Politics

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has not ruled out imposing local lockdown restrictions in places worst affected by the Indian variant of coronavirus. With a higher transmissibility than the Kent variant – which drove the UK’s deadly second wave – there are fears the Indian variant could derail England’s final roadmap step of lifting all restrictions

There is a “high degree of confidence” that vaccines protect against the Indian variant of COVID-19 – but it can “spread like wildfire” among those who haven’t had a jab, Matt Hancock has told Sky News. The health secretary urged those who are eligible for vaccination – but have not yet booked an appointment –

Easing restrictions in England next week is the right thing to do, the government has said, after a warning that it might cause a “substantial resurgence” in hospital admissions. Health minister Edward Argar urged people to behave responsibly as lockdown measures are relaxed across England on Monday. It comes amid mounting concern over the spread

Easing lockdown measures in England on Monday could cause “a substantial resurgence” in hospital admissions that is similar to previous peaks or larger, the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies has warned. Minutes of a meeting on Thursday suggest there is a “realistic possibility” that the Indian variant of COVID-19 is 50% more transmissible than the

This was a news conference that earlier in the week probably wasn’t in the prime minister’s diary. What was in his diary was a convivial lunch with the Taoiseach Micheal Martin at his Chequers country retreat. The prime minister has grown fond of Chequers, we’re told, and missed escaping to the peace and quiet of

A minister has told Sky News that step three of England’s lockdown easing will still go ahead on Monday, despite soaring cases of the Indian variant of coronavirus in the UK. Latest figures show there are 1,313 cases of the variant in the UK, up from the 520 recorded the previous week. Live COVID updates

David Cameron has said he was paid a “generous annual amount” which was “far more than I earned as prime minister” to lobby on behalf of a now-collapsed financial services firm. Mr Cameron is appearing in front of two Commons committees to answer questions about his actions on behalf of Greensill Capital. Follow lives updates

Former prime minister David Cameron is set to face a long afternoon of questions from MPs over his lobbying for a now-collapsed finance firm. The ex-premier is due to appear on Thursday before two separate House of Commons committees over his actions on behalf of Greensill Capital. Mr Cameron has already been revealed to have

An independent public inquiry into the government’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic will begin in the spring of next year, the prime minister has announced. Boris Johnson revealed the news in a COVID-19 statement to MPs in the Commons on Wednesday. He said that the government will launch a consultation on its terms of reference.

Labour’s new shadow chancellor, Rachel Reeves, will use her first House of Commons appearance in her new role to claim the government is “set to fail” workers after the COVID pandemic. Opening the Queen’s Speech debate for Labour on Wednesday, Ms Reeves will attack the absence of an Employment Bill from the government’s legislative agenda

The government has promised to tackle obesity and improve mental health support, but there is no sign of long-promised legislation to reform adult social care. Boris Johnson has set out his legislative agenda for the new parliamentary session in the Queen’s Speech. Follow live updates from the Queen’s Speech Proposals on social care will be

Lex Greensill, the billionaire founder of the now bankrupt finance firm Greensill Capital, is to be questioned by MPs later in relation to the ongoing Westminster lobbying scandal. The treasury select committee is conducting an inquiry into the links between Mr Greensill, the government, and David Cameron – who was employed by Greensill Capital as

People in England will be able to enjoy a pint or a meal indoors, hug their loved ones and return to cinemas – but not dance at weddings – in a week’s time as Boris Johnson confirmed the latest easing of England’s COVID lockdown. The prime minister has said the country will proceed to step

Boris Johnson has confirmed a major easing of COVID-19 restrictions in England will go ahead from next week. At a news conference on Monday evening the prime minister will say that from 17 May, meetings of six people, or two households, will be allowed to take place indoors for the first time since January. Indoor

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is to stage a frontbench reshuffle amid a row over the sacking of the party’s chairman in the wake of dismal election results. He is seen to have been bounced into the move after a backlash over removing his deputy Angela Rayner from her role as national campaign co-ordinator, with

The prime minister has called a summit with the leaders of the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, saying the UK is “best served when we work together”. Boris Johnson‘s offer comes after Nicola Sturgeon warned the PM not to block her push for a second Scottish independence referendum. UK elections live: Follow