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Sat, 31 July 2021

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Boris Johnson Warns Pandemic 'Is Not Over' As Government Confirms 19 July End To Restrictions
Coronavirus
Boris Johnson Warns Pandemic "Is Not Over" As Government Confirms 19 July End To Restrictions
Boris Johnson has urged people to act cautiously when all legal coronavirus restrictions in England are dropped next week, telling the public: "This pandemic is not over."
Sajid Javid Confirms Covid Restrictions To End On 19 July But Admits They Could Come Back
Coronavirus
Sajid Javid Confirms Covid Restrictions To End On 19 July But Admits They Could Come Back
The government has confirmed the end to all legal coronavirus restrictions from next Monday, but will urge large events to check people’s Covid status.
Priti Patel Accused Of 'Dog Whistle' Politics After Failing To Condemn Booing Of England Players
Political parties
Priti Patel Accused Of "Dog Whistle" Politics After Failing To Condemn Booing Of England Players
The Home Secretary has been accused by former Tory minister Sayeeda Warsi of fueling "culture wars" in the wake of racist abuse aimed at England players.
Minister Shifts Advice To Say People Will Be “Expected To Wear Masks In Enclosed Spaces” Beyond Step 4 Of Lockdown Roadmap
Coronavirus
Minister Shifts Advice To Say People Will Be “Expected To Wear Masks In Enclosed Spaces” Beyond Step 4 Of Lockdown Roadmap
The government will set out guidelines saying people are “expected to wear masks in indoor enclosed spaces” even after the end of all legal coronavirus restrictions next week.
Northern Ireland's Future Is Hanging In The Balance, Says DUP Leader Jeffrey Donaldson
Brexit
Northern Ireland's Future Is Hanging In The Balance, Says DUP Leader Jeffrey Donaldson
Unionists cannot afford to lose the next year's election in Northern Ireland, the DUP’s new leader Jeffrey Donaldson has warned.
Ministers Told Not To Say 'It's Coming Home' Ahead Of England Final
Culture
Ministers Told Not To Say 'It's Coming Home' Ahead Of England Final
Exclusive: A briefing note sent to government officials today urges them to encourage ministers not to say "It's Coming Home" when talking about the England football team because it annoys other countries.
Double-Jabbed Brits Living Abroad Can Return To UK Without Quarantine In 'Coming Weeks'
Coronavirus
Double-Jabbed Brits Living Abroad Can Return To UK Without Quarantine In "Coming Weeks"
The government is "actively working” on plans to accept proof of vaccination from travellers arriving in the UK who have received their jabs in another country.
Emergency Departments Face Busiest June On Record As Medics Warn Of 'Threat' To Patient Safety
Health
Emergency Departments Face Busiest June On Record As Medics Warn Of "Threat" To Patient Safety
Ministers are being warned of a "looming crisis" in accident and emergency as patient numbers hit highest levels since records began.
Boris Johnson Announces End To 20 Year UK Military Mission In Afghanistan
Defence
Boris Johnson Announces End To 20 Year UK Military Mission In Afghanistan
The Prime Minister said all remaining British troops in the country would be "coming home" as he confirmed the end of the UK's role in the conflict.
Grant Shapps Confirms Fully-Vaccinated Can Skip Quarantine When Visiting Amber List Countries From 19 July
Coronavirus
Grant Shapps Confirms Fully-Vaccinated Can Skip Quarantine When Visiting Amber List Countries From 19 July
Grant Shapps has announced that travellers who have had both vaccine doses can skip quarantine requirements when returning from countries on the amber list.
Boris Johnson Cleared By Ethics Watchdog Over Mustique Holiday But Criticised For 'Unusual' Funding
Political parties
Boris Johnson Cleared By Ethics Watchdog Over Mustique Holiday But Criticised For "Unusual" Funding
The Standards Committee has cleared Boris Johnson of breaking the MPs code of conduct over his Christmas holiday in the Caribbean.
Rishi Sunak Hints Pension Triple Lock Could Be Scrapped To Ensure “Fairness For Taxpayers”
Economy
Rishi Sunak Hints Pension Triple Lock Could Be Scrapped To Ensure “Fairness For Taxpayers”
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has hinted that the government could scrap its manifesto pledge to maintain the pensions triple lock as forecasters predict the policy could cost an extra £3 billion a year.
