Month: May 2021

Twelve destinations have been put on a green travel list for people in England, meaning anyone returning will not need to quarantine from 17 May. A new traffic light system of rules means international travel will no longer be illegal. However, places on the green list – which includes Portugal, Israel and Gibraltar – have

Hartlepool has a Conservative MP for the first time since the constituency’s creation nearly 50 years ago, after Jill Mortimer won a by-election. Ms Mortimer beat her closest rival, Labour’s Paul Williams by 6,940 votes. The result is a blow for Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer in his first election test since taking over the

Getty Images Two Royal Navy ships are preparing to return home after a protest by French fishermen over post-Brexit rights in Jersey’s territorial waters ended. The UK government said “the situation is resolved for now” but “we remain on standby” to assist Jersey. French fishermen say their rights are unfairly restricted by licences issued under

Millions of people across Britain will cast a ballot on Thursday in the biggest set of votes since the 2019 general election. Elections for the Scottish Parliament, the Welsh Senedd, and 143 councils and 13 mayors in England are happening. A Westminster by-election is also taking place in Hartlepool. Up to 48 million people are

Getty Images The UK will send two Royal Navy patrol vessels to monitor a protest in waters around Jersey’s main port amid a fishing rights row with France. PM Boris Johnson said “any blockade would be completely unjustified” as over 100 French fishing boats prepared to sail to the island on Thursday. It follows a

Getty Images The UK government is pledging extra money to fast-track vaccines that fight new variants of coronavirus. Existing vaccines still protect against variants such as those identified in Kent and South Africa – but experts say it is also vital to stay a step ahead of a virus that keeps mutating. The concern is

Reuters It is unlikely that there will be more lockdowns in the UK, the scientist whose modelling led to the first nationwide restrictions has said. Prof Neil Ferguson told the BBC the UK is “likely to be on a steady course now out of this pandemic”. However, he said there could be a “roll back”

At least 20 people have been killed and dozens injured after a metro overpass collapsed in Mexico City while a train was travelling on it, officials say. Several train carriages plunged to the ground, crushing at least one car, which was on a busy road underneath. Rescue workers and firefighters are searching for survivors after

Getty Images There is a “good chance” the 1m plus social distancing rule can be scrapped on 21 June in England, the prime minister has said. Boris Johnson said the results of the vaccine rollout are “really starting to show up in the epidemiology” – but any change would depend on the data. Labour leader

PA Media Families and friends will be able to mourn their loved ones in unlimited numbers at funerals in England from 17 May, under new plans. As part of the next step in easing restrictions, the government is preparing to remove the 30-person legal limit a month earlier than planned. This means any number of

Manchester United’s game against Liverpool has been postponed after about 200 fans broke into Old Trafford to protest against the Glazer family’s ownership of the club. The fixture was scheduled to kick off at 16:30 BST on Sunday. “This is a collective decision from the police, both clubs, the Premier League and local authorities,” said

Getty Images People may not need to self-isolate if they have been in close contact with someone with Covid, if a new trial is successful. The government-backed research will trial giving people daily lateral flow tests for seven days – instead of quarantining for 10 days. So long as they test negative all week, they

India is due to begin vaccinating all adults over the age of 18 amid a deadly second wave of infections. But a number of states say they won’t be able to provide the jabs because they don’t have enough doses. India’s vaccination drive is in a crisis at a time when the country’s healthcare system

PA Media Care home residents will be able to leave their home for low-risk trips without having to self-isolate for 14 days afterwards, the government says. The rules will be relaxed in England from Tuesday, allowing for walks or garden visits without self-isolation. The government says a fall in Covid cases means it is “much