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UK Covid: Turkey off red list as part of wide-ranging easing of travel rules – as it happened

Transport secretary announces new rules to make travel simpler for fully vaccinated passengers . This live blog is now closed – please follow the global coronavirus live blog for updates

Amber list scrapped in shake-up of England’s Covid travel rules

• Covid levels rising among schoolchildren in England, data shows
• Wales to require NHS Covid passes to attend nightclubs and events
• Welsh government to consider making falsifying Covid pass an offence
• McDonnell says Labour losing members ‘hand over fist’ under Starmer
• Summary of Downing Street lobby briefing
• 17 Sept 2021 Afternoon summary
• 17 Sept 2021 Details of new travel rules
• 17 Sept 2021 Amber list scrapped in shake-up of England’s Covid travel rules
• 17 Sept 2021 Shapps says Turkey coming off red list as part of wide-ranging easing of travel rules
• 17 Sept 2021 Lord Bethell sacked from post as health minister
• 17 Sept 2021 UK scientist warns over relaxation of Covid travel rules
• 17 Sept 2021 Welsh Tories and Lib Dems attack plans for 'medical ID cards in all but name'
• 17 Sept 2021 Welsh government to consider making falsifying Covid pass an offence
• 17 Sept 2021 Covid rates rising in secondary school children in England, ONS figures show
• 17 Sept 2021 ONS says Covid rates increasing in Wales and Scotland, decreasing in NI, and broadly stable in England at 1 in 80
• 17 Sept 2021 Wales to make NHS Covid pass compulsory for nightclubs and crowded events, Drakeford says
• 17 Sept 2021 John McDonnell claims Labour losing members 'hand over fist' because Starmer alienating the left
• 17 Sept 2021 Scottish ambulance service confirms soldiers being drafted in to help deal with long waits
• 17 Sept 2021 DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson criticises Irish president for missing Northern Ireland centenary service
• 17 Sept 2021 Johnson opens cabinet with 'half-time pep talk' telling his ministers to work as a team

Afternoon summary

• Rules for English travellers heading overseas have been significantly simplified, with the “amber” list of countries scrapped and the traffic light designation replaced with destinations listed as either “red” or OK for travel.
• Coronavirus infection levels have risen in schoolchildren in England, data has revealed, with more than one in 37 of those in years 7 to 11 estimated to have had Covid last week.
• People in Wales will have to show an NHS Covid pass to enter nightclubs and attend many events including big football and rugby matches from next month, the first minister has announced.
• Boris Johnson’s new cabinet has met for the first time, assembling without masks in a packed room, as the prime minister delivered what he termed a “half-time pep talk” to his revamped team.
• The Liberal Democrats have kicked off their annual conference with a trenchant condemnation of government attempts to return migrants arriving from France, saying Priti Patel’s treatment of refugees “shames our country”.

That’s all from me for today. But our Covid coverage continues on our global live blog. It’s here.

The GMB union has welcomed today’s announcement, but it says the travel sector still needs a lot more government support. It says 51% of aviation workers are still on furlough. Nadine Houghton, the GMB national officer, said:

Today’s changes are welcome – and will ease the pressure on a sector that’s been hit harder than almost any other. But they’re not enough. More than half of the UK’s 300,000 aviation workers remain on furlough. Government policy is killing the industry; they need to respond. We need urgent sector specific support as we head in to winter.

Details of new travel rules

Here are the key points from the travel announcement.

From Wednesday 22 September

• Eight countries are coming off the red list. They are: Turkey, Pakistan, the Maldives, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Oman, Bangladesh and Kenya. The change will take effect at 4am on the Wednesday.

From Monday 4 October

• Fully-vaccinated travellers from 17 more countries, including Japan and Singapore, will be subject to the same rules as fully-vaccinated British travellers when they arrive in the UK.
• The current traffic light system, with different rules for red, amber and green countries, will be replaced with a new system: red list (countries that pose a particular risk), and everywhere else (countries deemed safer, or more normal).
• Fully-vaccinated travellers who are travelling to England will no longer need to do a pre-departure test before they set off.

From the end of October

• Fully-vaccinated Britons, and people with an approved vaccine from a select group of non-red countries, will be able to replace the day two PCR test they currently must do after their arrival in England with a cheaper lateral flow test. The government wants this system to be in place in time for people returning from half-term holidays. If people test positive, they will need to isolate and take a confirmatory PCR test, at no extra cost.
• Unvaccinated passengers will still have to get pre-departure tests, and day two and day eight PCR tests. Test to release will remain an option.

From early in 2022

• A new travel policy is due to be announced.

Here is the Department for Transport news release with details of the new rules.

