The Conservative party broke electoral laws over the controversial funding of Boris Johnson’s flat refurbishment, the Electoral Commission has ruled.

The criticism comes amid reports Downing Street broke Covid rules last Christmas

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Further measures to combat the Omicron variant, including the return of work-from-home guidance, have been announced.

It comes as a further 10,000 cards are out for delivery to applicants this week.

‘Absence of evidence’ to proceed with inquiry into historical case, says Scotland Yard

The Health Secretary said decisive action against Omicron now can ‘potentially avoid action later’.

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Ofcom found that 64% of UK customers have suffered problems with parcel deliveries.

The tweet was the most retweeted and liked in the UK this year, Twitter says.

Boris Johnson appeared to float a ‘national conversation’ on draconian measure at No 10 press conference

One motorist who did not have his hands on the wheel was fined £200.

The company said it expects to pay a fine but cannot say how much it will be.

The Prime Minister has announced further measures to combat the Omicron variant, including the return of work-from-home guidance.

Ships from the carrier strike group are set to arrive in Portsmouth following its first operational deployment to the Far East.

It was also claimed that Downing Street held a quiz night when London was under Tier 2 rules

Restrictions brought forward amid furore over ‘illegal’ No 10 parties – but may not last long, prime minister hints

The papers on Thursday focus on the fallout from claims of Tory rule-breaking and the latest Covid curbs.

The charity said the regulator has missed many chances to control the energy market

Government proposals to extend paid parental leave to grandparents were scrapped in 2018

Education union says health and social care’s warning is ‘very worrying’

Proposals came after number of crimes prosecuted hit record low, with 1.4% of rapes resulting in a charge

A sailor has been arrested for allegedly leaking a video clip of the crash

The Scottish Finance Secretary will unveil her draft tax and spending plans to Holyrood on Thursday.

It was revealed as the winner of the Channel 4 series Grand Designs: House of the Year

Multiple images of Maxwell and Epstein have been released, including some of the defendant rubbing his toes.

The incident is not being treated as terrorism-related, police said

Watch the latest UK weather forecast from the Independent for today.

Users reported on social media being unable to download their domestic or travel passes.

The move came amid severe criticism of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s (FCDO) handling of the emergency airlift

The man is also accused of taking indecent photos of children

The Prime Minister set out ‘Plan B’ involving Covid passes, working from home and more mask-wearing during a press conference on Wednesday.

Boris Johnson apologised and ordered an internal investigation.

The comments were made during a press conference in Downing Street.

‘None of this is remotely defensible’: Tories vent anger at bungled handling of allegations

Without further restrictions, the number of hospitalisations from Omicron may reach 1,000 per day or higher in England, experts said.

Officials in Oslo voted against sending funds for a new Christmas tree after the first was criticised, Westminster City Council has said.

The Nationality and Borders Bill has cleared the House of Commons after all amendments were voted down. Here are the key changes cross-party MPs wanted to make

Around 8,000 customers were knocked off the grid during the second winter storm of the season.

The government hopes that the move will reduce pressure on the NHS this winter

The actress has settled a claim against News Group Newspapers, publisher of The Sun, which has agreed to pay damages without admitting liability.

PM’s aide offers ‘profound apologies’ for remarks about alleged Christmas do

Nicola Sturgeon said with increased coronavirus transmissibility the “tough question” was if current protections were enough.

Popstars Leona Lewis and Ellie Goulding, England footballer Jordan Henderson, comic Jason Manford and a host of royals attended Kate’s festive event.

Rules on mask wearing will also be extended in some entertainment spaces.

Ruth Saunders was made an MBE after walking 26.2 miles to raise money for the Thames Valley Air Ambulance last year.

Peers ‘not convinced’ policy is safe or lawful as law granting Border Force officers immunity for deaths passes through parliament

PM wants to ‘minimise disruption to daily life’ as he sets out plan B and other changes

‘Orthodoxy within the industry is very much Remain’, claims Tory MP

Javid raises fresh prospect of ‘unsustainable pressure’ on the NHS as variant ‘more transmissible’

Neither government ministers nor British officials will attend, says PM

Government will also extend mandatory mask-wearing for cinemas and theatres

Sergeant Major John Thompson, 43, has fought off enemy forces in Afghanistan and Iraq and has been repeatedly recognised for his bravery

John Croucher tells court tragedy has made him ‘a better chef’

Long-awaited assessment concludes asylum work ban must be maintained to ‘reduce pull factors to the UK’

The British firm, known for its bagless vacuum cleaners, has said it will appeal over the decision.

The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry heard a complaint was raised in 1992 about Bill Steen’s behaviour.

A judge finished overseeing the latest hearing in the case on Wednesday and indicated that she would publish a ruling in the near future.

The soap supremo, who is also the man behind Hollyoaks, said he is ‘not a fan’ of reality shows.

Over 50,000 positive cases of Covid were reported by the government on Wednesday

The prince held a ceremony at St James’s Palace in London.

British Council stripped of contract – despite long experience arranging student placements abroad

His barrister said the ‘bizarre behaviour’ was caused by use of sleeping pills

Chief medical officer Dr Michael McBride described the tests as easy to use and freely available in Northern Ireland.

Owen Marshall, 29, set light to SWX in Bristol just ahead of its reopening this summer.

Annabel Wright, 15, took her own life while being prescribed Isotretinoin, a drug used to treat acne

Thorbjorn Olesen claimed he was not in control of his body after taking prescription only tablets.

A 32-year-old man suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries when he was attacked outside a Tesco in the capital.

The duchess visited Royal Trinity Hospice in Clapham, south London.

More than four in five local areas (84%) have recorded a week-on-week rise in rates.

The broadcaster was honoured for services to broadcasting, journalism and charity.

Opposition MPs were accused of hiding in the toilets to delay votes on the Nationality and Borders Bill.

Rob Kelleher, whose father died of Covid alone in hospital, said Boris Johnson should resign.

He was appearing in front of MPs and peers on the Joint Committee on Human Rights for the first time since being appointed Justice Secretary.

The Scottish Conservative leader said the episode has ‘damaged’ the Tories.

Experienced broadcaster who also has impeccable Tory connections

The Deputy First Minister said work was under way to restore power to those affected by Storm Barra.

Survivors of historic abuse will be able to apply for compensation of up to £100,000.

Allegra Stratton resigned as a Government spokeswoman after footage emerged of her joking about a Downing Street party.

Professor Ian Young said we need 80-90% of people to wear face coverings in the areas where their use in advised.

Trade bodies have also warned that the reintroduction of further virus curbs could have a “devastating” impact.

Extinction Rebellion activist James Brown, 57, of Exeter, Devon, was jailed by a judge at Southwark Crown Court in September.

The broadcaster was honoured for services to broadcasting, journalism and charity.

A barrister for the police said applications for Public Interest Immunity certification are not infrequent in all types of inquests.

MPs argue that gathering at Downing Street amid tier 3 restrictions would have been ‘unacceptable’ and ‘indefensible’.

Two jabs are still expected to work against severe disease owing to how the body uses a range of immune cells.

‘He needs to resign. I think he’s doing an injustice to anybody that’s ever voted Conservative’

Top civil servant says former Education Secretary Gavin Williamson instigated the event in December last year to say thank you to staff.

Work and pensions secretary praises our ‘fantastic’ initiative to get unemployed youth the job skills they need