UK

The Police Federation of England and Wales says it no longer has confidence in Home Secretary Priti Patel and has branded a pay freeze for officers “the final straw”. It has also withdrawn its support and engagement from the Police Remuneration Review Body, labelling the current pay mechanism ‘not fit for purpose’. National Chair John

The government is “very concerned” about the numbers of people being pinged by the NHS app, the business secretary has told Sky News. Speaking to Kay Burley, Kwasi Kwarteng said ministers were “monitoring” the situation and would be setting out a list of exempt critical workers “very soon”. Live COVID updates from the UK and

NHS workers in England will get a pay rise of 3% backdated to April 2021, the government has announced. Those receiving the increase include nurses, paramedics, consultants, dentists and salaried GPs. They are being recognised for their pandemic contribution during an “unprecedented year”, says the Department of Health and Social Care. In a statement, Health

The government’s Nationality and Borders Bill will only bring more “chaos and delay” to the UK’s “dysfunctional” immigration system, Amnesty International has said. The bill passed its second reading in the Commons on Tuesday evening by 366 votes to 265. It would allow the UK to send asylum seekers to a “safe third country” and

The UK has recorded 46,558 new COVID-19 cases and 96 more coronavirus-related deaths in the latest 24-hour period, according to government data. It is the highest number of fatalities since 24 March when 98 were reported. The latest figures compare with 39,950 new cases and 19 deaths announced on Monday, and 36,660 cases and 50

More than 430 migrants sailed across the English Channel to the UK on Monday. The number set a new single-day record, passing the previous daily high of 416 set in September last year, according to data compiled by the PA news agency. Monday’s figure included a group of around 50 men, women, and children who

Clinically vulnerable children and those living with at-risk adults will be offered a COVID-19 vaccine – but most teenagers will not, Nadhim Zahawi has announced. The vaccines minister told MPs that the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JVCI) has recommended that children “at an increased risk of serious COVID-19 disease” should be offered the

A senior minister has told Sky News he is “confident” the government is doing the right thing by lifting almost all coronavirus restrictions in England, as a top World Health Organization (WHO) envoy warned: “This virus hasn’t gone away.” Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi said now is “as good a time as any” to lift most

Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak will not be isolating despite being ‘pinged’ after Sajid Javid’s positive COVID test, Downing Street has said. After Mr Javid, the newly-appointed health secretary, contracted coronavirus and went into quarantine, it was thought a number of other ministers and officials might also have to self-isolate. But Downing Street said Mr

All UK adults have been offered a first dose of a COVID vaccine – hitting the prime minister’s target just ahead of schedule, the government has announced. The Department of Health and Social Care said more than 46.2 million people had now had a first dose (87.8% of the population), while 35.7 million had received

Pop-up clinics will be offering coronavirus jabs this weekend as part of a major drive to get more people vaccinated, so those enjoying the sunshine by going shopping or visiting the park will be able to get one on the go. Some clothing stores, sports venues and parks will be hosting vaccination centres as part

More than 35 million people, including secondary school pupils, will be offered a free flu vaccine this winter under plans announced by the government. The biggest flu programme in the country’s history will be launched in September, the government said, and will build on the success of last year’s expanded scheme which saw a record

There are no plans to change the sensitivity of the NHS COVID-19 app to reduce the number of people being told to self-isolate. Ministers had indicated that the contact tracing tool would be tweaked, with Transport Secretary Grant Shapps telling Sky News last Friday, 9 July, it would be “tailored” to keep it aligned with

Racially and religiously motivated hate crimes hit a new high across England and Wales in 2020, data has revealed. A total of 61,851 racially and religiously aggravated offences were recorded last year – up 7% on the 57,825 in 2019. That is more than double the 28,479 recorded in 2013 – the first year specific

The UK has recorded 48,553 COVID cases and 63 more deaths in the latest 24-hour period. It is the highest number of fatalities since 26 March, when 70 were reported, and the largest number of infections since mid-January. A further 42,302 infections were announced yesterday, along with 49 fatalities. Seven days ago, there were 32,551

As many as 60,000 people could die from flu this winter and a combination of seasonal viruses and COVID-19 could leave the NHS “unable to cope”, according to a report. The stark warning was made by scientists who say the flu season could be particularly deadly but the enhanced flu jab programme and rapid tests