News- UK

Coronavirus: fears UK government has lost control as cases soar Labour calls on Matt Hancock to explain reasons behind increase and testing centre problemsCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe UK has recorded a massive rise in the number of people testing positive for coronavirus, amid concerns the government has lost control of the epidemic just as people are returning to work and universities prepare to reopen.Labour has demanded the health secretary, Matt Hancock, give an urgent statement to the House of Commons to explain the increase and why some people are still being told to drive hundreds of miles to have a test. Continue reading... Go to Source

Birmingham stabbings: footage released as police hunt suspect Police say lone suspect still on loose after attacks in which one man died and seven people were injuredWest Midlands police have released CCTV of a man they are seeking after a series of stabbings in Birmingham city centre left one man dead and seven people injured, two seriously.The attacker responsible for the stabbings – which happened in four different areas over a two-hour period in the early hours of Sunday morning – was still at large, police confirmed. Continue reading... Go to Source

Grenfell bereaved say Covid ban on attending inquiry is 'madness' Community contrasts ongoing restrictions at inquiry with reopening of bars and eateriesCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageSurvivors and bereaved of the Grenfell Tower fire have branded as “madness” rules that mean although they can eat at a restaurant or drink in a pub, they are still not allowed to attend the public inquiry, which restarts on Monday.The builders of the disastrous refurbishment will continue giving evidence in front of an empty inquiry room in Paddington this week, followed by building safety officials from the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and, next month, executives at the council’s housing arm, which acted as landlord. Continue reading... Go to Source

Belarus protests show no sign of fading as 100,000 turn out in Minsk Similar marches held in other cities including Brest a month after disputed electionHuge protests have taken place across Belarus against the embattled regime of Alexander Lukashenko, with demonstrators marching on the president’s residence in the capital, Minsk, for a fourth weekend in a row.More than 100,000 people filled Minsk’s Independence Avenue calling for Lukashenko to step down. There were similar marches in other cities, including Brest, Vitebsk and Grodno. Continue reading... Go to Source

Urgent action needed to open up care homes for visits, ministers told Guidance and testing regime in England under fire as relatives fear for isolated residentsCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe Labour party and charities have called on ministers to take urgent action to help care homes in England receive more visitors, amid widespread warnings that isolation because of coronavirus is causing many residents to deteriorate rapidly.The shadow social care minister, Liz Kendall, said the government should introduce more testing and protective equipment, while a charity that represents care residents and their families called for a wider re-evaluation of visiting rules to take into account the impact of separation from loved ones. Continue reading... Go to Sou...

Murder inquiry opens after man killed in series of stabbings in Birmingham Police say incidents that left one dead and seven injured in city centre are linkedWest Midlands police have launched a murder investigation after a series of stabbings in Birmingham city centre left one man dead, two people with serious injuries and five others injured.West Midlands police declared a major incident in Birmingham city centre after a number of stabbings in the early hours of Sunday morning. Continue reading... Go to Source

Covid-19 ‘could be endemic in deprived parts of England’ A leaked government document suggests the national lockdown did little to cut infection in parts of the northCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverage Covid-19 could now be endemic in some parts of the country that combine severe deprivation, poor housing and large BAME communities, according to a highly confidential analysis by Public Health England.The document, leaked to the Observer, and marked “official sensitive”, suggests the national lockdown in these parts of the north of England had little effect in reducing the level of infections, and that in such communities it is now firmly established. Continue reading... Go to Source

Desperate Boris Johnson to step up personal attacks on Keir Starmer Prime minister said to be ‘furious’ after being asked in the House of Commons to withdraw comments about the Labour leaderAn increasingly desperate Boris Johnson has ordered his staff to step up personal attacks on the Labour leader Keir Starmer and his record as a lawyer, as confidence in the prime minister’s leadership collapses among Tory party members.The Observer has been told that Johnson was so furious after last Wednesday’s prime minister’s questions – where he was asked to withdraw comments he made about the Labour leader and the IRA by the Speaker, Lindsay Hoyle – that he turned on his staff for leaving him under-prepared, and asked them to come up with more attack lines on the Labour leader’s career as a lawy...

