The new variant is thought to be driving the surge of the virus in London and the south east and east England – though it is also prevalent in Cumbria.

The Commons is expected to spend five hours scrutinising the 80-page EU (Future Relationship) Bill from 9.30am, before the Upper House sits late into the evening.

London’s intensive care units have asked several major Yorkshire hospitals to accept a transfer of critically ill patients as the capital’s ICUs surpass maximum capacity, running at 114 per cent

ER nurse Matthew W., received the Pfizer vaccine on December 18, according to a post from Instagram. He tested positive for the virus on December 26 despite getting the vaccine.

EXCLUSIVE BY JONATHAN MCEVOY: The 35-year-old was born in Stevenage, Hertfordshire and grew up on a council estate before becoming grand prix racing’s first black driver.

Adele Rose has died at the age of 87. The writer’s husband, Peter Chadwick, said she died from pneumonia on Monday after developing the condition around one week ago.