Anti-vaccination content should be “stamped-out” on social media, Labour has said. With hopes rising of a COVID-19 jab being rolled out by the end of the year, the opposition has called for emergency legislation to “stamp out dangerous anti-vax content”. The party wants the government to bring forward legislation that would include financial and criminal
UK
A new pilot is set to launch that will give family members the chance to visit loved ones in care homes over Christmas. The scheme will take place in several homes in Hampshire, Cornwall and Devon from 16 November, in the hope it can be rolled out more widely before the festive period. One family
A 23-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of Sergeant Matt Ratana, the Metropolitan Police says. Mr Ratana was shot at Croydon Custody Centre in the early hours of Friday 25 September. He was taken to hospital but later died from his wounds. A 23-year-old man, who had been arrested earlier in
Psychiatrists are braced for a surge in demand for mental health care in the months ahead, as people struggle to cope during the coronavirus lockdown. The number of people experiencing severe mental illnesses and needing urgent care amid the pandemic has become a serious cause for concern, the Royal College of Psychiatrists has told Sky
Another 33,470 people have tested positive for coronavirus in the last 24 hours – the highest figure recorded since the pandemic began, according to government figures. It brings the total number of cases in the UK to 1,290,195. On Wednesday, 22,950 people tested positive, while the number of UK deaths since the start of the
Northern Ireland’s devolved government has narrowly voted to extend COVID restrictions after a four-week “circuit-breaker” lockdown. Cafes, hairdressing and beauty salons will remain closed for one more week; pubs and licensed restaurants for two more weeks. The decision came after four days of heated exchanges, particularly between the two largest parties: the DUP and Sinn
A nurse has been charged with eight counts of murder and 10 counts of attempted murder in connection with baby deaths at a hospital in Cheshire. Lucy Letby, 30, has been charged in connection with an investigation into the deaths at the Countess of Chester Hospital, Cheshire Police said. She is due to appear at
The number of people who have died with coronavirus in the UK has passed 50,000, according to government figures which highlight the devastating impact of the virus on the country. A further 595 deaths were confirmed on Wednesday, bringing the country’s total to 50,365. It marks a significant moment in the pandemic for the UK,
English universities should stop in-person teaching and revert to online classes by early December to allow students to return home safely for Christmas, the government has said. Guidance due to be issued by the Department for Education will say that students will be allowed to travel between 3 and 9 December to make sure families
Another 532 people with coronavirus have died across the UK in the latest 24-hour period – compared to 194 a day earlier, government figures show. It is the highest number recorded since mid-May and brings the total number of deaths in the UK to 49,770. Another 20,412 people have tested positive for the virus, taking
Children hardest hit by COVID-19 nursery and school closures are regressing in basic skills like using a knife and fork, according to Ofsted. In a series of reports the government education watchdog says children have fallen behind with their mathematics and are struggling with literacy, while school leaders have reported a rise in older pupils
A serial-killer obsessive and his partner have been found guilty of killing a woman in their “flat of horrors” after a night out. Horror film fan Nathan Maynard-Ellis, 30, and his boyfriend 25-year-old David Leesley killed Julia Rawson before cutting her body into 11 pieces and dumping her remains at two sites near a canal.
Wales’ 17-day firebreak lockdown has ended and new national measures to combat COVID-19 have come into effect. The new national restrictions include: Groups of up to four people from different households can meet in cafes, pubs and restaurants Shops, gyms, hairdressers and places of worship can reopen Supermarkets can sell non-essential items People can meet
Another 156 people have died after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK, compared to yesterday’s figure of 413, official figures show. Government data also shows that the number of people reported to have tested positive for COVID-19 has increased by 20,572. This is a drop compared to yesterday’s increase of 24,957. England alone has
The Queen has worn a face mask in public for the first time as she visited the grave of the Unknown Warrior to mark 100 years since his burial. The visit to Westminster Abbey was her first public engagement in London since March. A royal aide said Wednesday’s service was “deeply personal” for the Queen,
It is too late to find the nurses needed to meet the demands of an “extremely challenging” winter – with 40,000 vacancies in England alone, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has warned. The union now called on the government to “be honest” about the risks a lack of staff could pose to patient safety.