The British government is lifting all Covid-19 restrictions across England. Mask wearing would not be compulsory anymore, guidance to work from home will also end and Covid passes would not be required to access big events.

British government removes almost all Covid curbs across UK

Plan B measures aimed at tackling the spread of Covid-19 are to be dropped across England from next week. These measures include guidance to work from home, the use of the Covid pass and mandatory mask-wearing in shops and on public transport.

Plan B measures to end from next week in UK

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday (January 19) made a major announcement and said that most Covid restrictions in UK would be lifted next week.&nbsp;Additionally, he said that Covid isolation period would reduce to 5 days from Monday (January 24). However, he warned that Omicron variant of coronavirus was not mild and those not vaccinated should especially take care.

He announced the lifting of Plan B Covid restrictions and a switch back to Plan A

Johnson also told the British parliament that people would not have to wear masks in closed spaces, while working from home and would not have to&nbsp;provide&nbsp;vaccination proof while&nbsp;entering public spaces such as nightclubs, shops or while using public transport.

Moreover, he said that masks will not be mandatory in UK schools Thursday onwards.

Johnson said that these steps were&nbsp;being taken after a successful&nbsp;mass booster jab programme in the country.

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"Many nations across Europe have endured further winter lockdowns... but this government took a different path," Johnson told lawmakers, saying the government had got the toughest decisions right and that numbers going into intensive care were falling.

"Our scientists believe it is likely that the Omicron wave has now peaked nationally... because of the extraordinary booster campaign, together with the way the public have responded to the Plan B measures, we can return to Plan A."

Boris Johnson is currently facing a lot of political heat over 'partygate'. British people, as well as lawmakers, have Johnson under pressure over the 'BYOB' party held at his residence 10, Downing Street.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/5-year-old-girl-hilariously-trolls-johnson-over-partygate-netizens-hail-future-uk-pm-445878">5-year-old girl hilariously trolls Johnson over ‘partygate’, netizens hail 'future UK PM’</a> 
 
The anger is palpable as common citizens were under strict lockdown last year when the party took place on the lavish garden of the prime ministerial residence. About 100 people were in attendance.

Boris Johnson has apologised in the parliament but has explicitly refused to step down.

(With inputs from agencies)

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday (January 19) made a major announcement and said that most Covid restrictions in UK would be lifted next week. Additionally, he said that Covid isolation period would reduce to 5 days from Monday (January 24).

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday (January 19) made a major announcement and said that most Covid restrictions in UK would be lifted next week. Additionally, he said that Covid isolation period would reduce to 5 days from Monday (January 24). However, he warned that Omicron variant of coronavirus was not mild and those not vaccinated should especially take care. He announced the lifting of Plan B Covid restrictions and a switch back to Plan A Johnson also told the British parliament that people would not have to wear masks in closed spaces, while working from home and would not have to provide vaccination proof while entering public spaces such as nightclubs, shops or while using public transport. Moreover, he said that masks will not be mandatory in UK schools Thursday onwards. Johnson said that these steps were being taken after a successful mass booster jab programme in the country. × "Many nations across Europe have endured further winter lockdowns... but this government took a different path," Johnson told lawmakers, saying the government had got the toughest decisions right and that numbers going into intensive care were falling. "Our scientists believe it is likely that the Omicron wave has now peaked nationally... because of the extraordinary booster campaign, together with the way the public have responded to the Plan B measures, we can return to Plan A." Boris Johnson is currently facing a lot of political heat over 'partygate'. British people, as well as lawmakers, have Johnson under pressure over the 'BYOB' party held at his residence 10, Downing Street. Also Read | 5-year-old girl hilariously trolls Johnson over ‘partygate’, netizens hail 'future UK PM’ The anger is palpable as common citizens were under strict lockdown last year when the party took place on the lavish garden of the prime ministerial residence. About 100 people were in attendance. Boris Johnson has apologised in the parliament but has explicitly refused to step down. (With inputs from agencies)

Most Covid restrictions in UK to be lifted next week, says PM Boris Johnson

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British Prime Minister Boris Johnson faces questions in Parliament over multiple scandals involving lockdown parties.

UK PM Boris Johnson faces grilling over lockdown parties in Parliament

A group of new Tories are said to have launched an operation to oust UK PM Boris Johnson after it was reported he is planning to sack officials in order to save himself over the Downing Street parties scandal.

Reports: A group of new Tories plan to oust UK PM Boris Johnson over ‘partygate’

The United Kingdom's inflation rose to 5.4 per cent in December, reaching the highest level in almost 30 years.

