UK

The prime minister will hold a Downing Street coronavirus news conference later, Number 10 has said. Boris Johnson is expected to discuss the spread of the Indian COVID-19 variant – and the steps the government is taking to combat it – when he addresses the nation at 5pm. Live COVID updates from the UK and

Cases of the Indian coronavirus variant in the UK have more than doubled in the past week, according to figures from Public Health England (PHE). Data published on Thursday showed there are 1,313 cases of the VOC-21APR-02 variant in the country – up from the 520 recorded the previous week. The COVID-19 strategic response director

The UK is “anxious” about the Indian COVID variant and the government is “ruling nothing out” when it comes to tackling its spread, the prime minister has said. Boris Johnson said the COVID-19 variant “has been spreading” and the UK wants to “grip it”. Live COVID updates from the UK and around the world “We

Coronavirus cases in England are at their lowest level since last August, indicating the success of the vaccine rollout despite the relaxation of lockdown, new data suggests. There were marked reductions in COVID-19 prevalence from March to April and early May across the country, according to data from the latest round of the React-1 study.

A nine-year-old boy who died after apparently being struck by lightning on a football field in Blackpool has been named as Jordan Banks. Officers from Blackpool police were called shortly after 5pm on Tuesday to fields near to School Road after reports a child had been injured. Emergency services attended and the boy was taken

Daily deaths and hospital admissions due to COVID-19 are at their lowest since last summer. And restrictions are being relaxed as the UK makes progress in vaccinating its population. Yet there are pockets where coronavirus cases have risen sharply recently. Data shows that although the average infection rate in the UK has fallen by 15%

Police are searching a Gloucester cafe in connection with the disappearance of a teenage girl suspected to have been murdered by serial killer Fred West. Mary Bastholm vanished in 1968 aged just 15 and her body has never been found. West, who died in prison in 1995 aged 53, was previously suspected over her disappearance.

New laws to fulfil Boris Johnson’s promise of helping to give people the skills they need throughout their lives will form a central part of the government’s legislative agenda for the next year. The prime minister has promised to put “rocket fuel” into his “levelling up” agenda with the introduction of new laws – to

The UK’s COVID-19 alert level should be lowered from four to three, chief medical officers have said. A statement from the medical officers and NHS England National Medical Director said that people must remain “vigilant” of the virus, but said the decision to downgrade the alert level was “thanks to the efforts of the UK

Boris Johnson has confirmed a major easing of COVID-19 restrictions in England will go ahead from next week. At a news conference on Monday evening the prime minister will say that from 17 May, meetings of six people, or two households, will be allowed to take place indoors for the first time since January. Indoor

Boris Johnson is poised to announce that the next stage of lifting lockdown will go ahead as planned on 17 May, a cabinet minister has said. Michael Gove told Sky News the prime minister will give the green light tomorrow, clearing the way for people to meet inside and for indoor hospitality to resume in

Rail passengers face a second day of disruption today after cracks were found on high-speed trains. Great Western Railway, London North Eastern Railway, Hull Trains and TransPennine Express were all affected on Saturday. GWR and LNER both advised people not to travel after Hitachi 800 trains had to be pulled from lines. GWR operates 93

Detectives hunting for the killer of PCSO Julia James have arrested a man in connection with her murder. Kent Police said the man, a British national in his 20s from the Canterbury area, was detained on Friday evening and remains in custody. Ms James, a serving community support officer, was found dead in Akholt Wood

Bookings for holidays to Portugal have gone “through the roof” after the country was added to the government’s green travel list, Thomas Cook has said. The European nation is one of just 12 destinations where travellers can visit from 17 May without needing to self-isolate upon their return to England. On Friday night, Thomas Cook

All under-40s are to be offered an alternative to the Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine as a precaution. The change in advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation marks an extension to existing guidance where those aged under 30 were given a choice of COVID-19 jab over blood clotting concerns. Live coronavirus updates from the

Polling stations have closed on an election day that could have profound implications for the future of the United Kingdom and the Labour Party. Dubbed Super Thursday, the polls closed at 10pm in the largest test of political opinion outside a general election in nearly 50 years. The future of the Labour Party and the