More than 1,000 UK doctors want to quit NHS over handling of pandemic New survey finds two-thirds of respondents plan to leave within three years, citing Covid-19 burnout and frustrations over payCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageOver 1,000 doctors plan to quit the NHS because they are disillusioned with the government’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic and frustrated about their pay, a new survey has found.The doctors either intend to move abroad, take a career break, switch to private hospitals or resign to work as locums instead, amid growing concern about mental health and stress levels in the profession. Continue reading... Go to Source

Port of Dover is brought to a standstill by far-right groups Flag-waving extremists and white nationalists block roads in protest over migrant Channel crossings Just after 1pm, below the white cliffs of Dover, Nigel Marcham offered his take on one of the summer’s most potent symbols. “Take a knee for the brethren of this fucking country,” Marcham screamed into his megaphone.Around him a ragtag collection of far-right supporters, white nationalists and neo-nazis knelt on the A20 outside Dover’s Eastern Docks. “Thanks for taking a fucking knee in the proper way,” he said, clearly delighted with his perversion of the global peaceful protest symbol adopted by millions following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Continue reading... Go to Source

Donald Trump visits his golf club amid outrage over remarks about US war dead President went to Trump National Golf Club in the 295th trip to one of his own golf courses during his presidencyDonald Trump visited one of his own golf courses on Saturday amid one of the worst recent scandals to his presidency in recent months and after expert warnings that up to 400,000 Americans could die of the coronavirus before the end of the year.Trump’s re-election bid is in turmoil after multiple reports of disparaging remarks he made about veterans and US soldiers that have caused widespread outrage, including calling them “suckers” and “losers”. The White House has strongly denied the allegations. Continue reading... Go to Source

Climate activists accused of ‘attacking free press’ by blockading print works Extinction Rebellion protests at News Corp sites condemned by Society of Editors as ‘attempt to silence other voices’Ministers and MPs from all parts of the political spectrum have condemned Extinction Rebellion for blocking the delivery of newspapers across the UK on Saturday.Four national newspapers, including the Sun and the Daily Mail, were missing from some newsagents’ shelves on Saturday morning after more than 100 environmental protesters targeted printing presses owned by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp on Friday evening. Continue reading... Go to Source

Civil servants' union will consider strike action over back-to-office plans Cabinet secretary says he wants 80% of staff back at least once a week by end of monthCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverage A public sector union has said it will consider strike action over cabinet-driven plans for the vast majority of civil servants to return to the office by the end of the month.The outgoing head of the civil service has written to department permanent secretaries calling on them to reduce the numbers of staff working from home. The cabinet secretary, Sir Mark Sedwill, said he wanted 80% of workers back at their desks at least once a week by the end of September. Continue reading... Go to Source

Tony Abbott's UK trade role sparks conflict of interest concerns Calls for Australian government to regard him as a foreign agent and explain how he can possibly work on a post-Brexit trade deal The controversial appointment of Australian former prime minister Tony Abbott as an official trade adviser for the UK has sparked questions as to how he will manage conflicts of interest.The UK government officially confirmed Abbott’s appointment on Friday, defying a barrage of criticism over accusations of misogynistic and homophobic comments, and his views on the climate emergency. Continue reading... Go to Source

Oxford University takes top spot in Guardian's annual university guide This year’s report sees Oxford moving up from third to first for the first time in a decadeThe main table How Oxford leapfrogged its rivalsOxford University has vaulted into top place in the Guardian’s annual universities guide for the first time in a decade, thanks to new employment data showing that more Oxford students are moving into graduate-level jobs after completing their studies.This year’s Guardian university guide sees Oxford moving up from third to first, while the University of St Andrews stays in second place and Oxford’s ancient rival Cambridge drops to third after occupying the top spot for nine years. Continue reading... Go to Source

