Politics

England will move to the fourth and final stage of the government’s roadmap for lifting lockdown restrictions in a week’s time, the health secretary has confirmed to MPs. In what Sajid Javid said was a “major milestone for this country”, the move to step four on 19 July will see social distancing rules and limits

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said “caution is absolutely vital” as he prepares to address the nation on Monday to announce whether the final stage of releasing coronavirus restrictions can go ahead. The prime minister is expected to confirm that England can move to step four of the government’s roadmap out of lockdown, but to

An eight-week interval between vaccine doses provides “much better” protection from coronavirus, vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi has said, as he dismissed reports that the gap is due to be reduced from eight weeks to four. Mr Zahawi also told Sky News he is “confident” that Prime Minister Boris Johnson will announce on Monday that COVID

Labour has called for Theresa May’s former communications director to be sacked from the BBC board over claims he tried to block someone from a senior job on political grounds. Sir Robbie Gibb, who became non-executive director at the Corporation in May, tried to stop Jess Brammar, former HuffPost UK editor and Newsnight journalist, from

Boris Johnson’s Brexit minister has blamed Theresa May for problems with the implementation of border arrangements for Northern Ireland. Lord Frost told members of the Northern Ireland Assembly on Friday that current issues with the Northern Ireland Protocol were “to a very large degree” the fault of negotiations under Mr Johnson‘s predecessor as prime minister.

Reducing the sensitivity of the NHS COVID app to bring down the number of people being told to self-isolate is “like taking the batteries out of the smoke alarm”, Sir Keir Starmer has said. On Thursday, the head of the UK Health Security Agency, Dr Jenny Harries, confirmed that ministers plan to “tune” the app

Details of a plan to allow vaccinated expats into the UK without having to quarantine could be revealed in the “next couple of weeks”, the transport secretary has said. Grant Shapps told Sky News that ministers are “actively working” on proposals to allow those who received their jabs outside of the UK to be exempt

The government will set out its plans for post-Brexit arrangements for Northern Ireland within the next two weeks – as Labour claimed trust in Boris Johnson over the issue had fallen to “an all-time low”. At the end of last month, the UK and EU agreed a three-month extension to a grace period to avert

Fully vaccinated adults will no longer have to quarantine on their return from amber list countries from 19 July, Grant Shapps has confirmed. Making a statement on international travel in the Commons, the transport secretary said those who have received two jabs will no longer have to self-isolate for 10 days after their return to

Boris Johnson has told MPs that possible herd immunity is “not the consideration” behind holding back changes to COVID self-isolation rules until 16 August. The prime minister is facing a backlash after he set out his intention to press ahead with the final lifting of coronavirus restrictions in England on 19 July – but the

Boris Johnson has repeatedly declined to say how many people are expected to have to self-isolate following the final relaxation of COVID restrictions in England on 19 July. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer accused the prime minister of putting the country on course for a “summer of chaos and confusion” as he noted Health Secretary

Boris Johnson is heading for a COVID showdown with MPs amid a backlash over a six-week wait for the ending of self-isolation rules. Conservative MPs and business leaders have reacted furiously after Health Secretary Sajid Javid said children and fully vaccinated adults will have to follow current self-isolation rules until 16 August. This means they

Those who have received two vaccination doses will no longer have to self-isolate if they come into contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 from 16 August. Making an announcement in the Commons on changes to the government’s self-isolation policy, newly appointed Health Secretary Sajid Javid also confirmed self-isolation rules for those aged

Boris Johnson is suffering a backlash over his plans to ditch rules on wearing face masks. Doctors, regional mayors, trade unions and health charities are among those who have expressed fears over the relaxed measures. Image: Boris Johnson wants to ease face mask restrictions as soon as 19 July. File pic Labour leader Sir Keir

Wearing a face mask is set to become a “personal choice” – but some medical experts say they will continue to wear them in crowded environments. Speaking to Sky News on Monday, Health Minister Helen Whately said she “can’t wait to not have to wear a mask” when the restrictions allow. But medical director of

Boris Johnson will reveal how he plans to “restore people’s freedoms” in England at a news conference on Monday, ahead of the final stage of his roadmap out of lockdown. Downing Street said the prime minister wants to give the public and businesses more time to prepare for the easing of restrictions on 19 July,