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Warnings have been issued for heavy snow and freezing rain over the weekend, with icy weather expected to cause disruption across large parts of the UK.

Two amber and two yellow alerts have been issued by the Met Office across most of the country for both Saturday and Sunday.

Forecasters say power cuts are likely and that vehicles could become stranded on roads as wintry conditions continue. Trains and flights could also be delayed or cancelled.

A swimmer in Harlaw Reservoir in the Pentland Hills, Balerno, Edinburgh. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued cold weather health alerts for all of England ahead of a week of low temperatures. Amber alerts have been issued from 12pm on Thursday until January 8, meaning a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions, is likely, the UKHSA said. Picture date: Friday January 3, 2025.
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Weather warnings are in place across the UK – but some wild swimmers are still braving the cold. Pic: PA

There is a “good chance” that rural communities could be cut off, with up to 30cm of snowfall expected in some areas, the Met Office said. Some “significant accumulations” of snow are possible in parts of the Midlands and the North.

Jason Kelly, Met Office chief forecaster, said that freezing rain – when rain instantly freezes on cold surfaces on the ground – is also a risk in those areas, but even more so in Wales, and could lead to “treacherous conditions in places”.

Icy conditions earlier in the week are being considered by police as a possible factor in a collision in Lincolnshire on Thursday night, in which a seven-month-old baby was killed.

Where are the Met Office amber warnings in place?

  • From 6pm Saturday to midday Sunday, an amber warning for snow and freezing rain covers most of Wales and central England, including the Midlands and Liverpool and Manchester in the North West
  • From 9pm on Saturday to midnight on Sunday, a second warning for snow covers most of northern England, including Leeds, Sheffield and the Lake District

Between 3cm and 7cm of snowfall is predicted widely in both areas, while snow may mix with rain at times in lower-lying areas, forecasters said.

Less severe yellow warnings also cover most of England, Wales and Scotland, and part of Northern Ireland, covering different periods of time throughout the weekend.

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Meanwhile, cold weather health alerts issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) also remain in place across England ahead of a week of low temperatures.

Amber alerts will run until 8 January, meaning a rise in deaths is likely, the agency said.

Dr Agostinho Sousa, the agency’s head of extreme events and health protection, said the low temperatures could have “a serious impact on the health of some people, including those aged 65 and over and those with pre-existing health conditions”.

He urged people to “check in on friends, family and neighbours that are most vulnerable” who could be more at risk of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections.

Deer in a frosty Phoenix Park in Dublin, Ireland. A status yellow ice warning is in place on Friday morning for all counties on the island of Ireland, bar Co Fermanagh, with more weather alerts expected. A Met Office alert for icy surfaces is in force from 4pm on Friday until 10am on Saturday, which it said could lead to difficult travel conditions and injuries from slips and falls. Picture date: Friday January 3, 2025.
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A frosty Phoenix Park in Dublin, Ireland, where weather warnings are also in place. Pic: PA

Several snow-ice warnings have also been issued across Ireland. Significant snowfall accumulations are expected in Carlow, Kilkenny, Wicklow, Clare, Limerick and Tipperary for 24 hours from 5pm on Saturday, forecasters at Met Eireann said, creating difficult travelling conditions and poor visibility.

Anyone planning to travel over the weekend is advised by National Highways to check their vehicle, keep their distance on the roads, and pack a “snow kit” of blankets, food, water and a shovel.

Network Rail has said there is a specially equipped winter fleet to keep the railway running throughout winter, while UK airports have also been making preparations for the cold snap.

Some football games have already been called off this weekend, including Cheltenham’s match against League Two leaders Walsall, Halifax’s National League home game against Fylde, and Friday night’s Scottish Championship game between Airdrie and leaders Falkirk.

Saturday’s race meeting at Newcastle has also been abandoned due to the course being frozen.

Charity boss Simon Francis, from the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, has given his advice to anyone struggling with energy bills during the cold snap, saying people should first contact their energy provider.

“All of them have to have schemes in place to help those people, especially the vulnerable,” he told Sky News.

“It’s not enough. We know it’s not enough. But they do have schemes available, and you should certainly speak to them if you are feeling that your home is getting cold and damp, and you can’t afford to put the heating on.”

Milder air will briefly cover some southern areas during the weekend before colder conditions return next week, the Met Office said.

Temperatures would remain below average, said deputy chief forecaster Dan Holley.

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Lingering dread over what else about Prince Andrew could still emerge

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Lingering dread over what else about Prince Andrew could still emerge

Just a cursory glance at the headlines, and it’s clear the disgrace and downfall of Prince Andrew is not over.

So what next for the man and the monarchy?

The King might have hoped his involvement showed direct action had been taken.

He certainly does not want any distraction from his upcoming state visit to the Vatican.

But that might be wishful thinking.

Now the Met Police has been dragged in too. Forced to look into reports in the Mail on Sunday that Andrew asked his protection officer to smear his accuser, Virginia Giuffre.

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Police ‘looking into’ Andrew claims

The prince allegedly wanted his officer “to dig up dirt” and told an aide at the palace what he had done.

More on Prince Andrew

Let’s be clear: back then, Andrew’s security was funded by the taxpayer.

So are we reaching the endgame, and what does that look like?

Andrew might have given up the use of his title, Duke of York, and other honours too.

Read more:
Call for Prince Andrew to ‘live in exile’

How Prince Andrew allegations unfolded
Everything we know about titles decision

But what about his style ‘prince’? Some want that ditched too.

It’s a complicated but not impossible process. Andrew could, of course, just stop using it voluntarily.

Some want him to give up his home, too. For a non-working royal, the stately Royal Lodge, with its plum position on the Windsor Estate, is an uncomfortable optic.

