The legal requirement for people who test positive for coronavirus to self-isolate will be removed from Thursday and free symptomatic and asymptomatic testing will end in England from 1 April, the PM has announced. Boris Johnson confirmed the move as he unveiled his government’s plan for “living with COVID” in the Commons. The changes will
Politics
A cabinet meeting to sign off on Boris Johnson’s “living with COVID” strategy has been delayed due to a row over free testing. Number 10 has told Sky News that the gathering has been pushed back while the prime minister is briefed, with ministers convening later on Monday afternoon to agree the plan. Mr Johnson’s
Boris Johnson is expected to announce how England will “live with COVID” on Monday as he considers dropping all remaining restrictions, Downing Street said. The prime minister will meet his cabinet ministers on Monday morning to agree the plan for living with the virus after nearly three years of restrictions, according to Number 10. He
The plan to end all legal COVID restrictions marks a key moment for everyone in England – but for Boris Johnson’s premiership too. It puts the country at the forefront of learning to live with the disease which has wrought havoc on the world for the past couple of years. Some say it is a
People in England will no longer have to self-isolate after testing positive for coronavirus by the end of next week, Downing Street has said. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to announce the decision on Monday, which also applies to close contacts, as he moves to scrap all remaining COVID-19 restrictions. When he unveils his
Boris Johnson has responded to a questionnaire from the Metropolitan Police about Downing Street gatherings during coronavirus restrictions. A Number 10 spokesperson confirmed to Sky News that the prime minister has returned the document. Downing Street has previously said Mr Johnson’s responses will not be made public. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible
Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner has said she wants police to “shoot your terrorists and ask questions second”. Ms Rayner told Matt Forde’s Political Party podcast she was “quite hardline” on law and order and said she would encourage police to “antagonise” criminals. “On things like law and order, I am quite hardline. I am
The justice secretary has revealed plans to create 4,000 prison places at 16 sites in a bid to deliver on the government’s promise to increase capacity by the middle of the decade. Dominic Raab’s plans, which are subject to planning permission being granted, will involve building new wings and refurbishing old prison space. The government
Campaigners found to have been harmed by medical products have written to the health secretary warning that government inaction is “causing pain and destroying lives” by ignoring review recommendations. Some 18 months ago, an independent review recommended financial help for people damaged by some products and drugs that had been prescribed by UK doctors. The
A Russian invasion of Ukraine would bring “massive consequences” for Moscow, the foreign secretary is set to warn Vladimir Putin during a speech in the Ukrainian capital. Liz Truss will visit Ukraine this week as part of continuing diplomatic efforts to avoid a war between Russia and its neighbour. It comes as a senior US
So, why now? Two months ago, when Omicron was racing towards a peak, and the threat from the variant was considered to be severe, the government’s vaccines advisers decided healthy young children should not have the jab. Now, when cases are falling fast and Omicron’s bark is known to have been worse than its bite,
Russia will retaliate if new sanctions are imposed by Britain, according to the country’s foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov. UK ministers last week gained powers to impose tough new sanctions on Russian oligarchs and businesses. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said the “very, very tough” package of sanctions is “ready to go” should Russia launch a
Former health secretary Matt Hancock did not comply with a public sector equality duty when making appointments to top health jobs during the COVID pandemic, the High Court has ruled. In a judgment issued on Tuesday, it was found that Mr Hancock failed to comply with the duty when appointing Conservative peer Baroness Dido Harding
The Welsh government has announced a £330m package to help people with the rising cost of living, support it says goes “above and beyond” that provided by Boris Johnson’s government in England. All households in council tax bands A to D, as well as those in receipt of the council tax reduction scheme, will receive
Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed he has received death threats following the discredited Jimmy Savile remarks Boris Johnson made about him. The Labour leader said he had received death threats after the Metropolitan Police revealed on Sunday it was investigating allegations of malicious communications after receiving a third party report. Asked on Monday morning if
Boris Johnson is love-bombing Scots on Valentine’s Day with a pledge to boost trade and business by creating two “green freeports” north of the border. The prime minister is visiting Scotland on day one of a “levelling-up” tour of the UK which will also take him to England’s North West and North East regions this
Boris Johnson will hold talks with world leaders this week in an attempt to bring Russia “back from the brink” of war, as the Ukraine crisis enters a “critical juncture”. Number 10 warned on Sunday evening that its intelligence “suggests Russia could be a planning an invasion of Ukraine at any moment”, warning of “disastrous
Members of NATO will not tolerate the “bullying” of Ukraine by Russia but still seek a diplomatic solution amid rising tensions at the border, Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis has said. Speaking on Sky News’ Trevor Phillips On Sunday, Mr Lewis said the “threats” Russia is directing at Ukraine are “inappropriate”, adding that the UK
Boris Johnson is facing more pressure over Downing Street parties as he attempts to cling to power, after receiving a questionnaire from the Metropolitan Police. Senior Tory MPs claim that despite his determination to fight on it will be difficult for him to continue as prime minister if he is fined for breaching COVID lockdown
Boris Johnson has been contacted by the Metropolitan Police as part of the probe into lockdown-busting parties held in Downing Street and across Whitehall. A questionnaire on the partygate scandal has been sent to the prime minister from Scotland Yard. It is understood to have been received late on Friday evening. A Number 10 spokesperson