UK

British airline Flybe has ceased trading and all scheduled flights have been cancelled. In a statement posted on its Twitter account Flybe said: “We are sad to announce that Flybe has been placed into administration. “David Pike and Mike Pink of Interpath have been appointed administrators. “Regretfully, Flybe has now ceased trading. “All Flybe flights

A maintenance worker has died after being crushed by a telescopic urinal in central London. Emergency services were called to the scene at Cambridge Circus in the West End just after 1pm today to reports of a “seriously injured” man. The incident took place outside the Palace Theatre, home to Harry Potter and the Cursed

The chancellor will dismiss “gloom” about the prospects for the UK economy and say the government will bring about long-term prosperity in a plan “energised” by Brexit. Mr Hunt will deliver an upbeat message in a keynote speech today, where he will say the government has a plan to use “British genius and British hard

Sir Rod Stewart has called in to a live Sky News phone-in offering to donate money for medical scans after hearing stories from people about treatment ordeals on the NHS. The singer said it was “ridiculous” that people were having to wait long periods to get essential scans and treatment. The 78-year-old told Sky News:

The NHS winter crisis has been a struggle for patients and staff alike – but it has also prompted a long overdue and necessary debate about its sustainability and future. There are those – like former health secretary Sajid Javid – who think the way forward for the free cradle-to-grave service is to start charging

Two to three criminal cases against officers are expected to go to court every week in the coming months, the Met Police commissioner has revealed. The criminal cases are a “mix of dishonesty, violence and violence against women and girls”, Sir Mark Rowley said. He also apologised to the victims of former officer David Carrick

Ambulance response times are currently the worst on record and the NHS is struggling to cope with a surge in demand this winter. Sky News joined West Midlands Ambulance Service paramedic Danny Thompson and ambulance technician Dan Fiedler for a 12-hour shift. 7am: Elderly couple ‘too scared’ to call 999 Freezing fog hangs over Coventry

Police searching for a missing couple and their newborn baby believe the family has been sleeping in a tent in sub-zero temperatures. Officers have been trying to find Constance Marten, 35, and Mark Gordon, 48, since their car broke down on the M61 near Bolton on 5 January. Police say they went into an Argos

Failings by probation officers left a sexual predator able to stalk and kill law graduate Zara Aleena – just days after he was released from jail, according to a watchdog. A damning report found a catalogue of errors in the Probation Service’s handling of Jordan McSweeney, which meant he was not treated as a high-risk

An investigation will be launched into the appointment of the BBC chairman following reports he helped Boris Johnson secure a loan. William Shawcross, the Commissioner for Public Appointments, said he would review the competition which led to Richard Sharp’s appointment while Mr Johnson was prime minister. He made the announcement in response to a request

Ambulance workers are staging a fresh strike in the escalating dispute over pay and staffing. It comes after the chancellor was told he can halt industrial action and begin solving the staffing emergency if he comes up with new money to pay health workers “fairly”. But Unison warned Jeremy Hunt that if he continues to resist

The foreign secretary has evaded answering questions on the latest ‘sleaze’ allegations surrounding Boris Johnson to hit the Conservative Party. James Cleverly was asked about a claim that the BBC chairman Richard Sharp helped the former prime minister arrange a guarantee on a loan of up to £800,000, weeks before he was then recommended for

Buckingham Palace has squashed any suggestions of a slimmed down coronation by announcing a three-day weekend of “ceremonial, celebratory and community events”. Taking place between Saturday 6 and Monday 8 May, King Charles has insisted the historic moment should be “rooted in longstanding traditions and pageantry” but also “look towards the future”. The King’s first

Nadhim Zahawi says his tax error was found to be “careless and not deliberate” after Labour called for him to be sacked over his finances. The Tory chairman and cabinet member released a statement saying he wanted to “address some of the confusion” about his finances. He said his father took founder shares in YouGov

A mother has accused her daughter’s school in Birmingham of having a “racist hair policy” after she was “banned” from the canteen and playground. Jade Samuels claimed her daughter was barred from the areas at Bishop Challoner Catholic College due to her braided hairstyle which featured a heart shape. In a viral tweet which has

Rishi Sunak has been given a fixed penalty notice after being caught not wearing a seatbelt. Lancashire Police issued the notice after the prime minister appeared without a belt in a clip on Instagram as he promoted his levelling-up funding in Lancashire. Mr Sunak has accepted the fine. ‘Hapless’ Sunak has photo-op blow up in

The father of Elle Edwards, who was shot dead at a pub last month, has said “Christmas will never be the same” for him and his family.  In his first interview since her death, Tim Edwards spoke of how his “beautiful and caring” daughter “with a heart of gold” will never leave him – as

Two retired Metropolitan Police officers have been charged with offences related to the possession of images showing child sex abuse as part of an investigation into a serving chief inspector who was found dead before he was charged. Jack Addis, 63, of no fixed address and Jeremy Laxton, 62, from Lincolnshire, will appear at Westminster

NHS leaders are making contingency plans as the biggest walkout in the health service’s history looms. Ambulance staff and nurses are both set to go on strike on 6 February – taking industrial action on the same day for the first time ever. Saffron Cordery, the interim chief executive of NHS Providers, has said the

Thousands of nurses will go on strike today as a bitter pay dispute with the government continues. Nursing staff from more than 55 NHS trusts will take part in industrial action on Wednesday and Thursday following two days of action in December. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has announced that two further, bigger strikes