Politics

The government is turning to the private sector in an attempt to cut NHS waiting lists. Thirteen new community diagnostics centres (CDCs) will be opened across England to carry out an additional 742,000 scans, checks and tests per year. Eight of the new facilities will be operated by the private sector – but despite this,

Surprise scenes were witnessed in North Yorkshire today as protesters from Greenpeace climbed on to the roof of Rishi Sunak’s manor house to demonstrate against his oil and gas policies. The group knew the prime minister and his family were away, but as well as attracting a lot of media attention, the action has raised

Greenpeace activists have covered Rishi Sunak’s £2m mansion in oil-black fabric after climbing on to the roof of the property in Yorkshire. Two of the environmental campaign group’s activists also unfurled a banner with the words “Rishi Sunak – Oil Profits or Our Future?” across the grass in front of the manor house. The group

Delays to moving asylum seekers onto the Bibby Stockholm barge are now being caused by checks on working practices, Sky News understands. A Home Office source confirmed reports that fire safety issues did lead to initial setbacks, saying a door had been put on the wrong way round. But now that has been fixed, there

UK energy chiefs will gather in Downing Street today to discuss net zero as a debate rages in both main parties about the future of green policies. Industry leaders from EDF, SSE, Shell and BP will meet Grant Shapps, the energy security secretary, just days after the government announced it would grant more than 100

Asylum seekers could be moved on to the controversial Bibby Stockholm barge next week, Sky News understands. The vessel, which is currently docked in Portland on the coast of Dorset, was supposed to start accepting arrivals last week, but was pushed back. Sky News reported that the first people would then move on to the

Wine and gin drinkers will have to shell out more from today as alcohol taxes rise. The shake-up aims to encourage drinkers to cut back by taxing all alcohol based on its strength, rather than the previous categories of wine, beer, spirits and ciders. The increase will see duty rise by 44p on a bottle

Asylum seekers will not be moved on to the controversial Bibby Stockholm barge on Tuesday as planned after last minute meetings responding to fire safety concerns, Sky News understands. However, there is still a possibility that they could be moved on to the barge, which is currently docked in Portland on the coast of Dorset,

Rishi Sunak will head to Scotland on Monday as the Conservatives kick off a week of campaigning on energy security. Number 10 said the prime minister would use the trip to “highlight the central role” the country will play in “defending the UK against disrupted global energy supplies” and reaching the government’s net zero targets.

HS2 has been rated as “unachievable” as part of an annual report from a government watchdog. The Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA) gave the first two phases of the troubled high speed rail project a “red” rating, saying the whole plan may need to be “reassessed”. The project has been hit by ever-increasing costs –

Rishi Sunak and Grant Shapps will lead an intensive series of engagements this week in a determined effort to strengthen the UK’s energy independence. The prime minister and energy security secretary are meeting with industry leaders from oil, gas and renewable sectors aimed at driving forward measures to safeguard national energy security and diminish reliance

Labour has accused the government of displaying an “unforgivable lack of urgency” in tackling the needs of rape victims and implementing crucial recommendations made by two scathing reports. Analysis by the party shows that several “immediate” recommendations from the Criminal Justice Joint Inspectorates (CJJI) have been left unfulfilled. The CJJI conducted two comprehensive reports, one

Tory MPs have called for Sir Keir Starmer to “get off the fence” and tell Sadiq Khan to axe the expansion of the Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) after a court ruled the plans are lawful. Government ministers stressed the matter was out of their hands as they turned their attention to the Labour leader’s

The expansion of ultra-low emission zone (ULEZ) to outer London boroughs has been ruled as lawful by the High Court. Five Conservative-run councils had launched legal action back in February over the expansion. The scheme will come into force from 29 August and see the drivers of the most polluting vehicles charged £12.50 a day

The Ministry of Defence has launched an investigation after officials accidentally sent emails containing classified information to a Russian allied country. A “small number” of emails intended for the Pentagon were sent to Mali thanks to the omission of an “i” from an email address. British officials sent the messages to an address ending with

The High Court is set to publish a ruling on Friday morning over the London mayor’s plan to expand the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) to the capital’s outer boroughs. Five Conservative-run councils launched legal action back in February over the extension, which is due to come into force on 29 August. The scheme –

For someone who’s supposed to be a details man, Rishi Sunak clearly doesn’t like being subjected to forensic interrogation. At a painful appearance before the Infected Blood Inquiry, it didn’t help the prime minister’s mood when he was loudly heckled early on by members of the public listening to his evidence. But it got worse

Rishi Sunak was heckled for failing to answer questions over delays to a full compensation scheme for victims of the NHS infected blood scandal. The prime minister’s evidence to the infected blood inquiry was met with groans, jeers and even laughter from those listening. The reaction prompted Sir Brian Langstaff, chair of the inquiry, to

Rishi Sunak is planning to delay energy efficiency targets for rented homes following pressure from landlords about the cost of the improvements. The overhaul is part of a wider review of the government’s environmental policies, which some Tory MPs fear are too expensive and will hurt the party’s chances at the next general election. Politics

Cabinet minister Michael Gove says he is going on holiday to a Greek island which is experiencing wildfires – as he insisted the region is “safe”. The housing secretary told Sky News he was heading to Evia – a large island just off the coast of Athens – in “just over a week”. It has