UK

Storm Bella is forecast to bring yet more strong gales and heavy rain to the UK after severe flooding in certain areas. The wet and stormy weather is expected to continue into the southeast of England on Sunday with showers in the West and North. A yellow warning for wind has been issued for the

Millions more people across the UK have been placed under tighter coronavirus restrictions from today. Another six million in England have been placed in Tier 4, while Scotland and Northern Ireland have also imposed harsher measures on their citizens on Boxing Day. The Tier 4 restrictions – effectively a regional lockdown – now also affect

Millions of people in the UK are spending a historic Christmas Day apart from loved ones as restrictions limit the number of people who can meet in a household. Families had originally hoped to be taking advantage of a five-day relaxation of measures from 23 to 27 December, but the emergence of a more transmissible

More than a thousand people have been forced to flee a caravan park in a “major incident” after it was flooded on Christmas Eve. Emergency services began moving people out of the Billing Aquadrome holiday park in Northamptonshire on Thursday afternoon after the county was hit by heavy rain. Image: Three adults in a car

Less than a week after the UK learned of a new COVID-19 variant that is up to 70% more infectious, a second one has been found. Here’s what we know so far: Where did the second coronavirus variant come from and how many cases have been found? Two cases have been detected in the UK

Two cases of a new, “more transmissible” COVID-19 variant linked to South Africa have been identified in the UK, the health secretary has said. Both cases are contacts of people who travelled from South Africa over the last few weeks, Matt Hancock said at a Downing Street news conference. Those with the new variant, and

Scuffles have broken out at Dover as stranded lorry drivers clash with police. Several thousand lorries have been stuck near the Kent port after France stopped them crossing the Channel due to the new variant of coronavirus. They have been lined up on the motorway and at nearby Manston airfield after the French government took

Germany has extended its ban on travellers arriving from the UK to 6 January, despite the EU telling countries to lift restrictions to allow essential journeys and minimise trade disruption. “The German government has extended its ban on air passenger flights arriving from the UK to Germany to a ban on all forms of transport

A deal to unblock travel with France following a shutdown over the new coronavirus variant could come later today, Sky News understands. The solution would involve rapid turnaround lateral flow tests being conducted on lorry drivers with the help of the military. More than 1,500 hauliers are queuing on the M20 or parked at Kent’s

Stormont executive ministers are holding an emergency meeting following a row over whether a travel ban should be introduced. Health minister Robin Swann has recommended issuing guidance advising against non-essential travel between Northern Ireland and Great Britain, and Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic. Mr Swann has also advised that anyone arriving into the region

France says it is working on a plan to “ensure that movement from the UK can resume” – after it banned freight and travel. Transport minister Jean-Baptiste Djebbari said cross-EU talks will take place within hours to “establish a solid health protocol” that could begin to unblock the port of Dover. He added the priority

The UK has reported a record daily rise in confirmed coronavirus cases, with another 35,928 infections. The update comes amid growing concern over a new variant of COVID-19 which appears to be causing a dramatic uptick in infections in London and the southeast of England, prompting the prime minister to enforce new Tier 4 restrictions.

Millions of people across southeast England will no longer be able to mix with other households at Christmas, with a new Tier 4 level of COVID restrictions – equivalent to a full lockdown – to come into force tomorrow. In a dramatic move, prompted by fears over a new strain of coronavirus, all those areas

The government has cancelled festive plans for millions of people, bringing in new Tier 4 restrictions in large parts of the country. Fears over a new strain of coronavirus have prompted the government to ban any mixing between households in London and most of the South East. This includes over Christmas, causing frustration and disappointment

Scientific advisers have warned ministers they believe the new variant of COVID-19 spreads more quickly than previous strains, Sky News understands. It is expected the SAGE advisory group will be convened on Monday to work up a series of recommendations for how Tier 3 restrictions could be strengthened in light of the increased transmissibility of

More parts of England have moved into Tier 3 meaning nearly 70% of the population are living under the toughest restrictions. Health Secretary Matt Hancock said earlier this week that parts of the East and the South East of England would be moved up to the most severe measures. Mr Hancock told the Commons that