Huw Merriman , the Conservative MP who chairs the Commons transport committee, has welcomed the new travel rules, saying his committee has called for a rethink along these lines for some time. He said:

The committee has called out confusing watchlists and quarantines; criticised the delay in reaping the benefit of the vaccine dividend and puzzled over the high costs and lack of sequencing of PCR tests. We note that using lateral flow tests may now incur a cost; it’s important that any alternative testing system is fairly priced and administered. The need for caution is clear but with 80% of our country now vaccinated, UK travel needs a shot in the arm and this could be it. It’s a relief to see the government move on these issues and this announcement, timed ahead of October half-term, could have an immediate impact on the UK’s travel industry.

Grant Shapps , the transport secretary, has said new travel testing rules announced this afternoon (see 4.45pm) are intended to stay in place at least until the new year. He told Sky News:

We wanted to bring in a new, simpler, easier to navigate and cheaper system as well, and so we’ve brought this in to the new year, at the very least. The purpose is make it easier for people to travel without the bureaucracy, without so many tests, and with a greater level of certainty, now that we’ve got so many people vaccinated.

Here is our story on the new rules from my colleagues Peter Walker and Ben Quinn.

Shapps says Turkey coming off red list as part of wide-ranging easing of travel rules

Grant Shapps , the transport secretary, has announced the new travel rules.

TRAVEL UPDATE🔊: we’re making testing easier for travel 🧳💉 From Mon 4 Oct, if you’re fully vax you won’t need a pre-departure test before arrival into England from a non-red country and from later in Oct, will be able to replace the day 2 PCR test with a cheaper lateral flow. — Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP (@grantshapps) September 17, 2021

In addition, EIGHT countries and territories will come off the red list 🔴 from Weds 22 Sept at 4am, incl. TURKEY, PAKISTAN and MALDIVES. — Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP (@grantshapps) September 17, 2021

We’ll also be introducing a new simplified system for international travel from Mon 4 Oct 🌐, replacing the current approach with a single red list 🔴 and simplified measures for the rest of the world - striking the right balance to manage the public health risk as No.1 priority. — Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP (@grantshapps) September 17, 2021

Lord Bethell sacked from post as health minister

Lord Bethell has confirmed that he has been sacked from the government.

Sad to be standing down but I want to thank @borisjohnson for the opportunity to serve my country during this awful pandemic. It’s been a privilege to work with wonderful colleagues in @dhscgovuk (and healthcare generally) during these times. Tx to Tilly for infectious energy. 🚀 — Lord Bethell (@JimBethell) September 17, 2021

John McDonnell, the former shadow chancellor, warned in an interview published this morning that the expulsion of party members linked to four fringe groups now banned could trigger a row that would disrupt party conference. (See 11.30am.) Another battle is breaking out over the party’s decision not to allow a debate on a motion proposed by the Labour for a Green New Deal campaign.

The campaign says motions submitted to the conference by constituency Labour parties (CLPs) based on its template have been rejected by the conference arrangements committee on the grounds that they are too wide ranging. But it has welcome the decision of two frontbenchers, Rachael Maskell , shadow minister for the voluntary sector, and Olivia Blake , a shadow environment minister, to say the motion should be debated.

It is essential @UKLabour debate @LabGND at Conference. Our climate is in crisis, our environment is being torn up and secure, productive jobs are no where to be seen. Today I raised this in Parliament with regards to #BioYorkshire - York's GND. There is no time to be lost. https://t.co/sAE7KD2DBR — 💙Rachael Maskell MP (@RachaelMaskell) September 16, 2021

You can’t draw lines around the climate emergency - our response to it should thread through all the work we do. It’s therefore disappointing that the CAC have blocked this vital motion because it talks about more than one subject. I hope they reverse their decision. https://t.co/ycmPFUFo3J — Olivia Blake MP (@_OliviaBlake) September 17, 2021

The full text of the motion, which is strongly backed by the pro-Corbyn group Momentum and which includes proposals like universal free broadband and the repeal of all anti trade union laws, is here.

And here are the latest figures from the government’s UK Covid dashboard. There have been 178 further deaths, and the total number of deaths in the past seven days is up 5.1% on the previous week. But new cases are down 23% week on week, with 32,651 reported today.

Hospital admissions are now falling week on week, by 1.3% on the latest figures, but these only go up to Monday, when there were 909 admissions. These figures are always a few days old because of the time it takes to get UK-wide statistics. Until recently admissions were rising week on week.

The government has published today its latest estimates for the Covid R number and for its growth rate. But there has been no change since the estimates last week. R is said to be between 0.9 and 1.1, and the growth rate is said to be between -1% and +1%.

