Boris Johnson is facing a tough end-of-term interrogation on COVID-19 by senior MPs after claiming the UK is making progress a year after his first lockdown. As well as his last Prime Minister’s Questions clash with Sir Keir Starmer for three weeks, he is facing questions from MPs who chair all-party select committees. His double
UK
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has hailed the “courage, discipline and patience of the nation” one year after he first announced a lockdown to combat the coronavirus pandemic. Speaking at a Downing Street news conference, he said: “We suffered so many losses.” And he said we have at times been “fighting in the dark” against a
Attempting to take a holiday abroad will result in a £5,000 fine under new coronavirus laws. The legislation covering COVID-19 restrictions includes a ban on leaving the UK without a reasonable excuse – with the hefty fine for those breaking the rule. The new rules will also mean protests will be considered a permitted exception
Protesters who engaged in “wanton disorder” in Bristol on Sunday have been warned by police to “expect a knock at your door in the days or weeks to come”. More than 100 officers and staff from Avon and Somerset Police are working on identifying those involved after a protest in the city turned violent, with
Hearing loss and other auditory problems may be strongly linked to coronavirus, new research suggests. Scientists estimate 7.6% of people infected with COVID-19 experience hearing loss, while 14.8% suffer tinnitus. They also found the prevalence of vertigo was 7.2%. The researchers, from The University of Manchester and Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, compiled data from 24
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has warned any bid by the EU to block coronavirus vaccine exports to the UK would be “counterproductive” and damage the bloc’s reputation globally. He made his comments as EU Commissioner Mairead McGuinness refused to rule out a ban, saying that “everything is on the table”. European Commission president Ursula von
Summer holidays are under threat due to surges in coronavirus cases abroad, with Britons being warned: “We can’t be deaf and blind to what’s going on outside the UK.” Speaking to Sophy Ridge on Sunday, defence secretary Ben Wallace said “we can’t put at risk the gains of our vaccination campaign”. There is growing pressure
A new Ranger Regiment is being set up to complement the expertise of the SAS and take on “high threat” missions overseas. Under the new plans, four infantry battalions will become the new regiment and will be able to operate in environments usually reserved for Special Forces troops. The force would be expected to range
Sky News can reveal further details contained in a report that found Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon misled parliament. Holyrood’s harassment committee also concluded that it finds it “hard to believe” she didn’t know of concerns around Alex Salmond’s behaviour before November 2017. And committee members have included a passage in their report to say
The prime minister has said there will be “no change” to England’s lockdown easing roadmap, despite the NHS warning of a “significant reduction” in the supply of coronavirus vaccines next month. Speaking at a Downing Street news conference, Boris Johnson said: “Our progress along the road to freedom continues unchecked. “We remain on track to
Boris Johnson has had the Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine. The prime minister, who is aged 56, got his first dose at London’s St Thomas’ Hospital, where he was treated in intensive care last April after contracting COVID-19. By having the vaccine, Mr Johnson joins more than 26 million people in the UK who have received a
Reduced numbers of vaccines are due to problems with international supplies, a government minister has suggested – but he insisted the issues would not slow down the easing of lockdown. The NHS has warned of a month-long “significant reduction” in weekly supply of vaccines in a letter to local health leaders. But Housing, Communities and
The UK is going to face a “significant reduction” in vaccine supplies from 29 March onwards, according to a letter from NHS England. The letter – which has been sent to local vaccination sites across the country – says volumes for first doses are going to be “significantly constrained”. Disruption could last for four weeks,
An independent review into historical sexual abuse is set to be published by the Football Association (FA) later. Conducted by Clive Sheldon QC, it will look at how the FA, clubs and individuals handled reports of abuse made to them between 1970 and 2005, and make recommendations on safeguarding. Sky News sports correspondent Martha Kelner
Public Health England is investigating a new COVID variant – first reported in the Philippines – after two cases were found. The variant – VUI-21MAR-02 (P3) – has been designated a variant under investigation, rather than a variant of concern such as the Manaus strain. In a statement, the health authority said: “On 9 March
More than half the UK’s adult population has now received a first COVID vaccine dose, the health secretary has said. “I’m delighted to be able to say that we’ve now vaccinated HALF of all adults in the UK,” Matt Hancock tweeted. “The vaccine is a national success story and our way out of this pandemic.”