Politics
Celebrities Are Coming Together To Make Sure Every Vote In The Election Is Counted — Here's Who's Involved And What They Said
"Waiting is hard. But democracy is worth waiting for."
Fans Are Defending Lady Gaga After Her Dad Appeared To Publicly Endorse Donald Trump On Twitter
"Trump literally made fun of your daughter [on] public television. Do you still support him?"
Kim Kardashian Deleted Her Voting Picture And Posted A New One After People Noticed One Tiny Detail
"We all know it was a red dress."
Here Are 18 Inspirational Quotes About Protest By 18 Icons Of Resistance
They said it best.
The UK Is Taking A Lot Longer Than Other Countries To Process Coronavirus Tests And Give People Their Results
The government refused to reveal the average turnaround time for tests, but one Tory MP says it's taking five days or longer. Other countries can do it in hours.
The UK Government Has Extended Its Furlough Scheme Until The End Of October
The scheme will remain unchanged until the end of July, but from August onwards employers will be asked to share the cost of paying salaries with the government.
Headteachers Say The Government’s Plan To Get All Primary School Pupils Back Before Summer Is Virtually Impossible
"How do you find the space to split pupils into classes of no more than 15, and staff that, and stagger break times, toilet visits, arrival, and departure at school?"
Keir Starmer Told Boris Johnson The UK Needs "Clear Directions" On Its Coronavirus Strategy After A Chaotic 24 Hours
The Labour leader criticised missing details in the government's exit "road map" in his first televised address to the nation after the prime minister faced pressure in the Commons.
This Is What You Need To Know About The Government's "Roadmap" For Exiting Lockdown In England
Lockdown measures will be gradually eased from Wednesday, with schools set to reopen after June 1, and pubs, hairdressers, and places of worship following from July.
Boris Johnson Has Said People In England Can Take "Unlimited" Exercise And Sit In Parks From Wednesday
The prime minister unveiled a three stage plan for how he hopes to ease restrictions, with primary schools and some shops possibly reopening in June, and some of the hospitality industry returning in July.
Germany Has Shared The Details Of Its Coronavirus Contact Tracing Operation. The UK Won’t.
Just like with testing, the UK government is weeks behind and scrambling to catch up.
How Boris Johnson Sided With "Doves" Over "Hawks" In His Government To Slow The UK's Exit From Lockdown
Some Number 10 advisers, cabinet ministers, top civil servants, and “a clear majority” of Tory MPs initially lobbied for a “rival” exit strategy, BuzzFeed News can reveal.
Here's What The UK Government Was Told By Scientists, Said In Public, And Did On The Big Coronavirus Issues
On mass events, social distancing, isolation, school closures, and testing, the government's message hasn't always been clear.
The Free School Meal Voucher Scheme Still Isn’t Working Properly, 7 Weeks After Schools Closed Due To Coronavirus
Teachers logging on through the night, parents facing long waits for vouchers, some codes rejected at the tills. Some schools are being forced to resort to food banks to make sure children are being fed.
The EU Was Accused Of Watering Down A Report About Chinese Coronavirus Disinformation. In Response, It Has Attacked Leaks And Whistleblowers.
This is not the first time that the EU foreign policy agency's handling of foreign interference has come under scrutiny.
These Childcare Workers Are Fearing For Their Livelihoods Because Of The Coronavirus Pandemic
"Childcare providers have been asked to take on the responsibilities of schools but the liabilities of businesses.”
Leaked Data: Assaults On UK Emergency Workers Are Rising, Even As Other Crimes Are Falling
Leaked data shows that during a four-week period starting in mid-March, police recorded 300 cases of “coughing or spitting on emergency workers”.
This Is The Government’s Draft Plan To Ease Coronavirus Lockdown Measures In The Workplace
Exclusive: BuzzFeed News has obtained all seven of the guidance documents drawn up by ministers that will form the basis for the government’s proposals to get people back to work in the coming weeks.
People In The Poorest Areas Of England And Wales Are Dying From Coronavirus At Twice The Rate Of Those In Better Off Areas
New official figures revealed a death rate in the most deprived neighbourhoods of 55.1 per 100,000 population, compared with 25.3 per 100,000 in the least deprived.
Face Coverings And Drug Treatments Will Help The UK Manage Coronavirus Until A Vaccine Is Found
At his first press conference since he was hospitalised with the virus, Boris Johnson said the UK was "past the peak" of the outbreak and "on the downward slope".