UK inflation hits highest in nearly 30 years

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has now denied of lying to the parliament after facing a scathing accusation by his former special adviser. Boris Johnson spoke publicly for the very first time in almost about a week claiming that nobody had actually warned him that a drinks party was against his country's covid-19 rules.

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A UK lecturer who claimed that she was axed for having a loud voice has been awarded more than £100,000 after winning a claim for unfair dismissal.

Dr Annette Plaut, 60, who was teaching at the University of Exeter’s physics department for 30 years, claimed that a combination of her being female and loud led to her dismissal from the university, according to BBC.

The tribunal, held in Exeter, was told that the lecturer was “inherently loud”, “naturally argumentative” in conversation, and spoke with vigorous hand gestures, and that she was so passionate about physics that she would get overexcited.

It was said that some of her co-workers didn’t like her “overbearing”, “boisterous” and a “Marmite” character, despite students having no qualms about her teaching style.

The physicist was suspended and then sacked following a disciplinary hearing in December 2019, after she was said to be shouting at PhD students and causing them stress and anxiety.

However, Plaut told the tribunal that her eastern European Jewish heritage and upbringing influenced her “stereotypical loudness and demonstrative and argumentative style of” teaching.

The tribunal ruled she was unfairly dismissed and awarded Dr Plaut just under £101,000.

It dismissed claims of race and sex discrimination apart from one harassment claim.

Dr Plaut told the tribunal that she wanted to be reinstated after being consistently treated unfairly by the university over decades and targeted for dismissal.

The university said the dismissal had nothing to do with her being female or Jewish.

“We continue to believe there are serious inaccuracies in these judgements and we are appealing the decision of the employment appeals tribunal,” it said.

(With inputs from agencies)

A UK lecturer who claimed that she was axed for having a loud voice has been awarded more than £100,000 after winning a claim for unfair dismissal. Dr Annette Plaut, 60, who was teaching at the University of Exeter’s physics department for 30 years, claimed that a combination of her being female and loud led to her dismissal from the university, according to BBC.

A UK lecturer who claimed that she was axed for having a loud voice has been awarded more than £100,000 after winning a claim for unfair dismissal. Dr Annette Plaut, 60, who was teaching at the University of Exeter’s physics department for 30 years, claimed that a combination of her being female and loud led to her dismissal from the university, according to BBC. The tribunal, held in Exeter, was told that the lecturer was “inherently loud”, “naturally argumentative” in conversation, and spoke with vigorous hand gestures, and that she was so passionate about physics that she would get overexcited. It was said that some of her co-workers didn’t like her “overbearing”, “boisterous” and a “Marmite” character, despite students having no qualms about her teaching style. The physicist was suspended and then sacked following a disciplinary hearing in December 2019, after she was said to be shouting at PhD students and causing them stress and anxiety. However, Plaut told the tribunal that her eastern European Jewish heritage and upbringing influenced her “stereotypical loudness and demonstrative and argumentative style of” teaching. The tribunal ruled she was unfairly dismissed and awarded Dr Plaut just under £101,000. It dismissed claims of race and sex discrimination apart from one harassment claim. Dr Plaut told the tribunal that she wanted to be reinstated after being consistently treated unfairly by the university over decades and targeted for dismissal. The university said the dismissal had nothing to do with her being female or Jewish. “We continue to believe there are serious inaccuracies in these judgements and we are appealing the decision of the employment appeals tribunal,” it said. (With inputs from agencies)

UK lecturer who was sacked for having ‘loud voice' awarded more than £100,000 by court

Britain government has promised full support to US investigators after it emerged that the man behind a hostage taking at a Texas synagogue was a British citizen.

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United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been accused of lying to Parliament in a scathing new blog post by former aide Dominic Cummings.

UK PM Boris Johnson's former aide accuses him of lying to Parliament

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British PM Boris Johnson has been accused of lying to the parliament. A former senior adviser to Johnson has said that the PM was aware of a party being held at his residence during a covid-19 lockdown. British media have reported that at least 11 gatherings took place at 10 downing street between May 2020 and April 2021.

'UK PM Boris Johnson was aware of booze party,' says PM's former senior adviser

UK government on Monday announced freeze on British Broadcasting Corporation's (BBC) license fee. The government claimed that freeze on the license fee was aimed at providing relief to families from cost of living pressures. However, the Opposition alleged that the real motive behind the move was part of vendetta of right-wingers against the mediahouse.

Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries told parliament the £159 ($217, 190 euros) annual fee, paid by every television set owner in the country, would be fixed for the next two years.

After that it will rise in line with inflation for four years, she said, saying the rising annual cost of the compulsory charge was hurting cash-strapped families.

The long-term future of the corporation should not depend on a system which criminalises non-payers, she added.