Downing Street has announced four more government appointments.

George Freeman has been made minister for science, research and innovation at the business department. He has been promoted from the backbenches, but in the past he has been a transport minister and a life sciences minister.

And it has been confirmed that John Glen is staying as economic secretary to the Treasury, and Marcus Jones and James Morris are staying as whips (although both move up in terms of seniority in the whips’ office).

Although some of the pro-Brexit papers are very keen on the news that the government wants to lift the ban on selling goods in imperial measures, at the Downing Street lobby briefing the prime minister’s spokesman implied this was not really a big deal, saying it was just a “small part” of the regulatory reform agenda. (See 1.46pm.)

But the SNP thinks it should not be bothering at all. In a statement Kirsten Oswald , the party’s deputy leader at Westminster, said:

At a time when we are facing critical staff and food shortages, rising costs, food rotting in fields, businesses losing trade, and mountains of red tape – it beggars belief that the prime minister believes this is a priority. Boris Johnson should listen to the concerns of farmers and business owners who fear for the wellbeing and future of their industries and offer financial packages to those who desperately need it – similar to what the European parliament have done, approving over €1bn worth of Brexit subsides to Ireland.

Pippa Musgrave , a trading law specialist, is also furious with the government plan, and explains why in a lively Twitter thread starting here.

Here are some more figures from the ONS Covid infection survey released earlier. (See 12.44pm and 12.54pm.) These are from the dataset issued alongside the main report.

Here are the estimated Covid rates in regions of England on 8 September.

North-east: 1 in 60

North-west: 1 in 70

Yorkshire and The Humber: 1 in 60

East Midlands: 1 in 65

West Midlands: 1 in 85

East of England: 1 in 120

London: 1 in 90

South-east: 1 in 85

South-west: 1 in 75

And here the estimated Covid rates by age group in England on 8 September.

Age 2 to school year 6: 1 in 60

School year 7 to school year 11: 1 in 35

School year 12 to age 24: 1 in 45

Age 25 to 34: 1 in 110

Age 35 to 49: 1 in 100

Age 50 to 69: 1 in 120

Age 70+: 1 in 150

UK scientist warns over relaxation of Covid travel rules

One of the scientists behind the UK’s testing network for quickly identifying Covid variants of concern has urged the government to continue surveillance of coronavirus cases brought in to the UK from abroad, my colleague Jamie Grierson reports.

Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, has said that a breakdown in the talks over the Northern Ireland Protocol would be “problematic” for a post-Brexit UK-US trade deal.

Speaking at a Chatham House event in London she was “glad that more time” had been afforded for talks between the UK and the EU on how to operate the protocol. But she said there “has to be an agreement” that respects the terms of the peace agreement in Northern Ireland or transatlantic relations and the prospect of a trade concord could suffer. She said:

This is not said as any threat, it is a prediction: if there is destruction of the Good Friday accords, it would be very unlikely to have a UK-US bilateral. We have to have a path that includes it. It would be problematic in terms of a bilateral.

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Covid international travel rules

Testing and quarantine requirements have been progressively removed since the start of 2022.

Are there any rules for international travel to the UK?

Testing and quarantine requirements have been progressively removed since the start of 2022. Testing and quarantine requirements were removed for fully vaccinated individuals and under 18s on 11 February, and then for unvaccinated individuals on 18 March, along with passenger locator forms for all arrivals. [1] Remaining restrictions were also removed in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. [2]

International travel for leisure in England had first resumed in May 2021. Initially countries were given a red, amber, or green rating with different rules for testing and quarantining on return.

The government simplified this system in October 2021, with only the red list remaining, and the red list was cleared of all countries on 1 November. In late November and early December 2021, some countries were added again, amid concerns about the Omicron variant. These countries were removed again as it became clear that Omicron was circulating widely within the UK. [3]

Arrivals from red list countries were required to take a pre-departure test and book a 10-day stay in a managed quarantine hotel with day 2 and day 8 tests, regardless of vaccination status. For countries not on the red list, arrival requirements depended on vaccination status, with vaccinated travellers subject to fewer requirements than unvaccinated arrivals by the end of 2021.  

The government has stated that it has contingency plans in place for a new variant but these have not been set out in detail. [4]

Is this in line with what other countries are doing?

A small number of countries have also removed all travel restrictions – including Ireland, Iceland, Norway. But many still have some entry requirements, particularly when it comes to testing. Others are also still restricting access for unvaccinated individuals or, in a few cases, for most non-residents. [5]

How do Covid passports for travel work?

Although travel to the UK is no longer dependent on vaccination status, many countries still require proof of vaccination.

