A study founds nearly three-quarters of businesses set additional tests during recruitment process, as experts call for education reform.

Draco Chapman became stuck between two stairgates at his home in Norwich, Norfolk

Senior civil servant appears to hold Boris Johnson’s fate in her hands

Exclusive: Ministers refuse to give body-worn cameras to immigration enforcement despite recommendation from IOPC after asylum seeker died while being pursued by officers

Investigation by senior civil servant to set out the facts of what happened at Downing Street lockdown gatherings, at some of which staff drank alcohol, ate food and listened to music

Boris Johnson faces a difficult Prime Minister’s Questions as Westminster waits for Sue Gray to deliver her report on lockdown-busting parties.

Foreign secretary says she wasn’t invited to any Downing Street parties

Findings of Cabinet Office inquiry yet to be presented to prime minister

Suspects detained in Manchester after British man Malik Faisal Akram, 44, held four people hostage during 10-hour stand-off

Malik Faisal Akram held four people hostage during the incident, but they were later released unharmed.

Exclusive: Washington has asked major gas suppliers, including Qatar, to divert exports to Europe

Experts believe infection levels may have stalled at a high level across England.

The driver was not injured in the incident in Linlithgow Bridge.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is bracing for the conclusions of an investigation into allegations of lockdown-breaching parties

The Volkswagen-owned company said the vehicle is scheduled to roll off the production line in three years.

The two firms agreed an all-share merger last month in a deal that will create a combined firm worth about £1.9bn.

The US actress was described as a ‘powerful force of nature’ with ‘enough patience to fill 10 ships’.

Cabinet minister urges Tory MPs to ‘look at the bigger picture’

Rebel Tories expect findings to trigger wave of demands for PM’s removal

The animal ownership boom of the pandemic continues to benefit the retail and vets business.

Mr Hall was shot dead in front of his family in west Belfast in December.

The suspect was arrested in the early hours of Wednesday following an incident involving trained negotiators.

The Trades Union Congress is calling on the Government to raise the wages of key workers as inflation rises.

It’s harder to detect than original Omicron and may be even faster at spreading but, say scientists, is probably no more dangerous

The crisis support text line has seen usage on its platform increase by 140% since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The papers react to Scotland Yard launching a criminal inquiry as the nation awaits the release of a report into No 10.

Mike Lynch has mounted a High Court challenge to a decision made by a judge during extradition proceedings

“We cannot be clearer - services will not cope if our ability to provide early abortion care for women at home is removed”

Business secretary fears impact of tax hike on incomes

Party renews calls on government to cut VAT on energy bills

Reports suggested the civil servant’s inquiry could be published to coincide with Wednesday’s Prime Minister’s Questions, or possibly on Thursday.

Researchers say the substantial declines are down to the usage of oral contraceptives

An Irish junior minister has written to the Russian ambassador to warn that planned naval exercises could threaten to damage marine life.

The new guidance applies to people under the age of 25.

Two women involved in the collision have been taken to hospital to be treated for injuries.

Birthday gathering was not ‘pre-mediated’ party, says loyal backbencher

Girl was just 16 months’ old when she was killed by mother’s partner, Savannah Brockhill

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

Environmental activist Kate Wilson awarded almost £230,000 in compensation

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Jane Connors is overseeing the team

Child died at property in Earlsdon

The move by Edwin Poots could ultimately result in him attempting to unilaterally order a halt to the checks.

The boy was found with serious injuries at an address in Coventry on Tuesday evening.

Mark Hall was shot dead in front of his family in December.

The former party leader is currently sitting as an independent after being stripped of the Labour whip.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the crash, which happened on the B780 near Dalry, North Ayrshire.

The publication of senior civil servant Sue Gray’s report into alleged lockdown breaches could still come this week, it was understood.

Mr Martin said that Russian military navy exercises off the Irish coast are ‘not welcome’.

