National News

Big Ben chimed as the UK left the EU single market and customs union at 11pm.

The Northern Ireland protocol agreement with the EU will help smooth the Irish Sea passage of goods from Great Britain.

After 48 years as a member of the European Union, the UK has left the bloc, becoming a third country for trade and customs purposes.

Police officers were among the few people out and about at midnight.

Paul Goose has raised almost £10,000 for the intensive care unit at Barnsley Hospital.

The leaders of the boroughs of Islington, Camden, Hackney, Lambeth, Lewisham, Greenwich, Haringey and Harrow have written to the Education Secretary.

The leaders said they ‘strongly supported’ the advice of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.

The Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association said the decision to delay second doses to hospital staff was ‘ill thought out’.

As the transition period nears its end, SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford said Scotland would ‘be back’ to rejoin the EU.

Nightmarish visions of lorry queues may not materialise as businesses avoid crossing the Channel altogether and a ‘flexible’ approach by HMRC.

Met Office issues midnight predictions for New Year’s Eve.

The president of the Irish Road Haulage Association said hauliers are bracing themselves for significant delays.

Rates of infection are continuing to rise in all regions of the country, according to the latest data from Public Health England.

Unionists in the region are angry that Brexit will see new economic borders created down the Irish Sea.

Rushmoor, Watford and Harlow are the areas recording the biggest week-on-week increases.

Sadiq Khan urged Londoners to celebrate at home.

Essex Police have warned the public not to approach Leighton Snook.

Many will keep volumes light for the first few days of 2021 as they wait to see what the impact of Brexit will be.

Schools are expected to provide face-to-face learning for most of their pupils by January 11, with a full return in the days before January 18.

The pair were spotted by staff on the rubbish-sorting conveyor belt at J&B Recycling in Hartlepool, the RSPCA said.