Donald Trump says US 'hasn't had any proof' of Navalny poisoning President says US must look seriously at case but suggests media should be looking into ChinaPresident Donald Trump said the United States must look “very seriously” into the poisoning of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, but that his administration had not yet seen any proof.“I think we have to look at it very seriously, if it’s the case,” he said, before talking at length about his diplomatic efforts in North Korea and nuclear non-proliferation in Russia. “I don’t know exactly what happened. It’s tragic. It’s terrible, it shouldn’t happen. We haven’t had any proof yet, but I will take a look. Continue reading... Go to Source

Extinction Rebellion protesters arrested after blockading Murdoch print sites National papers missing from some newsagents after protest over climate crisis coverageFour major national newspapers including the Sun and the Daily Mail were missing from some newsagents’ shelves on Saturday morning after members of Extinction Rebellion blockaded two UK printworks owned by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp on Friday evening.The home secretary, Priti Patel, called the demonstration, which led to more than a dozen arrests, an “attack on democracy”. The activists said the action was designed to highlight the titles’ “failure to report on the climate and ecological emergency”. Continue reading... Go to Source

Yaya Touré dropped from charity match over reported pornographic post Football player apologises after also apparently offering to hire sex workers for team-matesThe former Manchester City player Yaya Touré has been dropped from playing in Unicef’s annual charity football match after reportedly posting a pornographic video in a WhatsApp group with other players and offering to hire sex workers for them.Touré, a father of three, will no longer take part in the event after complaints were made about messages he sent to a group with fellow players in the children’s charity event. He reportedly posted a video showing a naked woman in a bath and offered to hire 19 sex workers for his team-mates. Continue reading... Go to Source

Former Australian PM Tony Abbott confirmed as UK trade adviser Critics say Abbott’s views on women and homosexuality and denial of climate crisis make him unfit for roleBoris Johnson has appointed Tony Abbott as an official UK trade adviser, defying widespread condemnation of the former Australian prime minister’s record of misogyny and homophobia and his scepticism about the climate emergency.Abbott, whose consideration for the role prompted criticism from opposition parties, charities and LGBT and environmental activists, is among nine external advisers appointed to the Board of Trade. The board, revived by Theresa May, is intended to help shape post-Brexit trade policy. Continue reading... Go to Source

Zaghari-Ratcliffe: UK acknowledges debt owed to Iran over Shah's tank order Debt seen as stumbling block for release of British-Iranians including Nazanin Zaghari-RatcliffeThe defence secretary, Ben Wallace, has for the first time acknowledged that he is actively seeking to pay a debt to the Iranian government that could finally help to secure the release of British dual nationals including Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe.Wallace assured lawyers acting for the families that the government was exploring every legal avenue to pay the debt, which for the first time he formally acknowledged the government owes. Continue reading... Go to Source

UK police deal with thousands of potential Covid-19 quarantine breakers Exclusive: Britain approaching ‘pivotal moment’ in attempt to avoid surge in cases, scientists say Coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coveragePolice forces across the country are dealing with thousands of potential violations of quarantine rules involving holidaymakers who may not be self-isolating after trips abroad, the Guardian can reveal.The requests for “further action” have been raised by Border Force officials and public health authorities, who have been tasked with ensuring that people returning from abroad are abiding by regulations designed to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Continue reading... Go to Source

Wolverhampton marks life of Windrush campaigner Paulette Wilson Hundreds gather for funeral of high-profile, outspoken victim of government’s hostile environmentHundreds of people gathered in a Wolverhampton carpark for the funeral of the Windrush campaigner Paulette Wilson, one of the most high-profile and outspoken victims of the government’s hostile environment who died unexpectedly in July, aged 64.A horsedrawn carriage brought her body to the New Testament Church of God, where Wilson had volunteered for years as a chef cooking food for the local homeless community. The two grey horses pulling the coffin wore red, green, black and yellow headdresses, marking her Jamaican and Rastafarian roots. Continue reading... Go to Source

