The latest round of talks on a post-Brexit trade deal “did not go well”, Sky News understands, with a UK source suggesting that hopes of an agreement are now “receding”. According to Sky’s deputy political editor Sam Coates, the sticking point was the so-called “level playing field”. This is the issue of preventing unfair competition
Politics
Britain was the first country to approve a coronavirus vaccine because it has “much better” regulators than France, Belgium and the US, a senior minister has claimed. Education Secretary Gavin Williamson boasted that “we’re a much better country than every single one of them” – after some international disquiet surfaced following the breakthrough jab news.
A review into the UK government’s handling of the pandemic is set to be published today and will accuse ministers of “gambling with the UK’s future” by relaxing restrictions over Christmas. In a scathing review, cross-party MPs have made over 40 recommendations to the government “so that its preparedness and response may be improved in
The Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine “cannot” be delivered to care homes in Wales at this stage, despite them being a priority group for receiving the jab. Welsh health minister Vaughan Gething said this was because of the need to store the COVID-19 vaccine at very low temperatures – at -70C (-94F). Live updates on coronavirus from
Boris Johnson suffered the worst rebellion since the election, on what will be the defining issue of his premiership. The breadth of the Tory revolt over his revised tier system was notable – ideologically from the left to the right of the party, from 1922 grandee to 2019 newbie. All of this still less than
Government officials have drawn up a detailed dossier looking at the impact of coronavirus on every economic sector which it is refusing to publish. The Business Department has drawn up a spreadsheet looking at the size of each sector, the concerns of each sector, its financial stability and whether there will be job losses. Officials
Boris Johnson is heading for a COVID showdown with rebel Tory MPs, despite being assured of victory in a Commons vote after Sir Keir Starmer said Labour will abstain. Around 50 Conservative MPs are predicted to come out against the government in a vote to approve the tier system of COVID curbs in England, in
The health secretary has said that England’s lockdown means “we’ve got this virus back under control” – but warned continued vigilance is needed. Speaking at a Downing Street news conference, Matt Hancock acknowledged that the second national shutdown has been tough. Live updates on coronavirus from UK and around world Please use Chrome browser for
Boris Johnson is due to publish an impact assessment of coronavirus restrictions as he continues to try to convince Tory MPs to back his plan for a new tier system in England when the national lockdown ends on Wednesday. The prime minister is expected to share analysis of the health, economic and social ramifications of the measures taken
The EU and UK are entering “the last week or so” of “substantive” post-Brexit trade negotiations, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has told Sky News. With the Brexit transition period set to end in little more than a month’s time, Mr Raab suggested talks might soon be reaching a conclusion. However, he called on the EU
Boris Johnson has said the new coronavirus tiers “have a sunset of 3 February” as he tries to fight off a backlash from Tory MPs. The prime minister has angered some of his party with a plan to impose stringent restrictions across much of England when the national lockdown ends on Wednesday. In a letter
Boris Johnson has appointed a minister to take charge of the coronavirus vaccine rollout, as his government seeks to quell a backbench rebellion over the new tier system. Downing Street said that Nadhim Zahawi – who is among Tory MPs critical of the new restrictions – had been made a health minister responsible for the
COVID-19 restrictions are likely to be in force until Easter, Sky News has learned, as Boris Johnson heads for a Commons showdown with rebel Tory MPs over the new tiers. Senior sources have revealed that even if large numbers of COVID-19 vaccinations begin at the end of January it will be Easter – on 4
Boris Johnson has sought to fight off a growing backlash among Conservative MPs about the new coronavirus tiers, declaring that the “vast majority” of the British public support the measures. “I totally understand why people feel frustrated, I get that,” the prime minister said about the COVID-19 restrictions. Search your area on this map to
Boris Johnson has raised the prospect of a New Year lockdown if Britons ease off in the fight against coronavirus – as his chief medic warned people not to hug elderly relatives at Christmas. England is due to exit its second national lockdown next Wednesday and the prime minister, speaking at a Downing Street news
Boris Johnson has warned against “taking our foot off the throat of the beast” of coronavirus as he raised the prospect of a New Year lockdown. England is due to exit its second national lockdown next Wednesday and, speaking at a Downing Street news conference on Thursday, the prime minister said the action had “prevented