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All UK adults have been offered a first dose of a COVID vaccine – hitting the prime minister’s target just ahead of schedule, the government has announced.

The Department of Health and Social Care said more than 46.2 million people had now had a first dose (87.8% of the population), while 35.7 million had received both shots (67.8%).

Boris Johnson had set 19 July as the date to offer all over-18s a jab, as well as to fully vaccinate two in three people.

It has been met a day before most existing coronavirus restrictions end in England.

The prime minister said today’s milestone was an “extraordinary achievement” and that it comes just eight months after the first shot was administered.

“Thank you again to everyone coming forward, and to those helping others to get jabbed,” he said.

“You are the reason we are able to cautiously ease restrictions next week, and return closer towards normal life. Now let’s finish the job. If you’re over 18, book both your jabs today.”

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Health Secretary Sajid Javid, who’s isolating after contracting the virus himself, said it was “testament to the sheer dedication of NHS teams and local volunteers” who’ve been giving out the jabs.

Every adult will now have the chance to be double-jabbed by mid-September, added the Department of Health.

However, according to a report in the Sunday Telegraph, ministers have decided against a mass vaccination of under-18s and will only offer a jab to those who are vulnerable.

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The UK’s roll-out has been one of the quickest in the world after the government secured early access to 500 million doses.

Regulator the MHRA was also the first in the world to approve the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines.

People who have been double-jabbed will not have to quarantine when coming back from an amber list country from 19 July – as long as they’ve had their last dose at least two weeks before.

And – from 16 August – they also won’t have to isolate if identified as a close contact of a positive COVID test.

The number of people being “pinged” by the NHS app has surged in recent weeks and there have been calls to bring this date forward, or to change the sensitivity of the app.

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This Morning to return today after Phillip Schofield controversy – with Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary as presenters

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This Morning to return today after Phillip Schofield controversy - with Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary as presenters

This Morning will return to TV screens today, in the wake of the Phillip Schofield controversy.

Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary will present the ITV daytime show from 10am – the first time it has aired since ex-presenter Mr Schofield’s admitted an affair with a younger male colleague.

It also comes after former This Morning TV doctor, Ranj Singh, hit out at the “toxic culture” at the show.

Last Saturday, Schofield announced he would be leaving This Morning after 20 years at the helm following reports his relationship with co-host Holly Willoughby had become strained.

Less than a week later, on Friday, Schofield released a statement admitting an “unwise, but not illegal” affair with a “much younger man” and announced he was stepping down from ITV completely.

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‘Toxic culture’ at ITV show

He also admitted he lied about the affair to ITV bosses, his agents and the media, resulting in the channel saying it was “deeply disappointed by the admissions of deceit” and his management company YMU Group dropping him.

ITV confirmed on Saturday they had investigated “rumours of a relationship” in 2020 but the pair repeatedly denied the affair.

Ms Willoughby said the admission was “very hurtful“.

Holly Willoughby (left) and Phillip Schofield attending the launch of Dancing On Ice 2020, held at Bovingdon Airfield, Hertfordshire. PA Photo. Picture date: Monday December 9, 2019. See PA story SHOWBIZ Ice. Photo credit should read: Ian West/PA Wire.
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Willoughby and Schofield’s relationship had reportedly become strained

On Sunday, Dr Ranj claimed he was managed out after taking his concerns about the “toxic culture” at This Morning to Emma Gormley, the head of ITV Daytime.

“I was on the show for 10 years and I genuinely loved and valued working there,” he said in a post on Twitter

“However, over time I grew increasingly worried about things behind the scenes and how people, including myself, were being treated.

“I didn’t know the truth about what was going on with Phillip, but I do know the issues with This Morning go far beyond him. It takes more than one person to create a culture.”

Dr Ranj with Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield on This Morning in 2020 Pic: ITV/Shutterstock
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Dr Ranj with Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield on This Morning in 2020 Pic: ITV/Shutterstock

Dr Ranj said he “did what I thought was right” and made a complaint about This Morning editor Martin Frizzell’s behaviour, adding “especially given that my job is to look after people’s wellbeing and I had been heavily involved in diversity, anti-bullying and mental health projects across the channel”.

“I then found myself being used less and less,” he said.

“I even took my concerns directly to the top of ITV: the culture at This Morning had become toxic, no longer aligned with ITV values, and I felt like because I whistle-blew I was managed out.

“But as history and experience have taught us, things like bullying and discrimination are very hard to prove, particularly in hindsight and when the ‘people in power’ control the narrative. As we’ve seen, no review or investigation is foolproof.