A Covid passport for travel is incorporated into the existing NHS app (which is different from the NHS Covid-19 contact tracing app). [6] The app is also available for Welsh residents, while Northern Ireland and Scotland have their own apps. Fully vaccinated children aged 12 to 15 can now request an NHS Covid pass letter for travel. From 3 February 2022 children aged 13 and over will be able to access a Covid pass for travel through the app, and those 12 and over will be able to request a PDF online. [7]

What are the potential challenges ahead?

Since the spread of the Delta variant in spring 2021, with questions about whether India should have been added to the red list sooner, the government has faced a tricky balance between the pressure to open up travel and the need for continued caution about Covid transmission and the spread of new variants.

All travel restrictions when entering the UK have now been removed. However, most other countries still retain some restrictions, meaning that travel from the UK is still affected.

The major question remaining is what the government will do if a new variant emerges. It has said that contingency plans are in place to respond to any future variants but has not set out in detail what those plans would mean for travel. [8]

• Department for Transport and Department of Health and Social Care, Travel to England from another country during coronavirus (COVID-19), 22 June 2021, www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-to-england-from-another-country-during-coronavirus-covid-19 ; Department for Transport, Department of Health and Social Care, The Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP, and The Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP, All COVID-19 travel restrictions removed in the UK, 14 March 2022, www.gov.uk/government/news/all-covid-19-travel-restrictions-removed-in-the-uk
• Department for Transport and Department of Health and Social Care, Travel to England from another country during coronavirus (COVID-19), 22 June 2021, www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-to-england-from-another-country-during-coronavirus-covid-19 ; Scottish Government, Coronavirus (COVID-19): international travel, www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-international-travel-quarantine ; Welsh Government, International travel to and from Wales: coronavirus, 4 October 2021, https://gov.wales/rules-international-travel-and-wales-coronavirus ; NI Direct Government Services, Coronavirus (COVID-19): travel advice, www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-travel-advice
• Department for Transport, Department of Health and Social Care, The Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP, and The Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP, Travel Update: 47 countries and territories removed from red list, 7 October 2021, www.gov.uk/government/news/travel-update-47-countries-and-territories-removed-from-red-list ; Department for Transport and Department of Health and Social Care, Travel to England from another country during coronavirus (COVID-19), 22 June 2021, www.gov.uk/guidance/red-list-of-countries-and-territories
• BBC News, Covid travel restrictions have ended in the UK, 18 March 2022, www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-60789979
• GOV.UK, Foreign travel advice,  www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
• The app is available to individuals over 16 who are registered with a GP surgery in England. Individuals who cannot access the app can get a paper certificate by calling the NHS 119 helpline after 17 May. Certificates will be available from five days after a second vaccine dose: see Department of Health and Social Care, Using your NHS COVID Pass for travel abroad and at venues and settings in England, 7 May 2021, www.gov.uk/guidance/demonstrating-your-covid-19-vaccination-status-when-travelling-abroad
• Welsh Government, Get your NHS COVID Pass,  https://gov.wales/nhs-covid-pass-prove-your-vaccination-status#section-70614 ; NI Direct Government Services, Apply for a Travel COVID vaccination certificate,  www.nidirect.gov.uk/services/coronavirus-covid-19-covid-certificate-ni-residents ; www.nhsinform.scot/covid-19-vaccine/after-your-vaccine/get-a-record-of-your-coronavirus-covid-19-vaccination-status ; www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-covid-pass#children
• BBC News, Covid travel restrictions have ended in the UK, 18 March 2022,  www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-60789979

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Novacyt: UK Government’s £135m lawsuit against Covid-19 test-maker set for trial

B iotech firm Novacyt will be in the English High Court in June as it is set to defend itself against the UK Government’s £135m lawsuit over Covid tests.

The molecular diagnostics company is being sued by the UK Secretary of State for Health and Social Care in a claim concerning the supply of rapid-PCR test kits.

The UK Government launched the claim in the Technology and Construction Court (TCC) in April 2022 against the Anglo-French company, along with PCR manufacture Primerdesign. Back in May 2016 Primerdesign became part of the Novacyt group.

The lawsuit is reportedly worth £135m as the Government is claiming the company supplied instruments that did not work appropriately – the claim is over its second supply contract with the UK Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).

In September 2020, Novacyt announced it has signed a new supply contract with the DHSC for its q16 and q32 rapid-PCR instrument platforms, exsig COVID-19 direct kits and genesig SARS-CoV-2 Winterplex kits.

Under this contract, Primerdesign was to supply its products to the DHSC for up to six months. The first phase of the contract involved the immediate deployment of 300 PCR instruments, related kits and support services with a minimum value of £150m for the first 14 weeks.

