UK

The government has been accused of “incoherence” and “missed opportunities” in its Energy Security Strategy, by environmentalists who say it contradicts climate targets and overlooks cheaper, greener and faster alternatives. Policy experts, scientists, fuel poverty groups and campaigners have all picked out energy efficiency as the “missing piece” of the plans, with many pointing to

An “evil” garage worker who attacked primary school teacher Sabina Nessa as she walked through a London park has been jailed for life. Koci Selamaj, 36, was told by a judge he will serve at least 36 years for the “savage” sexually motivated attack. His sentencing heard how Ms Nessa appeared “oblivious” as he ran

Parents in the UK are being warned to check their children for signs of hepatitis after more than 70 youngsters aged under 10 were diagnosed with the illness. Jaundice, dark urine, itchy skin, muscle and joint pain, loss of appetite and a high temperature are among the symptoms of the inflammatory liver condition. Around 60

A security guard at the British embassy in Berlin suspected of spying for Russia has been extradited from Germany and will appear in a UK court on Thursday, police have said. David Smith, 57, was arrested by German police on 10 August last year and is accused of collecting information from the British embassy in

Millions of workers will begin paying higher National Insurance contributions from today as part of a plan to raise billions for the NHS and social care. The 1.25 percentage point increase, first announced last autumn, is being introduced despite pressure for it to be put off given wider cost of living pressures – with energy,

A musician has pleaded guilty to the murder of teenager Bobbi-Anne McLeod. The student, 18, went missing on the evening of 20 November and was last seen at a bus stop in Plymouth. She was due to travel to the city centre to meet friends but never arrived. Three days later, her body was discovered

Boris Johnson is set to announce plans to send migrants to Rwanda to be processed, it has been reported. The prime minister is edging closer to unveiling proposals to fly asylum seekers to Rwanda for processing and settlement, according to reports in The Times. The Home Office did not deny the reports, with a spokesperson

The government has decided to push ahead with plans to privatise Channel 4. Ministers have concluded, following a consultation, that while the broadcaster is “currently performing well” its public ownership is “holding it back in the face of a rapidly-changing and competitive media landscape”, a government source said. A spokesperson for Channel 4 said it

The official list of COVID-19 symptoms has been expanded to include nine new signs of the disease including headaches, diarrhoea and a blocked nose. The list has been updated as COVID infection levels hit a record high in the UK, with almost five million people estimated to be currently infected. Professor Tim Spector, lead scientist

Tory MP David Warburton has told friends he has been admitted to a psychiatric hospital after allegations about his behaviour were made in a Sunday newspaper, Sky News understands. The MP has said he is being treated “for severe shock and stress”, adding: “This has been sheer hell.” The Somerton and Frome MP has had

Rescue teams have carried out a search in the English Channel after a plane flying from the UK went missing. The P-28 plane, which was carrying two people, took off from Wellesbourne, in Warwickshire, on Saturday morning bound for Le Touquet in northern France. The French Coastguard said the aircraft is the “subject of a

Ferry passengers heading to France face disruption today after cross-Channel services from Dover to Calais and Dunkirk were hit by weather conditions yesterday and overnight. Queues have been reported due to a shortage of ferries, with capacity already reduced after P&O services were suspended. A statement from DFDS Ferries said: “Customers are advised to travel

“There were times when I didn’t want to be here,” says a former drug user after her dealer took over her flat. Sarah effectively became a prisoner in her own home, too afraid to cook or even shower. Sky News has changed her name to protect her identity. Sarah used crack cocaine and heroin from

The first fines have been issued to people in government for breaking COVID rules at the height of lockdown. Officials are understood to have received fines thought to be in connection with an event in the Cabinet Office on 18 June 2020. The fines, worth £50, have been sent to individuals by email. The names

Household energy bills prices are likely to rise even higher this autumn as the war in Ukraine deepens the gas crisis, the boss of one of the UK’s largest energy companies has told Sky News. Greg Jackson, founder and chief executive of Octopus, which has more than two million direct customers, said volatility in wholesale

A man on trial for allegedly murdering his neighbour said his childhood teddy bear “told him to kill”, but an expert has said he is “sceptical” of his claim. Can Arslan, 52, fatally stabbed father-of-three Matthew Boorman 27 times on his front lawn last October, before forcing his way into the home of a second

Delays in the UK visa scheme for Ukrainian refugees are “disgusting” and “shambolic”, according to a volunteer who helps run a Facebook page matching refugees to hosts in the UK. Sarah Cocks, who spends her spare time finding homes in the North West for individuals and families fleeing the war in Ukraine, says the people

The mother of 17-month old Peter Connelly, known as Baby P, can be freed from jail, the Parole Board has decided. Tracey Connelly, 40, was jailed in 2009 over the death of her son who died after suffering more than 50 injuries, including fractured ribs and a broken back. The case sparked outrage as Baby

A major report into maternity failings at an NHS trust has found at least 210 deaths could have been avoided. At least 201 babies could have lived if their care had been better, including 131 who were stillborn and 70 who died soon after birth. Nine mothers also died avoidable deaths. In 94 cases babies

Free COVID tests will still be available to certain groups after universal testing ends on Friday – but it could still be rolled out again if a new variant of concern emerges, the government has announced. As the pandemic enters a new phase, Health Secretary Sajid Javid said COVID will start to be treated like