“I haven’t worked on the show since… and I’m not the only one who has spoken up or experienced similar,” he added.

“That was two years ago and, frankly, it still hurts. The whole process was pretty heart-breaking and even affected my mental health. But I’m happy to say I’ve found my feet again, know my worth and have found my tribe.

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Dermot O’Leary on Phillip Schofield

Schofield controversy latest:
ITV says it has ‘no plans’ to axe This Morning

Timeline of departure and rumours of rift with co-host Holly
Admission should kill Schofield’s career – but will star pals stand by him?

He continued: “There are some good people in TV, but we need to be brave and stand up to those who aren’t. Even if it’s scary as hell, we have to do the right thing otherwise nothing will change. I sincerely hope something good comes from all this.”

He also added in the post’s caption that “there is so much more” he could say.

ITV’s director of television Kevin Lygo told Sky News on Sunday that “no mistakes” were made in the 2020 investigation while newspapers reported that the channel was considering axing the programme.

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‘No mistakes’ were made says ITV boss

An ITV spokesperson said: “We are sorry to read Dr Ranj’s post today.

“At ITV we are fully committed to providing every opportunity for anyone who works with us to raise any concern or comments they may have.

“Following a complaint made by Dr Ranj, we appointed an external and independent advisor to carry out a review. This external review found no evidence of bullying or discrimination.”

Several television personalities including Denise van Outen, Laura Whitmore, Carol Vorderman and former Loose Women panellist Saira Khan left messages of support on his Instagram post with the same statement.

An ITV spokesperson earlier told Sky News they carried out an external review following a complaint made by Dr Ranj, and it “found no evidence to support the complaint of bullying”.

Dr Ranj starting working on This Morning in 2016 and now appears on BBC’s Morning Live.

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Girl, 5, dies in house fire near Crymych, Pembrokeshire

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Girl, 5, dies in house fire near Crymych, Pembrokeshire

A five-year-old girl has died after a house fire in Pembrokeshire.

Alysia Salisbury – who was described by her family as “a beautiful daughter and sister” – died at the scene of the blaze, Dyfed-Powys Police said.

Emergency crews were called to the fire in the Pontyglasier area, near Crymych, shortly before 10pm on Saturday.

Detective Chief Inspector Llyr Williams said: “Our thoughts are with the family and the local community at this tragic time.

“HM Coroner has been informed and officers will now work with colleagues from the fire service to establish the cause of the fire.

“The family request privacy at this difficult time.”

Read more from Sky News:
Two men in 20s die after being pulled from sea
ITV responds to This Morning axe rumours

Alysia’s family is being supported by specialist officers, police said.

The operation on Saturday evening involved fire crews from a wide area of West Wales, including Crymych, Cardigan, Newcastle Emlyn, Whitland and Fishguard.

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Leicester City and Leeds United relegated from Premier League as Everton survive on dramatic final day

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Leicester City and Leeds United relegated from Premier League as Everton survive on dramatic final day

Leicester City and Leeds United have been relegated from the Premier League as Everton survived on a dramatic final day.

The Toffees secured safety with an 1-0 win over Bournemouth at Goodison Park. They remain one of six clubs to have never been relegated from the Premier League since its creation.

Leicester, who lifted the title only seven years ago, beat West Ham 2-1 at the King Power Stadium but it wasn’t enough to secure their survival due to Everton’s win.

Leeds went down 4-1 at home to Tottenham Hotspur.

Harry Kane got a brace but Spurs still miss out on European qualification.

Leeds United's Robin Koch appears dejected after Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane (not pictured) scores their side's third goal of the game during the Premier League match at Elland Road, Leeds. Picture date: Sunday May 28, 2023.
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Leeds United’s Robin Koch after Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane scored a goal

Aston Villa will play in the Europa Conference League next season. They were 2-1 winners at home to Brighton.

Manchester City were previously announced as the winners of the Premier League. However, the champions suffered a surprise 1-0 defeat at Brentford.

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Leicester City players wait to find out the results at other matches after the Premier League match at King Power Stadium, Leicester. Picture date: Sunday May 28, 2023.
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Leicester City players waiting to find out the results of other matches

Frank Lampard’s last game as Chelsea interim boss ended in a 1-1 draw to Newcastle.

Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest also finished 1-1.

Arsenal thrashed Wolves 5-0, Manchester United beat Fulham 2-1 and Southampton and Liverpool played out a thrilling 4-all draw.

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