Johnson takes ‘full responsibility’ for ‘appalling and tragic loss of life’ as UK passes 100,000 Covid deaths

Boris Johnson has said he takes “full responsibility” for the government’s actions that have led to the UK passing the 100,000 mark for the number of people who have died with coronavirus. A sombre prime minister insisted his government “truly did everything we could” to fight the virus and limit deaths caused by Covid, yet […]

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Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine has only 8% efficacy for over 65s, claims German newspaper

Doubts are growing over the efficacy of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine with Germany’s leading business newspaper claiming the jab is only 8% effective for over 65s. AstraZeneca have rejected the “completely incorrect” claim with a spokesperson saying the jab has JCVI and MHRA authorisation, adding: “In November, we published data in The Lancet demonstrating that older […]

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Fish exporters protest ‘Brexit carnage’, Johnson blames closed restaurants on the continent

Scottish fishing businesses descended on London to protest the severe disruption to their trade caused by Brexit bureaucracy. “Brexit carnage” and “incompetent Government: destroying shellfish industry” proclaimed banners on some of the 20 trucks parked around Whitehall. Boris Johnson said he sympathises “very, very much” and understands the “frustrations and concerns” of the industry, while […]

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Lifting lockdown in February will be a ‘disaster’, says Sage member, who warns Manaus variant is probably already in UK

The government has been warned by a member of its Sage panel of experts, that lifting lockdown next month would be a “disaster” that puts the “NHS under enormous pressure again.” Prof John Edmunds also said that the highly infectious Covid variant detected in Manaus, Brazil is probably already in the UK, although no cases […]

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Brexit, Brazil, free school meals, ICUs and a record number of deaths – a day in the life of a PM under pressure to deliver

A single day of questions at Westminster for the prime minister has provided a glimpse of the extent and range of immediate challenges and crises that Boris Johnson has been entrusted to lead the country through. A double bill for Johnson began with PMQs and was followed by an appearance before the House of Commons […]

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Suspend Brexit deal now, urges DUP MP – Northern Ireland is ‘one storm away’ from supply chain collapse, warns hauliers

The UK government has been warned that Northern Ireland is “one storm or boat breakdown away” from “a collapse of the NI supply chain”. Michael Gove has received an 11-page report forecasting the grim scenario that could occur within five days without urgent action from ministers. Cabinet office minister Gove said the post-Brexit trade chaos […]

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1.8m children need devices for remote learning – ‘alternative is unacceptable’ says Children’s Commissioner

Almost two million children in the UK do not have access to a laptop, desktop computer or tablet at home, with warnings that the digital divide will lead to more inequality and further damage children’s education. The Children’s Commissioner Anne Longfield wants pupils who do not have access to remote learning equipment, to be designated […]

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