UK

The government is expected to clear the way for a visa change that would allow thousands of foreign lorry drivers to work in the UK. The temporary measures would be aimed at HGV truckers from abroad plugging the gaps that have been blamed for causing queues at petrol pumps and shortages in some food items.

The family of murdered primary school teacher Sabina Nessa have said they are “shattered” by her death – as mourners gathered for a vigil held in her memory. The memorial is being held in Cator Park, where the 28-year-old was attacked as she walked to meet a friend at a pub near her home in

Big businesses including BT, Thames Water and the Co-op have called on the government to phase out gas power by 2035, in a week when spiralling gas import prices have left the UK grappling with enormous price hikes. In a letter shared exclusively with Sky News, the household names told ministers “the time is right

A high court judgement is expected later that could prevent unborn babies with disabilities, including Down’s syndrome, being aborted after 24 weeks.  A 26-year-old with Downs’ syndrome is among those who brought the case that is seeking to overturn the current Abortion Act that allows parents to terminate pregnancies where there is a severe foetal

The UK has recorded 34,460 new COVID-19 cases and 166 more deaths in the last 24-hour period, with 7,567 people currently in hospital with the disease, according to the latest available data. The latest figures from the government compare to 31,564 infections and 203 fatalities on Tuesday. This time last week, 30,597 cases and 201

Virtually any child between the ages of 12 and 15 would get COVID-19 at some point without vaccination, England’s chief medical officer has said. Professor Chris Whitty said that the highest rate of coronavirus transmission is currently occurring in children of this age group. Approximately half of all children have already had coronavirus during the

The UK has recorded 203 more coronavirus-related deaths and 31,564 new cases in the latest 24-hour period, with the number of COVID patients in hospital now at 7,731. The latest figures from the government compare with 36,100 infections and 49 fatalities reported on Monday. This time last week, 26,628 cases and 185 deaths were announced.

Hundreds of people have attended a vigil in Killamarsh, near Sheffield, to remember a mother and three children who were found dead in the village. A crowd of around 300, including many children, turned up on Monday evening – a few hundred metres from where Terri Harris, 35, was found dead with her children, John

A “broken” father of two children who were found dead over the weekend has paid tribute to his “TikTok queen” and “beautiful boy”. Jason Bennett, who said the children were 11 and 13, broke down as he laid flowers near the house in Killamarsh, Derbyshire, where police are investigating the deaths of four people. “I’m

Rich countries must do more to help developing nations cut carbon emissions, Boris Johnson will tell other world leaders at a high-level gathering in New York. The prime minister will be hosting the meeting on climate change with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. It is understood the PM is likely to focus on coal, cash

Tottenham Hotspur and England legend Jimmy Greaves has died aged 81. During an illustrious playing career, the striker scored 382 times in 579 club appearances. Greaves was part of England’s 1966 World Cup winning squad, and remains fourth on the Three Lions’ all-time top goalscorer list. In just 57 appearances for his country, Greaves scored

A top doctor is urging unvaccinated students to get their COVID-19 jabs during freshers week, to protect themselves and their new peers against the virus. Professor Stephen Powis, national medical director for NHS England said: “Starting university is a really exciting time and getting your COVID vaccine means you will be armed with maximum protection

A major relaxing of travel rules for people coming in and out of England have been announced by the transport secretary. From 4 October, the current traffic light system of red, amber and green countries will be scrapped and replaced with one red list only. Travel traffic light system scrapped – follow live updates Anywhere

Stopping violence against women should be considered as much of a priority for the police as combating terrorism, a major report has found. That is the recommendation from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) which found “problems, unevenness and inconsistencies” in the police’s response to the “epidemic” of violence against

Major changes to the rules for international travel are expected to be announced tomorrow, according to reports. The green and amber lists will be merged into one category of low-risk nations and the number of places on the red list will be reduced, some reports say. Live updates ahead of latest travel announcement Please use

The NHS has started rolling out COVID-19 booster jabs. Over 50s, people in care homes, frontline health and social care workers and vulnerable people between 16 and 49 are among those who will be offered a third dose. At least six months must have passed since the second jab. Hospital hubs began giving third doses

The prime minister has warned coronavirus “is still out there” but vowed his new COVID winter plan “will give us the confidence” to avoid lockdowns. Speaking at a Downing Street briefing on the day the government set out its winter plan for managing COVID-19 in England, Boris Johnson said that higher case numbers than this

Lockdowns through the winter will be an “absolutely last resort”, the vaccines minister has told Sky News. Nadhim Zahawi said the government will instead rely on vaccines to shift COVID-19 from pandemic to endemic status. He told Sky News: “Lockdowns will be an absolutely last resort. “What we’re trying to do at the moment is

Boris Johnson’s mother has died at the age of 79. Charlotte Johnson Wahl, a professional painter, passed away “suddenly and peacefully” at a London hospital on Monday. Johnson Wahl had been suffering from Parkinson’s disease. During an interview in 2008, she had said: “I try to paint every day if I possibly can, though I

The prime minister is said to be “dead set” on avoiding another lockdown as he prepares to reveal his plan for managing COVID-19 over the autumn and winter. Boris Johnson is expected to address a news conference on Tuesday when he will outline how vaccinations will provide Britain’s main defence over the colder months. According