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The health secretary told the BBC's Andrew Marr that the next stage of opening England up from lockdown would still go ahead this week despite concerns about the India variant.

'I'm confident that we can take the step tomorrow, but we should all be careful about how we take that step,' Hancock said.

He added that the government would announce a decision on whether to end all lockdown measures – currently planned for 21 June – on 14 June 

Nine-year-old Eliza Tape took part in a trial of the controversial disability assessment scheme that has left her family worried

A nine-year-old girl who sometimes uses a wheelchair was described as not having mobility concerns in a report prepared for the National Disability Insurance Scheme trial of independent assessments.

Analysis: US president may find himself increasingly isolated in his resolute defence of Israel

In his staunch defence of Israel, Joe Biden is sticking to a course set decades ago as a young senator, and so far he has not given ground on the issue to the progressive wing of his party or many Jewish Democrats urging a tougher line towards Benjamin Netanyahu.

At least 33 Palestinians have been killed and 50 injured in the deadliest airstrikes since the start of fighting between Israel and Hamas six days ago. Israel targeted the home of the Hamas leader Yehya al-Sinwar over the weekend and destroyed the building that housed the offices of Al-Jazeera and the Associated Press. At least 181 people in Gaza and 10 in Israel have been killed so far

Europe’s ageing societies must make it easier for young people to start a family

Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer condemn ‘utterly disgusting’ footage of convoy in St John’s Wood

A police investigation has been launched after a video circulated on social media showing antisemitic chants being shouted from a convoy of cars in north London.

Politicians condemned the footage, which was posted on Twitter and showed the cars travelling through the St John’s Wood area of north London on Sunday afternoon. The cars were covered in Palestinian flags with a speaker blasting out antisemitic slurs and threats against Jews.

The number of identified cases of the B.1.617.2 variant in the UK has more than doubled in a week

More than 1,200 vendors operating in the UK and worldwide, offering false documents for as little as £25

People in Faro are relieved and excited but do not expect a speedy recovery from impact of Covid

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Tatiana stands by the counter of the souvenir shop where she works in downtown Faro, with little in the way of company besides the postcard racks, the shelves of trinkets and towels, and an all too familiar silence.

Party leader says new blueprint for power will not draw on those of either Jeremy Corbyn or Tony Blair

Keir Starmer has said Labour will have a completely new blueprint for power not based on previous manifestos, as he told activists he would spend the summer making extended visits to places the party must win.