There was an option to extend the contract for a further 10 weeks for at least £100 million – however, the extension never got agreed and instead it turned into a legal dispute.

In an update to its shareholder this morning, Novacyt revealed that a trial hearing has been listed to commence on 10 June 2024 at the English court, ans set to run until 4 July.

The legal parties will be in court later this month for a pre-trial review, which is listed for 30 April.

The company disclosed on Friday morning that the court will also hear an application by the DHSC for summary judgment in relation to one aspect of its claim, as part of which the DHSC is seeking judgment to be entered for the full value of its claim.

Novacyt stated that “having taken legal advice, the company considers this application to be very weak with low prospects of success, and is confident that the court will dismiss the application.” According to the High Court claim system, the company has London-based law firm Stephenson Harwood on for its defence.

However, as the company noted, it is not known when the court will give judgment in relation to the application.

For more legal stories on City AM:

Cum-Ex: Billion pound Danish tax authorities trial starts on Monday in London. Here is what you need to know

Former Blackburn Rovers footballer sues HSBC for £2m over loan negligence

Department for health makes £134m claim over Novacyt Covid testing contract

Politics latest: Nicola Sturgeon speaks after husband charged; Rishi Sunak accused of 'full-on assault on disabled people'

Nicola Sturgeon says the situation has been "incredibly difficult" after her husband Peter Murrell was charged by police; Rishi Sunak is criticised after promising "significant" welfare reforms. Listen to the latest episode of Electoral Dysfunction as you scroll.

Friday 19 April 2024 19:38, UK

• Sturgeon: 'Incredibly difficult' time after husband charged
• Yousaf speaks of shock in SNP
• Sunak sets out 'moral mission' to end UK's 'sick note culture'
• PM accused of 'full-on assault on disabled people' by charity
• Serena Barker-Singh: Is Sunak's diagnosis of welfare problems correct?
• PM refuses to say if suspended Tory should quit as MP
• 'We are going to get this done': Sunak vows to pass Rwanda bill
• Tap here to subscribe to Electoral Dysfunction
• Live reporting by Ben Bloch

Former first minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon has spoken to Sky's Scotland correspondent Connor Gillies and the gathered media outside her Glasgow home.

It is the first time she has been seen in public since her husband, ex-SNP chief executive Peter Murrell, was charged in connection with the embezzlement of funds from the party.

She said: "This is a difficult time. I don't think I'm revealing any secrets in saying that.

"But there's absolutely nothing I can say given the circumstances.

"So I'm now going to go out for a walk... There's nothing going to be happening here."

Asked by Connor how difficult this is for her personally, the MSP for Glasgow Southside replied: "It's incredibly difficult, but that's not the main issue here."

She said she can't and won't say any more due to the ongoing police investigation.

People voting in local elections in England on 2 May will need to provide photo ID.

It is the second year the requirement has been in place - but in 2023,  14,000 people couldn't cast their ballot because they didn't take ID to the polling booth.

There are 22 different types of ID you can use - and if you don't have any of them, you can register for a Voter Authority Certificate.

Here's everything you need to know to avoid being caught out:

By Jennifer Scott , political reporter

A Tory activist who reported an MP over claims he misused party funds has told Sky News she is disappointed by the way her complaint has been handled.

Mark Menzies voluntarily quit the Conservative parliamentary party this week after a report in The Times claimed he called his ex-campaign manager Katie Fieldhouse, 78, early one day to say he was locked in a flat by "bad people" and needed £5,000 as a matter of "life and death".

The sum, which rose to £6,500, was eventually paid by his office manager from her personal bank account and subsequently reimbursed from funds raised from donors in an account named Fylde Westminster Group, the newspaper said.

But despite the incident taking place in December - and Ms Fieldhouse submitting her complaint in January - the Fylde MP had remained part of the parliamentary party and as a trade envoy for the government until the press reports surfaced.

He has now lost the Conservative whip and was suspended as one of Rishi Sunak's envoys.

Mr Menzies strongly disputes the claims, which also include accusations he used campaign funds to pay his personal medical bills.

Speaking to Sky News' Frazer Maude, Ms Fieldhouse said: "I am feeling dreadful because I am a devout Tory and as I have said to everybody else, I reported his actions to the chief whip… it is now the middle of April.

"Come to your own conclusions [about] what is happening."

Read her full comments here:

Former prime minister Boris Johnson has breached government rules by being "evasive" about his links to a hedge fund that set up a meeting between him and the president of Venezuela, a watchdog has said.

Mr Johnson raised a few eyebrows earlier this year after his spokesman confirmed he had flown to the country to meet its controversial leader Nicolas Maduro.

