UK

The number of people vaccinated against COVID-19 in the UK has hit 45 million, while the number of daily cases reported has dipped slightly. The 27,125 new infections is down on the 27,989 added to the government’s COVID dashboard on Thursday – which was the highest daily figure since late January. Friday’s total is well

Labour’s Kim Leadbeater has pulled off a surprise victory in the Batley and Spen by-election. Tory challenger Ryan Stephenson had been expected to defeat Ms Leadbeater, sister of the murdered MP Jo Cox, after one of the most bitterly-fought parliamentary by-election campaigns in living memory. Throughout the campaign, rival parties accused their opponents and their

The prime minister will welcome Angela Merkel to the UK later, with coronavirus travel restrictions expected to be high on the agenda for their talks. Boris Johnson will host the German chancellor at his country residence of Chequers, Mrs Merkel’s final visit before she steps down later this year. COVID-19 is anticipated to be among

Prince William and Prince Harry will be reunited later to a unveil a statue to mark what would have been Princess Diana’s 60th birthday. Over the past 18 months the troubles in the relationship between the Duke of Cambridge and the Duke of Sussex have been well documented, but their mother will be their focus

Millions of people most vulnerable to COVID-19 are set to be offered a COVID booster vaccine from September to increase their protection ahead of winter. New interim advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) sets out the priority list for who should get a third jab if a booster programme is needed.

Malta, the Balearic islands and parts of the Caribbean are among the countries being moved to the UK’s travel green list from today. Anyone arriving in the UK from green list destinations from 4am on Wednesday will no longer have to self-isolate for 10 days. The full list of countries moving onto the green list

England have beaten Germany 2-0 at Wembley to book their place in the quarter-finals of Euro 2020. Second-half goals from Raheem Sterling and skipper Harry Kane were enough to see England progress to the last eight. It was not all plain sailing for the home side – but fans could have been forgiven for thinking

Coronavirus restrictions will not be lifted early on 5 July, the new health secretary has confirmed – and 19 July “remains our target date”. In his first Commons statement since taking on the role Sajid Javid told MPs that he had held talks with Boris Johnson and “whilst we decided not to bring forward step

Millions of football fans are preparing to watch England take on old rivals Germany for a place in the quarter finals of Euro 2020 – with bosses being urged to let workers finish early so they can cheer on the team. England manager Gareth Southgate has called on his players to make history, as the

Boris Johnson is expected to rule out an early easing of coronavirus restrictions today, as ministers meet to review the latest data and assess whether there is scope to relax rules in England before 19 July. Last week, Downing Street confirmed a decision would be taken on Monday, with Mr Johnson’s spokesman saying: “We will

Sky News presenter Trevor Phillips has challenged a Tory minister over the government’s “one rule for us” mentality, saying people were not allowed to attend his daughter’s funeral because of COVID restrictions. Phillips, who presents the channel’s Sunday political show, revealed how hundreds of family and friends were unable to be at the graveside for

Sajid Javid starts work today as the new health secretary, replacing Matt Hancock who resigned after being caught kissing a close aide. Former chancellor and home secretary Mr Javid said he was “honoured” to be appointed to the role – just 90 minutes after Downing Street announced Mr Hancock had quit on Saturday evening. Honoured to

Matt Hancock has resigned as health secretary after admitting breaking coronavirus rules, Downing Street says. It comes after leaked CCTV appeared to show him kissing an aide in his departmental office. The images, published by The Sun, show Mr Hancock in an embrace with former lobbyist Gina Coladangelo on 6 May – more than a

It was never likely that Boris Johnson would fire one of his cabinet over an alleged affair. This afternoon Downing Street is busy attempting to shut down the Matt Hancock controversy and is making clear they regard the matter as closed. But there are plenty of grounds to think this issue won’t go away that

The UK has reported 15,810 new COVID cases and another 18 coronavirus-related deaths in the latest 24-hour period. The figures compare with16,703 infections and 21 deaths announced yesterday, and 10,476 cases and 11 deaths this time last week. Meanwhile, another 221,534 people had their first dose of a COVID vaccine yesterday, while 177,813 received their

Spain’s Balearic islands, Malta, Madeira, and some islands in the Caribbean – including Barbados – have been added to England’s travel green list, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has announced. The Balearic islands are made up of Ibiza, Menorca, Majorca and Formentera. The move means those heading to some popular holiday hotspots will not have to