Politics

The European Union has branded draft UK legislation a “clear breach” of the Brexit withdrawal deal and demanded it be scrapped by the end of the month. The demand follows emergency talks in London on Thursday between European Commission vice-president Maros Sefcovic and UK cabinet minister Michael Gove, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

Leaked documents reportedly show the government plans to carry out up to 10 million coronavirus tests a day by early next year, but critics have branded the proposals “waste on a cosmic scale”. The mass testing programme would cost £100bn – almost as much as the government spends on the NHS each year (£130bn) –

Boris Johnson has spoken of his hope for regular mass coronavirus testing of the population as a route back to a more normal life. The prime minister said the government is “working hard” to increase daily COVID-19 testing capacity to 500,000 by the end of next month. But he said the long-term ambition was for

The health secretary has appeared to blame people without coronavirus symptoms getting tested inappropriately for the system reaching its limit. Matt Hancock told Sky News’ Kay Burley programme the reason many people have reported being unable to book a test is because the proportion of those asking for them who have no symptoms has risen

A ban on groups of more than six people gathering in homes, parks, pubs and restaurants in England is being imposed by Boris Johnson in the biggest coronavirus crackdown since lockdown rules were eased. First offenders will be fined £100, which will double on each further repeat offence up to £3,200, the prime minister will

Boris Johnson’s reported bid to override parts of the Brexit deal have been dealt a blow, after the head of the government legal department quit. Jonathan Jones has resigned after concerns that Downing Street may be attempting to undermine parts of the Withdrawal Agreement, according to Whitehall sources. The move means six top civil servants

Boris Johnson’s chief Brexit negotiator has said there needs to be “more realism” from Brussels about the UK’s “status as an independent country”. David Frost has declared that this week is make-or-break for trade talks with the EU if the UK is to avoid leaving the transition period with no deal. Lord Frost and the

Political figures have described the government’s reported plan to rip up the Brexit withdrawal agreement as a “treacherous betrayal” enacted by “charlatans”. Boris Johnson is planning new legislation that would override key parts of the agreement – the treaty that sealed Britain’s exit from the EU in January – in a move that could risk

Extinction Rebellion is being considered for reclassification as an organised crime group following a protest that prevented many national UK newspapers from reaching the stands, according to a report. Ministers are said to be considering protections for “tenets of democracy”, such as courts and the press, after demonstrations prevented the distribution of millions of newspapers

Extensive coronavirus testing is needed at airports to stop the “dire” effect the quarantine system is having on the travel industry, Labour has said. The UK government has been making weekly decisions on which travellers must isolate for 14 days based on the countries they are returning from. But travellers have sometimes been given just

At the last election – which was only in December, but feels like it must have been centuries ago – Boris Johnson won the kind of majority that gave him a clear mandate to deliver on his twin priorities of Brexit and “levelling up” the country. Then coronavirus struck. The kind of once-in-a-generation global event

The decision to appoint ex-Australian prime minister Tony Abbott as a senior trade advisor to the UK government has sparked controversy. Mr Abbott has been accused of sexism and homophobia over a string of “offensive” comments made throughout his political career. The 62-year-old has also made contentious claims about climate change, refugees and the coronavirus

Former Australian prime minister Tony Abbott has been handed a top job advising the UK government on trade – despite a string of allegedly homophobic and sexist comments. Senior LGBT supporters including Sir Ian McKellen and Stonewall, as well as the Labour Party’s equalities spokesperson, urged Boris Johnson to block the appointment. Mr Abbott, 62,

For holidaymakers, the massive split on post-holiday quarantine between the UK government and those of Scotland and Wales brings confusion, frustration and annoyance. Welsh holidaymakers returning to Cardiff Airport from the Greek islands and now facing a two-week quarantine will be furious that fellow tourists flying into Bristol, just 40 miles away, can go straight

It was formed by the Act of Union with Wales in 1536, the Act of Union with Scotland in 1606 and the Government of Ireland Act 1920, creating Northern Ireland inside the United Kingdom the following year. Yet today, questions of “The Union” too often boil down to the Boris and Nicola pantomime, as prime

The health secretary has defended former Australian prime minister Tony Abbott amid concerns about his attitudes towards women and homosexuality, declaring: “Well, he’s also an expert in trade.” Matt Hancock told Sky News that Mr Abbott has a “huge” amount of expertise on the subject, amid reports the ex-Australian leader is being lined up to