But now, the chairman of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba) Lord Pickles, has highlighted further controversary around the meeting which was arranged by a company called Merlyn Advisors - a hedge fund.

Under government rules, any minister leaving office must run new jobs or appointments by the Acoba watchdog before taking them up.

But Lord Pickles said despite "repeatedly" being asked to "clarify his relationship" with the firm, Mr Johnson had "not done so", nor had he "denied the reports in the media that he had been working with Merlyn Advisors on a non-contractual basis".

Over a year ago, Rishi Sunak made five pledges for voters to judge him on.

The prime minister met his promise to halve inflation by the end of 2023.

But with the general election approaching, how is Mr Sunak doing on delivering his other promises?

You can see the progress for yourself below:

Jennifer Scott , political reporter

Almost one million private renters in England have been handed no-fault evictions since the Conservative government promised to abolish them, new data has shown.

Research carried out by YouGov on behalf of homelessness charity Shelter - and shared exclusively with Sky News - showed that since April 2019 a total of 943,000 people had been given Section 21 notices, which is the equivalent of more than 500 renters every day.

The figures also showed unwanted moves were costing private renters in England £550m a year, with 830,000 people having to move in the last 12 months alone due to either their fixed tenancies coming to an end, being priced out by rent increases or being served with a Section 21.

Add in the soaring upfront costs for rents and deposits and unwanted moves are costing more than £1bn a year - or an average of £1,245 per person.

Polly Neate, Shelter's chief executive, said tenants were "bearing the cost of the government's inaction" and warned any further delays to banning no-fault evictions would see more people "tipped into homelessness".

But Levelling Up minister Jacob Young defended the government. He said abolishing Section 21s was "the biggest change to the private rented sector in more than 30 years" so it "takes time to make sure we get it right".

Read more here:

One of the main political discussion points since Iran's attack on Israel last weekend has been whether the UK will proscribe the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The calls are not new, but have been restated this week.

The government does not comment on future sanctions and proscriptions, but some hoped recent events would change their course.

However, The Telegraph is reporting that Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron told Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu this week that the UK would not take the step of proscription.

The reluctance could be down to the potential impacts it would have on the diplomatic channels between the UK and Iran.

Earlier this week, the UK imposed fresh sanctions on the naval arm of the IRGC.

It has also sanctioned the corps as a whole - but not to the level of proscription.

Proscription would make it illegal to belong to the IRGC, go to meetings, carry its logo or encourage support of it.

The Sky News live poll tracker - collated and updated by our Data and Forensics team - aggregates various surveys to indicate how voters feel about the different political parties.

With the local election campaign well under way, Labour is still sitting comfortably on a roughly 21-point lead, averaging at 43.6% in the polls, with the Tories on 23.1%.

In third is Reform UK on 12.3%, followed by the Lib Dems on 9.2%.

The Green Party stands at 6.5%, and the SNP on 3.1%.

See the latest update below - and you can read more about the methodology behind the tracker  here .

Conservative MP Mark Menzies has been suspended from the parliamentary party in light of allegations he abused local Tory party funds to pay off "bad people".

Mark Menzies strongly disputes the claims which also include accusations he used campaign funds to pay his personal medical bills.

On the Conservatives' investigation into the claims, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps told Sky News: "There's further information that the chief whip I understand became familiar with yesterday and actions being swiftly taken on the basis of that further information.

"I think it is important to stress that the MP in question here denies the allegations and so on basis of sort of fairness and proper justice, I think it's important to mention that."

On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson is joined by political correspondent Darren McCaffrey to analyse how Westminster will cope with another scandal.

Plus, the Scottish government has come under fire for rowing back on its climate commitments.

Niall speaks to science correspondent Thomas Moore about the consequences of the government missing eight out of 12 of its annual climate commitments.

👉 Listen above then tap here to follow the Sky News Daily wherever you get your podcasts 👈

By Serena Barker-Singh , political correspondent

A former senior civil servant criticised some of the policymakers behind the illegal migration bill, accusing them of "harbouring racist views" about immigrants, it has emerged.

The senior policy official was in key ministerial meetings on the small boats policy, including in meetings with the then prime minister Boris Johnson.

Her claims emerged as part of an employment tribunal that has now concluded.

She says from her perspective the head of the illegal migration task force Michael Bourke and his deputy directors saw "the ultra-hostile environment towards unwanted foreigners as both being practical, necessary and gratifying".

In formal court documents seen by Sky News, the ex-head of policy in the illegal migration task force, who has been a civil servant for 12 years, said she had repeatedly tried to move conversations away from "prejudice and blame, to objective assessment and accountability".

