UK

Fresh guidance has been given about what “essential items” people can buy from supermarkets in Wales. It comes after days of anger over which items count. But the Welsh government’s statement was in danger of sparking further confusion by saying that a “sensible system should be introduced whereby customers can ask to buy non-essential items

Weekly deaths linked to coronavirus have risen in England and Wales for the sixth week in a row – with a jump of 53% on last week, according to the Office for National Statistics. A total of 670 deaths were registered in the week ending 16 October with COVID-19 mentioned on the death certificate –

Warrington will face the toughest level of coronavirus restrictions from tomorrow, the government has said. The area is going into Tier 3 from 12:01am, meaning residents are banned from socialising with anybody they do not live with indoors, in a private garden or at most outdoor hospitality venues. The only exception is for those with

Boris Johnson has admitted he hasn’t spoken to Marcus Rashford since June – but has praised the footballer’s “terrific” food poverty campaign. The Manchester United forward is leading a high-profile campaign for the expansion of free school meals and also for the provision of meals during all school holidays for those in need. The government

Seven people have been detained following a security incident on an oil tanker off the Isle of Wight, Sky News understands. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) tweeted that according to “initial reports”, the crew are safe and well. Sky News’ defence correspondent, Alistair Bunkall, said Special Boat Service (SBS) commandos boarded the Nave Andromeda and

Pressure is building on Boris Johnson to extend free school meals for vulnerable children. More than 2,000 paediatricians have signed a letter telling the prime minister that childhood hunger should “transcend politics”. The Labour Party has also threatened to bring the issue back to the House of Commons if Mr Johnson does not relent. Members

Shoppers in Wales have criticised government measures which mean “non-essential items” have been put behind metal barriers or covered with plastic sheeting in supermarkets. Photos on social media shows products such as pillows and bedsheets under a plastic covering at a Tesco store, while a photo from a Morrisons supermarket shows children’s clothes behind a

The Welsh government is to review how the ban on supermarkets selling non-essential items is working to make sure “common sense is applied”, First Minister Mark Drakeford has said. More than 34,000 people had signed a petition calling on politicians to reverse the ban on Saturday, which it described as “disproportionate and cruel”. As Wales

Around 1.4 million people in South Yorkshire are now under England’s toughest coronavirus restrictions. From 12.01am on Saturday, Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield were covered by Tier 3 restrictions, aimed at cutting the spread of the virus. Households will be banned from mixing, except in parks and other open spaces, while pubs and bars must

A deal on putting Warrington into Tier 3 has been agreed, council leaders have told Sky News. The deal, which has not yet been confirmed by the government, includes £4.2m in financial support for businesses. However, it has not yet been decided when the new coronavirus restrictions will come into effect across the northern town,

The Maldives, Canary Islands, Mykonos and Denmark have been removed from the UK’s quarantine list. This means people will no longer need to self-isolate for 14 days when returning from these places from 4am on Sunday. This could lead to a surge of bookings for October half-term breaks and holidaymakers seeking winter sun. Lichtenstein is

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has vowed to “go further” as he announced three new measures to help workers and businesses get through the winter and a coronavirus second spike. Speaking in the House of Commons, he said cash grants of up to £2,100 a month will be given to firms in Tier 2 areas – enough

The number of people reported to have tested positive for coronavirus in the UK has gone up by a record 26,688. It is the highest daily rise since 4 October, when 22,961 cases were recorded, although that number was inflated because of a system glitch. A further 191 deaths have also been confirmed within 28

Coronavirus restrictions in Scotland are being extended for another week, taking the nation into a new tiered system. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said details of the new system will be published on Friday and the measures will be implemented from 2 November. Restrictions put in place two weeks ago on hospitality businesses had been due

Greater Manchester will enter Tier 3 coronavirus restrictions from Friday, Boris Johnson has confirmed. The prime minister announced the move to tougher COVID-19 measures – the top alert level, called “very high” – after talks with local leaders ended without a deal. The imposition of extra restrictions comes amid a bitter row with politicians in

The midday deadline for a deal on tougher coronavirus restrictions in Greater Manchester has passed without news of a breakthrough. Local leaders are pushing for the government to up their offer of £22 million to £75 million to help struggling workers and firms, and pay the council more for contact tracing and rules enforcement. Neither