UK

Councils across England have been given fresh powers to shut down shops and cancel events in a move aimed at preventing local lockdowns. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Friday that local authorities would be given stronger controls in time for the weekend, as he set out new details for returning the country to normality

A 26-year-old man has been jailed for the “ferocious” killing of his heavily pregnant ex-girlfriend and their baby during a jealous rage. Aaron McKenzie, from Peckham, south London, was given a life sentence with a minimum term of 35 years for the murder of Kelly-Mary Fauvrelle, also aged 26, and a further 20 years for

Swift local lockdowns – including the shutting down of businesses, cancellation of events and restrictions on travel to certain areas – will aim to control future COVID-19 outbreaks. Boris Johnson outlined the plan to contain localised flare-ups in COVID-19 infections as he expressed his hope of a “more significant return to normality” by Christmas. As

More than 4,000 people were discharged from hospital into care homes without being tested for COVID-19 around the peak of the pandemic, figures obtained by Sky News reveal. The data from NHS Trusts shows two thirds of elderly patients discharged hadn’t had a coronavirus test. A total of 6,435 elderly patients were discharged between 19

Russian groups sought to interfere in last year’s general election through the promotion of leaked documents on a potential US-UK trade deal, the government has found. In a written statement to parliament, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab revealed there is an ongoing criminal investigation into the issue. He vowed the UK would “continue to call out

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