UK

The NHS is planning to free up space in A&E by treating up to 50,000 elderly and vulnerable patients in “virtual wards” at home. In December, about 10,000 people were being cared for in that way in England, and ministers want to increase the monthly figure five-fold. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC)

A 16-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a 15-year-old girl died in a stabbing in Northumberland. Police said they were called to the Priestpopple area of Hexham shortly after 5.10pm on Friday to reports that the girl and a 16-year-old had what appeared to be knife injuries. They were both taken

A maintenance worker in central London has died after being crushed by a hydraulic telescopic urinal – one that’s kept underground during the day and kept out overnight. Emergency services were called to Cambridge Circus in the West End just after 1pm on Friday to reports of a “seriously injured” man. The incident took place

A British teenage extremist has been jailed after his far-right videos were linked to two mass murders in the US. Daniel Harris used an online platform called World Truth Videos to disseminate a “call to arms” for his violent racist beliefs, a court heard. The 19-year-old from Glossop in Derbyshire was convicted of five counts

The chancellor will dismiss “gloom” about the prospects for the UK economy and say the government will bring about long-term prosperity in a plan “energised” by Brexit. Mr Hunt will deliver an upbeat message in a keynote speech today, where he will say the government has a plan to use “British genius and British hard

The NHS winter crisis has been a struggle for patients and staff alike – but it has also prompted a long overdue and necessary debate about its sustainability and future. There are those – like former health secretary Sajid Javid – who think the way forward for the free cradle-to-grave service is to start charging

Two to three criminal cases against officers are expected to go to court every week in the coming months, the Met Police commissioner has revealed. The criminal cases are a “mix of dishonesty, violence and violence against women and girls”, Sir Mark Rowley said. He also apologised to the victims of former officer David Carrick

Nadhim Zahawi has been sacked as Tory party chairman after an ethics inquiry into the handling of his tax affairs found a “serious breach” of the ministerial code. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had resisted earlier calls from opposition parties to sack Mr Zahawi as Tory party chairman following reports that he had paid a penalty

Ambulance response times are currently the worst on record and the NHS is struggling to cope with a surge in demand this winter. Sky News joined West Midlands Ambulance Service paramedic Danny Thompson and ambulance technician Dan Fiedler for a 12-hour shift. 7am: Elderly couple ‘too scared’ to call 999 Freezing fog hangs over Coventry

Police searching for a missing couple and their newborn baby believe the family has been sleeping in a tent in sub-zero temperatures. Officers have been trying to find Constance Marten, 35, and Mark Gordon, 48, since their car broke down on the M61 near Bolton on 5 January. Police say they went into an Argos

Winter pressures, an ageing population, strikes, staff shortages and COVID backlogs have left the NHS in crisis. Reports of ambulances queuing to get into A&E, sick patients in hospital corridors and people unable to get a GP appointment have reignited the debate about whether the health service can cope in its current form. Ahead of

A firefighter is in a critical condition following a blaze at the former Jenners department store building in Edinburgh city centre. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said five firefighters have been taken to hospital for treatment with one apparently fighting for their life. The families of all those affected have been made aware.

Rescuers are searching for a man missing from an offshore installation since Sunday evening. The search operation began after the alarm was raised at around 9pm. The installation from which the person was reported missing is around 100 miles south-east of Aberdeen. Two oil supply vessels, a coastguard helicopter and coastguard aeroplane are involved in

Two people have died and 12 are injured, two of which are serious, following a crash on the M40 motorway, police have confirmed. A woman in her 60s and a man in his 70s died at the scene of the incident, which occurred southbound between junction 5 and 4 on the motorway in Buckinghamshire. Thames

The foreign secretary has evaded answering questions on the latest ‘sleaze’ allegations surrounding Boris Johnson to hit the Conservative Party. James Cleverly was asked about a claim that the BBC chairman Richard Sharp helped the former prime minister arrange a guarantee on a loan of up to £800,000, weeks before he was then recommended for

Buckingham Palace has squashed any suggestions of a slimmed down coronation by announcing a three-day weekend of “ceremonial, celebratory and community events”. Taking place between Saturday 6 and Monday 8 May, King Charles has insisted the historic moment should be “rooted in longstanding traditions and pageantry” but also “look towards the future”. The King’s first

Rishi Sunak has been branded a “total liability” and “hapless” as he faced a backlash for being fined for a second time, with police handing him a fixed penalty notice over not wearing a seatbelt. Lancashire Police issued the notice after the prime minister appeared without a belt in a clip on Instagram as he

Rishi Sunak has been given a fixed penalty notice after being caught not wearing a seatbelt. Lancashire Police issued the notice after the prime minister appeared without a belt in a clip on Instagram as he promoted his levelling-up funding in Lancashire. Mr Sunak has accepted the fine. ‘Hapless’ Sunak has photo-op blow up in

The father of Elle Edwards, who was shot dead at a pub last month, has said “Christmas will never be the same” for him and his family.  In his first interview since her death, Tim Edwards spoke of how his “beautiful and caring” daughter “with a heart of gold” will never leave him – as

Two retired Metropolitan Police officers have been charged with offences related to the possession of images showing child sex abuse as part of an investigation into a serving chief inspector who was found dead before he was charged. Jack Addis, 63, of no fixed address and Jeremy Laxton, 62, from Lincolnshire, will appear at Westminster