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New control will apply in England from next week, with devolved nations expected to follow suitCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageInternational travellers will need to show a negative Covid-19 test before being allowed into the UK, the government has announced, in a significant toughening of border controls to try to stem the spread of new coronavirus variants.The new rules will take effect...

France’s 48-hour ban on freight hauliers from Britain came as a surprise, the UK transport secretary has admitted, amid expected chaos at British ports. But Grant Shapps said the disruption would not cause food and medicine shortages in the short term because other freight routes remain availableFrance's ban on UK transport came as surprise, says Grant ShappsCoronavirus live news Continue reading...

Transport secretary says UK aims to resolve issue ‘as soon as possible’ amid fears over new Covid strainCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageFrance’s 48-hour ban on freight hauliers from the UK was “surprising”, the UK transport secretary has said, amid expected chaos at British ports.Although Grant Shapps said the disruption was not a “specific problem” in regards to food and medicine shortages...

Most private providers are unable to offer the service, which should have cut quarantine from to 10 days to five Coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe UK government’s long-awaited test to release scheme, designed to allow travellers to cut quarantine, was embroiled in chaos on its first day of operation after the last-minute publication of 11 private providers, most of whom appeared...

Minister also rejects airport’s statement PM flew into Perugia in past fortnightCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageOne of Boris Johnson’s ministers has denied a report in the Italian media that the UK prime minister made a secret trip to the country less than a fortnight ago, a claim Downing Street has also rejected as “completely untrue”.Asked if Johnson had landed in Perugia...

UK study claims solidarity in early weeks of coronavirus pandemic has given way to distrustCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageMask-wearing and lockdown rules are now causing deeper social fractures than Brexit, according to a UK-wide study which suggests that the solidarityof the early weeks of the pandemic has given way to distrust.Polling of 10,000 people found that half of mask-wearers in Britain...

Transport secretary causes confusion on Thursday night when he gives the wrong date for the start of Covid-19 quarantine measures for arrivals from France. During a TV interview Shapps initially, and correctly, says people will have to self-isolate for 14 days from 4am on Saturday, then later incorrectly says the restrictions come in from SundayGrant Shapps gives wrong day for start of France quarantine...

So much, yet so little, has happened since lockdown, not least Grant Shapp’s ruined holidayMondayYou can’t help but feel a little sorry for Grant Shapps’s family. After all, if you can’t trust the transport secretary not to ruin his own holiday, then who can you? Back in April, Grant told the Today programme that he definitely wouldn’t be travelling abroad this summer, but some...

Thousands more holidays to be cancelled in latest coronavirus blow to tourism industryCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThousands more holidays are set to be cancelled after the UK government’s recommendation against all but essential travel to mainland Spain was extended to include the Canary and Balearic islands.The news will come as a further blow to the tourism industry and the Spanish government,...

Funding will increase capacity and frequency of services as Covid-19 changes way we travelRoads, railways, buses and trams are to receive a £283m funding package to improve public safety and protect services, the transport secretary has announced.Grant Shapps said the funding – £254m for buses and £29m for trams and light rail – would increase both frequency and capacity of services while ensuring there...

Stringent measures to be announced with visitors and returning Britons to be asked to self-isolate Coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageA 14-day quarantine period for all travellers coming to Britain would have a devastating impact on the UK aviation industry and wider economy, a trade body has said.The government is expected to announce the quarantine on Sunday as part of measures to...

Rolling coverage of the day’s political developments as they happenCoronavirus – latest updatesUK government response to coronavirus ‘led by science’ – Grant ShappsWhich countries have restrictions and FCO warnings in place?Downing Street lobby briefing - Summary 2.09pm GMT For the first time a coronavirus patient has died in Wales, the country’s chief medical officer, Frank Atherton, has announced.Please see the latest update on the...

Transport secretary says senior figures will gradually return to UK as regulatory powers revert to CAAThe UK is to withdraw from the European Union aviation safety regulator (EASA) after the Brexit transition period, Grant Shapps has confirmed.The transport secretary said many of the most senior figures at the organisation headquartered in Cologne, Germany were British and that they would gradually return to the UK...

Government urges HS2 to prioritise woodland removals until Oakervee reviewClearances of ancient woodlands for HS2 must be paused until an independent review of the £88bn high-speed line is delivered, the government has said.However, clearances deemed absolutely necessary to avoid major costs and impacts on the construction schedule can still go ahead, the Department for Transport said. Continue reading...