Yahoo News Monday morning UK news briefing: Modelling predicts fall in Covid infections
As ministers come under increasing pressure to implement Plan B, new evidence of Covid confidence has emerged.
Modelling seen by the Government suggests that coronavirus cases will plummet in November even without a new approach.
The Telegraph understands that ministers are thought to be holding back from introducing restrictions such as compulsory face masks, working from home and vaccine passports after seeing projections from several groups that show infections declining rapidly within weeks.
One model suggests that cases will soon peak, before falling steeply in the winter months, even without the additional restrictions. Science Editor Sarah Knapton explains what is driving much of the current wave.
And, as ministers consider allowing all over-50s to book their booster jabs after five months, members of the JCVI warned that rushing the rollout risks doing more harm than good.
Meanwhile, Jacinda Ardern has acknowledged that Covid policies will create a two-tier system in New Zealand where non-vaccinated citizens do not enjoy the same rights as those who have received the jab.
It comes as figures show the number of EU citizens claiming benefits doubled in the pandemic amid fears many are living abroad while still receiving the money.
EU citizens with settled status remained eligible for millions of pounds of benefits and furlough through the withdrawal agreement despite leaving the UK.
At least 100,000 quit to return to Europe, according to a new analysis by the Office for National Statistics.
NHS gets £6bn Budget boost to reduce backlog
Budget week is here. Rishi Sunak will announce that the NHS is to get a £6 billion boost for operations and screening in a bid to reduce record backlogs. The Chancellor will set out the extra capital funding on Wednesday to provide nine million more tests, scans and operations by 2024-25 for patients requiring treatment for hip and knee replacements, cataracts, hernias and other non-emergency conditions. As Charles Hymas explains, it will increase the amount of elective surgery and checks by nearly a third on pre-pandemic levels. It comes as Mr Sunak suggested the Budget will see an end to the public-sector pay freeze, meaning potential salary increases for 2.6 million workers.
Major museums sign up to 'anti-woke' charter
Bosses from three leading museums have backed an "anti-woke" charter aimed at protecting Britain's heritage from "temporary shifts in public sentiment". The guidelines give three principles that institutions should follow when facing calls for change. The Victoria and Albert Museum, the Museum of the Home, and the Science Museum lent their support to the report, which argues against rushed changes to public history.
Daily dose of Matt
In Matt's latest cartoon from the weekend, he imagines how climate concerns might change bonfire night. View our gallery for more.
Also in the news: Today's other headlines
Exclusive | Foreign fraudsters will be stopped from making hundreds of millions of scam phone calls. Major phone networks have agreed to automatically block calls made from abroad if they show up as a UK number. Bill Gardner reports that phone companies were criticised by the National Crime Agency for failing to tackle a huge rise in scam calls.
'Brexit freedom' | Ships that fly Union Jack could get tax break
Adele Roberts | BBC Radio 1 DJ reveals cancer diagnosis
James Bond | How Lloyd Webber was talked out of 007 musical
Around the world: Baldwin may face charge
Alec Baldwin risks being prosecuted for involuntary manslaughter over the accidental shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, legal experts have warned. US Correspondent David Millward says the Hollywood star could face the charges because of his role as a producer of the film. The distraught actor was pictured at the weekend hugging Ms Hutchins's husband. View a gallery of more striking world pictures.
Comment and analysis
Nick Timothy | Proper economic plan is beyond overdue
Patrick O'Flynn | PM must hold firm against doom-mongers
Andrea Leadsom | Support will mean levelling up for all children
Jane Shilling | Fake blooms lead eco warriors down garden path
Reader letters | Advocates of stricter measures ignore the lessons
Editor's choice
Midlife health | The seven simple checks to have once you turn 40
Sleep power | What less than 6 hours does to your weight, mood and brain
Sir Cliff Richard review | Ultimate pop idol proves he still has the moves
Sport briefing: 'Darkest day' at Man United
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer vowed not to quit as Manchester United manager despite suffering his "darkest day" in football after total humiliation by Liverpool. A hat-trick from Mohamed Salah led Jurgen Klopp's side to an extraordinary 5-0 win at Old Trafford, United's worst ever home defeat by their great rivals. Oliver Brown says Sir Alex Ferguson's look of disgust spells trouble for Solskjaer. Meanwhile, police are under fire for investigating if an offence was committed by football fans who unfurled a banner opposing the Saudi takeover of Newcastle United.
Business briefing: Tesco website forced offline
Tesco has been targeted by hackers, crashing its website and app and causing frustration for thousands of customers. The hack, one of the worst cyber attacks to date on a British supermarket, poses a "serious problem" for Tesco's reputation and is estimated to be costing £20m a day in lost revenue. Oliver Gill explains what we know about the cause.
Tonight's dinner
Roast tomato and tuna linguine | A simple and straightforward but really superb crowd pleaser from Sardinia. View the recipe. For more, try our Cookbook newsletter.
Your daily travel inspiration
Watching the world go by | With city break season upon us, it pays off to know the best old town squares that are perfect for a coffee stop with added people watching. Marcel Theroux rounds up Europe's most popular town squares - and their underrated alternatives.
And finally... for this morning's downtime
Dyson Farming | Robots, drones and big data are the buzzwords of British agriculture - and Sir James Dyson's AI-assisted farming enterprise is at the forefront. Go inside the £110m farm of the future.
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