But opposition parties linked the move to efforts to keep Prime Minister Boris Johnson in a job, by offering "red meat" to BBC critics, due to anger at lockdown-breaking parties at Downing Street.

Labour media spokeswoman Lucy Powell said monthly payments for the license fee were small change compared to proposed Tory annual tax increases and soaring energy bills totalling thousands of pounds.

"Is the license fee really at the heart of the cost of living crisis or is this really about their long-term vendetta against the BBC?" she asked

"It's at the heart of Operation Red Meat to stop the prime minister becoming dead meat," she added, referring to a proposed government fight-back plan of populist measures to boost Johnson's standing.

The BBC has come under increasing criticism from right-wingers since Britain's divisive Brexit referendum in 2016 for alleged political bias, and pushing a "woke", London-centric liberal agenda.

But the public service broadcaster, which this year marks its 100th anniversary and has editorial independence from government, has faced similar accusations from the political left.

Critics accused Johnson loyalist Dorries, who leaked details of the plan on Twitter on Sunday night after a torrid week for the prime minister, of "cultural vandalism", wrecking a world-renowned British institution.

The licence fee funds television, radio and online services, including its popular iPlayer on-demand platform, as well as programming, many of which are exported commercially worldwide.

(With inputs from agencies)

UK government on Monday announced freeze on British Broadcasting Corporation's (BBC) license fee. The government claimed that freeze on the license fee was aimed at providing relief to families from cost of living pressures.

UK government on Monday announced freeze on British Broadcasting Corporation's (BBC) license fee. The government claimed that freeze on the license fee was aimed at providing relief to families from cost of living pressures. However, the Opposition alleged that the real motive behind the move was part of vendetta of right-wingers against the mediahouse. Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries told parliament the £159 ($217, 190 euros) annual fee, paid by every television set owner in the country, would be fixed for the next two years. After that it will rise in line with inflation for four years, she said, saying the rising annual cost of the compulsory charge was hurting cash-strapped families. The long-term future of the corporation should not depend on a system which criminalises non-payers, she added. But opposition parties linked the move to efforts to keep Prime Minister Boris Johnson in a job, by offering "red meat" to BBC critics, due to anger at lockdown-breaking parties at Downing Street. Labour media spokeswoman Lucy Powell said monthly payments for the license fee were small change compared to proposed Tory annual tax increases and soaring energy bills totalling thousands of pounds. "Is the license fee really at the heart of the cost of living crisis or is this really about their long-term vendetta against the BBC?" she asked "It's at the heart of Operation Red Meat to stop the prime minister becoming dead meat," she added, referring to a proposed government fight-back plan of populist measures to boost Johnson's standing. The BBC has come under increasing criticism from right-wingers since Britain's divisive Brexit referendum in 2016 for alleged political bias, and pushing a "woke", London-centric liberal agenda. But the public service broadcaster, which this year marks its 100th anniversary and has editorial independence from government, has faced similar accusations from the political left. Critics accused Johnson loyalist Dorries, who leaked details of the plan on Twitter on Sunday night after a torrid week for the prime minister, of "cultural vandalism", wrecking a world-renowned British institution. The licence fee funds television, radio and online services, including its popular iPlayer on-demand platform, as well as programming, many of which are exported commercially worldwide. (With inputs from agencies)

UK government announces freeze on BBC's license fee

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After a series of allegations of multiple lockdown breaching parties and weeks of denials of rule-breaking, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom has now apologized for attending one gathering. An online survey conducted by the Conservative Home website asked a question to a panel of Tory members, activists and supporters. It showed that over 53% believed that Johnson should resign immediately.

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If a report is to be believed, the vaccinated travellers from Britain may be able to go on half-term holidays in February without having to undergo COVID-19 tests on their return. &nbsp;

UK’s Transport Minister Grant Shapps seems to be in favour of ending the testing system for the double-vaccinated people during the February break, The Times reported. &nbsp;

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On January 26, an announcement may come up on the same, the report said. &nbsp;

This comes as London’s Heathrow Airport authorities recently said that it suffered 600,000 flight cancellation in December last year as cases related to the Omicron variant surged in the United Kingdom. &nbsp;

Airport authorities are demanding an end of coronavirus testing for those, who have been fully inoculated as passengers are abandoning their plans due to uncertainty in restrictions. &nbsp;

"Covid continues to pose significant challenges for the travel industry," Heathrow said in a statement. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/omicron-is-not-the-last-covid-variant-scientists-warn-445185" hreflang="en">Omicron is not the last Covid variant, scientists warn</a>

With the Omicron coronavirus variant stalling recovery prospects, the number of passengers passing through London's main airport dropped more than 12 per cent last year. &nbsp;

Britain still requires all inbound travellers to take either a PCR or a rapid lateral flow test a maximum of 48 hours before departure, a measure Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said would be reviewed in the second week of January. &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

If a report is to be believed, the vaccinated travellers from Britain may be able to go on half-term holidays in February without having to undergo COVID-19 tests on their return.

