UK

Rishi Sunak has refused to be drawn on the future of the eastern leg of HS2 just three days before announcing his spending plans in the autumn Budget later this week. Deflecting a question on the matter on Sky’s Trevor Phillips on Sunday, the chancellor also failed to confirm whether a new Northern Powerhouse Rail

Boris Johnson has repeated his call for those eligible to get their COVID-19 booster jabs over the coming weeks, insisting vaccines are the UK’s “way through” the pandemic. The prime minister has resisted calls from health leaders to implement the government’s Plan B for managing rising infection rates this winter, which would see tighter restrictions

The nation is “dilly-dallying into lockdown” and action should be taken now to avoid much tougher COVID restrictions later, a government scientific adviser has warned. Professor Stephen Reicher told Sky News that vaccines are “not quite enough” on their own and “other protections” are needed now to tackle coronavirus. His concerns have been echoed by

Five police officers from four different forces are facing disciplinary action over messages about Wayne Couzens. Couzens received a whole-life prison sentence last month after admitting to the kidnap, rape and murder of Sarah Everard. Now, two officers from the Metropolitan Police, and one from each force in Sussex, Dorset and Avon and Somerset are

It’s not something the palace would necessarily have wanted to tell us about – but a story in a newspaper has probably forced its hand. Yes, it may sound alarming that the Queen was taken to hospital for preliminary tests – after all, moments of illness have been rare during her reign. But I understand

The Queen spent a night in hospital after cancelling a visit to Northern Ireland, Buckingham Palace has said. A spokesman added: “Following medical advice to rest for a few days, the Queen attended hospital on Wednesday afternoon for some preliminary investigations, returning to Windsor Castle at lunchtime today (Thursday), and remains in good spirits.” It

In the last week, thousands of people have been arrested by police in England and Wales on suspicion of drug trafficking. In addition to the 1,468 arrests, weapons including zombie knives and samurai swords were seized, and £1.3m in cash was found by police between 11 October and 17 October Police in England and Wales

The UK has recorded another 49,139 new COVID cases and 179 virus-related deaths, the latest figures show. The cases figure is the highest since 17 July, when there were 54,674 cases. A total of 320,594 cases have been recorded in the last week – an increase of 17.2%. The figures show there were another 42,902

The Queen has “reluctantly accepted medical advice to rest for the next few days” and will not be travelling to Northern Ireland today, Buckingham Palace has said. “Her Majesty is in good spirits and is disappointed that she will no longer be able to visit Northern Ireland, where she had been due to undertake a

The UK has recorded 223 COVID-19 deaths within 28 days of a positive test in the biggest daily jump since early March. A further 43,738 coronavirus cases were also recorded. It is the biggest jump in daily deaths from COVID-19 since 9 March, when 231 people died within 28 days of a positive test. Please

Gracie Spinks, a 23-year-old Derbyshire woman who is thought to have been killed by a man she had reported for stalking, was let down by the police, according to her family. Speaking exclusively to Sky News ahead of what would have been Gracie’s 24th birthday, her parents said officers failed to recognise the danger their

Sky News has obtained CCTV footage showing a man understood to be Ali Harbi Ali walking along a north London street just hours before the killing of Conservative MP Sir David Amess. The 25-year-old man, who has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of Sir David Amess, is seen walking slowly along the pavement

The deputy prime minister has said online hate is “out of control” but a wedge should not be put in between MPs and their constituents after the murder of Sir David Amess. Dominic Raab called for the vilification of MPs to stop as he paid tribute to the “big-hearted” Sir David, who was stabbed to

The family of Sir David Amess has said they are “absolutely broken, but we will survive” following the murder of the MP on Friday. They have also urged people to support the causes Sir David championed, as well as ask everyone to set their differences aside and show “kindness and love” to one another following

MPs could be given police protection while they carry out constituency surgeries, the Home Secretary has told Sky News. Speaking to Trevor Phillips on Sunday, Priti Patel said the measure was under consideration in the wake of the killing of Conservative MP Sir David Amess. Watch special Trevor Phillips on Sunday on killing of Sir

The name the police have of the terror suspect arrested on suspicion of murder following the stabbing of a senior Conservative MP is Ali Harbi Ali, Sky News understands. The 25-year-old, who is a British citizen, with Somali heritage, is not thought to have been previously known to the security services. However, the investigation into

The fatal stabbing of Conservative MP Sir David Amess in Essex has been declared as a terrorist incident, police say. Sir David, who represented Southend West in Essex, was stabbed on Friday afternoon during a surgery at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea. A 25-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder, and

Conservative MP Sir David Amess has died after being stabbed at a surgery in his constituency, police say. Sir David, who represented Southend West in Essex, was attacked on Friday afternoon at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea. Live updates: Man arrested on suspicion of murder after Conservative MP stabbed to death Please use Chrome browser

COVID testing has been suspended at a private laboratory in Wolverhampton after an estimated 43,000 people were given incorrect results. An investigation was launched into reports of people receiving negative PCR test results after they had previously tested positive on a lateral flow device. NHS Test and Trace estimates that 400,000 coronavirus test samples were

Butchers and abattoir workers from overseas will be granted seasonal worker visas to deal with the backlog of pigs that need to be slaughtered, the government has announced. Agriculture Secretary George Eustice said about 800 pig butchers from overseas are needed to avoid a mass cull of up to 150,000 of the animals. He expects