People Told To Self-Isolate By Test & Trace App Has Jumped By Tens Of Thousands Per Week
Coronavirus
People Told To Self-Isolate By Test & Trace App Has Jumped By Tens Of Thousands Per Week
The number of people identified as close contacts of someone who tested positive for coronavirus by the government’s Test and Trace app jumped from less than 10,000 per week, to more than 200,000 in a month.
Benefit Rules For Terminally Ill People Could Face 'Unacceptable' New Delays
Health
Benefit Rules For Terminally Ill People Could Face "Unacceptable" New Delays
Suggestions that DWP Secretary Thérèse Coffey could delay reforms to benefit rules for terminally ill people yet again have been roundly condemned by medical charities.
Boris Johnson Tells MPs Herd Immunity Is “Not A Consideration” In The Government’s Lockdown Roadmap
Coronavirus
Boris Johnson Tells MPs Herd Immunity Is “Not A Consideration” In The Government’s Lockdown Roadmap
Boris Johnson has told senior MPs that allowing the UK to reach herd immunity this summer is not part of the government’s lockdown lifting plan.
James Brokenshire Resigns As Security Minister To Focus On Cancer Recovery
Coronavirus
James Brokenshire Resigns As Security Minister To Focus On Cancer Recovery
Home Office minister James Brokenshire has stepped down from his position as he continues to receive treatment for lung cancer.
Boris Johnson Dodges Questions Over People Deleting Test And Trace App To Avoid Isolation
Coronavirus
Boris Johnson Dodges Questions Over People Deleting Test And Trace App To Avoid Isolation
Boris Johnson has swerved growing concern over how the government is going to prevent people deleting the NHS Test and Trace App to avoid having to self-isolate when Covid infections surge this summer.
Kwasi Kwarteng Says Covid Self-Isolation Is “Not Perfect Solution” After Warnings Of Chaos
Coronavirus
Kwasi Kwarteng Says Covid Self-Isolation Is “Not Perfect Solution” After Warnings Of Chaos
The business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has conceded that keeping the self-isolation policy for close contacts of Covid cases after the end of other restrictions is "not a perfect solution”.
School Bubbles Will Be Scrapped Just Days Before The End Of Term
Education
School Bubbles Will Be Scrapped Just Days Before The End Of Term
Gavin Williamson has confirmed that the system of “school bubbles” will be scrapped alongside other Covid restrictions on 19 July. Children will also soon be exempt from some self-isolation rules.
Why Boris Johnson Might Be Forced To Ditch His “Irreversible” Lockdown Promise
Coronavirus
Why Boris Johnson Might Be Forced To Ditch His “Irreversible” Lockdown Promise
The Prime Minister's promise of an "irreversible" return to normality from 19 July could come under significant pressure as the UK enters uncharted territory in the pandemic.
Double-Jabbed And Under-18s Won't Have To Self-Isolate From August 16
Coronavirus
Double-Jabbed And Under-18s Won't Have To Self-Isolate From August 16
Sajid Javid has confirmed fully-vaccinated people will soon not be required to self-isolate if they come into contact with somebody infected with coronavirus.
Sajid Javid Admits Risk From “Vaccine Resistant” Covid Variant But Defends Dropping Restrictions
Coronavirus
Sajid Javid Admits Risk From “Vaccine Resistant” Covid Variant But Defends Dropping Restrictions
Sajid Javid said the government must maintain some coronavirus powers in case a “vaccine resistant” strain of Covid arrives in the UK.
Plans For Domestic Vaccine Passports Will Be Scrapped Under Lockdown Easing Measures
Coronavirus
Plans For Domestic Vaccine Passports Will Be Scrapped Under Lockdown Easing Measures
The government has confirmed plans to introduce a domestic vaccine certification scheme will be ditched as part of the final lockdown easing measures.
Boris Johnson Says Lockdown Lifting Is ‘Now Or Never’ As He Sets Out Plan For 19 July Reopening
Coronavirus
Boris Johnson Says Lockdown Lifting Is ‘Now Or Never’ As He Sets Out Plan For 19 July Reopening
Boris Johnson has told a Downing Street press conference that England is on track to lift the majority of its remaining coronavirus restrictions as planned on 19 July — despite lingering concern over the spread of the Delta variant.
