UK

Current high numbers of coronavirus cases in schools where only some teenagers have been vaccinated “provide the ideal conditions” for a new variant to emerge, government scientists have warned. The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies says that “very high prevalence in schools combined with partly-vaccinated 12 to 16-year-olds in a highly mixing population” makes a

The UK has summoned the French ambassador after a British scallop trawler was detained – as a row over fishing rights continues to escalate. A government spokesman condemned “unjustified” threats from France over further action amid the ongoing dispute. Brexit minister Lord Frost chaired a meeting on Thursday to consider London’s response. “The proposed French

Glasgow has been hit by flooding just days before the city hosts the crucial climate change summit COP26. Footage and pictures on social media shows cars driving through flood water in some streets as heavy rain lashes the city and causes disruption to transport. Some Glasgow residents have tweeted that several roads including Maryhill Road,

A serving Metropolitan Police officer has been remanded in custody after being charged with rape. PC Adam Zaman, who is based on the East Area Command Unit, was charged by City of London Police earlier today. The 28-year-old appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court this afternoon and has been remanded in custody until his next hearing

Beliefs in witchcraft have been linked to reports of rape, assault, false imprisonment and threats to kill in the UK in the last three years, Sky News can reveal. In one incident, police were called after a parent said their child was “pushed down stairs by a ghost or spirit” and a priest had been

NHS Test and Trace has failed to achieve its “main objective” of helping break chains of COVID transmission and allowing people to return to normality despite being given an “eye-watering” amount of money, a highly-critical report from MPs has said. According to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), the programme’s outcomes have been “muddled” and a

A former Conservative minister should be suspended from the Commons for lobbying on behalf of two companies, a standards body has ruled. Owen Paterson was found to have “repeatedly used his privileged position” to benefit Randox, a clinical diagnostics company, and Lynn’s Country Foods, a meat processor and distributor and has been recommended for suspension

The number of police officers being reported for abusing their role for sexual gain has soared in the past year following changes to strengthen how the issue is investigated. Two thirds of the cases investigated by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) between 2018 and 2021 happened in the past year. The IOPC’s Deputy

Coronavirus cases could fall significantly in November without any restrictions being reintroduced, modelling seen by the government suggests. Experts at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) have predicted that – even without the government’s ‘Plan B’ – COVID cases, hospital admissions and deaths in England will peak in November and start to

Two million eligible people will be invited to receive a COVID-19 booster jab from the NHS this week, as the government seeks to see off a sharp rise in cases without introducing Plan B measures. Calls for the reintroduction of masks, social distancing and working from home continued over the weekend, but ministers have so

A “record number” of coronavirus booster jabs were administered on Saturday, with more than 800,000 inoculations given in the past 72 hours, the NHS has said. A total of 5.1 million third jabs have been given, with around half of people aged 50 and over – and those who are currently eligible – being given

Boris Johnson has repeated his call for those eligible to get their COVID-19 booster jabs over the coming weeks, insisting vaccines are the UK’s “way through” the pandemic. The prime minister has resisted calls from health leaders to implement the government’s Plan B for managing rising infection rates this winter, which would see tighter restrictions

A 14-year-old boy is among four people arrested on suspicion of murder following a triple stabbing sparked by a “verbal dispute”. Police were called to reports of an assault outside the Royal British Legion on High Street, Lymington, on Friday at 11.55pm, where they found two men and a woman with stab wounds, a Hampshire

The former head of England’s coronavirus vaccine delivery drive is returning to the NHS to lead the booster jabs rollout amid growing concerns about COVID-19’s impact this winter. Dr Emily Lawson had played a key role in the success of the initial rollout of coronavirus vaccines but in April she moved to Downing Street’s “delivery

Five police officers from four different forces are facing disciplinary action over messages about Wayne Couzens. Couzens received a whole-life prison sentence last month after admitting to the kidnap, rape and murder of Sarah Everard. Now, two officers from the Metropolitan Police, and one from each force in Sussex, Dorset and Avon and Somerset are

The Queen spent a night in hospital after cancelling a visit to Northern Ireland, Buckingham Palace has said. A spokesman added: “Following medical advice to rest for a few days, the Queen attended hospital on Wednesday afternoon for some preliminary investigations, returning to Windsor Castle at lunchtime today (Thursday), and remains in good spirits.” It

Coronavirus case rates among schoolchildren in England have reached a new record high, according to the latest government data. Rates of COVID-19 are also increasing in all but one region in England. A total of 1,366.8 cases per 100,000 people aged 10 to 19 were logged in the seven days to 17 October – up

The lack of social distancing and mask wearing is proof of “compassion fatigue”, according to a chronically ill woman forced to stay at home for 19 months. Kimmy Soko suffers from a number of serious conditions that leave her with a weakened immune system. It means she’s understandably terrified of catching COVID-19. “Me getting COVID

The UK has recorded another 49,139 new COVID cases and 179 virus-related deaths, the latest figures show. The cases figure is the highest since 17 July, when there were 54,674 cases. A total of 320,594 cases have been recorded in the last week – an increase of 17.2%. The figures show there were another 42,902

As UK coronavirus cases continue to rise and leading figures warn about NHS capacity, the government may soon come under pressure to start rolling out its Plan B to tackle the virus this winter. Health Secretary Sajid Javid set out the government’s options for the next few months back in September. Plan A is largely