UK

The UK’s coronavirus reproduction number – or R number – remains unchanged at between 0.6 and 0.9. It is in line with last week’s estimate of 0.6 and 0.9. That means that on average, every 10 people infected will infect between six and nine other people. The growth rate is estimated to be between -6%

Coronavirus infection rates in the community have continued to fall further across the UK, according to the latest figures. The estimates published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on Friday showed around one in 145 people in private households across England had COVID-19 between 13 and 19 February – down from one in 115

Getting the vaccine is for many a lifesaver. For others it opens up the possibility of a return to a more normal life – leaving lockdown, travelling, going to the work place. But when are you going to be vaccinated? That’s a simple question with an incredibly complex answer. Here’s the simple version of that

The final anti-HS2 activist from a group who had spent at least a month underground in a network of tunnels has been removed. As the man, known as Bradley, emerged from the site under London’s Euston Square Gardens and was transferred to an ambulance, he raised two fingers in a peace/victory sign. A crowd gathered

Vaccinating people based on their age and not their profession is “the moral thing to do”, according to Health Secretary Matt Hancock. The government has announced people aged 40-49 will be the next in line to get a coronavirus vaccine after all vulnerable groups and the over-50s are covered. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and

The next phase of COVID vaccinations will continue to prioritise people by age and not their occupation to avoid slowing the rollout down. People aged 40-49 will be the next in line to get a vaccine after all vulnerable groups and the over-50s are covered, the government said. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation

IS bride Shamima Begum should not be allowed to return to the UK to fight a decision to strip her of British citizenship, the Supreme Court has ruled. The unanimous decision – with all five justices in agreement – comes six years after the then 15-year-old left with friends to join the Islamic State group.

Prince Harry has revealed he stepped back from his royal duties because the British press was “toxic” and was “destroying” his mental health. The royal gave a candid interview to British talk show host James Corden’s The Late Late Show – with the pair touring Los Angeles on an open air bus with afternoon tea.

The parent firm of British Airways has called for the introduction of digital health passes to help reopen the skies while revealing a €7.4bn (£6.5bn) annual loss as a result of coronavirus pandemic disruption. International Airlines Group (IAG) demanded a global approach, with common testing standards, as the travel industry reels from a disastrous 12

Scotland’s former first minister Alex Salmond is set to elaborate today on claims that his successor Nicola Sturgeon misled parliament.  Mr Salmond will give evidence to Holyrood’s harassment committee following his written submission which levelled accusations against Ms Sturgeon as well as senior figures in her government and party. He has accused the current first

Police are still unable to explain why their powers are disproportionately used on people from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, a watchdog has said. Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) warned that police risk losing the trust of the communities they serve after the latest inspection on the disproportionate

Sales of electric cars are not growing fast enough, according to a report by the National Audit Office. “Substantial growth” is required to meet the government’s target of having zero emissions cars accounting for 100% of new sales from 2035. There was also criticism over the setting up of public charging points in residential areas.

Seventeen former gymnasts, including three Olympians, are taking legal action against British Gymnastics over what they say was systemic physical and psychological abuse in the sport. The women, now aged between 15 and 43, are seeking compensation for what they claim is ongoing physical and psychological suffering as a result of the alleged abuse –

IS bride Shamima Begum will find out today whether she will be allowed to return to the UK to fight a decision to strip her of British citizenship. The case could have huge significance for the government, which has revoked the citizenship of about 150 British nationals on grounds of national security. The 21-year-old was

The launch of a much-delayed government counter-terrorism proposal is a “huge relief”, according to families of terror attack victims. The Protect Duty consultation, run by the Home Office, will look at the security and readiness of public venues and spaces in the event of terror attacks. It was initially slated to begin last year but

The Queen has said that having a COVID-19 vaccine “didn’t hurt at all” as she encouraged those who are hesitant about getting jabbed to “think about other people rather than themselves”. Her Majesty, who never talks about her own private health matters in public, endorsed the importance of the vaccination programme during a video call to