If a report is to be believed, the vaccinated travellers from Britain may be able to go on half-term holidays in February without having to undergo COVID-19 tests on their return. UK’s Transport Minister Grant Shapps seems to be in favour of ending the testing system for the double-vaccinated people during the February break, The Times reported. Also Read: Can live with Covid? South Africa to not impose lockdown or quarantine rules On January 26, an announcement may come up on the same, the report said. This comes as London’s Heathrow Airport authorities recently said that it suffered 600,000 flight cancellation in December last year as cases related to the Omicron variant surged in the United Kingdom. Airport authorities are demanding an end of coronavirus testing for those, who have been fully inoculated as passengers are abandoning their plans due to uncertainty in restrictions. "Covid continues to pose significant challenges for the travel industry," Heathrow said in a statement. Also Read: Omicron is not the last Covid variant, scientists warn With the Omicron coronavirus variant stalling recovery prospects, the number of passengers passing through London's main airport dropped more than 12 per cent last year. Britain still requires all inbound travellers to take either a PCR or a rapid lateral flow test a maximum of 48 hours before departure, a measure Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said would be reviewed in the second week of January. (With inputs from agencies)

UK’s vaccinated travellers may not have to take Covid tests in Feb, says report

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Facebook is facing a 3.2 billion dollar plus class-action suit in Britain for allegations that it has abused its market dominance by exploiting the personal data of almost about 44 million users.

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Before the Omicron variant struck in November, the UK economy had increased faster than projected, returning to pre-pandemic levels for the first time.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 0.9 percent in November, compared to 0.1 percent in October.&nbsp;

The holiday season made a significant contribution to the economy's rebound.&nbsp;

The ONS claimed that an increase in restaurant bookings and a quick turnaround in building output were also factors in the expansion, which lifted the economy's size by 0.7 percent above its March 2020 level.&nbsp; 
 
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City economists predicted a 0.4 percent expansion and that November would be a high point in 2021, with the ONS data arriving just as the Omicron variant took hold, increasing workforce shortages and prompting the government to impose plan B limits.

It followed a 0.2 percent rise in October.

Another factor driving the rise in GDP, according to the ONS, was the continued expansion of health services as a proportion of economic activity.

Business organisations cautioned that the economy remained sluggish in the face of growing inflation and the Bank of England's threat of raising interest rates.&nbsp;

According to the ONS, the world's fifth-largest economy was 0.7 percent larger in February 2020 than it was in February 2019.

Despite the acceleration in growth in November, GDP is likely to have suffered a knock in December as the Omicron coronavirus type spread over the world.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Before the Omicron variant struck in November, the UK economy had increased faster than projected, returning to pre-pandemic levels for the first time. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 0.

Before the Omicron variant struck in November, the UK economy had increased faster than projected, returning to pre-pandemic levels for the first time. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 0.9 percent in November, compared to 0.1 percent in October. The holiday season made a significant contribution to the economy's rebound. The ONS claimed that an increase in restaurant bookings and a quick turnaround in building output were also factors in the expansion, which lifted the economy's size by 0.7 percent above its March 2020 level. Also read | British PM bats for India-UK FTA; says deal takes ties to 'next level' City economists predicted a 0.4 percent expansion and that November would be a high point in 2021, with the ONS data arriving just as the Omicron variant took hold, increasing workforce shortages and prompting the government to impose plan B limits. It followed a 0.2 percent rise in October. Another factor driving the rise in GDP, according to the ONS, was the continued expansion of health services as a proportion of economic activity. Business organisations cautioned that the economy remained sluggish in the face of growing inflation and the Bank of England's threat of raising interest rates. According to the ONS, the world's fifth-largest economy was 0.7 percent larger in February 2020 than it was in February 2019. Despite the acceleration in growth in November, GDP is likely to have suffered a knock in December as the Omicron coronavirus type spread over the world. (With inputs from agencies)

British economy reaches back above pre-COVID level for first time

After a series of allegations of multiple lockdown breaching parties and weeks of denials of rule-breaking, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom has now apologized for attending one gathering and has been plunged into a major crisis around his leadership.

UK PM Boris Johnson admits hosting parties in lockdown & offers apology over it

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The UK appears to have surpassed the peak of the latest wave of COVID-19 caused by Omicron, providing a glimmer of hope to rest of the world.

UK's Omicron data offers hope to the world as cases surpasses peak

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