Monday evening UK news briefing: Boris Johnson sets out new freedoms in England from May 17

Chris Price
·6 min read
Your evening briefing from The Telegraph
Your evening briefing from The Telegraph

People in England will be able to hug loved ones, dine in restaurants and go on holiday abroad from next week as Boris Johnson confirmed the next stage of the easing of lockdown would go ahead as planned in England.

At a Downing Street press conference, the Prime Minister hailed a "very considerable unlocking" from May 17 but warned it is "very important that we should proceed cautiously" when asked if other freedoms could return before June 21. Mr Johnson also announced:

Here is a guide to everything you can do from May 17 when restrictions ease. Earlier today the four UK chief medical officers agreed the Covid-19 alert level should move from level 4 to level 3, meaning the "epidemic is in general circulation".

Mr Johnson's reluctance to move forward any easing of restrictions comes as a major new study unveils the "horrific" impact of the third national lockdown on school children.

Sarah Knapton details what the scientists think about waiting for June 21.

Starmer urged to 'curtail' Mandelson's influence

Sir Keir Starmer has been told to "curtail" Lord Mandelson, or risk the civil war deepening within the Labour Party. The architect of New Labour - who is said to be advising the current leadership - said at the weekend the "hard left factions attached to trade unions have got to go". It has sparked an anger from union bosses and Corbynites. After the party's pounding in the local elections, Telegraph readers have had their say on what has gone wrong for Labour. Tim Stanley writes it should not be a shock to the Left-wing media that people vote Tory, but outlines why it still astounds them. Patrick O'Flynn analyses how Sir Keir's shadow cabinet reshuffle has actually made him look a fool.

Prince Harry launches mental health show with Oprah

The Duke of Sussex has warned that most people "carry some form of unresolved trauma, loss or grief" as he launched his new Apple TV mental health series with Oprah Winfrey. It has been revealed that the Duke, 36, will open up about his own mental health struggles during the series, which is called The Me You Can’t See. Read on for details, while Bryony Gordon analyses what Prince Harry is trying to tell us with his new series. Meanwhile, the Queen has recalled working "very hard" in 1941 for a life saving badge as she chatted on a video call.

This evening's essential news headlines

Trapped whale | The minke whale that escaped the clutches of rescuers in the Thames has become entangled in vines in the river. The whale was spotted this morning at Teddington lock. Police have urged crowds on the river banks to disperse. View video and pictures.

Around the world: Inside US's cold case revolution

Convicted killer Ledell Lee protested his innocence up until his death in 2017 by lethal injection at an Arkansas county prison. Four years after his death, a new test of the DNA evidence from the crime scene proved they had executed the wrong man. The sophisticated genome sequencing has since been used to identify more than 50 cold cases but while it has been welcomed by those fighting for justice for the accused, others have serious concerns about the implications for privacy. Read on for details.

Monday big-read

Rollercoaster of setbacks for Kent's Disney-style theme park

Artist's impression of a play area in the park. The project signed a deal with Paramount Pictures, the film company behind franchises Transformers and Indiana Jones
Artist's impression of a play area in the park. The project signed a deal with Paramount Pictures, the film company behind franchises Transformers and Indiana Jones

Proposals to build a giant entertainment resort have been hit with the departures of chief executives, huge losses and the presence of a rare spider species. Chris Price has the real story of its short history

Read the full article

Comment and analysis

Editor's choice: Features and arts

  1. The Pursuit of Love | The problem with Lily James and Dominic West's off-screen chemistry

  2. Could you be imagining your illness? | The truth about psychosomatic disorders

  3. Riots and indecent proposals | How Luigi Pirandello upended the theatrical scene

Business and money briefing

Red-hot property market | House prices have soared to a record high, fuelled by the stamp duty holiday extension and a lack of homes for sale that has turned the property market into a frenzy. Read on for details.

Sport briefing

Hamilton vs Verstappen | If the ongoing duel between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton can even make the usually processional Spanish Grand Prix a must-watch event, then you know you are onto something. Read how their battle has made F1 a must-watch again.

Three things for tonight

And finally... for this evening's downtime

'Lockdown relief' | We all know about the pandemic's ill-effects, but a year of treating clients over Zoom has shown therapist Lola Borg a spectrum of reactions. Read about the surprising mental health benefits of the pandemic - and six ways to manage anxiety.

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