Politics

Manchester could have a Tier 3 coronavirus lockdown imposed on it if negotiations fail, Dominic Raab has told Sky News. The foreign secretary said ministers have “the power to proceed” with putting the city into England’s highest band of measures to stem the spread of COVID-19. After a furious row blew up with Manchester politicians

Boris Johnson’s negotiator has accused the EU of taking an “unusual approach” to trade talks after the bloc’s leaders called on the UK to “make the necessary moves” for a post-Brexit deal. Lord Frost, the prime minister’s EU adviser, hit back at the stance taken by the EU’s national leaders at a Brussels summit on

Europe’s political leaders will arrive in Brussels later for one of their regular meetings. They’ll be talking about the obvious things – the EU budget, foreign affairs, coronavirus – but a chunk of time will go on something they haven’t discussed for a while… Brexit. Talks over a Brexit trade deal may have been going

Boris Johnson has told MPs that “I rule out nothing” in the fight against coronavirus, but that he wants to “avoid the misery of another national lockdown”. The prime minister defended his three-tier system of local COVID-19 restrictions during a tempestuous PMQs clash with Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer. Did you miss PMQs? This is

England’s new three-tier system for localised coronavirus restrictions has come into force today – but the prime minister is already under growing pressure to take even further action. From midnight, the country was split into three COVID-19 alert levels – “medium”, “high” and “very high”. Liverpool City Region is in the top tier, with bars

A total of 42 Tory rebels have railed against the government’s 10pm curfew for bars and restaurants in the latest House of Commons vote. The rebels include Sir Graham Brady, the chair of the influential 1922 Committee of Tory backbenchers, as well as former Cabinet ministers Esther McVey and John Redwood. Former Labour leader Jeremy

Boris Johnson’s new coronavirus lockdown rules are being debated and voted on by MPs, with the prime minister facing a Tory backlash and potential rebellion. Some Conservative MPs are against the measures on civil liberties grounds, while others claim restrictions such as the 10pm curfew for pubs and restaurants are counter-productive. But unless Sir Keir

A “circuit breaker” lockdown was recommended to the government by scientists three weeks ago, newly published documents have revealed. Minutes from a 21 September meeting of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), published on the government website on Monday night, showed that a short period of lockdown was at the top of a list

The new tiered local lockdown system the prime minister will announce today is aimed at trying to slow the spread of coronavirus while also keeping as many parts of the economy open where it can. But trying to carve England into different zones, driven by charts tracking case numbers per population and hospital capacity from

The prime minister will announce a new three-tier lockdown system for England tomorrow, with “medium”, “high” and “very high” alert levels. However, discussions with local leaders are ongoing to decide which parts of the country will face which restrictions. Boris Johnson will chair an emergency COBRA meeting on Monday morning, before updating parliament on the

SNP MP Margaret Ferrier has said she will not resign despite backlash for travelling to parliament after developing coronavirus symptoms, saying the virus made her act ‘out of character’. Ms Ferrier admitted to travelling to London from Glasgow after taking a coronavirus test last month, and said once she had received a positive result, took

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has told the French leader that the UK will explore “every avenue” to reach a trade deal with the EU. Mr Johnson spoke with Emmanuel Macron over the phone on Saturday morning as the deadline for securing an agreement nudges closer. The PM told Mr Macron that the UK was actively

Leaders in the north of England have warned further coronavirus restrictions would have a “devastating” effect on the country and the overall regional economy. Their comments come as Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to make a statement to MPs on Monday amid expectations that a three-tier local lockdown system will be introduced across England. Doctors have

Boris Johnson will make a statement to MPs on Monday, amid expectations that a three-tier local lockdown system will be introduced across England. New coronavirus restrictions for North West England could be implemented as soon as Wednesday, Sky News understands. During a meeting on Friday between local leaders and Westminster figures including the Housing Secretary,

A government minister has criticised “inappropriate” plans to give MPs a pay rise in the middle of the coronavirus crisis. Business minister Nadhim Zahawi called on the independent body that decides MPs’ salaries to “explain themselves” after they recommended keeping the existing method of calculating pay. This has seen MPs given a pay rise in

Theresa May has led a fierce onslaught by Tory ex-cabinet ministers against a housing shake-up proposed by Boris Johnson, which could lead to some building going ahead without planning permission. Backed by her former cabinet allies Damian Green, Jeremy Hunt and Chris Grayling – and several more ex-ministers – the former prime minister demanded a