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'Keep faith in Oxford vaccine', urges minister
The public is being urged to keep faith with the Oxford jab. People can have confidence in the Covid vaccine despite evidence that it is less effective against the South Africa variant of coronavirus, vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi says today. It follows findings that show the Oxford University-AstraZeneca jab does not protect against mild and moderate infection of the South African strain. South Africa announced yesterday it is putting its AstraZeneca programme on hold because of its poor efficacy against the variant. A new Oxford vaccine that can beat the South African mutation is likely to be ready by autumn - raising the prospect of booster doses later this year. Mr Zahawi exclusively writes for us that the vaccines being used in Britain "work well against the Covid-19 variants currently dominant in the UK". Our Oxford vaccine Q&A explains its effectiveness and how it differs from the Pfizer jab.
More than 12m people have now received their first dose of the vaccine, with almost 1,000 jabs per hour administered at one point this weekend. As the pace of inoculation quickens (search for rates by postcode), some ministers believe employers can insist staff be vaccinated under laws governing health and safety at work. The idea of "vaccine passports" - allowing employers to insist upon proof of vaccination - have been dismissed as "discriminatory" by the Government, but Political Editor Gordon Rayner understands the issue is at the centre of a Cabinet row.
Far-Left 'hijacking' of race to be investigated
Attempts by far-Left activists to "hijack" movements including Black Lives Matter and Extinction Rebellion are being investigated in a review ordered by Boris Johnson. John Woodcock, the ex-Labour MP who is now an unaffiliated peer, is instructed to examine extreme fringes of the hard Left and far-Right in the UK. He warned the UK must heed the growth of the far-Right in the US and - on the other end of the political spectrum - he stressed: "We must be vigilant against a similar blind spot in Britain to the prospect of progressive extremism." He unveils his plans in an interview with Deputy Political Editor Lucy Fisher.
Blackouts warning as big freeze hits Britain
The weekend's snow and freezing weather was fun for some. But forecasters warn of cuts in power, gas, water and phone networks as the severe conditions of "Beast from the East 2" persist through the week. View our gallery of pictures after Storm Darcy brought heavy snowfalls and gale-force winds to southern and eastern parts of England. Roads were likened to "skating rinks" and hazardous conditions are set to be a constant problem until Wednesday evening. Read the latest forecast.
At a glance: More coronavirus headlines
Also in the news: Today's other headlines
'She was stuck' | Theresa May rang her husband Philip to warn him she had held hands with another man before footage of her meeting Donald Trump aired, a documentary revealed. Aides recall Mrs May getting "stuck" with the US President when he took her hand to walk down a slope on a Washington visit in 2017. A video of the encounter went viral.
Around the world: Glacier bursts in India
At least 14 people were killed and more than 170 missing in northern India after a broken glacier caused a major river surge that swept away bridges and roads. Video showed water destroying everything in its path in the Dhauliganga river valley. View a gallery of more world pictures.
Comment and analysis
In case you missed it: Highlights from the weekend
You've got this: Getting you through lockdown
- The Great British Diet | Make meat a luxury for your health - and the planet's
- From eczema to spots to wrinkles | How the pandemic is wreaking havoc on our skin
- The (healthy) virtue of patience | Linda Blair on the ability to remain calm in face of adversity
Business and money briefing
Clampdown | Plans to blame company directors for accounting errors will undermine the Government's ambitions to make the UK a global leader in technology, industry leaders have warned. The proposals - part of a government consultation - could mean that individual directors will be held personally responsible for the accuracy of financial reports.
Sport briefing
India v England | Jack Leach finally broke India's seventh-wicket partnership on the fourth morning of the first Test as England continued pushing forward in Chennai. Follow live score updates.
Tonight's dinner
Crab and black truffle cacio e pepe | The simplest spaghetti sauce by Tom Brown, perfect for a quick, satisfying supper. View the recipe and try out our Cookbook newsletter.
And finally... for this morning's downtime
Resetting your fitness | The bleakest month of the year is behind us and spring is on the way. So now is the time to create an exercise plan you will actually stick to. Joel Snape explains why mid-February is the new January for kick-starting your health regime.
February 08, 2021 at 02:37PM
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Monday morning news briefing: Covid 'booster jab in the autumn' - The Telegraph
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