The Inside Story Of Matt Hancock's “Surreal” Race Against The Clock To Hit 100,000 Coronavirus Tests Per Day
The UK's health secretary has staked his political reputation on hitting the target by April 30, bringing in the army to help an operation described by insiders as at times like a “French farce” and a game of "whack-a-mole".
Matt Hancock Announced That Mental Health Services Would Be "Restored" This Week, But They Never Closed
Frontline mental health staff are confused by the health secretary's big announcement because they've been working flat out to ensure those in distress can still get help during the lockdown.
Home Births Are On The Rise In Some Parts Of The UK As Women Decide To Stay Away From Hospital
While some NHS trusts have suspended home births during the pandemic, others are actively encouraging them — and the take-up is impressive.
NHS Hospitals Are Restarting Cancer Care And Mental Health Support
Key services that were paused during the coronavirus crisis are being "restored" on Tuesday, the government announced.
Thousands Of People Volunteered To Help During The Coronavirus Pandemic. Many Have Not Been Able To Do So.
More than 600,000 volunteers have been accepted for the scheme — but only 50,000 tasks have been carried out. BuzzFeed News spoke to those who have been able to help about what it means to them.
Boris Johnson Said Britain Is Beginning To "Turn The Tide" Against The Coronavirus On His First Day Back At Work
The British prime minister said it was not yet the time to ease up on restrictions, saying that now was the "moment of maximum risk."
Rupert Murdoch’s Sunday Times Backed Brexit And Boris. Now Number 10 Sees It As The Most Hostile Paper In The Country.
Insiders at the UK's biggest selling Sunday title say relations with Downing Street have broken down after a series of investigations focusing on the prime minister.
All Essential Workers In England Can Now Apply To Be Tested For The Coronavirus
Health secretary Matt Hancock announced the expansion, but frontline NHS and care home staff say that they're still unable to get tested.
Coronavirus Labs Without Enough Samples And NHS Workers Desperate To Get Tested: Inside Britain's Testing Fiasco
Lab workers, NHS frontline staff, and business leaders told BuzzFeed News how the government's troubled testing strategy was still misfiring on multiple fronts.
A Critical Care Nurse Who Cared For Boris Johnson Has Described How He Stood By His Bedside For Three Nights
Luis Pitarma said the UK prime minister was "a patient like any other patient, a life like any other life".
Scientists Advising The UK Government On The Coronavirus Fear Boris Johnson’s Team Is Using Them As “Human Shields”
Ministers are answering criticism by insisting they were “guided by the science”. But government experts say the science is “riddled with doubt, uncertainty, and debate”.
A Welsh Politician Has Accidentally Revealed The Dangers Of Failing To Mute On A Zoom Meeting
The one Zoom mistake you really don't want to make.
Liz Truss Has Had To Clarify A Comment About Women Medics Needing "The Same Protection" From The Coronavirus
The British Medical Association said less than 24 hours previously that personal protective equipment is "designed to the size and shape of male bodies”.
These British Shop Workers Say They’re Finding Work During The Coronavirus Lockdown Terrifying
“I'm not one normally to suffer anxiety, but I'm getting extremely anxious before my shifts start. Sometimes to the point that I get the shakes. I am scared.”
Keir Starmer Told MPs At The First "Virtual" PMQs That Dozens Of British Firms Offering PPE Had Been "Ignored"
At his first PMQs as opposition leader, Starmer also pressed Dominic Raab on the government's failure to make progress on its 100,000-a-day testing target.
These British Travellers Say They Have Been "Left Behind" In India By The Foreign Office
UPDATED: Wheelchair user Shallo Chand, her elderly mother, and her friend, have been allocated seats on a flight home after BuzzFeed News reported on their case.
Revealed: The UK’s “Three Stage” Exit Strategy To Ease The Coronavirus Lockdown
A "best-case scenario" would see some nonessential retail shops and industries reopen in early to mid-May and further social distancing measures relaxed over the summer, but the elderly and would still face strict "shielding" restrictions until a vaccine is found.
London Police Officers Have Been Criticised For Failing To Enforce Social Distancing During The "Clap For Carers"
Several UK police forces have been criticised for taking a heavy-handed approach to enforcing social distancing — but Met officers stood by as a crowd gathered on Westminster Bridge on Thursday.
