UK

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

Rising COVID-19 cases heading into winter “suggest this peak could be as serious as the last”, the UK’s former chief scientific adviser has warned. Sir David King was speaking to Sky News a day after 49,156 cases were reported – the highest since mid-July. Cases have been regularly over 40,000 in the last week –

Gracie Spinks, a 23-year-old Derbyshire woman who is thought to have been killed by a man she had reported for stalking, was let down by the police, according to her family. Speaking exclusively to Sky News ahead of what would have been Gracie’s 24th birthday, her parents said officers failed to recognise the danger their

Newsreader George Alagiah said he is “determined to come back” as his agent confirmed the presenter is dealing with a “further spread of cancer” and is to take a break from broadcasting. The TV journalist, 65, was diagnosed with bowel cancer in April 2014 and again in December 2017. In 2020, he also contracted COVID-19

Instances of abuse reported to the police by politicians are not always followed up by forces, an MP has told Sky News, as he recalled having his car vandalised and office subject to an arson attack. Andrew Rosindell, Conservative MP for Romford, said there are “a lot more nasty people around than ever before”. Killing

Saturday in Southend is quiet, and lacking in the usual buzz of a seaside town on a weekend. Local MP, Sir David Amess, has been murdered and everyone is talking about it. People here seem to be seeking solace, or someone to share their grief, or better still someone to tell them this nightmare isn’t

Leading politicians and local figures are among those who have left moving tributes to Sir David Amess, following the death of the 69-year-old. Those paying their respects to the Southend West MP at the scene of his killing include Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle,

A soldier has died during a military training exercise in Wiltshire, the army has said. The soldier died on the Salisbury Plain Training Area, with local news website Wiltshire Today reporting that a tank had rolled over in the incident. An army spokesperson said: “It is with sadness that we can confirm the death of

Former US vice president Al Gore has said the Queen is right to feel “irritated” at climate change inaction and those who “talk but don’t do”. It comes after the 95-year-old monarch was overheard making the remarks after opening the Senedd in Cardiff, in a conversation with the Duchess of Cornwall and Elin Jones, the

COVID testing has been suspended at a private laboratory in Wolverhampton after an estimated 43,000 people were given incorrect results. An investigation was launched into reports of people receiving negative PCR test results after they had previously tested positive on a lateral flow device. NHS Test and Trace estimates that 400,000 coronavirus test samples were

Butchers and abattoir workers from overseas will be granted seasonal worker visas to deal with the backlog of pigs that need to be slaughtered, the government has announced. Agriculture Secretary George Eustice said about 800 pig butchers from overseas are needed to avoid a mass cull of up to 150,000 of the animals. He expects

Insulate Britain has announced it will “suspend its campaign of civil resistance” until 25 October, in an open letter written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The campaign group has been causing chaos by blocking major roads around London. Police have made multiple arrests during the demonstrations, with angry motorists often clashing with protesters. Several injunctions

One in five public sector key workers are “actively considering” quitting and changing jobs, according to the Trade Union Congress. A study conducted by the TUC revealed “serious disillusionment” among employees, with complaints about low pay, excessive workload and feeling undervalued. It found one in five people are thinking of leaving the public sector and

The NHS app and website experienced an outage on Wednesday afternoon, with users unable to access their digital COVID vaccine passes, NHS Digital said. An NHS COVID Pass shows proof of a coronavirus vaccination as well as test results. ‘Potent’ variant-beating antibody discovered – COVID latest There are currently issues with accessing the Covid Pass