UK

France says it is working on a plan to “ensure that movement from the UK can resume” – after it banned freight and travel. Transport minister Jean-Baptiste Djebbari said cross-EU talks will take place within hours to “establish a solid health protocol” that could begin to unblock the port of Dover. He added the priority

The UK has reported a record daily rise in confirmed coronavirus cases, with another 35,928 infections. The update comes amid growing concern over a new variant of COVID-19 which appears to be causing a dramatic uptick in infections in London and the southeast of England, prompting the prime minister to enforce new Tier 4 restrictions.

Millions of people across southeast England will no longer be able to mix with other households at Christmas, with a new Tier 4 level of COVID restrictions – equivalent to a full lockdown – to come into force tomorrow. In a dramatic move, prompted by fears over a new strain of coronavirus, all those areas

The government has cancelled festive plans for millions of people, bringing in new Tier 4 restrictions in large parts of the country. Fears over a new strain of coronavirus have prompted the government to ban any mixing between households in London and most of the South East. This includes over Christmas, causing frustration and disappointment

Government scientists looked into mass coronavirus testing of almost everyone in the UK – before concluding that a more targeted approach would be more effective. The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) group held a number of discussions about the potential impact of a programme in which a large proportion of the population were given

More parts of England have moved into Tier 3 meaning nearly 70% of the population are living under the toughest restrictions. Health Secretary Matt Hancock said earlier this week that parts of the East and the South East of England would be moved up to the most severe measures. Mr Hancock told the Commons that

People forming “Christmas bubbles” are being told it is “vital” that they minimise contact with others from outside their household from today. In a message on his Twitter account, which included a link to government guidance around the easing of COVID-19 rules over the festive period, Boris Johnson said: “If you are forming a Christmas

Northern Ireland will enter a six-week lockdown on Boxing Day amid rising COVID-19 infections, Sky News understands. The new restrictions, due to come into force at 00.01am on 26 December, are expected to include the shutting of all non-essential shops as well the closure of pubs, bars and restaurants apart from takeaway services. It comes after

The health secretary will today outline which, if any, regions in England will change tiers before the relaxation of COVID rules over the festive period. Matt Hancock will also explain plans to extend mass community testing to Tier 2 areas with high rates of coronavirus. Currently, only Tier 3 areas are eligible for the localised

Boris Johnson has warned “a smaller Christmas is going to be a safer Christmas” as he urged people to see festive bubbles of three households as “maximums” and not “targets to aim for”. The prime minister confirmed that Christmas COVID rules would not be changing in law, but he admitted that the “overall situation” is

For the first time UNICEF has launched a domestic emergency response in the UK to help feed children hit by the COVID-19 crisis. The UN agency responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide has likened the effect of the coronavirus pandemic on youngsters to that of the Second World War. Since the

Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove will speak with the devolved nations later this afternoon about next week’s relaxation of coronavirus rules over Christmas, Sky News understands. The call is expected to take place at around 5pm, it is believed. Sky News understands that potential alternative options that could emerge include: Keeping the rules as they

The number of drug deaths in Scotland has reached the worst level on record. Figures from the National Records of Scotland show that in 2019, 1,264 people died from drugs misuse – 77 more than in 2018, which is a 6% rise. It was the largest number ever recorded in Scotland, more than double that

London will move into the highest level of coronavirus restrictions imminently, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has told MPs from the capital. The move will see thousands of bars, pubs, cafes and restaurants close in the capital, except for takeaway, delivery and click and collect services. Under Tier 3 measures, people must not meet socially indoors,

Sadiq Khan is calling on the government to consider asking schools and colleges across London to close early and reopen later in January because of “significant” coronavirus outbreaks among 10 to 19-year-olds. In a letter to the prime minister, the mayor of London said “urgent consideration must… be given to closing secondary schools, sixth form

Another 18,447 coronavirus cases and 144 related deaths have been reported in the UK. Last Sunday, the figures were 17,272 cases and 231 deaths. Today’s deaths are made up of 138 in England, four in Northern Ireland and two in Scotland. All the latest coronavirus updates from the UK and around the world The official