Boxing Day morning UK news briefing: Today's top headlines from The Telegraph
Welcome to your early morning news briefing from The Telegraph - a round-up of the top stories we are covering on Boxing Day. To receive twice-daily briefings by email, sign up to our Front Page newsletter for free.
1. ‘Dodgy data’ used in push for tighter Covid restrictions
One of Britain’s most senior health advisers has been accused of disseminating “dodgy data” that inflated the potential risk of omicron.
Dr Jenny Harries, the chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency, is understood to have been the source of a contested claim by Sajid Javid, the Health Secretary, that there is typically a 17-day lag between patients becoming infected and requiring hospitalisation. Read the full story.
2. Windsor Castle security breach: Man 'carrying crossbow' arrested on Queen's private grounds
An armed intruder was arrested after breaking into the private grounds of Windsor Castle, reportedly carrying a crossbow, where the Queen was spending Christmas Day.
The 19-year-old man was arrested by police officers on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon - as well as breach or trespass of a protected site - at around 8.30am. Read the full story.
3. Exclusive: Number of NHS chiefs earning £250,000 or more jumps by 50pc
The number of NHS executives earning at least a quarter of a million pounds has risen by more than 50 per cent in the past year, The Telegraph can reveal, as it emerged that Sajid Javid had opened the door to a pay increase for the health service’s most senior managers in 2022.
Official figures showed that there are now 36 managers at NHS trusts and clinical commissioning groups who earn £250,000 or more, some £100,000 more than the Prime Minister’s salary, compared to 23 in 2020. Read the full story.
4. Covid lockdowns plunged nearly a million people into poverty, warns think tank
The Covid-19 lockdowns pushed 900,000 people into poverty and further measures would jeopardise the recovery from the earlier restrictions, according to a think tank run by a former Conservative welfare adviser.
Analysis by the Legatum Institute found that the number of people in poverty increased by hundreds of thousands between the spring of 2020, when Boris Johnson ordered the first national lockdown, and spring 2021, when he began to ease restrictions. Read the full story.
5. Emma Raducanu and Daniel Craig to be recognised by the Queen in New Year’s honours list
Emma Raducanu is to be made an MBE, while Daniel Craig - the James Bond star - and Barbara Broccoli, the films’ long-time producer, are also in line for New Year’s honours, The Telegraph understands.
On Saturday night it emerged that Prof Chris Whitty, the Chief Medical Officer for England, is also in line for a knighthood. Read the full story.
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