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
UK
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
Fully vaccinated people in England will be able to travel to an amber list country without having to quarantine on their return “later this summer”, the government plans. When the new exemption for those who have had two COVID jabs comes into force, the guidance that people should only travel to amber list countries for
The government is due to deliver its latest travel advice on Thursday after Matt Hancock gave fresh hope to the prospect of summer holidays this year. Ministers will reveal which, if any, countries are to move to the quarantine-free green list and those which travelling to continues to be banned or restricted. It comes as
The UK has reported 16,135 new COVID-19 cases and another 19 coronavirus-related deaths in the latest 24-hour period, according to government data. This is the highest number of daily infections since 6 February when 18,262 were announced. The latest figures compare with 11,625 new infections and 27 fatalities recorded yesterday. Some 9,055 cases and nine
COVID-19 and respiratory illnesses could result in a “perfect storm” this winter, ruining plans to deal with the backlog of patients needing NHS care. Some 78% of NHS trust leaders in England are extremely or moderately concerned about the operational pressures their trust faces this winter, according to a survey by NHS Providers. Among the
The UK has reported 11,625 new COVID cases – the highest since mid-February – and 27 coronavirus-related deaths in the latest 24-hour period, according to government data. The figures compare with 10,633 new infections and five fatalities announced on Monday. Another 21,080 people received their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine yesterday, while 39,325 people
Quarantine-free travel to amber list countries for people who have been fully vaccinated is “absolutely something” the government is “working on”, the health secretary has told Sky News. “This hasn’t been clinically advised yet, we’re working on it,” Matt Hancock said. “When I’m in a position to be able to say something then we will
The prime minister has said it is “looking good” for 19 July to be the “terminus point” for England’s coronavirus restrictions – but did not rule out the prospect of further lockdowns in the winter. “You can never exclude that there will be some new disease, some new horror that we simply haven’t budgeted for
Snapchat, YouTube, TikTok and Reddit are involved in a new campaign encouraging more young people to get their coronavirus jab. The social networks have teamed up with the government as it pushes ahead with the final stage of the vaccine rollout. New data shows that one million vaccine appointments were booked in the two days
The UK could open up “sooner rather than later” thanks to the huge numbers of people being vaccinated – and we are not experiencing a third wave of infections, an expert has told Sky News. Brendan Wren, professor of vaccinology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said that having more than 81%