The UK has 7.3 critical care beds per 100,000 people, compared to Germany's 33.8 and the US's 34.3.

The move to the second-highest level means the NHS is no longer at imminent risk of being overwhelmed.

The ex-chancellor says Boris Johnson must "do the right thing", even if it means risking unpopularity.

Legislation needed to clear the next stage of the controversial project has passed through Parliament.

In January, hospitals in England treated nearly a third of all Covid patients since the pandemic began.

Boris Johnson urges people to "be patient", after the transport secretary says summer breaks are in doubt.

People arriving in England from Covid hotspots also face £10,000 fines or jail if they break the rules.

Chairman Peter Cowgill says the new EU trade deal has meant "double-digit millions" in extra costs.

Ministers believe the contact-tracing app has prevented 600,000 cases of the disease in England and Wales.

The cold snap will not be as extreme as in 2018, forecasters say, but will cause disruption this weekend.

The European Commission argues the drug-maker is failing to fulfil its promises on the Covid jab.

Education think-tank says pupils should have the right to repeat the school year after Covid disruption.

The PM sets the date he hopes England's lockdown will begin to ease, but warns of a "perilous situation".

Nadhim Zahawi says supply is tight, but he expects the UK to meet its February target of 15 million doses.

The EU calls for "fair" distribution after vaccine companies cut back on pledged supplies.

The Japanese car maker has told the BBC its Sunderland plant is secure for the long term.

Tuition fees in England are being frozen for another year and ministers outline plans to reform post-16 education.

Some 10% of the UK population is showing signs of recent infection, a doubling since October, says ONS.

Criticism of new Brexit trade rules is growing as firms warn of more bureaucracy, higher costs and delays.

The drugs, which save an extra life for every 12 intensive care patients treated, can be used immediately, say experts.

More than half the patients at some hospitals have the virus, forcing other care to be cut back.

Gavin Williamson will "trust in teachers rather than algorithms" in awarding this year's results.

FTSE 100 chiefs will by Wednesday have earned more this year than the average worker's annual wage.

Virgin Holidays joins Tui and Thomas Cook in cancelling holidays after latest coronavirus restrictions.

That includes some of the most vulnerable patients who should soon have "significant" protection against the virus.

Mainland Scotland faces tougher restrictions from midnight, and schools will remain closed until February.

Some EU specialist firms stop delivering to the UK because of tax changes that took effect on 1 January.

Boris Johnson says more areas may need tougher rules, as Labour urges England-wide curbs within 24 hours.

The UK's hard-fought agreement with the EU is set to come into force at 23:00 GMT on Thursday.

Officials on both sides are hammering out the final details ahead of an expected announcement.

Officials continue to thrash out final details, after weeks of argument over fishing and business rules.

Ministers meet to discuss how to stem the spread of a new fast-spreading variant of the coronavirus.

Boris Johnson says his position is "unchanged", as time for the UK and EU to reach a deal runs short.

France will stop lorries arriving from the UK for 48 hours amid concerns about a new coronavirus variant.

How has a new coronavirus variant become the most common form of the virus in parts of England?

Family mixing at Christmas will be much reduced and scrapped completely for parts of the South East.

Secondary-school pupils in England who have been in contact with a positive case will have daily tests.

NHS bosses say they are worried about January, after the US saw a spike in cases after Thanksgiving.

Four Navy boats get ready to patrol UK fishing waters in event of no deal, as negotiations resume.

Boris Johnson urges Brussels to make a "big change" as the deadline set by the two sides approaches.

Malcolm Turnbull tells BBC Question Time his country's arrangement with the EU has "large barriers".

Boris Johnson says negotiations with the EU will continue, but are "not yet there at all".

Sunday becomes the new deadline for a decision on trade talks, after the PM and EU chief meet in Brussels.

The chairman of Tesco says price rises related to Brexit could change what people choose to eat.

Boris Johnson seeks a last minute breakthrough in stalled talks over a UK-EU trade agreement.

Spending surged last month as eating out was restricted by England's national lockdown, figures suggest.

But in a possible compromise, ministers said they could remove the measures if trade talks succeed.

The UK says it is still working for a deal, but the EU's mood is described as "gloomy".

EU sources say the two sides are nearing an agreement on access to UK waters by EU fishing fleets.

Negotiators will talk on Sunday, but "significant differences" between the two sides in post-Brexit trade talks remain.

EU and UK negotiators call in leaders in last ditch effort to secure a trade deal.

Alok Sharma says he expects the doses to arrive for the start of the UK's vaccination programme.

The UK warns chances of a breakthrough are "receding", as it negotiates with the EU over business rules.

Only the US, Brazil, India and Mexico have recorded more coronavirus deaths than the UK.

Ministers are "taking limited responsibility" for readiness ahead of the transition period ending, MPs say.

The prime minister said the NHS remained under pressure, despite a four-week national lockdown.

Property price rises accelerated last month, the Nationwide says. but growth is set to slow next year.

There were an estimated 72,000 new cases of coronavirus a day in England between 13 and 24 November.

The EU's Michel Barnier arrived in London on Friday evening, as the two sides try to agree a deal.

One bar owner says 'it simply isn't viable' to operate under restrictions as English tiers are revealed.

People can form a "Christmas bubble" and mix in homes and outdoors between 23 and 27 December.

Three households will be allowed to meet indoors over a five-day period between 23-27 December.

Nicola Sturgeon says there could be a "careful" easing at Christmas - but does not expect a relaxation at new year.

Boris Johnson will unveil the latest Covid plans, including lifting a ban on outdoor grassroots sport.

The government borrowed £22.3bn in October - its highest for the month since records began.

