Politics

The House of Lords has voted to remove parts of the government’s Brexit legislation that ministers have admitted will allow them to break international law. In two votes, peers voted overwhelmingly (433 votes to 165, majority 268, and 407 votes to 148, majority 259) to strip out the controversial clauses in the UK Internal Market

The government will reinstate any parts of its international law-breaking Brexit legislation that are removed by the House of Lords, a cabinet minister has vowed. The UK Internal Market Bill, which has been condemned by critics both in Westminster and abroad, seeks to allow ministers to override the Withdrawal Agreement signed with the EU. But

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has insisted that a post-Brexit trade deal with the European Union is “there to be done”, as the end of the transition period looms. A deal would need to be agreed by mid-November to allow time for ratification but talks had stalled in recent months, with both sides struggling to reach

Boris Johnson has said America is the UK’s “closest and most important ally” – and that “won’t change” under a new president. Congratulating both Joe Biden and Kamala Harris on their US election victory, the prime minister said the two countries would work together to support democracy and combat issues such as tackling climate change.

Boris Johnson and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen have agreed their negotiating teams will continue talks next week as both acknowledged “significant differences” remain. Downing Street said it would enable the two sides to “redouble efforts” to reach a deal as the end of the transition period looms. The talks will resume in London

Boris Johnson has said he has “every confidence in the checks and balances of the US constitution” as Donald Trump makes unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud in the country’s election. The US president has been an ally of Mr Johnson after backing him to become prime minister and supporting his position on Brexit. Asked if

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab is self-isolating after recently being in “close contact” with someone who tested positive for coronavirus. The cabinet minister will have to self-isolate for a period of 14 days, in line with government and NHS rules. Mr Raab will continue to work remotely, a spokesman said, during a time when the result

Four weeks of lockdown in England is “enough” to make a “real impact” on coronavirus infection rates, Boris Johnson has said. The prime minister spoke at a Downing Street news conference alongside NHS chief executive Sir Simon Stevens, which was held on the first day of England’s second national lockdown. Pubs, bars, restaurants and non-essential

Boris Johnson will hold a COVID-19 briefing later today after England entered lockdown for the second time. The prime minister will be joined at 5pm in Downing Street by Sir Simon Stevens, the chief executive of NHS England. No new measures are expected to be announced but the pair will reflect on the new restrictions

European diplomats have been told that there are still “fundamental differences” in the hunt for a Brexit trade deal and that the UK has “blocked” progress in key areas while trying to run down the clock. The EU‘s chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, briefed representatives from all 27 member states on Wednesday afternoon. The meeting

England will enter a fresh month-long lockdown from tomorrow after MPs approved the new shutdown. In a House of Commons vote on Wednesday, MPs supported the new coronavirus measures by 516 to 38, a majority of 478. It means that, from one minute past midnight, pubs, bars, restaurants and non-essential shops will close across England

The race for a COVID-19 vaccine is edging towards the finishing line, but we still don’t know how far off a winner is. Kate Bingham, the head of the UK Vaccines Taskforce told MPs on the Science and Technology Committee that – if she put on her rose-tinted specs – she can see the first

Boris Johnson will today urge MPs to approve England’s new lockdown – but the prime minister is continuing to face a backlash from his own Conservative MPs over the fresh shutdown. Following a 90-minute debate on the new national measures, the House of Commons will on Wednesday afternoon vote on whether to give a second

Nicola Sturgeon has called for clarity over whether the furlough scheme will be extended beyond 2 December in Scotland if needed. Scotland’s first minister made the call after Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick told Sky News’ Kay Burley it would be a decision for the chancellor to take after the nationwide lockdown in England ends at

Self-employed workers will be able to claim government support worth 80% of trading profits as England prepares to enter a new lockdown, Boris Johnson has announced. Ahead of the new national measures coming into force on Thursday, the prime minister used a House of Commons statement to warn of an “existential threat” to the NHS

Sir Keir Starmer has launched an attack on the chancellor – blaming Rishi Sunak for delaying a second coronavirus lockdown. “Make no mistake, the chancellor’s name is all over this,” the Labour leader told the Confederation of British Industry conference in London. Live coronavirus updates from the UK and around the world Please use Chrome