Government Accused Of An 'Act Of Gross Negligence' With Blanket End To Face Covering Rules
Coronavirus
Government Accused Of An "Act Of Gross Negligence" With Blanket End To Face Covering Rules
Unions and campaign groups have criticised government plans to end requirements for face coverings to be used in public places.
Care Minister Insists 19 July Lockdown Easing Will Be 'Irreversible'
Coronavirus
Care Minister Insists 19 July Lockdown Easing Will Be "Irreversible"
Care minister Helen Whately has reiterated Boris Johnson's claim that the final lockdown easing will be "irreversible", despite admitting cases would continue to rise.
Compulsory Face Masks To Be Scrapped From 19 July, Says Robert Jenrick
Coronavirus
Compulsory Face Masks To Be Scrapped From 19 July, Says Robert Jenrick
A cabinet minister has suggested that the final stage of lockdown lifting — including an end to compulsory face coverings — is on track to go ahead on 19 July amid “very promising” coronavirus data.
Keir Starmer Has Bought Himself The Summer To Steady His Leadership After Batley By-Election Victory
Political parties
Keir Starmer Has Bought Himself The Summer To Steady His Leadership After Batley By-Election Victory
Travelling to Batley in West Yorkshire from his home in North London on Friday morning, Keir Starmer must have breathed a huge sigh of relief. For weeks rumours have swirled that his days as leader would be numbered if Labour allowed another seat to fall into Tory hands.
Keir Starmer Pledges That 'Labour Is Back' After Clinching Batley By-Election Victory
Political parties
Keir Starmer Pledges That "Labour Is Back" After Clinching Batley By-Election Victory
Keir Starmer has decisively declared that “Labour is back” after the party scrapped to victory over the Conservatives in the Batley and Spen by-election.
Senior Tory Admits Matt Hancock Scandal Might Have Cost Them Batley By-Election
Political parties
Senior Tory Admits Matt Hancock Scandal Might Have Cost Them Batley By-Election
The chair of the Conservative party has admitted last week's Matt Hancock affair scandal, which led the former health secretary to resign, was a factor in their failure to win the Batley and Spen by-election.
Keir Starmer Has Swerved A Leadership Challenge After Labour Cling Onto Batley and Spen
Political parties
Keir Starmer Has Swerved A Leadership Challenge After Labour Cling Onto Batley and Spen
An unexpected victory for Labour in the Batley and Spen by-election will come as a welcome relief for Keir Starmer, whose leadership of the party was once again thrown into question this week when the race tightened in favour of the Conservatives.
Labour Wins Batley & Spen By-Election After A Tight Battle To Hold Seat
Political parties
Labour Wins Batley & Spen By-Election After A Tight Battle To Hold Seat
Labour has won the Batley & Spen by-election, defying expectations and giving under-pressure Keir Starmer a huge boost.
MPs Call For Six-Month Limit On Domestic Abuse Assault Prosecutions To Be Scrapped
Home affairs
MPs Call For Six-Month Limit On Domestic Abuse Assault Prosecutions To Be Scrapped
A cross-party group of MPs has proposed an amendment to the government’s policing bill which would give domestic abuse victims more time to bring assault charges against their abusers. 
Kwasi Kwarteng Defends Rolling Back Furlough Scheme Calling It 'An Exceptional Policy In Extreme Times'
Economy
Kwasi Kwarteng Defends Rolling Back Furlough Scheme Calling It "An Exceptional Policy In Extreme Times"
Kwasi Kwarteng has defended the decision to roll back the furlough scheme from 1 July despite fears the changes could hit businesses still unable to open under lockdown restrictions.
UK And EU Confirm Sausage Truce But Future Clash Still Looms On Solution
Brexit
UK And EU Confirm Sausage Truce But Future Clash Still Looms On Solution
The government and European Union have confirmed they have agreed to extend the grace period allowing the trade of chilled meat from Great Britain to Northern Ireland by three months.
High Court Judge Throws Out Legal Challenge Against The Northern Ireland Protocol
Brexit
High Court Judge Throws Out Legal Challenge Against The Northern Ireland Protocol
The Belfast Hight Court has ruled that the Northern Ireland Protocol is not unconstitutional, shooting down a legal challenge spearheaded by pro-Brexit politicians.