Liz Bates , Political Correspondent

There is some evidence the new variant of Covid-19 that emerged in the south of England before Christmas is more deadly, the Prime Minister said today.

The home secretary has insisted it was “simply far too early” to even contemplate when to lift restrictions in England, as Northern Ireland extended its lockdown until at least the beginning of March. But the Conservatives are facing more pressure from a group of backbenchers who are pushing for the restrictions to be eased as…

The rebellion is being seen as an attempt to stifle any future trade deal with China over its treatment of the Uighur Muslims.

The footballer turned campaigner Marcus Rashford has written to the prime minister calling for an urgent review of the free school meals policy in England.

“Disgraceful” and an “insult” to families is how the prime minister today described the food parcels being provided for children that have replaced free school meals in England during lockdown.

The rules are clear and they will be enforced. That was the message from the Home Secretary at this evening’s press conference.

With temperatures tonight set to plunge well below freezing, the Westminster government is coming under increasing pressure to help rough sleepers who once again face being back on the streets. During the first lockdown, the groundbreaking scheme “Everyone In” put a roof over the heads of almost 15,000 homeless people in England. With the virus…

With the prospect of a bleak few months ahead, many people are looking forward to summer.

We are still waiting for that expected Brexit deal – it will need to be ratified by MPs, with hardline pro-Brexit Tories insisting they will scrutinise every detail. Labour though are likely to support it.

Secondary school students in England will not be starting the new term next year at the same time.

They work behind closed doors and they’re paid for by the taxpayer – to the tune of some £10 million in total, it turns out. 

The government has unveiled plans to crack down on gambling – including raising the age limit for playing the National Lottery to 18.

The UK’s greenhouse gas emissions will fall sooner and by more than any other major economy in the coming years.

Ministers say they are trying to head off the prospect of travel chaos and overcrowding over the festive period

The government has said it remains committed to Conservative manifesto commitments not to raise income tax, VAT or National Insurance. It comes after the chancellor announced yesterday that he would jettison the party’s commitment to spend 0.7% of GDP on foreign aid. Today, the IFS warned that Rishi Sunak’s spending review is likely to result…