Boris Johnson has seen MPs approve his controversial Brexit legislation, which ministers have admitted could lead to the UK breaching international law. The UK Internal Market Bill, which has provoked a furious row with the European Union, had its third ready passed by the House of Commons in a vote on Tuesday night with a
Politics
Boris Johnson has apologised for muddling up his own coronavirus rules on social gatherings. The prime minister was questioned about the latest COVID-19 restrictions coming into force for northeast England from midnight on Wednesday. At first, he said people could meet indoors and outdoors in groups of six in areas where no additional coronavirus restrictions
The prime minister and government officials have been accused of trying to “terrify” the British public over coronavirus. Conservative MPs voiced their disquiet with aspects of Boris Johnson’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in a lengthy Commons debate. It comes ahead of a looming showdown over the government’s powers to tackle the coronavirus pandemic. PM:
Tighter social restrictions could be imposed if coronavirus infections continue to rise, a minister has suggested. Helen Whately said “we don’t want to” bring in measures taking the UK back towards a second national lockdown but cautioned the government is keeping a “constant eye” on COVID-19 cases. Asked on Sky News’ Kay Burley show what
Sir Ed Davey will speak of being a carer as a son, grandson and father in a highly personal first party conference speech as Liberal Democrat leader. In his address to the Lib Dems‘ autumn conference on Monday, Sir Ed will promise to be “the voice of the nine million carers in our country”. Drawing
A Conservative rebel ringleader is “certain” his group have enough votes to compel the government to give MPs a greater say over coronavirus lockdown restrictions. Steve Baker, a former Brexit minister, is among a group of around 40 Tory MPs bidding to alter legislation so as to allow the House of Commons to be able
Labour have moved ahead of the Conservative Party for the first time since Boris Johnson became prime minister, an opinion poll has indicated. The survey by Opinium for The Observer newspaper gave Labour a three-point-lead over the Tories, with 42%, compared to 39%. It suggested Labour was ahead for the first time since July 2019
The government has said MPs will get to vote on the “rule of six” as it attempts to see off a rebellion by Conservatives who want more scrutiny of coronavirus regulations. Senior Tory Sir Graham Brady told Sky News he would be “pressing on” with his attempt to change the law as “we need debates
The search to find the prime minister’s new spokesperson is reaching its final stages, with interviews for the £100,000-a-year role due to conclude in the coming days. Allegra Stratton, the mastermind behind Rishi Sunak’s press operation, remains the favourite, with other contenders including Angus Walker, the media adviser who helped education secretary Gavin Williamson through
A minister has denied that the chancellor’s message to “live without fear” during the pandemic was a suggestion people do not have to follow the coronavirus rules. Rishi Sunak made the remark in the Commons as he set out his “Winter Economy Plan” designed to avert a jobs crisis amid continuing COVID-19 restrictions. Live updates
A group of more than 40 Conservative MPs are bidding to force the government to give parliament a vote before the renewal of ministers’ coronavirus powers. Sir Graham Brady, the chair of the influential 1922 Committee of Tory backbenchers, is leading the cross-party effort to amend emergency COVID-19 legislation. Powers under the Coronavirus Act, which
The chancellor has unveiled his “Winter Economy Plan” to protect jobs as the UK continues to battle the coronavirus pandemic. With Britons warned the latest COVID-19 restrictions could last as long as six months – and the looming end of the furlough scheme – Rishi Sunak has set out a raft of new measures. These
Europe’s plans to tackle the arrival of migrants and refugees risks being undermined by the economic effects of COVID-19, according to one of the nations most profoundly affected by migration. The European Commission launched plans on Wednesday intended to share the burden of migration, with member states either agreeing to resettle those granted asylum or
Sir Keir Starmer has called for new support for businesses and workers following the introduction of fresh coronavirus restrictions – as he condemned the government’s “serial incompetence” in dealing with the crisis. The Labour leader, in an interview with Sky News’ political editor Beth Rigby, reiterated his party’s support for the measures introduced by Prime
Boris Johnson is facing demands from Labour to explain his proposal to use the Army to help support police amid the new coronavirus lockdown rules. He faces Sir Keir Starmer at Prime Minister’s Questions just hours after his TV broadcast in which he warned of a tough crackdown if people continue to break the rules.
The government has abandoned plans to let people officially change gender without medical checks – but ministers have promised to make the process cheaper and “more straightforward”. In its response to a consultation on the 2004 Gender Recognition Act, the government concluded that “the balance struck in this legislation is correct”. “There are proper checks