The Independent - December 09, 2021

In this issue

December 09, 2021

PM triggers plan B as masks and homeworking return

Staff have been advised to work from home as part of a Covid “plan B” to combat the growing threat of the omicron variant – but can attend Christmas parties.

3 mins

The PM can only muster a hollow apology for party

Boris Johnson came to the House of Commons yesterday armed with nothing better than a non-apology apology, a promise to get to the bottom of any mistakes that were made, and an insistence that if any of these events actually happened a year ago they were nothing to do with him.

3 mins

Tories admit to party at headquarters last December

The Conservative Party has admitted that a party took place at its Westminster headquarters during coronavirus restrictions last December.

1 min

Pfizer booster jab ‘protects' against omicron variant

A Pfizer booster jab generates an immune response capable of neutralising the omicron variant, though two doses are unlikely to protect against infection, lab testing suggests.

2 mins

UK officials will boycott Beijing Winter Olympics

Boris Johnson has said there will “effectively be a diplomatic boycott” of the Winter Olympics in Beijing – revealing that no UK ministers and no British officials will attend the Games.

2 mins

Fly-Tipping Surges During Pandemic But Fines Fell 60%

Cases of fly-tipping reached 1.13 million across England last year in a surge of more than 16 per cent during the pandemic, costing local governments £11.6m to clean up.

3 mins

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