UK

Thunderstorms are expected to hit the south of England today, bringing the possibility of road closures, power cuts and damage to trees and buildings. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for a band of stormy weather from Exeter in the West across to Norwich in the East. “A band of thunderstorms will

Contingency plans are being drawn up over fears a quarter of public sector workers could be absent due to the Omicron wave of COVID infections. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has told ministers to test preparations for a possible worst-case scenario as daily coronavirus numbers continue to hit record levels. All government departments are also renewing

A 14-year-old girl died after being hit by a car in a New Year’s Eve collision that led to the arrest of a suspected drug-driver. The teenager was on Station Road, near Rowley Regis railway station in Sandwell in the West Midlands, at around 4.45pm on Friday when she was struck by a grey Mercedes.

A spectacular display in London has helped the UK usher in 2022, with people turning out to watch despite being encouraged to stay at home and enjoy the show on television. Details of the location of the spectacle, which involved a light show, drones and fireworks, were not revealed in advance amid the continuing spread

The number of people in hospital with COVID-19 is increasing significantly, it has been warned, with one hospital suspending visitors “due to health and safety concerns”. Dr Chaand Nagpaul, chairman of the council at the British Medical Association, told Sky News: “What’s concerning is that we are seeing significant increases in people in hospital. “In

Leading scientists have warned that ongoing shortages of COVID tests across the UK are a “great concern” ahead of New Year’s Eve celebrations. In recent days there have been widespread shortages of lateral flow and PCR tests for delivery on the government’s portal, with no PCRs available across the UK this morning. Health Secretary Sajid

A number of new Nightingale “surge hubs” are to be set up around England as the NHS goes on a “war footing” in preparation for a wave of Omicron hospital admissions. Eight locations with capacity for 100 patients will be set up, with work beginning this week, NHS England has said. More sites have also

The UK has reported a record 183,037 new COVID cases in the latest daily figures. The number includes five days of infection data from Northern Ireland – 22,972 cases – due to a lag in reporting over Christmas. Of the 183,037 total figure, 138,287 cases were in England (yesterday it was 117,093), 15,849 were in

Boris Johnson has said “up to 90%” of people currently in intensive care with COVID-19 have not had their booster jab as he urged the nation to take up the offer. Speaking to broadcasters, the prime minister said there are 2.4 million eligible double-jabbed people yet to take up the offer of a booster and

England has reported another record number of daily coronavirus cases, with 117,093 new infections. It breaks the previous record of 113,628, which was set on Christmas Day. Another 15 deaths have also been reported in England, according to the government’s dashboard. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:21 ‘Restaurants have been

The government has said it will not be introducing any fresh COVID restrictions in England this side of new year – despite the record rise in reported cases over the weekend. Health Secretary Sajid Javid said people should “remain cautious” when taking part in New Year’s celebrations – and take a lateral flow test before

The number of people in hospital with COVID-19 in England is at its highest level since March, new figures reveal. The number stood at 8,474 as of 8am today, according to NHS England. This is up 27% from a week earlier and is the highest number since 5 March, when the country was under tough

More than 1.5 million COVID-19 vaccination appointments are now available between today and 3 January, as the government continues its booster jab drive to tackle the spread of the Omicron variant. Over 60% of UK adults have now received a top up, but the NHS’s top doctor has put out a fresh call asking those

A man armed with a crossbow who was arrested after breaking into the grounds of Windsor Castle on Christmas Day has been detained under the Mental Health Act, police have said. The 19-year-old from Southampton was arrested on suspicion of breach or trespass of a protected site and possession of an offensive weapon at about

The NHS’s most senior doctor is calling upon those yet to receive their booster COVID-19 vaccination to urgently come forward for their third jab. NHS national medical director Professor Stephen Powis has said “there is no time to lose” for those still yet to top up their protection as the Omicron variant continues to spread

An armed man has been arrested after breaking into the grounds of Windsor Castle on Christmas Day, police have said. Officers from Thames Valley and the Metropolitan Police were called to a security breach at around 8.30am in the grounds of Windsor Castle. A 19-year-old man from Southampton has been arrested and is in custody.

The Queen is again breaking with tradition due to COVID and will spend Christmas Day at Windsor. Her Majesty made the decision not to travel to Sandringham in Norfolk earlier this week and will instead be joined by family members at Windsor Castle. It’s the second year that she has stayed at Windsor. Last year

The UK has recorded 122,186 new cases of coronavirus and a further 137 deaths, the latest daily figures show. It is the highest number of new infections reported since the beginning of the pandemic. Yesterday there were 119,789 cases and 147 fatalities within 28 days of a positive test recorded. Seven days ago there were

People will be able to get a COVID-19 booster on Christmas Day as part of NHS England’s “jingle jab” campaign. The rollout will also continue on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day, with 200,000 appointments still available across the three-day period. NHS staff and volunteers are set to administer the doses at local vaccination sites including

The Queen is expected to deliver a particularly personal Christmas Day message as she prepares for her first festive period since the death of the Duke of Edinburgh. Buckingham Palace has released a photograph of the monarch taken during the recording of her annual festive address, filmed last week, showing her sitting behind a desk