Attempting to take a holiday abroad will result in a £5,000 fine under new coronavirus laws. The legislation covering COVID-19 restrictions includes a ban on leaving the UK without a reasonable excuse – with the hefty fine for those breaking the rule. The new rules will also mean protests will be considered a permitted exception
UK
The size of the British army will be reduced to 72,500 personnel, and the RAF will have its air cargo and personnel carriers drastically cut as part of the biggest overhaul of the armed forces in decades. Under plans revealed by the Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, the army will shrink to its smallest size since
Hearing loss and other auditory problems may be strongly linked to coronavirus, new research suggests. Scientists estimate 7.6% of people infected with COVID-19 experience hearing loss, while 14.8% suffer tinnitus. They also found the prevalence of vertigo was 7.2%. The researchers, from The University of Manchester and Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, compiled data from 24
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has warned any bid by the EU to block coronavirus vaccine exports to the UK would be “counterproductive” and damage the bloc’s reputation globally. He made his comments as EU Commissioner Mairead McGuinness refused to rule out a ban, saying that “everything is on the table”. European Commission president Ursula von
Refugees arriving in the UK will be given the right to remain permanently, under a new system the home secretary has described as “fair but firm”. Priti Patel will announce that those fleeing war or persecution who come through the “safe and legal resettlement route” will be given indefinite leave to remain. Currently, resettled refugees
A new Ranger Regiment is being set up to complement the expertise of the SAS and take on “high threat” missions overseas. Under the new plans, four infantry battalions will become the new regiment and will be able to operate in environments usually reserved for Special Forces troops. The force would be expected to range
The UK has broken its record for the most coronavirus jabs given out in one day. A total of 660,276 doses were administered nationwide on Thursday, latest government figures show. That includes 528,260 first jabs and 132,016 second doses. The figures are higher than the previous record, set on 30 January, when 609,010 vaccines were
Vaccinations alone are unlikely to contain coronavirus infections in the UK, a new study suggests. However, the research concluded that gradually easing lockdown restrictions and achieving high uptake of COVID-19 jabs can minimise future waves. The University of Warwick’s modelling was performed before early real-world data emerged from studies examining the impact of the vaccine
People who experience a headache for more than four days after having the Oxford-AstraZeneca jab should seek medical attention, the UK’s medicines regulator has said. They should also get help if they have bruising somewhere other than the injection site after a few days, it added. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said
Drugs giants Pfizer and AstraZeneca have rejected an NHS claim that the UK is facing a COVID-19 vaccine shortage, insisting there is no threat to supplies. The two leading vaccine manufacturers both said they remain on course to meet their delivery commitments and denied they were facing disruption in supplies. Their defiant statements appeared to
Scotland Yard’s deputy commissioner has refused to apologise over the way in which officers policed the Sarah Everard vigil on Clapham Common, which ended in scenes of disorder last Saturday. Sir Stephen House said those officers “thought they were doing the right thing” to protect the health of the public during a pandemic. He made
More than half of people have backed the Metropolitan Police over its handling of the vigil held for Sarah Everard last weekend, according to a survey. Four people were arrested for public order and coronavirus regulation breaches during Saturday’s vigil – with accusations police were heavy handed. The research, commissioned by the crime and justice
More than half the UK’s adult population has now received a first COVID vaccine dose, the health secretary has said. “I’m delighted to be able to say that we’ve now vaccinated HALF of all adults in the UK,” Matt Hancock tweeted. “The vaccine is a national success story and our way out of this pandemic.”
Prince Philip has left King Edward VII’s Hospital after his longest ever stay. Earlier, police had blocked vehicle access to the private hospital in central London, where the Duke of Edinburgh had been recovering from a heart procedure. Four police officers had arrived on motorcycles to join a dozen officers at the entrance of the
Improving the lives of children in care is the “absolute top priority”, England’s new children’s commissioner has told Sky News. Dame Rachel de Souza has vowed to be “fearless” in holding the government to account over its promises to improve the experiences of looked after children. Speaking as she takes post as the most senior child protection figure,
Boris Johnson has given his full backing to the head of the Metropolitan Police but admitted the chaos at Saturday night’s vigil for Sarah Everard was “very distressing”. Cressida Dick has faced calls to resign over her force’s handling of events at Clapham Common in south London, after police were seen grabbing several women and