Ministers expected to assess latest data given to Sage and decide on possible return to step 2 restrictionsCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageMinisters could meet as soon as Monday to determine whether new restrictions are need…
UK to ease immigration rules for care workers as shortage worsens
Loss of more than 40,000 staff over past six months prompts move to recruit overseas Thousands of additional care workers are to be recruited from abroad to fill chronic gaps in the workforce, the government has announced, after figures showed more tha…
Social care: Johnson’s reforms face fresh hurdle in Lords
Tory peers will try to amend PM’s controversial bill which has already sparked a rebellion by his MPsBoris Johnson is facing a showdown with Conservative peers in the House of Lords who will attempt to force his social care reforms back to the Commons,…
Tory group distances itself from Stanley Johnson after groping claims
Conservative environment network expresses concern over allegations about PM’s father by MP and journalistAn influential Conservative environmental group has distanced itself from Stanley Johnson after allegations made against the prime minister’s fath…
Blood donation rules changed to attract more donors with rare subgroups
‘Discriminatory’ questions on sexual activity in sub-Saharan Africa to be removed for donations in EnglandMinisters will remove questions on sexual activity in sub-Saharan Africa for blood donations to encourage more donors in England after a long camp…
Kwasi Kwarteng accused of misleading claims over power cable project
Letter from 2019 reveals business secretary supported £1.2bn project linked to Conservative donorA cabinet minister has been accused of making misleading claims about a £1.2bn cable project linked to a Conservative donor.Almost one in 10 Conservative M…
Energy crisis: Treasury reprimands Kwarteng after help for firms claim
Source close to Rishi Sunak accuses business secretary of ‘making up’ talks with chancellor about supportThe Treasury has issued an extraordinary reprimand to the business secretary, Kwasi Kwarteng, after he suggested he was consulting the chancellor, …
Labour promises to spend £28bn a year on tackling climate crisis
Rachel Reeves aims to be ‘first green chancellor’ as she announces party’s biggest spending pledge to dateLabour would invest £28bn a year in climate measures to protect Britain from disaster, Rachel Reeves has announced in by far the party’s biggest s…
Starmer risks ‘civil war’ over Labour leadership election rules change
Move to put proposals to vote at party conference comes under fire from Momentum and some unionsKeir Starmer has been accused of risking “civil war” in the Labour party as he seeks to rewrite the rules that led to Jeremy Corbyn’s election as leader.Sta…
Reshuffle compared to Margaret Thatcher’s 1981 ‘purge of the wets’
Analysis: sources say casualties were intended to show ministers Boris Johnson’s strength of positionCabinet reshuffle: who’s in, who’s outCabinet reshuffle – live updatesFor a man often said to be a people pleaser and conflict avoider, in his two year…