The Health Secretary Has Said Official Statistics Don't Show The True Number Of People Who've Died In The UK's Care Homes
Matt Hancock also defended the government's record on testing after it emerged only 18,000 tests were carried out yesterday.
This Man Died A Week After Being Discharged From Hospital To His Care Home. His Family Later Found Out He Had The Coronavirus.
Arthur Whitby’s son told BuzzFeed News he feared his dad was just one of many elderly people who have returned to care homes without being tested for the virus.
Prince William And Kate Have Urged Those Struggling With Their Mental Health During The Coronavirus Lockdown To Seek Help
The royal couple said: "Staying connected, staying positive, and being able to talk to friends and family is so crucial."
The Government Has Extended The UK's Lockdown By Another Three Weeks
First secretary of state Dominic Raab made the announcement at the government's daily press conference.
Nearly 100 Care Homes In The UK Have Reported Coronavirus Outbreaks In The Last 24 Hours
The UK government has warned that the coronavirus lockdown will remain in place in the coming weeks, as deaths continue to rise across the country.
This Is What It’s Like To Be Furloughed Because Of The Coronavirus When You’ve Got Three Kids To Support And £39 In The Bank
Terry Russ just wants to get back to work. But like millions of low-paid British workers, his family faces a precarious future as the pandemic turns into an economic crisis.
Boris Johnson Has Been Discharged From Hospital
The prime minister thanked the doctors and nurses who "saved my life".
This Disabled Mother Said That The Coronavirus Outbreak Is Making Her Overcrowded Flat Unbearable
“In the house we feel like we're in a prison, trust me, suffocation,” Rekha Begum told BuzzFeed News.
As Boris Johnson Recovers In Hospital, His Government Is Facing Mounting Problems On Political, Health, And Economic Fronts
As the prime minister’s condition continues to improve in hospital, BuzzFeed News can reveal his government faces fresh challenges on three fronts.
The Deputy Chief Medical Officer Said Some NHS Hospitals Could Have Oxygen Supply Problems
Professor Jonathan Van-Tam said the unprecedented demand for oxygen to treat coronavirus patients would lead to "isolated incidents" in some hospitals.
Here’s How The UK Plans To Go From 16,000 Tests A Day To 100,000 By The End Of The Month
Three new “mega labs” staffed by volunteers working 24 hours a day, plus universities and businesses working flat out. But will it be enough?
Boris Johnson Has Left Intensive Care After His Condition Continued To Improve
The prime minister, who has COVID-19, spent three nights in an intensive care unit at St Thomas' hospital after his condition worsened on Monday.
A British Police Chief Claimed Officers Could Search Supermarket Trollies For Nonessential Items. Now He's Backtracked.
Nick Adderley, Northamptonshire's chief constable, warned the public his officers could check to make sure people were buying only "legitimate, necessary items".
NHS Doctors Treating Coronavirus Patients Say They're Being Told To Ration Oxygen
NHS England said there's “sufficient oxygen supply available” — but the British Medical Association said the issue could be hospitals' capacity to deliver it to patients.
Churches Across The UK Are Preparing For A Very Different Kind Of Easter In Lockdown
BuzzFeed News spoke to church leaders about how they are adapting by using livestreaming, how they are doing funerals and confessions — and how the outbreak is testing their faith.
Queen Elizabeth Has Praised Health Workers For Their "Selfless Commitment And Diligence"
"In testing times, we often observe that the best of the human spirit comes to the fore."
This British Man Is Stranded In Turkey With His Vulnerable Wife. He Says The Foreign Office Needs To Bring Them Home.
“My concern is for her mental health and her wellbeing and the fact we cannot go on and on here.”
The UK Has Condemned Russia For Spreading "Disinformation" About Boris Johnson's Health
The prime minister remains under observation in hospital on Monday but was "in good spirits", his office said.
People With Mental Health Conditions Are Saying The Coronavirus Has Plunged Their Treatment Into Crisis
“I fear it will send me back to a dark place.”
Keir Starmer Has Been Elected Leader Of The Labour Party
Angela Rayner has been named deputy leader after the results of both contests were announced.
I've Been Working From Home With Two Small Kids During The Coronavirus Lockdown. Here's What I've Learned.
The coronavirus has forced parents to try and balance work with childcare. The result is a mix of exhaustion, stress, and guilt — and moments of genuine joy.