Boris Johnson says "the safety of the British people must come first" as he outlines a new package.

The PM confirms he is bringing the ban forward as he sets out his "green industrial revolution".

Property prices in the South West of England have risen fastest in the UK, official statistics show.

No 10 does not deny reports the PM made the comment in a meeting with Tory MPs.

Boris Johnson's comments come ahead of another week of negotiations for a post-Brexit trade deal.

The jump in cases comes a day after the UK became the first European country to pass 50,000 deaths.

The economy grows by a record 15.5% in July to September, but is still smaller than before the pandemic.

The UK government does not expect to reach a deal with the EU in this week's talks.

The firm says the project will create 6,000 new jobs in the Midlands and the North of England

Rapid results tests for students are planned to let students get home safely in early December.

Premier Foods says it has attracted a million new customers as people turn to comfort foods in the crisis.

Peers vote overwhelmingly to remove a section that would allow ministers to break international law.

Negotiators are meeting again after Boris Johnson insists a post-Brexit deal is "there to be done".

The PM and EU Commission president agree to "work hard" to reach a deal when talks resume on Monday.

Although the number of new cases continues to rise, the growth rate is slowing, latest data show.

John Lewis and Currys PC World among those opening later as demand surges ahead of lockdown.

Boris Johnson says lockdown rules will expire on 2 December - with MPs to vote on what happens next.

Universities in England tell students to stay for the lockdown - but the NUS says they should able to leave.

The party leader applies to change its name to Reform UK, calling the PM's Covid response "woeful".

It comes amid calls from some scientists to introduce a strict national lockdown in England.

Infection rates are rising and European countries are going into lockdown. Could the UK be next?

Germany and France reintroduce strict measures amid dire warnings over rising Covid-19 cases.

Environment Secretary George Eustice says people "may not be able to get together in larger groups".

This is likely to mean immunity levels decline and raises the risk of reinfection, researchers say.

More than 50 Tory MPs call for a "clear road map" out of lockdown restrictions for northern England.

Covid testing pilot projects are launched in universities - as plans begin to get students home at Christmas.

It comes after MPs rejected calls to extend free school meals over holidays amid the Covid-19 crisis.

The two chief negotiators for a post-Brexit trade deal spoke on the phone earlier on Wednesday.

They were ordered to close when the area was placed into tier three of the coronavirus restrictions.

Lord Sedwill, former civil service head, talks to the BBC about coronavirus, Dominic Cummings and Donald Trump.

Boris Johnson says he "regrets" a deal over financial support could not be reached with local leaders.

Greater Manchester's mayor says more financial help is needed as the region is set to enter tier three rules.

No 10 says there is "no basis to resume talks" without changes, after the EU offers to "intensify" talks.

Far more people are dying at home in England and Wales than normal from heart disease and dementia.

Former boxer Nicola Adams and Katya Jones will be the show's first celebrity same-sex couple.

"No point" in further discussions with the EU unless it changes course, Downing Street says.

Millions of people face more restrictions from Saturday, including a ban on households mixing indoors.

Boris Johnson has previously set Thursday's EU meeting as the deadline for a post-Brexit deal.

England's new three-tier system can both control the virus and prevent economic harm, Boris Johnson says.

A circuit breaker could change the course of the epidemic and buy more time, a report says.

The European Union is about to formally reject a UK plea for special allowances for exports of electric cars.

Ministers admit an extra £800m is needed due to more asbestos discoveries and complexities at London Euston.

Another 143 deaths are reported as ministers defend rules after criticism expert advice was ignored.

Hospitality businesses warn of hardship and confusion as they battle with the latest restrictions.

Downing Street and the culture secretary disown an ad suggesting a ballerina retrain in cyber security.

The UK and EU say they are making progress, but remain at loggerheads on fishing and help for firms.

Industry leaders will challenge new local restrictions that could force pubs and other venues to close.

The chancellor says his Job Support Scheme "expansion" comes ahead of "what may be a difficult winter".

The EU and UK still disagree on important issues, but Downing Street calls talks in London "useful".

The economy grew 2.1% in August, below expectations, despite a lift from Eat Out to Help Out.

There has been a marked increase in cases over recent weeks in England, especially in the north.

Pubs and restaurants in worst-hit areas could close next week in an effort to stall rising infection rates.

Hospitals struggle to get care back to normal as pandemic causes major disruption to core services.

The former PM says the government must "think again" about using a formula to assess housing need.

The supermarket is offering free jabs to eligible people and an £8 charge for everyone else,

Closing pubs and restaurants and banning overnight stays in the worst-affected areas are being discussed.

Labour's Sir Keir Starmer says the early closing time in England must be reviewed if it isn't justified.

The new rules are likely to be focused on licensed premises in areas with higher levels of the virus.

Scientists warn of the "devastating" effect of Covid-19 policies, calling for a return to normal for healthy people.

The prime minister says he wants to build a "new Jerusalem" but warns the UK cannot return to "normal".

The chancellor told party members the Conservatives had a "sacred duty" to spend responsibly.

The firm will open a quarter of its theatres from Friday to Sunday, but declined to comment on jobs.

Outdoor centres warn coronavirus rules mean they cannot reopen and could fold.

Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey says it will give unemployed people a "helping hand".

The PM calls for Brussels to be "commonsensical" ahead of crucial talks with the EU Commission president.

New infections might be rising more slowly than in previous weeks - but the R number remains above one.

Spending watchdog urges repairs body to get on with it - but they say rethink is needed to save money.

Drop plans to rewrite withdrawal agreement by end of month or risk scuppering trade deal, UK is told.