Cummings ally's PR firm given Covid-19 contracts without tenders Hanbury Strategy, co-founded by ex-Vote Leaver Paul Stephenson, is being paid £640,000Coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageA lobbying and PR firm co-founded by an ally of Dominic Cummings has been given two government contracts without competitive tenders during the pandemic.The Cabinet Office and Treasury contracts have been awarded to Hanbury Strategy, co-founded by Paul Stephenson, who worked alongside Cummings as the director of communications for the 2016 Vote Leave campaign. The other Hanbury founder, Ameet Gill, was David Cameron’s director of strategy in Downing Street. Continue reading... Go to Source

Manchester Airports Group calls for urgent Covid testing of arrivals Exclusive: boss says UK ‘stood still’ while other countries had introduced mass testingCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe biggest UK-owned airport group has urged the government to urgently introduce coronavirus testing for arrivals, warning that its travel policy was “a millstone around the neck” of the aviation industry.Charlie Cornish, the chief executive of Manchester Airports Group which owns Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands airports, said the UK had “stood still” while other countries had introduced a mass testing regime for travellers. Continue reading... Go to Source

Ian McKellen joins condemnation of Tony Abbott trade role Prominent rights groups sign open letter telling UK not to appoint ex-Australian PMPressure is increasing on the UK government to rethink the potential appointment of Tony Abbott as a trade envoy after leading LGBTQ+ and environmental activists, including Sir Ian McKellen, criticised his misogynistic and homophobic comments, and dismissal of the climate crisis. Related: Your T-Abbott BrexiTradebot 1000 can expound at length on any subject | First Dog on the Moon Continue reading... Go to Source

Pupils with special needs 'forgotten' as English schools reopen Study says 20,000 Send children are unlikely to resume classes because of safety concernsCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coveragePupils at special schools in England have been “forgotten about” in the rush to restart full-time education, with 20,000 children with special needs unlikely to return to school because of safety concerns, according to a study.Parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities (Send) said they were concerned about sending their children back to school in September because their children were medically vulnerable or because their child’s needs mean they cannot adhere to social distancing and safe practice. Continue reading... Go to Source

Friday briefing: Eat out to help out budget blowout August gorge gobbles up £500m scheme … secrecy over Brexit preparations condemned by auditor … and the best things to do around the UK right nowGood morning – Warren Murray with the news to accompany your morning beverage of choice. Continue reading... Go to Source

Suspect in Portland killing of far-right protester 'shot dead' by US marshals Federal and local officers were trying to arrest Michael Forest Reinoehl, 48, on an arrest warrant, says sheriff’s officeThe man being investigated over the death of a far-right protester in Portland has been shot dead by US marshals in Washington state, according to local law enforcement officials.Michael Forest Reinoehl, 48, a regular attendee during weeks of protests that have brought the Oregon city to a standstill, was killed during an encounter in Lacey, Washington, south-west of Seattle on Thursday evening, Pierce county sheriff’s spokesman Ed Troyer said, according to the Olympian news site. Continue reading... Go to Source

Government secrecy hindered Brexit plans, watchdog says National Audit Office study also highlights failure to get to grips with scale of challengeExcessive secrecy about the government’s Brexit negotiating objectives and a failure to get to grips with the scale of the challenge hindered preparations for the UK’s exit from the EU, according to Whitehall’s spending watchdog.Departments issued non-disclosure agreements when discussing plans that were meant to inform the public and the business community, the National Audit Office said. More than 22,000 workers were deployed across Whitehall departments on the preparations, which cost £4.4bn. Continue reading... Go to Source

HS2: construction of £106bn high-speed rail line officially starts Boris Johnson claims London to Birmingham rail link will bring 22,000 building jobs and ‘fire up economic growth’HS2 has announced the formal start of construction of the high-speed rail line between London and the West Midlands, which it claims will create 22,000 jobs.The prime minister, Boris Johnson, was expected to attend a ceremonial launch of the first shovels in the ground on Friday for the main civil engineering contracts. Continue reading... Go to Source