Politics

Boris Johnson has told MPs that possible herd immunity is “not the consideration” behind holding back changes to COVID self-isolation rules until 16 August. The prime minister is facing a backlash after he set out his intention to press ahead with the final lifting of coronavirus restrictions in England on 19 July – but the

The transport secretary has told MPs he is “very relaxed” about airlines, train firms and bus operators imposing their own COVID-related rules, including on wearing face masks, beyond 19 July. Speaking during a Transport Committee evidence session, Grant Shapps said individual companies could implement travel conditions beyond the government’s final stage of lockdown easing if

The Department of Health and Social Care is being formally investigated over the use of private email addresses by ministers during the coronavirus crisis. The Information Commissioner’s Office has launched a probe into “the use of private correspondence channels” by the department and is seeking the handover of evidence. It follows a Sunday Times report

Those who have received two vaccination doses will no longer have to self-isolate if they come into contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 from 16 August. Making an announcement in the Commons on changes to the government’s self-isolation policy, newly appointed Health Secretary Sajid Javid also confirmed self-isolation rules for those aged

Almost all COVID rules – including limits on the number of people who can meet together, legal requirements on wearing face masks, and social distancing in pubs and bars – will be ditched as part of the final step of the roadmap for lifting lockdown restrictions in England. The government expects to push ahead with

Wearing a face mask is set to become a “personal choice” – but some medical experts say they will continue to wear them in crowded environments. Speaking to Sky News on Monday, Health Minister Helen Whately said she “can’t wait to not have to wear a mask” when the restrictions allow. But medical director of

It has been billed in some quarters as “Freedom Day”, when life will return to a form of normality after more than a year of coronavirus restrictions. Under step four of the government’s roadmap for easing COVID-19 restrictions in England, currently scheduled for 19 July having been pushed back by four weeks, measures in a range

There will be a “much more permissive regime” of coronavirus measures in England – with the wearing of face masks a “personal choice”, a minister has told Sky News. Speaking to Sky News amid reports that Boris Johnson is preparing to ease the last remaining COVID-19 restrictions in England from 19 July, Robert Jenrick said

The government is “considering” scrapping quarantine requirements for those who have had both vaccine doses. Downing Street said it was looking at whether to drop all legal self-isolation measures for fully vaccinated people who come into contact with someone who is infected “as part of the post-Step 4 world”. Ministers had already been considering replacing

Boris Johnson is “very confident” that the UK’s use of India-produced jabs won’t prevent Britons being able to travel abroad – as German chancellor Angela Merkel offered hope of quarantine-free trips to the EU for those who are double-jabbed. Speaking following talks at the prime minister’s official country retreat of Chequers, Ms Merkel said: “We

Sir Keir Starmer has declared “Labour is back” as he told his party the Batley and Spen by-election win shows what can be achieved when it “pulls together”. The Labour leader joined the UK’s newest MP, Kim Leadbeater, in the West Yorkshire constituency on Friday following her victory by 323 votes over the Conservatives. The

In the normal course of politics, an opposition party holding a seat in a by-election is the most predictable of events. There’s only been five by-elections since the Second World War when this hasn’t happened. That the Labour Party is so delighted and relieved to have – against the odds – clung onto Batley and

Polls have closed in the Batley and Spen by-election, with pollsters and bookmakers predicting a Tory victory – a result likely to trigger moves to oust Sir Keir Starmer as Labour leader. Tory challenger Ryan Stephenson is being tipped to defeat Labour‘s Kim Leadbeater, sister of the murdered former MP Jo Cox, after one of

The Euro 2020 final at Wembley will go ahead with more than 60,000 fans despite figures showing thousands of COVID cases linked to supporters, Kwasi Kwarteng has said. The business secretary told Sky News the fixture will “absolutely” take place as arranged, with the 90,000-seat stadium expected to be filled at 75% of its capacity.

A deal to avoid a ban on sausages and other chilled meats moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland has been agreed at the last minute. The UK and EU have announced an extension to a grace period allowing their transit across the Irish Sea, hours before a ban would have come into force. London

Ministers have rejected demands to allow more time for EU citizens to register to stay in the UK after Brexit by declaring: “Don’t delay, apply today.” The deadline for applying for post-Brexit residency under the government’s EU Settlement Scheme passes at midnight, with claims of a backlog of 400,000 cases. And some EU citizens who