Politics

Former footballer Gary Neville has criticised Labour’s decision to abstain in a vote on coronavirus restrictions, saying: “You’re the opposition, don’t sit in the stand.” “They sat in the stand whilst the home team had a clear run,” Neville told Sophy Ridge on Sunday in reference to the vote last Tuesday on the government’s new

Brexit trade talks are “in a very difficult position, there’s no point denying that”, Environment Secretary George Eustice has told Sky News. Speaking to Sophy Ridge On Sunday, he said progress was being made but then the EU “added a whole load of additional demands” which created problems and was a “setback”. The minister said

Brexit negotiations are stuck on three critical issues and “further effort” is needed to break the deadlock, UK and European Union leaders have said. Prime Minister Boris Johnson and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen issued a joint statement following an hour-long discussion on Saturday. They said that while “progress has been achieved in

Saturday could be the most important day in Brexit since the UK’s formal exit from the EU at the end of January. Significant gaps remain between the two sides in the negotiation over a post-Brexit trade deal. Talks between the EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier and his UK counterpart David Frost have reached the end

Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson has been arrested in connection with an investigation into building and planning developments in the city, Sky News understands. He is one of five men arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit bribery and witness intimidation offences. None have been charged or named by Merseyside Police, with the force releasing

The government has promised to cut greenhouse gas emissions by more than two thirds (68%) of what they were in 1990 by 2030. The announcement is what’s known as an NDC – or nationally determined contribution – and is a key factor in efforts to tackle climate change. Under the Paris climate change agreement of

The latest round of talks on a post-Brexit trade deal “did not go well”, Sky News understands, with a UK source suggesting that hopes of an agreement are now “receding”. According to Sky’s deputy political editor Sam Coates, the sticking point was the so-called “level playing field”. This is the issue of preventing unfair competition

A review into the UK government’s handling of the pandemic is set to be published today and will accuse ministers of “gambling with the UK’s future” by relaxing restrictions over Christmas. In a scathing review, cross-party MPs have made over 40 recommendations to the government “so that its preparedness and response may be improved in

It will take “some months” for the UK’s most vulnerable people to be vaccinated against coronavirus, the prime minister has said. Speaking at a Downing Street news conference, Boris Johnson acknowledged there will be “immense logistical challenges” in distributing the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, which has approved for use in the UK. Live updates on coronavirus from

Boris Johnson suffered the worst rebellion since the election, on what will be the defining issue of his premiership. The breadth of the Tory revolt over his revised tier system was notable – ideologically from the left to the right of the party, from 1922 grandee to 2019 newbie. All of this still less than

England’s new tiered system of coronavirus restrictions has been approved by MPs, although a sizable number of Conservatives appear to have rebelled against the measures. The system was approved by 291 votes to 78, a majority of 213. A full breakdown of the vote has not yet been released, but the figures suggest that there

Boris Johnson is heading for a COVID showdown with rebel Tory MPs, despite being assured of victory in a Commons vote after Sir Keir Starmer said Labour will abstain. Around 50 Conservative MPs are predicted to come out against the government in a vote to approve the tier system of COVID curbs in England, in

The health secretary has said that England’s lockdown means “we’ve got this virus back under control” – but warned continued vigilance is needed. Speaking at a Downing Street news conference, Matt Hancock acknowledged that the second national shutdown has been tough. Live updates on coronavirus from UK and around world Please use Chrome browser for

It is “too early to say” if another national lockdown will be needed after Christmas, according to a senior minister. George Eustice said “you can’t rule anything out” when asked by Sky News if the “stay at home” measures could come back into force to keep coronavirus under control. The environment secretary also admitted it

The EU and UK are entering “the last week or so” of “substantive” post-Brexit trade negotiations, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has told Sky News. With the Brexit transition period set to end in little more than a month’s time, Mr Raab suggested talks might soon be reaching a conclusion. However, he called on the EU

Standing on the steps of Downing Street after winning the 2019 election, Boris Johnson directly addressed the country: “If you ask yourselves what is this new government going to do, what is he going to do with his extraordinary majority, I will tell you… we are going to unite and level up.” It was less