, which would see tighter restrictions

A 14-year-old boy is among four people arrested on suspicion of murder following a triple stabbing sparked by a “verbal dispute”. Police were called to reports of an assault outside the Royal British Legion on High Street, Lymington, on Friday at 11.55pm, where they found two men and a woman with stab wounds, a Hampshire

The former head of England’s coronavirus vaccine delivery drive is returning to the NHS to lead the booster jabs rollout amid growing concerns about COVID-19’s impact this winter. Dr Emily Lawson had played a key role in the success of the initial rollout of coronavirus vaccines but in April she moved to Downing Street’s “delivery

Five police officers from four different forces are facing disciplinary action over messages about Wayne Couzens. Couzens received a whole-life prison sentence last month after admitting to the kidnap, rape and murder of Sarah Everard. Now, two officers from the Metropolitan Police, and one from each force in Sussex, Dorset and Avon and Somerset are

The Queen spent a night in hospital after cancelling a visit to Northern Ireland, Buckingham Palace has said. A spokesman added: “Following medical advice to rest for a few days, the Queen attended hospital on Wednesday afternoon for some preliminary investigations, returning to Windsor Castle at lunchtime today (Thursday), and remains in good spirits.” It

Boris Johnson has admitted the level of COVID cases is “high” and he is “watching the numbers very carefully every day” – but insisted he is “sticking with our plan”. The government has so far resisted calls to move to Plan B of its autumn and winter COVID response for easing pressures on the NHS.

The government is being “wilfully negligent” by refusing to enforce its Plan B strategy for tackling rising COVID infections, doctors have claimed. Health Secretary Sajid Javid confirmed yesterday that additional coronavirus restrictions – which could include face coverings becoming mandatory in some public places – are not going to be introduced in England. But the

The Queen has “reluctantly accepted medical advice to rest for the next few days” and will not be travelling to Northern Ireland today, Buckingham Palace has said. “Her Majesty is in good spirits and is disappointed that she will no longer be able to visit Northern Ireland, where she had been due to undertake a

“Plan B” coronavirus restrictions must be enforced immediately to prevent the UK “stumbling to a winter crisis”, an NHS leader has warned. NHS Confederation chief executive Matthew Taylor has urged the government to bring back certain measures, including mandatory face coverings in public places. His remarks came as the UK recorded 223 COVID-related deaths on

Rising COVID-19 cases heading into winter “suggest this peak could be as serious as the last”, the UK’s former chief scientific adviser has warned. Sir David King was speaking to Sky News a day after 49,156 cases were reported – the highest since mid-July. Cases have been regularly over 40,000 in the last week –

Sky News has obtained CCTV footage showing a man understood to be Ali Harbi Ali walking along a north London street just hours before the killing of Conservative MP Sir David Amess. The 25-year-old man, who has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of Sir David Amess, is seen walking slowly along the pavement

The deputy prime minister has said online hate is “out of control” but a wedge should not be put in between MPs and their constituents after the murder of Sir David Amess. Dominic Raab called for the vilification of MPs to stop as he paid tribute to the “big-hearted” Sir David, who was stabbed to

The House of Commons is going to pay tribute to Sir David Amess today. A morning of prayers will be followed by a minute’s silence this afternoon – and politicians will be able to share their memories of the Conservative MP. Most of the planned timetable for the day is going to be rescheduled. Image:

MPs could be given police protection while they carry out constituency surgeries, the Home Secretary has told Sky News. Speaking to Trevor Phillips on Sunday, Priti Patel said the measure was under consideration in the wake of the killing of Conservative MP Sir David Amess. Watch special Trevor Phillips on Sunday on killing of Sir