Matt Hancock Promised 100,000 Tests A Day As He Revamped The UK Government's Coronavirus Communications
The health secretary announced a new five-pronged approach to fight the pandemic, telling the nation "I'm going to level with you" on testing.
These Medics In The UK Are Fundraising To Buy Their Own Coronavirus Tests
They want to provide tests not just for healthcare workers, but also for educators, firefighters, and police, initially in Dorset, with the aim of then rolling out across the UK.
Boris Johnson Is Looking For A UK Lockdown Exit Strategy, But Ministers And Experts Disagree On How To Do It
“This is the biggest question people are asking, but there are no clear answers yet.”
Even The UK Government’s Own Officials Are Confused About The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
HM Revenue and Customs officials repeatedly told businesses in a web seminar that employees who started a new job in March *were* entitled to receive 80% of their wages — but the department later said this was an “error”.
The UK Government's 24-Hour U-Turn On Coronavirus Testing Is Revealed In Its "Lines To Take" For Ministers
On Wednesday, ministers were told to say World Health Organisation advice on testing didn't apply to the UK. On Thursday, they were told to say testing "is the government's top priority".
The UK Could Have Had Thousands Of Extra Coronavirus Tests Weeks Ago
Public Health England failed to follow up on a request in January to use the testing capabilities of the UK's animal health agency, which its staff say could carry out 40,000 tests a week.
The Family Of A 13-Year-Old Boy Who Died From The Coronavirus Has Told People To Stay Home
The family of 13-year-old Ismail Mohamed Abdulwahab issued a heartfelt plea, saying they are "heartbroken as a family due to the devastation caused by the coronavirus".
Even The US Is Doing More Coronavirus Tests Than The UK. Here Are The Reasons Why.
The British government keeps saying it's "ramping up testing", but it now lacks both testing kits and dedicated lab capacity thanks to its original strategy to tackle the pandemic.
Deaths From The Coronavirus In The UK Are Higher Than Previously Recorded, New Statistics Suggest
The ONS statistics, which included deaths at home and in care homes, show 40 more deaths than previous figures released by the Department of Health.
These UK Workers Changed Their Jobs Just Before The Coronavirus Outbreak, And Now They’re Not Entitled To Government Pay
“I feel like I, along with thousands of others, am being penalised simply for moving jobs around the time of the outbreak.”
Police Across The UK Have Been Given New Coronavirus Powers — Here's Everything You Need To Know
No, you won't get paid ÂŁ150 for snitching on someone.
Scotland's Independence Movement Has Been Plunged Into Partisan Warfare After Alex Salmond's Trial
The former first minister was acquitted of sexual assault and attempted rape in a case that's caused an irreparable rift with Nicola Sturgeon and which threatens to tear the SNP apart.
The Coronavirus Outbreak Means Pregnant Women Across The UK Are Preparing For The Kinds Of Births They Didn’t Want
"I’m setting myself up for having to give birth alone in the hospital, anything else is a bonus."
The Government Is Offering Self-Employed People Grants Worth 80% Of Their Profits
Rishi Sunak has announced an unprecedented intervention on behalf of the self-employed — but the scheme is unlikely to be ready until June.
Britain’s Food Industry Is Facing A Severe Labour Crisis That Could Lead To Shortages
Ministers are under pressure to allow furloughed workers to keep their government support while earning extra by plugging gaps in food production lines.
Next Employees Said The Company Is “Putting Lives At Risk” As Social Distancing Rules Aren’t Being Followed At Warehouses
“There were 50 people stood together brushing shoulders," one employee told BuzzFeed News.
The British Medical Association Has Said That Doctors Could Die If They Don't Have The Right Protective Equipment
The trade union for doctors has collated accounts from its members and said that without proper equipment for medics, the infection will spread and the coronavirus pandemic will worsen.
A Tory MP Makes ÂŁ100,000 A Year From A Company That Is Selling Private Coronavirus Tests For ÂŁ120 Each
According to the register of MPs’ financial interests, Owen Paterson is a paid consultant to Randox Laboratories, a company that is selling COVID-19 tests online.
Couples In The UK Have Been Told They Must Either Live Together Or Not See Each Other During Lockdown
Health secretary Matt Hancock also announced that the government was opening a new temporary hospital with 4,000 beds at an exhibition centre in east London.
