MPs to vote on renewing emergency coronavirus powers for six months
A vote on extending coronavirus laws for a further six months will today take place in the Commons.
On Thursday, MPs will be asked to approve the regulations for theroute out of lockdown and keep some of the emergency powers in the Coronavirus Act in place until September.
It comes as Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he could see an”end” to the pandemic that would involve managing coronavirus “more likeflu” with repeated and updated vaccinations.
PM under pressure over NHS pay after Scotland offer of 4% increase
Boris Johnson is facing pressure to increase a proposed pay rise for NHS staff, after more than 150,000 health workers in Scotland have been told their pay packets will be upped by 4 per cent.
Medics in England are faced with the prospect of just a 1 per cent pay rise in line with the Government’s submission to the NHS pay review body.
However, in Scotland, more than 154,000 NHS staff in pay bands one to seven will be offered at least a 4 per cent pay rise, backdated to December.
This will include paramedics, nurses, as well as support staff and porters and is in addition to a £500 payment to health and social care workers thanking them for their efforts throughout the pandemic.
Top doctor urges those entitle to Covid vaccine to book jab before slots ‘dry up’
The national medical director for the NHS is urging the over-50s and those at risk to book their Covid-19 vaccines quickly before slots dry up.
Professor Stephen Powis called on anyone who qualifies for a jab but has not yet received a first dose to book an appointment in the next few days.
The NHS is expecting a slowdown in UK vaccine supply for the whole of April, meaning medics will concentrate on delivering second doses, with fewer first appointments available.
Barrister whose dog mauled Freddie the seal will not face criminal charges
The owner of the dog that mauled a seal nicknamed Freddie Mercury will not face criminal charges, police said.
Read More
The ten month old seal pup was sunning itself on the slipway near Hammersmith Bridge on Sunday afternoon when it was attacked by a barrister’s crossbreed dog.
Rebecca Sabben-Clare QC, a leading commercial barrister, told the Standard she wanted to “apologise unreservedly” for the “terrible accident” and wished her unleashed pet had been on a lead.
Freddie was found to have a fractured flipper and a dislocated joint, with veterinarians at South Essex Wildlife Hospital concluding the “only ethical and fair option” was to put him to sleep.
Brazil becomes second country to reach 300,000 coronavirus deaths
Brazil has topped 300,000 confirmed Covid-19 deaths, becoming the second country to do so amid a spike in infections.
The South American country has reported record death tolls in recent days.
The US reached the grim milestone on December 14, but has a larger population than Brazil.
20C mini-heatwave to arrive in time for easing of lockdown measures
Britain is set to enjoy a mini-heatwave just as the rule of six returns across England, with temperatures reaching highs of 20C.
Households will be allowed to mix outdoors and in private gardens from next week, as coronavirus lockdown measures begin to ease.
Forecasters have said much of the country can expect “largely fine” weather next week, with the mercury reaching 17C in London on Monday.
And the trend is set to continue into the Easter Bank Holiday weekend, with temperatures continuing to rise as high as 20c.
MORE ABOUT