Mr Bourke has stated his position is that his conduct towards the former civil servant was fair and during the time she was on the task force she was "negative and problematic, leading colleagues to feel disrespected, overburdened or undermined".

Read the full story here:

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Introduction of one-month treasury bill

In line with the announcement in the federal 2024 Budget , the Government of Canada will be introducing a temporary one-month treasury bill. The first one-month treasury bill auction will occur on 7 May 2024.

The objective of the one-month treasury bill is to support the Canadian money market’s orderly transition away from Bankers’ Acceptances (BAs).The one-month treasury bill will act as a partial substitute for investors of one-month BAs while private sector one-month investment alternatives are expanded and/or introduced.

This new treasury bill tenor is being introduced as a temporary program for one year. If one-month treasury bill auctions indicate demand is weak or it is apparent that the program is not meeting its intended objective, the government may reduce auction sizes or discontinue the program before one year. Conversely, the government may choose to extend the program or make the one-month treasury bill permanent if demand proves robust. Any decision regarding the future of the program will be communicated to market participants well in advance.

Operationally, one-month treasury bill auctions will take place on a bi-weekly basis, at 12:00 pm on the same day (Tuesdays) as Canada’s existing treasury bill auctions. Auction sizes are expected to be adjusted to reflect demand conditions. One-month treasury bill auctions will be announced through a separate Call for Tender and will be subject to the existing Terms and Conditions for treasury bill auctions. There will be no changes to the Terms and Conditions for the three, six, and twelve-month treasury bill auctions, however, starting on 7 May all treasury bill sectors’ Call for Tenders and Pre-Call for Tenders will occur at 1:00 pm on their relevant days (currently 10:40 am).

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• Health and social care
• Public health

UK marks one year since approving COVID-19 vaccine with Boost Day

Boost Day drive launches across all major TV channels to encourage people to get their top-up jab

A year ago today the UK became the first country in the world to approve Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine

Vaccination programme has been a phenomenal success with more than 115m doses administered, saving countless lives and reducing pressure on the NHS

New deals secured for additional 60 million doses of the Moderna vaccine and 54 million more Pfizer/BioNTech doses for 2022 and 2023

The UK is marking one year since it became the first country in the world to approve Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine with a “Boost Day” call.

The one-off event to mark the milestone will see a series of adverts on major TV and radio stations. Partnerships with leading brands, including Uber, RED Driving School and Neighbourhood Watch, will encourage eligible people to get their top-up jabs to protect themselves and their loved ones ahead of Christmas, including through support for boosters on social media.

A year ago today [2 December], the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approved the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, which allowed the UK to begin its life-saving vaccination programme earlier than other countries, with Margaret Keenan’s vaccination on 8 December. Thanks to the UK Government’s quick action to secure the most promising vaccine doses in advance, more than 115 million doses have been administered across the UK in almost a year, saving countless lives and allowing people in the UK to live without restrictions.

This week, in light of the new Omicron variant, the government has expanded the booster programme to all adults over 18 and announced that all eligible people will be offered a top-up jab by the end of January.

To speed up the vaccination programme, around 400 military personnel will be drafted in to support deployment, with 1,500 community pharmacy sites, additional hospital hubs, and pop-up sites opening in convenient locations across the country. Payments to GPs, community pharmacies and primary care staff will help boost capacity and encourage more visits to those who are housebound.

Everyone over the age of 40 who had their second dose at least three months ago will soon be able to book an appointment for their booster jab. Younger age groups will be invited by the NHS in order of age in due course.

Vaccines Minister Maggie Throup said:

Our COVID-19 vaccination programme has been absolutely remarkable. It is the largest in British history and the NHS has overcome every obstacle to get life-saving jabs in arms quickly. Booster jabs will protect the progress we have already made against the virus and help ensure we can enjoy Christmas safely with our loved ones. The offer of a first and second dose will always be available and I encourage everybody to come forward to protect yourself and those around you.

To support the vaccination programme, brands including Neighbourhood Watch and RED Driving School, have changed their logos on social media to include branding from the advertising campaign.

A new government interactive tool has also launched within Google search and display campaigns to help make it easier to find vital information about the flu and COVID-19 vaccines. This was developed by Media Monks.

The first real-world study on the effectiveness of booster vaccines against the dominant Delta variant by the UK Health Security Agency shows top-up jabs boost protection back up to over 90% against symptomatic COVID-19 in adults aged over 50 two weeks after being vaccinated.

It is not yet known whether existing vaccines are less effective against the Omicron variant, but it is unlikely they no effectiveness against serious disease.

Vaccines remain our best way to get the protection we need against the virus, and people who have had their booster vaccine by 11 December will likely have very high protection against COVID-19 by Christmas Day.

