Politics

The chief regulator of Ofqual is standing down following the controversy over the awarding of A-levels. Sally Collier has decided that the “next stage of the awarding process would be better overseen by new leadership”, the body said in a statement on Tuesday. :: Coronavirus latest news: Keep up-to-date with COVID-19 developments around the world

Downing Street has apologised for the “distress” caused by the exams U-turn, as a senior minister refused to deny he offered to resign. Boris Johnson’s spokesman issued an apology after the chaos faced by A-level, GCSE and BTEC pupils last week. The prime minister was on holiday in Scotland while the row erupted over an

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab will meet Israeli and Palestinian leaders this week as he stressed the importance of building on a “new dynamic” in efforts to achieve a more peaceful Middle East. Mr Raab will visit Israel and occupied Palestinian territories for talks with senior figures, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President

Emergency plans drawn up by the government to protect the UK if a second coronavirus spike coincides with a no-deal Brexit have been revealed. A Cabinet Office “reasonable worst-case scenario” document, dated July 2020, has been leaked to The Sun newspaper. A government spokeswoman said it “reflects a responsible government ensuring we are ready for

The education secretary has defended going on holiday a week before the A-level exams controversy. Gavin Williamson cancelled a key meeting to go on holiday in Scarborough – days before teenagers received their results, according to The Sunday Times. In a message posted on Twitter, Mr Williamson defended the trip, writing: “I cancelled our family

The reopening of schools will “put pressure” on the R number and could lead to the closure of pubs and shops at a local level, the chief medical officer for England has said. Professor Chris Whitty acknowledged the government is having to “balance risks” in relation to whether children should return to their education during

A former Conservative Party campaign manager has been spared jail after he admitted possessing indecent images of children. Mark Lerigo received a suspended jail sentence and was ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work, but walked free after a court heard he did not to pose a high risk to children. The 49-year-old,

The eviction ban in England and Wales has been extended by four weeks, the government has announced. Ministers had come under pressure to extend the ban beyond Monday – when it was due to end – amid warnings thousands of renters could lose their homes otherwise. The measure was announced in March because of the

Brexit talks did not move swiftly forward this week, EU negotiator Michel Barnier has said, adding that he is “disappointed” with the progress of the negotiations. The EU’s Brexit negotiator accused the UK of showing “no willingness” to compromise on the bloc’s priority areas in order to agree a trade deal before the end of

Britons in a number of countries are scrambling to return home to avoid having to self-isolate for 14 days – as the transport secretary ruled out regional coronavirus quarantine rules. Croatia, Austria and Trinidad and Tobago have been added to the UK’s COVID-19 quarantine list, Grant Shapps announced on Thursday. From 4am on Saturday, anybody

The cap on university places to study medicine has been temporarily lifted as A-level students scramble to get onto courses because of the algorithm fiasco. All those who may have missed out on their first choice of further study will be entitled to go there either this coming academic year or next. The government made

Boris Johnson’s suggestion of temporarily moving parliament to York while repair work is carried out on the Palace of Westminster has been rejected. The body in charge of organising the maintenance said the idea proposed last month will not be one of the options included in their review of where MPs and peers should decant

The health secretary has pledged to do “everything we can” to ensure A-level medical students unfairly downgraded can still get a place at university. Matt Hancock told Sky News “I absolutely recognise” the concerns raised by the Royal College of GPs that pupils whose marks were lower than their teachers’ predictions are missing out on

Boris Johnson has been told to “get a grip” of his coronavirus quarantine policy as Heathrow Airport pushes for the 14-day isolation period to be shortened. The travel hub’s chief executive told Sky News the prime minister needs to act swiftly to stop “holding back the recovery of the UK economy” due to the restrictions

Public Health England (PHE) is being scrapped as part of plans for a new organisation responsible for dealing with pandemics, the health secretary has announced. Matt Hancock confirmed the decision reported over the weekend to set up a body called the National Institute for Health Protection, which will also work against the threats of biological

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has resisted calls to resign but told Sky News he is “incredibly sorry for the distress” the A-level and GCSE results row caused to students. He said up until results day last week he had “every confidence and reassurance” the controversial algorithm used to grade pupils whose exams were cancelled due