Exclusive: ‘We need further and faster support from government to tackle monumental task,’ Manchester councillor says

Doug Beattie received unanimous backing from senior party colleagues to continue in his role on Tuesday.

Michele McIlveen told Assembly members that it was her plan that state exams would take place in the coming months.

Man who died at scene after being hit by car is named locally as victim’s ex-partner

The Duchess of Cornwall welcomed around 70 prominent women to Clarence House to mark the 50th anniversary of Refuge.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency has proposed increasing the wait time to encourage leaners to ‘think twice’ before trying a test unprepared.

77,000 NHS staff are yet to be vaccinated.

The pressure group reported the Prince of Wales and his former royal valet Michael Fawcett over the allegations four months ago.

His comments came as MPs have been embroiled in sleaze allegations over money earned outside Parliament.

There is evidence to show cyber-flashing “is the gateway offence to more serious acts of violence”, Fay Jones MP warned.

Sir Trevor Phillips will return with a new series, Common Ground, from March.

The organisers of illegal gatherings could be fined £10,000, Lizzie Dearden writes

Exclusive: Dossier of events nationwide claims people and animals put at risk and no road-closure permits were issued

Former head of Covid Taskforce has been granted ‘discretionary’ leave

“I think of people like Boris Johnson, and I think, ‘My God, a little bit of imposter syndrome would do you the world of good”

Footage of David Maggs’ arrest was also played to the jury during his trial at Cardiff Crown Court.

Enfield resident Torino Reid is one of those who was handed a huge fine

Films including The Flash, the fifth Indiana Jones movie and Batgirl, were shot in the city.

Parents could see a return of fines for pupil absence.

Kayley Mahood will be sentenced later this week for killing Oliver O’Toole.

Suella Braverman came under fire after saying she was considering whether to refer the case to the Court of Appeal.

Village committee rules against holding outsized event this year

Minister Clement Beaune said Paris was ‘not 100% satisfied’ following a wrangle over Channel trawling rights.

Speaking on a podcast, the First Minister said she was ‘in the foothills’ of the menopause and she feels a responsibility to talk about it.

A private hospital in Bristol will be made available for mesh removal surgery.

The UK Statistics Authority has said the First Minister was right when she said England’s infection rate was more than 20% higher than Scotland’s.

Defence Secretary says Pen Farthing and his animals did not ‘jump the queue’ to flee the country after the Taliban takeover.

Prime minister hints at deployment to Hungary, telling MPs: ‘Everyone can see the need to fortify Nato’s eastern flank’

Bradford Council has had its responsibility for children’s social care removed to an independent trust.

More than half of all areas have recorded a week-on-week rise in rates.

Prime minister’s pandemic social media posts starkly at odds with secret party culture he is accused of presiding over behind the scenes at Downing Street

Boris Johnson facing intense scrutiny over latest reports of No 10 parties during lockdown

The First Minister said the need for face marks would remain in the light of a 40% increase in cases among the under-15s in a week.

Rush-hour commuters had their journeys disrupted on Monday after a swan blocked two trains on the tracks at South Acton station.

Sergeant Michael Hooper and Pc Stephen Quartermain were awarded Queen’s Gallantry Medals by the Duke of Cambridge.

The Metropolitan Police has named both the deceased from Monday’s incident in Maida Vale, west London.

Four fire engines and 25 firefighters were called to the scene

Ms Truss said she was taking a ‘constructive approach to these negotiations’ as she faced cross-party questions on the status of the talks.

Collecting his medal at Windsor Castle, Henry Lewis said magic has allowed him to raise money for charity and travel the world.

The First Minister said employers were to be allowed to consider phased returns to offices from January 31.

Some fishermen plan to hold a protest against the military exercises next month.

Data from Public Health Scotland showed that dentists saw three million fewer patients in Scotland during 2021.

‘I can confirm the Met is now investigating a number of events that took place at Downing Street and Whitehall in the last two years’