Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty statement on four new cases of COVID-19 from the Diamond Princess. Four further patients in England have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases in the UK to thirteen. The virus was passed on in the Diamond Princess cruise ship and the patients…

Now that we have left the EU (well, sort of) and the long walk to freeport has begun, the leader of the country has turned his attention to domestic matters and is leaving his indelible imprint on the government. Yes, Dominic Cummings, the Montgomery Burns to Boris Johnson’s Waylon Smithers,…

The first new blue passports will be issued from March 2020. Britons will be able to travel with a blue passport when the traditional colour returns for the first time in almost 30 years. The distinctive blue cover will be re-introduced now the UK has left the EU, and will replace…

Dominic Raab confirms that 32 British and European citizens have been brought safely home from Japan, following the coronavirus outbreak. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said: “We have brought 32 British and European citizens safely home from Japan. The FCO worked hard to get them back to the UK securely. “Our number one priority…

Social care would be dealt a devastating blow if plans to end freedom of movement following Brexit go ahead, campaigners warned today. There are already around 120,000 unfilled vacancies in social care. Previous estimates have warned that there would be 115,000 fewer care workers from overseas if freedom of movement ended,…

Government announces thousands of pounds of support including grants, council tax relief and business rate relief for people and businesses in areas affected by flooding. Thousands of pounds to be made available for flooded homes and businesses Local Government Secretary triggers Flood Recovery Framework to support areas hit by Storm…

The FCO is working to organise a flight back to the UK for British nationals on the Diamond Princess in Japan, following the outbreak of coronavirus. A Foreign Office spokesperson said: "Given the conditions on board, we are working to organise a flight back to the UK for…

Professor Chris Whitty announces four further cases of coronavirus. "Four further patients in England have tested positive for novel coronavirus, bringing the total number of cases in the UK to eight. "The new cases are all known contacts of a previously confirmed UK case, and the virus…

Following the severe weather brought by Storm Ciara over the weekend, the Environment Agency is advising communities to remain vigilant and stay safe over the coming days. Storm Ciara brought high winds and heavy rain to much of England over the weekend, with some parts of Cumbria receiving nearly three…

Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty statement about a new case of novel coronavirus in England "A further patient has tested positive for novel coronavirus in England, bringing the total number of cases in the UK to four. "The new case is a known contact of a previously…

A further patient has tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the total number of cases in the UK to 3. The individual did not acquire this in the UK. The patient is being transferred to a specialist NHS centre, and we are using robust infection control measures to prevent any possible…

A UK-wide public information campaign has been launched to advise the public on how to slow the spread of coronavirus and reduce the impact on NHS services. The government-funded campaign will include public health advice on how people can protect themselves from infection. Similar to the ‘Catch it, Bin it, Kill…

And so the day of Brexit is finally upon us. The Eurosceptic Bong Contest is over and, just like the last twenty years of its Eurovision counterpart, the UK is leaving with very few points. Our performance in the EU hasn’t quite been as bad as Scooch or Jemini in…

Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressed the nation. Tonight we are leaving the European Union For many people this is an astonishing moment of hope, a moment they thought would never come And there are many of course who feel a sense of anxiety and loss And then of course there is a third…

31 million taxpayers are set to get a tax cut in April, the Chancellor has announced, thanks to new legislation laid in Parliament today (30 January). 31 million people to benefit from a tax cut, as National Insurance contributions thresholds to rise to £9,500 per year. …

Following the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, the government is working to organise a flight to the UK for eligible British nationals. A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We are doing everything we can to get British people in Wuhan safely back to the UK. A number of countries’…

It was ever thus, some might say on reading my rant. Have I succumbed to the cliche ‘nothing defines the old more than their railing about the perceived dissipated indolence of the young? Possibly - indeed am I any different to my Grandfather calling 60’s pop stars long haired…

In light of the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office now advises against ‘all but essential’ travel to mainland China. British people currently in China should make decisions based on their own personal circumstances, bearing in mind that travel may become more difficult in the coming days. Commercial options for…

The Prime Minister has unveiled the government’s full plans to commemorate Brexit day on the 31st January. The historic moment will be marked through: The commemorative 50p coin will come into circulation on the day the UK leaves the EU. The public will see 3 million of these…

Environment Minster Rebecca Pow has called for governments around the world to join the UK-led 30by30 initiative to protect at least 30% of the planet’s ocean by 2030. 2020 is a critical year for ocean protection, with the UK government pressing for higher marine protection targets, currently set at 10%, to…

Prime Minister’s words on the signing of the Withdrawal Agreement at Downing Street. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "The signing of the Withdrawal Agreement is a fantastic moment, which finally delivers the result of the 2016 referendum and brings to an end far too many years of…

International agreement comes into force to protect the culturally significant wreck site. The wreck of the most famous ship in history, the RMS Titanic, will be better protected under an historic international agreement, Maritime Minister Nusrat Ghani confirmed during a visit to Belfast today (21 January 2020). Signed by the UK…

When is Blue Monday? In 2020 the date of Blue Monday is Monday 20 January. The third Monday in January has been given the title of 'Blue Monday'. This is because Christmas and New Year are over, the weather is cold, the nights are dark, resolutions broken and unpaid credit…