Millions of households will see their energy bills rise to a typical £1,971 a year after regulator Ofgem increased its price cap by 54%. The increase, which will on average see bills for 22 million customers on variable gas and electricity tariffs rise by £693, will take effect in April and follows a 12% rise
UK
Northern Ireland’s agriculture minister says he has issued an order to halt Brexit agri-food checks at the nation’s ports, citing legal advice. The checks are required under the terms of the Northern Ireland Protocol. Edwin Poots says he will seek an agreement from the power-sharing government on a way forward in the near future. Speaking
RAF jets have been scrambled to track “unidentified aircraft” north of Scotland. The Typhoon jets were launched from RAF Lossiemouth in Moray and joined by a Voyager air-to-air refuelling tanker from RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire. An RAF spokesman declined to provide more information on the operation until it is over. An image taken from
Downing Street has refused to comment on reports that reveal details of lockdown parties Boris Johnson is alleged to have attended. In new allegations this evening, two newspapers detail claims the PM attended a party in his flat and also went to two separate leaving dos. In the pared-back report released by Sue Gray on
Downing Street has refused to guarantee that the public will be told if fines are issued over lockdown-busting parties. Speaking to journalists at a regular Westminster briefing, the prime minister‘s spokesman said it is for the Metropolitan Police to decide whether to make such information public. ‘Positive’ mood among Tory MPs as PM appears to
Manchester United footballer Mason Greenwood has been arrested on suspicion of rape and assault after a woman alleging incidents of violence posted pictures and videos on social media. The 20-year-old remains in custody for questioning and enquiries are ongoing, Greater Manchester Police said. The force launched an investigation after being made aware of the images
Prime Minister Boris Johnson, beset by domestic woes, appears keen to talk tough when it comes to warning Russian President Vladimir Putin off any further invasion of Ukraine. There is no doubting the gravity of the crisis and the need for all NATO allies to be ready to bolster their defences and the ability to
Boris Johnson has received the long-awaited report by Sue Gray into lockdown parties in Downing Street and Whitehall. The senior civil servant’s findings are expected to be made public within hours. The prime minister is then likely to make a statement in the House of Commons which would be followed by questions from MPs. The extent
Boris Johnson has apologised after a version of the Sue Gray report criticised Downing Street for a “serious failure” over a number of gatherings during COVID restrictions, as he declared: “I get it and I will fix it.” A limited version of the Cabinet Office inquiry by Ms Gray has been made public, a document
A woman has been killed and 62,000 homes have suffered power cuts after extreme weather swept parts of UK – amid warnings another storm is set to batter the country with strong winds, snow and heavy rain within hours. Police said the woman died after being hit by a fallen tree blown over in Aberdeen
As an angry mob gathered outside a police station, Alison Lewis thought she was going to be killed. The former Welsh women’s rugby international, and ex-policewoman, had been arrested over the brutal killings of three generations of the same family – and a “baying, screaming” crowd was waiting for her. After four days of intense
Boris Johnson will receive a redacted version of the long-awaited report into lockdown-busting parties held in Downing Street and across Whitehall in “the coming hours or days”, Sky News understands – as the Metropolitan Police has denied it is seeking to delay its publication. It is understood the version of the findings – compiled by
A couple are facing jail terms today after their eight-week-old baby died with more than 60 broken bones in her body following “the most despicable abuse”. Naomi Johnson, 24, and Benjamin O’Shea, 26, claimed paramedics caused the fractures suffered by their daughter Amina – but they were found guilty of causing or allowing her to
Boris Johnson has dismissed claims he approved the airlift of animals out of Afghanistan, saying they are “total rhubarb”, as Sky News obtained more emails which call into question the government’s account. Leaked messages appear to show that the prime minister‘s top parliamentary aide, Trudy Harrison, told Virgin Atlantic her efforts to secure a plane
Writer and comedian Barry Cryer has died at the age of 86. Born in Leeds in 1935, he started out as a variety performer before going on to write for and with some of the biggest names in British comedy, including Ronnie Barker, Ronnie Corbett, Sir Billy Connelly and Tommy Cooper. He received an OBE
Boris Johnson’s parliamentary assistant contacted a private charter company in the hope of securing a plane to transport animals and staff during the evacuation of Afghanistan, telling them that her boss was keen, Sky News understands. Trudy Harrison, the prime minister’s parliamentary private secretary (PPS), contacted the firm on 25 August – a few days
The return to school is driving up Omicron infections in children and could lead to another surge in adults, scientists have warned. The latest results from the REACT-1 study, which is based on around 100,000 random tests across England, show that the infection rate in primary school-age children was 7.8% – and rising – during
Sue Gray has received photos of Downing Street parties which include Boris Johnson and others close together with wine bottles, Sky News understands. The latest revelation comes shortly after a government source said senior civil servant Ms Gray’s report into parties in Downing Street and Whitehall that may have broken COVID rules could be published
The Metropolitan Police has launched an investigation into “a number of events” in Downing Street and Whitehall over potential breaches of coronavirus regulations. “I can confirm that the Met is now investigating a number of events that took place at Downing Street and Whitehall in the last two years in relation to potential breaches of
Downing Street has disputed a report suggesting Boris Johnson held a birthday party inside Number 10 attended by up to 30 people during the first lockdown. ITV News understands the prime minister’s wife, Carrie Johnson, helped to arrange the event which was held just after 2pm the afternoon of 19 June – Mr Johnson’s birthday.