UK

Daily testing of pupils who have been exposed to COVID-19 could be just as effective as isolating groups, according to a study. Research by the University of Oxford found that testing as an alternative to the 10-day isolation policy currently used can reduce COVID-related school absences by 39%. Around 200 secondary schools and colleges in

The Police Federation of England and Wales says it no longer has confidence in Home Secretary Priti Patel and has branded a pay freeze for officers “the final straw”. It has also withdrawn its support and engagement from the Police Remuneration Review Body, labelling the current pay mechanism ‘not fit for purpose’. National Chair John

A record 618,903 people in England and Wales were pinged by the NHS COVID-19 app in a week, latest figures show. The alerts were sent to users of the app in the week to 14 July, telling them they had been in close contact with someone who had tested positive for coronavirus and to self-isolate.

Police response times are ‘under strain’ as some forces deal with staffing shortages caused by the ‘pingdemic’, it has been suggested. The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) said that in some forces, functions such as control room operations are being hit by high numbers of absent staff, impacting their ability to respond quickly to calls.

The government’s Nationality and Borders Bill will only bring more “chaos and delay” to the UK’s “dysfunctional” immigration system, Amnesty International has said. The bill passed its second reading in the Commons on Tuesday evening by 366 votes to 265. It would allow the UK to send asylum seekers to a “safe third country” and

The UK has recorded 46,558 new COVID-19 cases and 96 more coronavirus-related deaths in the latest 24-hour period, according to government data. It is the highest number of fatalities since 24 March when 98 were reported. The latest figures compare with 39,950 new cases and 19 deaths announced on Monday, and 36,660 cases and 50

More than 430 migrants sailed across the English Channel to the UK on Monday. The number set a new single-day record, passing the previous daily high of 416 set in September last year, according to data compiled by the PA news agency. Monday’s figure included a group of around 50 men, women, and children who

Clinically vulnerable children and those living with at-risk adults will be offered a COVID-19 vaccine – but most teenagers will not, Nadhim Zahawi has announced. The vaccines minister told MPs that the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JVCI) has recommended that children “at an increased risk of serious COVID-19 disease” should be offered the

A senior minister has told Sky News he is “confident” the government is doing the right thing by lifting almost all coronavirus restrictions in England, as a top World Health Organization (WHO) envoy warned: “This virus hasn’t gone away.” Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi said now is “as good a time as any” to lift most

Business leaders have strengthened their calls for an immediate overhaul of self-isolation rules for double-jabbed people ahead of tomorrow’s final lifting of restrictions across England. The Confederation of British Industry has demanded those who have received two doses of a COVID vaccine should not have to self-isolate for 10 days if they are a contact

Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak will not be isolating despite being ‘pinged’ after Sajid Javid’s positive COVID test, Downing Street has said. After Mr Javid, the newly-appointed health secretary, contracted coronavirus and went into quarantine, it was thought a number of other ministers and officials might also have to self-isolate. But Downing Street said Mr

Pop-up clinics will be offering coronavirus jabs this weekend as part of a major drive to get more people vaccinated, so those enjoying the sunshine by going shopping or visiting the park will be able to get one on the go. Some clothing stores, sports venues and parks will be hosting vaccination centres as part

People arriving in England from France will still have to quarantine for 10 days on their return – even if they have received both doses of the coronavirus vaccine, the government has announced. From Monday, those who have had two COVID vaccine doses will no longer have to isolate after travelling back from countries on

More than 35 million people, including secondary school pupils, will be offered a free flu vaccine this winter under plans announced by the government. The biggest flu programme in the country’s history will be launched in September, the government said, and will build on the success of last year’s expanded scheme which saw a record

The UK is “not out of the woods yet” when it comes to coronavirus and people should approach the end of most restrictions on Monday with caution, England’s chief medical officer has warned. Professor Chris Whitty said the number of people in hospital with COVID-19 is doubling around every three weeks and could hit “quite

Boris Johnson has claimed it is “highly probable” the worst of the coronavirus pandemic is over – on the day the UK recorded its highest number of daily cases for six months. The prime minister urged people not to “throw caution to the winds” when most legal restrictions in England end on Monday, as he