UK

Boris Johnson has promised to set up an independent inquiry into the government’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic. The prime minister resisted calls for it to be formed now, given the warnings of how deadly a second COVID-19 spike could be this winter. He was challenged to commit to it by Sir Ed Davey, acting

Health Secretary Matt Hancock admits he is “worried” about the long-term impacts of coronavirus on those who have been infected. Mr Hancock said a “significant minority” of people had suffered “quite debilitating” conditions after contracting COVID-19. It comes after Sky News reported on how psychosis, insomnia, kidney disease, spinal infections, strokes, chronic tiredness and mobility

Two Lancashire towns teetering on the edge of local lockdown have announced new emergency measures to tackle coronavirus outbreaks. Blackburn with Darwen Council told residents only two people can now visit another person at home and face coverings should be worn in public with immediate effect. It has also urged anyone to get tested for

The number of weekly registered deaths involving the coronavirus has fallen to the lowest level since the lockdown was first introduced. The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show that the number of deaths registered in England and Wales in the week ending 3 July involving COVID-19 was 532. This is the lowest

Coronavirus infections could grow “out of control” in the UK with a second spike leading to 120,000 deaths in a “reasonable worst-case scenario”, ministers have been warned. The forecast counts the number of people who could die in hospitals before next June and comes from a report commissioned by Sir Patrick Vallance, the government’s chief

Social care workers do not qualify for the government’s new health and care visa under the UK’s post-Brexit immigration system, Downing Street has confirmed. Home Secretary Priti Patel has unveiled details of how the UK’s new points-based system will operate when it comes into effect on 1 January next year, after EU freedom of movement

Dozens of key workers picking and packing vegetables at a farm in Herefordshire have tested positive for coronavirus. AS Green and Co, based in Mathon near Malvern, says 73 of its 200 employees have COVID-19 following an outbreak there. Workers are being asked to isolate on the farm and stay within household groups to reduce

More employees should return to work rather than stay at home to ensure “the economic engines of this country are fired up again”, Michael Gove has told Sky News. Ditching the previous government messaging during the coronavirus pandemic, the Cabinet Office minister said people who can “add value” from being in the workplace should do

Football clubs, sports stars and politicians have paid tribute to former England footballer and Ireland manager Jack Charlton, who has died aged 85. The Football Association of Ireland changed its mast head picture on Twitter to an image of a smiling Charlton, and tweeted videos and pictures of some of the national team’s finest moments

England World Cup hero and Leeds United legend Jack Charlton has died. The 85-year-old passed away peacefully at his Northumberland home on Friday, his family said. He was diagnosed with lymphoma in the last year and was also suffering from dementia. Charlton, the older brother of Bobby Charlton, was part of England’s World Cup-winning team

Boris Johnson has served notice that tougher rules on wearing face masks could be on the way, as he appealed to people working from home to go back to work. In a significant shift in COVID-19 policy, the prime minister said the government now needs to be stricter on insisting people wear masks in confined

Quarantine rules end today for people travelling to the UK from more than 70 countries and British Overseas Territories. People will no longer have to isolate for 14 days but they will still have to provide an address where they are staying. There are some exceptions for not providing an address, including those travelling within

Beauty salons, tanning shops and tattooists can reopen in England from Monday, the government has said, while gyms and indoor swimming pools will be allowed to let customers return later this month. In a further easing of lockdown restrictions, outdoor swimming pools can reopen from Saturday and indoor gyms, swimming pools, dance studios and sports

Thousands of workers whose jobs put them at higher risk of catching coronavirus will be tested even if they have no symptoms. A select group of staff such as taxi drivers, cleaners and retail assistants will be part of the pilot. The Department of Health said it was to see if there is demand for

A woman has died after a 20-metre crane collapsed on houses in east London. The woman was found on the first floor of one of the properties that was damaged after the crane came down in Bow, London Fire Brigade said. Two people are in hospital with head injuries while two others were treated by

Campaigner Marie Lyon broke down in tears as she read the report. “At last!” she exclaimed.  After four decades of campaigning, she has achieved something extraordinary – recognition, finally, that she and hundreds of other families have been wronged. An independent review has found that children suffered “avoidable harm” from failure to regulate a drug