Friday morning UK news briefing: Patients win right to see GP in person

The backlash was swift - and effective. The NHS has performed a climbdown over plans to use online and telephone "screening" for GP appointments, announcing that every patient would now have the right to see their doctor face to face.

The Telegraph disclosed that family doctors had been told to introduce a system of "total triage", which meant those wishing to see their GP were being discouraged and told to have an online or phone discussion first.

Now NHS England has ordered the system be abolished amid a mounting backlash from patients' groups and doctors.

Health Editor Laura Donnelly explains the new guidance issued to all GPs. And Matt finds a joke in the debacle for today's cartoon.

Indian variant: Earlier second doses considered

With a spike in cases of the Indian variant of Covid, Prime Minister Boris Johnson is considering expediting second doses of vaccines for all vulnerable people in the worst-hit areas to ensure their protection. Advice is being sought from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, with a decision possible as early as today. If adopted, it was reported that up to 10 million people could have their second dose brought forward. Surge testing is under way in 15 areas of England and 800,000 extra PCR tests have been deployed to identify variant cases, which have more than doubled in a week. Health Correspondent Henry Bodkin reports that scientists fear the strain will become dominant in the UK. And Global Health Security Editor Paul Nuki says Mr Johnson faces a tough call on Monday's next stage out of lockdown.

Bedford, Blackburn and Bolton are among the areas to have seen Indian variant cases. Senior Feature Writer Joe Shute spent the day on the streets of Bolton, where locals say young people are no longer following coronavirus rules - with vaccine hesitancy and complications over religious observance hampering the efforts to slow the spread.

How posh are you? Take the test to find out

What typifies a toff? A polling agency has published the results of a study that investigates what the British people consider the true traits of being posh. From gilets to bad WiFi and wine cellars, William Sitwell admits to exceeding the new poshness scale - and explains why he is proud of it. How do you rank? Answer these questions to find out your score.

At a glance: Coronavirus morning briefing

• Pfizer | Delaying dose is three and a half times more effective - study

• Covid passports | Plans 'scaled back' as ministers question benefits

• 'Great day for America' | Vaccinated people can stop wearing masks

• Fraud | Cyber scams surge in lockdown as families forced online

• St Paul's | Cathedral needs miracle after tourist ticket sales plummet

Also in the news: Today's other headlines

Post-Brexit surge | More than five million EU citizens living in the UK have applied for settled status - 50pc higher than the number thought to be resident before the EU referendum, figures reveal. Home Office data showed 4.9 million of the 5.4 million had already been granted the status, of which 4.88 million were living in England. Home Affairs Editor Charles Hymas explains how it compares to the time of the Brexit vote.

• Labour | Trade union boss says Priti Patel should be deported

• 'Ladies and gentlemen' | Train operator changes announcements

• Fortune | Russian seeks £10bn in UK's biggest divorce payout

• Entrepreneur | University dropout joins big beasts in Dragons' Den

• Weekly news quiz | Who is Labour's new shadow chancellor?

Around the world: Israel ground troops begin attack

Israel last night appeared to declare a start to an anticipated offensive on the occupied Gaza Strip as Hamas continued to bombard the Jewish state with rocket fire. Early today, the Israeli army clarified that its troops had not entered the enclave as it had earlier stated, blaming an "internal communication" problem for the confusion. Read the latest from our correspondent in the region and see the most powerful pictures so far.

Comment and analysis

• Fraser Nelson | Time running out to learn real lockdown lessons

• Madeline Grant | David Cameron appeared to be a Samson shorn

• Judith Woods | Social care system as broken as PM's promises

• Reader letters | GP booking systems protected like Fort Knox

• Dominic Green | The post-American Middle East is now here

Editor's choice: Features and arts

1. Power of brands | How the Wrigley's Extra ad nailed our pandemic 'moment'

2. 'It is good to be silly' | Inside the care home that is going viral on TikTok

3. Halston | Story behind the new Netflix show's 1970s-glam costumes

Business and money briefing

Opening day flop | Pioneering microchip designer Alphawave suffered a plunging share price on its first day of trading, as the company's bankers raced to blame rocky markets and inflation fears following another disastrous debut for a high-profile London float.

• Finances | Do not make this mistake with your pension lump sum

• Investment tip | Games company qualifies for inheritance tax relief

• Alex | View today's cartoon strip on the world of finance

Sport briefing

Walking through the storm | Liverpool kept their dream of a top-four finish alive with a 4-2 win against arch rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford last night. The home team took the lead with an own goal off Nat Phillips before Diogo Jota evened the ledger. Read our match analysis by Chief Football Writer Sam Wallace.

• Aston Villa 0 Everton 0 | European hopes dented by draw

• Archer's back | England paceman makes wicket-taking return

• Exclusive | Marcelo Bielsa on verge of agreeing new contract

Tonight's dinner

Good tuna with warm beans and parsley | All you need is crusty bread, salty butter and a glass of something cold to go with this dish by Eleanor Steafel. View the recipe and try our Cookbook newsletter.

And finally... for this morning's downtime

Anchors away | Farewell, Arthur Beale - the sailors' and fashionistas' favourite is shutting up shop after 500 years. As it leaves its home in London's Shaftesbury Avenue, Christopher Howse says that with it goes another bit of character from the capital.