Government denies plan for October half-term lockdown but says option remains open if NHS overwhelmedCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageDowning Street has not ruled out a “firebreak” lockdown as a last resort if the NHS were to…
What has gone wrong with social care in England?
Boris Johnson is not the first to try to fix the problems that have made care costs unaffordable for manyWhether it is help with washing and dressing at home or long-term nursing support, most social care in England has never been automatically free at…
Vaccine passports needed to keep venues in England open, says minister
Covid rule will be in place by end of September for nightclubs and mass events, Nadhim Zahawi confirmsCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageVaccine passports will be required for nightclubs, mass events and large venues in England…
Give pupils Covid jab to prevent virus running through UK, expert says
Sage scientist’s call comes after JCVI says net health benefit in giving jabs to 12- to 15-year-olds is too smallCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageSchoolchildren should be given the Covid vaccine to avoid allowing the virus to…
PM’s ex-aide blames Whitehall staff for Covid ‘mixed messages’
Lee Cain says pandemic exposed a communications system ill equipped for the 21st centuryCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageBoris Johnson’s former director of communications has blamed a lack of expertise in Whitehall for the go…
No urgency on Covid booster shots for healthy adults, says UK scientist
Exclusive: head of key research into third dose says it may be better to prioritise vulnerable firstCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThere is “almost certainly no urgency” to press ahead with booster shots for healthy adults …
Confusion over Covid jabs for over-12s in England ahead of new school term
JCVI is understood to have concerns about the affect of the jab on other childhood inoculationsCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageConfusion is growing over whether all children aged 12 and over will soon be offered a Covid jab …
Attempt to force release of Johnson’s messages on Covid in care homes fails
High court rules that government does not have to disclose potentially explosive WhatsApp textsCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe government has successfully resisted disclosure of potentially explosive WhatsApp messages be…
Unions criticise English schools ‘more normal year’ campaign as naive
As students are urged to have twice-weekly Covid tests, unions say further measures are needed to reassure parentsA new government campaign urging students in England to have twice-weekly Covid tests for “a more normal year” at school and college has b…
9,000 Covid cases linked to Euro 2020 games in mass events scheme
Study paper says England’s progress to final ‘generated a significant risk to public health across the UK’Coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageMore than 9,000 Covid infections were linked to Euro 2020 football games monitored for…