The COVID-19 vaccination programme is the largest in British history and was established at unprecedented speed, with thousands of vaccine centres set up rapidly in England which means around 98% of people live within 10 miles of a vaccination clinic.

Jamie Heywood, Regional General Manager for Northern and Eastern Europe at Uber said:

At this time of year we know how important vaccines are, which is why we are encouraging drivers and riders to get their booster.

We are also offering our thanks to hardworking NHS staff this winter by helping them get to work and home with a free Uber over the Christmas period, as well as enjoying a well-earned meal on Uber Eats.

John Hayward-Cripps, CEO of Neighbourhood Watch Network said:

We all need to play our part in the fight against Covid. If you are eligible for a Covid vaccination, we encourage you to book it to help protect yourself, your loved ones and your community.

If you have vulnerable or isolated neighbours, consider offering your support, such as helping them book their vaccination appointment online or offering them a lift to the vaccination centre.

The government’s Vaccines Taskforce secured early access to almost 340 million doses of the most promising vaccine candidates in advance for the entire UK, Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories, enabling a rapid deployment once approved by the medicines regulator. New deals have been signed to buy an additional 60 million doses of the Moderna vaccine and 54 million more Pfizer/BioNTech doses for 2022 and 2023. These future supply deals include access to modified vaccines if they are required to combat Omicron and future Variants of Concern.

The UK has one of the highest COVID-19 vaccine uptake rates in the world, with more than three quarters of over-65s in England already receiving their booster jab.

Top-up vaccines have been delivered or booked at every older adult care home in England where it is safe to do so, with 9 in 10 care homes already visited.

Vaccines give high levels of protection but immunity reduces over time, particularly for older adults and at-risk groups, so it is vital people come forward to get their COVID-19 booster vaccine to top up their defences and protect themselves this winter.

The latest evidence from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) shows that protection against symptomatic disease falls from 65%, up to three months after the second dose, to 45% six months after the second dose for the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, and from 90% to 65% for the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. Protection against hospitalisation falls from 95% to 75% for Oxford/AstraZeneca and 99% to 90% for Pfizer/BioNTech.

Although the vaccine effectiveness against severe disease remains high, a small change can generate a major shift in hospital admissions. For example, a change from 95% to 90% protection against hospitalisation would lead to doubling of admissions in those vaccinated.

The booster programme is designed to top up this waning immunity.

Flu is another winter virus that can be serious. To give people the best protection over winter, those eligible for a free flu vaccine should come forward and book an appointment at either their GP practice or their local pharmacy, or take it up when offered by their employer or other healthcare provider.

Mark Winstanley, CEO of Rethink Mental Illness said:

We know that many people who are severely affected by mental illness are worried about COVID-19 and the potential impact of the new variant. We strongly encourage everyone to book their booster jab via the NHS.

The vaccine is the most effective way of protecting yourself from becoming seriously unwell this winter. We also encourage people to get their yearly flu jab. Taking these steps now will hopefully ensure that as many people as possible enjoy the holiday season free from illness and additional anxiety.

Andy Mitchell, Commercial Director of RED Driving School said:

We’re backing the latest ‘Boost Day’ drive as part of our ongoing support for the NHS COVID-19 vaccine campaign. Along with other partners, we’re updating our logo with the Booster branding as well as encouraging our drivers and customers to remain aware of ways to prevent catching COVID-19 this season.

Simple actions such as wearing face coverings, keeping spaces as well ventilated as possible and washing your hands regularly could make a big difference.

Notes to editors

Download the new advertising assets

The new advertising campaign will involve: * A new logo for Boost Day used across TV, radio, social media and at vaccination centres.

Radio partnerships with a cross-station ‘thunderclap’ takeover on 2 December.

Mass TV takeover on 2 December, featuring 10 spots across major TV channels.

Support from clinicians and media medics on broadcast and social media.

Targeted multicultural activity - editorial and social content encouraging those yet to have their COVID-19, Booster and Flu vaccine to come forward.

Advertorials with pregnancy safety messaging, supported by Royal College of Midwives, in media outlets targeting women from ethnic minority backgrounds.

Stats from the COVID-19 vaccination programme:

The highest number of new vaccinations reported in one day in the UK was 844,285 on 20 March 2021 - that’s equivalent to vaccinating the entire population of Liverpool in one day.

The highest number of new vaccinations reported in a 7-day period in the UK was 4,215,859 between 15th-21st March 2021 - that’s equivalent to vaccinating the entire population of Birmingham more than four times in a week.

More than 3,000 vaccine sites are now available in England – double the number than February.

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