UK

A prolific online sexual predator was caught only after investigators at the FBI contacted the UK’s National Crime Agency despite more than a dozen of his victims reporting him to British police beforehand, Sky News has learnt. Last month 26-year-old Abdul Elahi was jailed for 32 years after pleading guilty to 158 offences including blackmailing

Sir Keir Starmer has told Boris Johnson to “stop lying” and “come clean” following the emergence of allegations that he and his wife Carrie were among around 40 people to attend a drinks event in the Downing Street garden during the UK’s first national COVID lockdown. Accusing the PM of “deflections and distractions”, the Labour

Boris Johnson can run from the latest “partygate” allegations, but he can’t hide. This is no longer about junior and middle-ranking Number 10 officials breaking COVID rules but about the prime minister’s own personal conduct. From the moment Mr Jonson failed to deny that he attended the now notorious “bring your own booze” party in

People with high levels of T cells from common colds are less likely to catch COVID, according to a new peer-reviewed study. Researchers said the findings could help provide the blueprint for the production of new vaccines which give longer-lasting immunity and would protect against current and future coronavirus variants such as Omicron and Delta.

The UK has recorded 141,472 new COVID-19 cases and a further 97 deaths in the latest 24-hour period. The latest government figures compare to 146,390 infections and 313 fatalities recorded on Saturday, which took the UK’s total COVID-related death toll to more than 150,000. This time last week, 151,663 cases were reported along with 73

The scale of loss to COVID-19 is so vast, barely a community in the country can have been spared. In north London, John and Ida Sullivan have been suffering the pain of that loss for nearly two years. Their daughter Susan was one of the first to die from the virus, which has now claimed

The UK has recorded more than 150,000 COVID-related deaths since the start of the pandemic after the latest daily figures showed 313 further fatalities. It brings the total number of deaths reported within 28 days of a positive coronavirus test to 150,057. A further 146,390 COVID cases have also been reported, according to the latest

COVID booster jabs provide 90% protection against hospitalisation in the over-65s for at least three months, UK scientists have said. It means there is “no immediate need” for a fourth jab to be administered to vulnerable people, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said. Older adults who have not had a booster suffer a significant

More than a third of schools in England are already experiencing staff absence levels of over 10% due to COVID-related reasons, a survey suggests. Half are beginning the new term by turning to supply teachers – but 37% of those have been unable to source the cover they need, according to the snap poll by

The epicentre of the current COVID outbreak has moved from London to the North West of England and more older people are being admitted to hospital, new data reveals. The UK Health Security Agency’s (UKHSA) latest surveillance report also shows that the uptake of booster jabs is slowing in every age group. Rates in the

An estimated 1.3 million people living in the UK are suffering from self-reported long COVID, data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows. The figures, valid from 9 November to 6 December, represents around 2% of the population. According to the ONS, prevalence of self-reported long COVID remained greatest in those who were: Aged

More than 20 NHS trusts have now declared a critical incident as the number of people in hospital with COVID hits the highest level since last February, amid rising pressure on health services from the surge in Omicron cases. It comes as Chris Hopson, the head of NHS Providers, which represents trusts, warned coronavirus hospitalisations

Weapons including firearms and hundreds of knives have been seized at crown courts during the pandemic, Sky News can reveal. More than 1,000 knives and other blades have been confiscated at the buildings – which deal with the most serious criminal cases – since April 2020, according to official data. A total of 73 “other

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has tested positive for coronavirus, a party spokesman has said. Deputy leader Angela Rayner will stand in for him at Prime Minister’s Questions later. It comes a day after Sir Keir delivered a speech to an audience in Birmingham setting out his new “contract with the British people” and his

Key workers across several industries that keep the country running will be required to take COVID tests daily, the prime minister has announced. Boris Johnson said 100,000 workers “from food processing to transport to Border Force” will have to test every day they are in work from 10 January. The government will send lateral flow

Last year saw a record number of migrants entering the UK aboard small boats via the English Channel, latest data suggests. More than 28,300 people made the treacherous journey in 2021 – triple the number for the year before, according to figures from the Home Office and analysed by the PA news agency. The figures

The family of a teenage girl who died after being hit by a car on New Year’s Eve have paid tribute to their “brightest star”. Olivia Kolek, 14, was struck by a grey Mercedes near Rowley Regis railway station, in Sandwell in the West Midlands, at about 4.45pm on Friday, and died at the scene

Ministers are “concerned” that the number of over-50s being admitted to hospital with COVID is rising, the education secretary has said. Despite the increasing numbers, Nadhim Zahawi became the second minister in two days to tell Sky News that coronavirus data does not currently suggest further restrictions are needed in England this week ahead of

England and Wales have reported 137,583 new COVID cases and 73 coronavirus-related deaths in the latest 24-hour period, according to official data. Figures from Scotland and Northern Ireland are going to be updated after the bank holiday weekend. It comes after England reported a record high of 162,572 new COVID cases on New Year’s Day.

Secondary school students in England are again being asked to wear masks in classrooms to help tackle the rise in Omicron coronavirus cases. The recommendation comes as the government pledges to keep face-to-face education going despite surging COVID-19 infections in England, with a record 162,572 new cases reported on Saturday. Masks will “maximise the number