Most People Under 70 Were Told They’d “Easily” Beat The Coronavirus. These Stories And Data Suggest It’s Way More Than Just A “Mild” Illness For Some.
BuzzFeed News spoke to two British people in their twenties who had to seek urgent medical attention, and figures from the rest of the world show significant numbers of people under 70 are falling seriously ill.
Boris Johnson Has Ordered A Full Coronavirus Lockdown Across The UK
"If you don’t follow the rules, the police will have the powers to enforce them," the prime minister warned in a televised statement from Downing Street.
The Mayor Of Italy's Worst-Hit City For Coronavirus Is Bringing His Daughters Home From The UK
"They are probably more secure here than in England," Bergamo's mayor Giorgio Gori told Sky News.
These Pictures Show Just How Busy London's Tube Trains Are Despite People Being Asked Not To Travel
Transport for London is operating a reduced service — which means that although fewer people are travelling, services are still packed.
This Is What It's Like In Coronavirus Isolation If, Like Me, You're Already Struggling With Your Mental Health
The pandemic is stressful for all of us, but it's especially daunting if you were already fragile.
These Self-Employed Workers Feel Ignored By The Government's Coronavirus Financial Support Package
“There’s a safety net for some, but not us," one sole trader told BuzzFeed News.
10 Days That Changed Britain: "Heated" Debate Between Scientists Forced Boris Johnson To Act On Coronavirus
“This is going to get much, much worse, very quickly, both in terms of deaths and the economy,” a cabinet minister told BuzzFeed News. “It will not be long before we are getting numbers like Italy. I don’t think people realise that yet.”
Boris Johnson Has Ordered Britain's Pubs, Bars, And Restaurants To Close
The government has been forced to introduce tougher measures to protect citizens from the coronavirus. A scheme described as "unprecedented in scope and scale" in the history of the UK will help pay people's wages.
Schools And Nurseries Are Very Confused About The New "Key Worker" Policy
Far more children than expected will be going back to school in England next week — despite them formally closing due to the coronavirus.
These MPs Are Returning To Their Previous Jobs As Doctors And Nurses To Fight Coronavirus
The NHS is also asking retired medics to return to work, and heath secretary Matt Hancock has said he hopes "many, many thousands" will respond.
Gareth Southgate Has A Coronavirus Message For England Fans: "Look Out For Each Other. Please Don’t Suffer Alone."
The England football manager said health workers were "the heroes".
These Travellers Are Stranded Abroad Because Of The Coronavirus. They Say No One Will Get Them Home.
Travel insurers and the Foreign Office say it's the airlines' responsibility — but airlines are overwhelmed with the demand.
Conservative MPs Have Demanded The Government Raises Benefits And Pays Workers' Wages
Chancellor Rishi Sunak faced a backbench revolt from Tory MPs who said he had "not gone far enough" to help businesses and families.
Students Could Get A "Mini Exam Session" In The Autumn If They Dispute Their Grades
Exclusive: One schools leader who met with government this week said grades would be awarded by "moderated assessment" with potential exams in the autumn.
No, The British Army Isn't Marching Through London Because Of Coronavirus
The rumour spread like wildfire on WhatsApp as the prime minister said stricter measures were a possibility.
Boris Johnson Said He "Will Not Hesitate" To Go Further "If Necessary" As He Considers Stricter Measures For London
BuzzFeed News understands that further proposals for how to enforce social distancing in London have been under discussion at the top of government on Wednesday.
Schools In The UK Will Close From Friday As The Coronavirus Spreads
The government had faced mounting pressure to act after teachers and trade unions called for schools to be shut, and the Scottish and Welsh governments announced that their schools would be closing.
MPs At A Sparsely-Attended PMQs Pleaded With Boris Johnson To Step Up Coronavirus Testing
"Why are we waiting so long for mass testing and why are social distancing measures merely just suggestions?"
"Being Out Is So Much Better Than Being In": Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe Has Been Temporarily Released From Prison In Iran
Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who was jailed in 2016, has been granted furlough until April 4.
The UK Chancellor Has Unveiled A ÂŁ330 Billion Package To Help Businesses Survive The Coronavirus
“I want to assure every British citizen this government will give you the tools you need to get through this,” Rishi Sunak said.
The NHS Is Banning Most Visitors To Hospitals In England To Stop The Spread Of The Coronavirus
There will be a ban on "all but essential" visitors, with some exceptions for parents and children and end-of-life care.
