UK

It will take “some months” for the UK’s most vulnerable people to be vaccinated against coronavirus, the prime minister has said. Speaking at a Downing Street news conference, Boris Johnson acknowledged there will be “immense logistical challenges” in distributing the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, which has approved for use in the UK. Live updates on coronavirus from

The UK’s independent healthcare regulator has approved the Pfizer/BioNtech COVID-19 vaccine for use. It will be rolled out for use next week. “The government has today accepted the recommendation from the independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to approve Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine for use,” the government said. “The vaccine will be made available

England’s new tiered system of coronavirus restrictions has been approved by MPs, although a sizable number of Conservatives appear to have rebelled against the measures. The system was approved by 291 votes to 78, a majority of 213. A full breakdown of the vote has not yet been released, but the figures suggest that there

The government has been accused of producing a “rehashed document” in a bid to quell a Tory rebellion over its strengthened coronavirus tiers. Ministers have released an impact assessment of the new tiered system ahead of a Commons vote on Tuesday. Boris Johnson is battling to avoid a damaging Conservative revolt over the measures, with

Some 13,000 retail jobs are hanging in the balance after high street giant Arcadia collapsed into administration. Sir Philip Green’s retail empire operates from 444 sites in the UK and 22 overseas as well as online – and currently has more than 9,000 staff on furlough. The workforce now faces an uncertain future, though no

Several police forces in England have said they have handed out multiple fines after breaking up a number of large-scale illegal parties over the weekend.  Police were called to at least four locations, including a university hall of residence in Nottingham where up to 200 people were discovered at one gathering. Nottinghamshire Police said in

Another 12,155 COVID-19 cases and 215 deaths of people who have tested positive for the virus have been recorded in the UK in the past 24 hours. The number of cases is down from the 15,871 cases recorded on Saturday – and deaths are also down from 479. Live coronavirus updates from the UK and

The UK has recorded another 15,871 coronavirus cases and 479 deaths in the past 24 hours. The number of cases is down on the 16,022 recorded on Friday and deaths are also down from 521. Live coronavirus updates from the UK and around the world There have now been 73,000 deaths involving COVID-19 in the

Former gang member and convict Rosca Onya has released a tribute single to honour Jack Merritt on the anniversary of his death in the London Bridge terror attack. Jack’s father Dave Merritt told Sky News the single – ‘Jack’ – was a “bright spark” after what’s been a difficult year. “It’s really cheered us up,”

The relaxation of coronavirus restrictions over Christmas will increase infections “potentially by a large amount”, the government’s scientific advisers have warned. The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) said the prevalence of COVID-19 “could easily double” over the festive period with “substantial mixing” of people. The warning comes in a document called “notes on festive

Boris Johnson is facing a revolt from his own MPs after it emerged that 99% of England’s population will fall under the two toughest coronavirus tiers when lockdown ends next week. Several senior Conservatives have urged the government to publish analysis of the impact that these tightened rules will have on reducing infection rates –

Coronavirus infections across the UK appear to have dropped significantly, according to the government’s daily data. In the last week there have been 121,306 cases of coronavirus recorded, a 25% drop on the week before, which saw 163,061 infections. The figures come as 17,555 cases were recorded in the last 24 hours along with 498

A former porter at Great Ormond Street Hospital has been charged with sex offences against children. Paul Farrell, 55, of Camden, north London, faces 84 charges including rape, attempted rape, sexual assault of a child under 13, and indecent assault on a male, police said. The charges relate to seven victims, with the alleged offences

The UK has recorded another 696 COVID-related deaths and a further 18,213 cases – the highest daily total for fatalities since 5 May. It is the second six-month high in consecutive days, after the country recorded 11,299 cases and 608 related deaths on Tuesday. The announcement brings the government’s official coronavirus death toll to 56,533.

Households across the UK will be able to form a “Christmas bubble” with two other households during a five-day window over the festive period, it has been announced. Between 23 to 27 December, people will be able to meet with those two other households in their bubble – but only in a private home, a

The Home Office broke equality law when it imposed its “hostile environment” immigration policies which contributed to the Windrush scandal, a report has found. Problems caused by the policies were “repeatedly ignored, dismissed or their severity disregarded” as they were being developed, according to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) assessment. The Windrush scandal