Covid infections rise by two-thirds in UK – ONS

Ministers meet a target of inviting the top nine priority groups to receive the vaccine by 15 April.

Jaywick resident Mary Donovan says “we can’t express the sadness and grief for the family”.

The party has won 27 seats in the Stormont assembly election, while the DUP returned with 25.

Emad Al Swealmeen died when his homemade bomb exploded outside a Liverpool hospital, police say.

There is “increasing confidence” Covid vaccines are effective against the variant, Matt Hancock says.

Two ships, surveillance aircraft, helicopters and a detachment of Royal Marines are being dispatched.