UK

The UK faces a “tipping point” where “more restrictive measures” could be brought in to slow the spread of coronavirus, the health secretary has told Sky News. Matt Hancock said “people have got more relaxed over the summer” but “now is the moment when everybody needs to get back” to following the rules. He told

Boris Johnson must act now – not next week – to tackle a second wave of coronavirus infections across the UK, an expert in infectious disease control has warned. Dr Bharat Pankhania, senior clinical lecturer at the University of Exeter, told Sky News it is “blindingly obvious” what needs to be done to stem the

Newcastle city centre has a strangely subdued atmosphere for a Friday night. This is a party city with a night-time economy worth an estimated £340m, but as the new local lockdown restrictions bite, the pickings are slim. In the Bigg Market, the destination of choice for generations of late night drinkers, the 10pm curfew imposed

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has not ruled out a second national lockdown, telling Sky News: “We’ll do what is necessary to keep people safe.” It has been reported that scientists advising the government have proposed a two-week national lockdown in October to try to tackle the rising number of coronavirus cases. Live coverage of the

The head of Test and Trace has said that she doesn’t believe “anybody was expecting to see the really sizeable increase in demand” for coronavirus tests. Baroness Dido Harding’s comments in front of the Commons Science and Technology Committee come after some residents in COVID-19 hotspots complained they were finding it difficult to get tested.

People in northeast England will not be able to meet others outside their household from today – as Lancashire is also expected to be placed under tighter restrictions.  More than 10 million people across the UK are now in lockdown, after new restrictions in Northumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Gateshead, Sunderland and County Durham

The UK’s revenge porn helpline has dealt with more cases so far this year than it did for the whole of 2019 as calls remain high since the coronavirus lockdown. Around 2,050 reports of so-called revenge porn had been made to the government-funded helpline as of Monday – meaning there has been a 22% rise

Local lockdown measures are to be imposed in the Welsh county of Rhondda Cynon Taf after a rise in coronavirus cases. The new restrictions will come into effect at 6pm on Thursday, 17 September, Welsh health minister Vaughan Gething confirmed. They are being brought in after two key clusters of cases were identified at “a

A man who had a pint of sulphuric acid thrown in his face has told Sky News he is “sickened” after learning his attacker has been moved to an open prison – less than six years after the assault took place. Andreas Christopheros was left blind in one eye and is scarred for life following

Just one in 10 of the world’s population is likely to be protected against COVID-19 in the first year of a vaccine being made available, experts have told Sky News. Analysis of global manufacturing capacity shows just two billion doses could be made in 2021, even if a vaccine was given the green light by

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has admitted there are “challenges” with the coronavirus testing system following a “sharp rise” in demand. Speaking in the House of Commons on Tuesday, Mr Hancock said the government was “working hard” to fix issues with COVID-19 testing availability but admitted it could take a “matter of weeks”. He revealed tests

A builder lured his wife’s lover to a remote farm before murdering him and disposing of his body, a court has heard. Andrew Jones, 53, discovered his wife Rhianon, 51, was having an affair with 55-year-old Michael O’Leary, and killed him after “carefully planning” the murder, Swansea Crown Court was told. Prosecutors said that Jones

People in England who see their neighbours flouting the new “rule of six” are being encouraged to contact police by the government. Social gatherings of more than six people are now illegal in England from today. People face fines of up to £3,200 if they do not abide by the new measure, which aims to

Social gatherings of more than six people are now illegal in England as the coronavirus “rule of six” comes into force. From today, people face fines of up to £3,200 if they do not abide by the new measure which aims to curb an increase in COVID-19 cases. A total of 3,330 confirmed coronavirus cases

Police have shut down a series of illegal parties overnight as people enjoyed a final weekend of revelry before tougher coronavirus restrictions come into force. With hours until the “rule of six” takes effect, Greater Manchester Police said it had halted illegal gatherings at properties in Altrincham and Flixton on Saturday night, along with a

Another 3,497 people have tested positive for coronavirus in the UK, government figures show. The number of new cases is a 36% increase on last Saturday, when 2,594 new infections were confirmed nationwide. A further nine people have died within 28 days of returning a positive test – all of them in England. This brings