The government is looking at introducing additional social-distancing measures on a national basis.

Is the government doing too much or too little to protect us from Covid-19?

But even if UK capacity reaches the scheduled 500,000 a day by end of October there will still be inadequate capacity. 

The UK is using overseas labs for Covid-19 tests

Social distancing measures could be reintroduced, Robert Peston has learned.

Two weeks for ‘rule of six’ to stop Covid spread or tougher measures loom

A source from NHS Test and Trace tells Robert Peston: "Demand for testing has gone through the roof. It’s almost like the loo roll phenomenon early on the year." 

How serious is the shortage of coronavirus tests?

Even Johnson's fans are beginning to question whether his undoubted political skills are the prime ministerial ones required for this most challenging of ages.

How serious is Tory MPs' unhappiness with Boris Johnson?

Notwithstanding the "breach of international law," the cabinet secretary "has determined that ministers and officials are operating in accordance with their obligations under the ministerial code and civil service code". 

Peston: Breaching international law is allowed for ministers and civil servants

The question for Boris Johnson is why he signed a Withdrawal Agreement that gives the EU the power to decide whether agricultural products from Great Britain are fit for export to Northern Ireland. 

Why did PM sign WA containing EU's powers over GB to NI exports?

The Prime Minister can have a no-trade-deal with the EU and have Northern Ireland as a seamless member of the UK internal market - but not both.

Johnson cannot have no EU deal and a seamless UK

Under a reduced threshold, the police would empowered to break up and levy fines on much smaller group

Government to cut numbers we can see at home after coronavirus surge

In an interview with Robert Peston for ITV News, Professor John Edmunds - a member of the government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) - warned that coronavirus cases are "increasing exponentially".

SAGE scientist warns coronavirus cases 'increasing exponentially'

You may wonder why on earth a Tory government led by Boris Johnson, the heirs to Thatcher for goodness sake, are sacrificing the prospect of a trade deal with the EU because they want the right to subsidise British industry.

The reason why Boris Johnson is jeopardising an EU free trade deal

The 12 activists had set off in a speedboat from Po Toi O harbour on Hong Kong island, hoping to reach Taiwan and seek political asylum. 

Activists fleeing Hong Kong held 'indefinitely' after arrest by China

ITV Meteorologist, Charlie Powell, explains more about the truth behind an Indian Summer?

What is an Indian Summer?

An email leaked to ITV News reveals how one council has asked care homes to state by noon tomorrow whether or not they are ready to accept infected residents. 

Exclusive: Care homes told to prepare to take Covid patients within days

Italy's test and trace system has helped the country get the best Covid-19 rates in Europe.

Why Italy is offering 30-minute coronavirus tests and the UK isn't

The Bank held interest rates at a record low of 0.1%.  

Bank keeps interest rates on hold in face of 'unusual uncertainty'

They're now calling it a "moonshot" but the history of the UK's Covid-19 testing strategy is of one struggling to get airborne. But why?

How history shows us PM's 'Moonshot' Covid test plan will struggle to take off

The Eat Out to Help Out scheme and a VAT cut helped push UK inflation to its lowest level for nearly five years in August, according to official figures.

Robert Peston

Peston's Politics

Is the government doing too much or too little to protect us from Covid-19?

The UK is using overseas labs for Covid-19 tests

Two weeks for ‘rule of six’ to stop Covid spread or tougher measures loom

How serious is the shortage of coronavirus tests?

How serious is Tory MPs' unhappiness with Boris Johnson?

Peston: Breaching international law is allowed for ministers and civil servants

Why did PM sign WA containing EU's powers over GB to NI exports?

Johnson cannot have no EU deal and a seamless UK

Government to cut numbers we can see at home after coronavirus surge

SAGE scientist warns coronavirus cases 'increasing exponentially'

The reason why Boris Johnson is jeopardising an EU free trade deal

From our journalists

Activists fleeing Hong Kong held 'indefinitely' after arrest by China

Is the government doing too much or too little to protect us from Covid-19?

What is an Indian Summer?

Exclusive: Care homes told to prepare to take Covid patients within days

Why Italy is offering 30-minute coronavirus tests and the UK isn't

Bank keeps interest rates on hold in face of 'unusual uncertainty'

How history shows us PM's 'Moonshot' Covid test plan will struggle to take off

Eat Out To Help Out pulls inflation down to lowest level in five years