Politics

Boris Johnson’s controversial Internal Market Bill isn’t just opposed by leading bishops, including Justin Welby. It will also face an unholy battering when it’s debated for the first time in the House of Lords. The Archbishop of Canterbury is one of 113 peers due to speak at the bill’s two-day second reading debate – when

Businesses that trade with Europe are to be warned by Boris Johnson this week that time is running out to prepare for a no-deal Brexit. The prime minister and Michael Gove – the cabinet minister in charge of no-deal planning – are to hold talks with business leaders, urging them to step up their efforts.

The war of words between Greater Manchester’s political leaders and the government over the strictest coronavirus restrictions shows no sign of ending at the moment. Confusion grew on Saturday as Downing Street said talks had been set up with Andy Burnham – but the Mayor of Manchester’s team said nothing had been arranged. Political leaders

Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson says his brother has died after contracting COVID-19. Sharing the news on Twitter, he said that despite medical experts’ efforts to save him, his brother died on Friday evening after being admitted to intensive care. “We want to thank the dedicated staff risking their lives for us,” he said. “Thank

Greater Manchester residents will have Tier 3 coronavirus restrictions imposed on them even if local leaders do not agree, Boris Johnson has warned. Speaking at a news conference from Downing Street, flanked by chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance, and government medical adviser Dr Susan Hopkins, the prime minister said: “If agreement cannot be reached,

The UK’s chief Brexit negotiator has told his European counterpart not to come to London on Monday to resolve stalled talks, after the prime minister warned it was time to “get ready” to leave without a deal. David Frost spoke to Michel Barnier after Boris Johnson claimed Brussels had “abandoned” the ambition of a free

Manchester could have a Tier 3 coronavirus lockdown imposed on it if negotiations fail, Dominic Raab has told Sky News. The foreign secretary said ministers have “the power to proceed” with putting the city into England’s highest band of measures to stem the spread of COVID-19. After a furious row blew up with Manchester politicians

Amid claims that England’s crucial COVID-19 contact tracing scheme has failed, Sky News can reveal that the government is paying a five-person team of management consultants £25,000 a day to work on the system. The team from Boston Consulting Group (BCG) is only a fraction of the private sector consultants working on the test and

MPs in Greater Manchester and London have been invited to briefings with a government minister this morning – amid reports that both areas could be placed into a higher coronavirus tier. Health minister Helen Whateley is going to hold a call with London MPs at 9.30am, followed by Greater Manchester MPs at 10.45am. Local leaders

Boris Johnson has told MPs that “I rule out nothing” in the fight against coronavirus, but that he wants to “avoid the misery of another national lockdown”. The prime minister defended his three-tier system of local COVID-19 restrictions during a tempestuous PMQs clash with Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer. Did you miss PMQs? This is

England’s new three-tier system for localised coronavirus restrictions has come into force today – but the prime minister is already under growing pressure to take even further action. From midnight, the country was split into three COVID-19 alert levels – “medium”, “high” and “very high”. Liverpool City Region is in the top tier, with bars

A total of 42 Tory rebels have railed against the government’s 10pm curfew for bars and restaurants in the latest House of Commons vote. The rebels include Sir Graham Brady, the chair of the influential 1922 Committee of Tory backbenchers, as well as former Cabinet ministers Esther McVey and John Redwood. Former Labour leader Jeremy

Boris Johnson’s new coronavirus lockdown rules are being debated and voted on by MPs, with the prime minister facing a Tory backlash and potential rebellion. Some Conservative MPs are against the measures on civil liberties grounds, while others claim restrictions such as the 10pm curfew for pubs and restaurants are counter-productive. But unless Sir Keir

The highest level of restrictions in England’s new three-tier local lockdown system “will not be sufficient” to slow COVID-19 infections alone, England’s chief medical officer has said. From Wednesday, England will be split into “medium”, “high” and “very high” coronavirus alert levels. Speaking at a Downing Street news briefing shortly after Boris Johnson confirmed the

Nicola Sturgeon has read out messages with Alex Salmond in a bid to prove she did not “cover up” serious allegations of sexual misconduct against him. Mr Salmond was cleared in court earlier this year of 13 sexual assault charges. The Scottish first minister denied she was withholding evidence from an inquiry examining the government’s

SNP MP Margaret Ferrier has said she will not resign despite backlash for travelling to parliament after developing coronavirus symptoms, saying the virus made her act ‘out of character’. Ms Ferrier admitted to travelling to London from Glasgow after taking a coronavirus test last month, and said once she had received a positive result, took