UK

More than 90% of community COVID cases in England are now Omicron, according to latest data. As it is now by far the dominant variant, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said it would stop providing Omicron-specific daily updates from 31 December. Today, another 39,923 Omicron cases have been detected across the UK – the

The social care system in England is not fit for purpose and “may as well be handing over children directly to ruthless gangs and criminals”, according to a leading children’s rights campaigner. Anne Longfield, a former children’s commissioner for England, says some teenagers taken into care to safeguard them from county lines and criminal exploitation

The number of people in hospital with COVID in England has risen to 9,546, according to latest figures. This is up 38% from a week earlier and is the highest number since 3 March. The latest figure compares to 8,474 yesterday, according to NHS England and is a 12% rise in the number of people

The government has said it will not be introducing any fresh COVID restrictions in England this side of new year – despite the record rise in reported cases over the weekend. Health Secretary Sajid Javid said people should “remain cautious” when taking part in New Year’s celebrations – and take a lateral flow test before

England reported a record number of new COVID-19 cases on Christmas Day, latest figures have revealed. There were 113,628 infections confirmed on 25 December after a rush to get tested in the days prior. It’s also been revealed that there were 103,558 on Boxing Day, and 98,515 in the last 24-hour period. Latest COVID-19 news

More than 1.5 million COVID-19 vaccination appointments are now available between today and 3 January, as the government continues its booster jab drive to tackle the spread of the Omicron variant. Over 60% of UK adults have now received a top up, but the NHS’s top doctor has put out a fresh call asking those

“Blizzard conditions” could hit northern parts of the UK over higher ground on Sunday, forecasters have said, as heavy rain and snow are also expected in some regions. The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for snow until midday in parts of northern England, as well as southern and central Scotland. The most severe

The NHS’s most senior doctor is calling upon those yet to receive their booster COVID-19 vaccination to urgently come forward for their third jab. NHS national medical director Professor Stephen Powis has said “there is no time to lose” for those still yet to top up their protection as the Omicron variant continues to spread

The Queen has used her Christmas message to pay a deeply moving tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh, describing how his “mischievous, enquiring twinkle was as bright at the end as when I first set eyes on him”. In an emotional and heartfelt address, the 95-year-old explained how her and the rest of the family

The UK has recorded 122,186 new cases of coronavirus and a further 137 deaths, the latest daily figures show. It is the highest number of new infections reported since the beginning of the pandemic. Yesterday there were 119,789 cases and 147 fatalities within 28 days of a positive test recorded. Seven days ago there were

An estimated 1.7 million people had coronavirus across the UK last week, the highest number since comparable records began last year, new figures suggest. The new Office for National Statistics (ONS) data covers people who tested positive for COVID-19 outside hospital or a care setting during the week ending 19 December. In England there were

The Queen is expected to deliver a particularly personal Christmas Day message as she prepares for her first festive period since the death of the Duke of Edinburgh. Buckingham Palace has released a photograph of the monarch taken during the recording of her annual festive address, filmed last week, showing her sitting behind a desk

The UK has recorded 119,789 new COVID cases in the latest 24-hour period – the highest daily figure since the start of the pandemic. A further 147 coronavirus-related deaths have also been reported. The latest daily figures compare with 106,122 cases – the previous record – and 140 deaths reported on Wednesday. Last Thursday, the

The UK has reported more than 100,000 daily COVID cases for the first time since of the start of the pandemic. Some 106,122 cases have been recorded in the latest 24-hour period – around 13,000 more than the previous high of 93,045 on 17 December. A further 140 coronavirus-related deaths have also been recorded. The

Government advisers have recommended that vulnerable five- to 11-year-olds be offered a new paediatric formulation of the COVID vaccine. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) said the vaccination should be given to children at higher risk of COVID-19. A statement said: “Children aged 5 to 11, who are in a clinical risk group

Boris Johnson has confirmed he will not introduce any further COVID restrictions in England before Christmas, but warned that the situation remains “finely balanced” ahead of the New Year. In a video posted on social media and released by Downing Street, the prime minister said “people can go ahead with their Christmas plans” but urges

Rishi Sunak has announced an additional £1bn in financial support for the hospitality and leisure sectors, with every business able to claim a one-off cash grant of £6,000. The Treasury is also providing a £30m top-up to the Cultural Recovery Fund – which supports institutions such as museums and theatres – and reintroducing the Statutory

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has not announced further restrictions today – but said he is following the data “hour by hour” and warned the rules could still be tightened in the days to come. The PM said the data is “under constant review”, with the situation “extremely difficult” and the “arguments either way are very,

Dominic Raab says he cannot make “hard, fast guarantees” that more restrictions won’t be imposed in the run-up to Christmas. However the deputy prime minister said he believes Britons will have a “much better Christmas than last year”. Mr Raab told Kay Burley: “I think we will have a much better Christmas than last year

Number 10 has defended a photo which appears to show Boris Johnson and staff relaxing and drinking in the Downing Street garden at a time of tough social restrictions in May 2020. The picture, published by The Guardian, shows the prime minister, his wife Carrie, and colleagues with wine and cheese. Nineteen people were present