Andrew’s wider family is worried. The Sunday Times has reported that the Prince of Wales wants him cut off completely.

With the reputation of the monarchy at risk, William does not want to appear weak. He’s putting loyalty to “the firm” firmly above his familial relationships.

Prince Andrew has always strongly denied the allegations, and restated on Friday: “I vigorously deny the accusations against me”. Sky News has approached him for comment on the fresh allegations set out in the Mail on Sunday.

But with Virginia Giuffre’s tragic death and posthumous memoir due out on Tuesday, Buckingham Palace will be braced for more scandal.

When Andrew gave up his titles, there was certainly a sense of relief.

There is now a sense of dread over what else could emerge.

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Why Andrew hasn’t given up being a prince – amid call for him to ‘live in exile’

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Why Andrew hasn't given up being a prince - amid call for him to 'live in exile'

Sky News’ royal commentator has explained why Prince Andrew has not given up being called a prince – while another expert has said “the decent thing” for him to do would be “go into exile” overseas.

Andrew announced on Friday that he would stop using his Duke of York title and relinquish all other honours, including his role as a Royal Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.

However, he will continue to be known as a prince.

Royal commentator Alastair Bruce said that while Andrew’s other honours and titles were conferred to him later in life, he became a prince when he was born to Elizabeth II while she was queen.

He told presenter Kamali Melbourne: “I think […] that style was quite special to the late Queen,” he said. “And perhaps the King, for the moment, thinks that can be left alone.

“It’s a matter really for the King, for the royal household, perhaps with the guidance and advice of government, which I’m sure they are taking.”

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Who pushed Andrew to drop his titles?

Since Andrew’s announcement, there has been speculation over whether any further measures will be taken – and one author has now called for him to “go into exile”.

More on Prince Andrew

Andrew Lownie, author of The Rise And Fall Of The House Of York, said: “The only way the story will go away is if he leaves Royal Lodge, goes into exile abroad with his ex-wife, and is basically stripped of all his honours, including Prince Andrew.”

Royal Lodge is the Windsor mansion Andrew lives in with his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, who has also lost her Duchess of York title.

Andrew and his former wife continue to live on the Windsor estate. Pic: Reuters
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Andrew and his former wife continue to live on the Windsor estate. Pic: Reuters

Mr Lownie continued: “He makes out he’s an honourable man and he’s putting country and family first. Well, if he is, then the optics look terrible for the monarchy. A non-working royal in a 30-room Crown Estate property with a peppercorn rent.

“He should do the decent thing and go. And frankly, he should go into exile.”

Mr Lownie added if the Royal Family “genuinely want to cut links, they have to put pressure on him to voluntarily get out”.

Read more from Sky News:
How Prince Andrew allegations unfolded
William and Camilla’s influential roles

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Windsor’s take on Prince Andrew

Andrew’s decision to stop using his titles was announced amid renewed scrutiny of his relationship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, and fresh stories linked to the late Virginia Giuffre.

Ms Giuffre, who was trafficked by Epstein, alleged she was sexually assaulted by Andrew on three occasions – which he has always vigorously denied.

The former duke paid to settle a civil sexual assault case with Ms Giuffre in 2022, despite insisting he had never met her.

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Families whose loved ones took their lives after buying poison online write to PM

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Families whose loved ones took their lives after buying poison online write to PM

Bereaved families whose loved ones took their own lives after buying the same poison online have written to the prime minister demanding urgent action.

Warning: This article contains references to suicide

The group claims there have been “multiple missed opportunities” to shut down online forums that promote suicide and dangerous substances.

They warn that over 100 people have died after purchasing a particular poison in the last 10 years.

Among those who have written to Downing Street is Pete Aitken, whose daughter Hannah was 22 when she took her own life after buying the poison from a website.

Hannah was autistic and had ADHD. She was treated in six different mental health hospitals over a four-year period.

Mr Aitken recently spoke to Sky News around the second anniversary of Hannah’s death.

More on Mental Health

He said: “Autistic people seem to be most vulnerable to this kind of sort of poison and, you know, wanting to take their lives.”

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Pete Aitken speaking to Sky News

Sky News is not naming the poison, but Hannah was able to buy a kilogram of it online. Just one gram is potentially fatal.

“There’s this disparity between the concentration required for its legitimate use and that required for ending your life. And it seems quite clear you could make a distinction,” Mr Aitken said.

Analysis from the Molly Rose Foundation and the group Families and Survivors to Prevent Online Suicide Harms says at least 133 people have died because of the poison. It also says coroners have written warnings about the substance on 65 separate occasions.

The report accuses the Home Office of failing to strengthen the regulation of the poison and says not enough is being done to close dangerous suicide forums online.

Lawyers representing the group want a public inquiry into the deaths.

In a joint letter to the prime minister, the families said: “We write as families whose loved ones were let down by a state that was too slow to respond to the threat.

“This series of failings requires a statutory response, not just to understand why our loved ones died but also to prevent more lives being lost in a similar way.”

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Warning of six million new cancer cases – with these areas worst hit
Hospital accused of ‘covering up’ concerns about suspended surgeon

The group’s lawyer, Merry Varney, from Leigh Day, said: “The government is rightly committed to preventing deaths through suicide, yet despite repeated warnings of the risks posed by an easily accessible substance, fatal in small quantities and essentially advertised on online forums, no meaningful steps have been taken.”

Hannah's dad is one of the family members to have signed the letter
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Hannah’s dad is one of the family members to have signed the letter

A government spokesperson said: “Suicide devastates families and we are unequivocal about the responsibilities online services have to keep people safe on their platforms.

“Under the Online Safety Act, services must take action to prevent users from accessing illegal suicide and self-harm content and ensure children are protected from harmful content that promotes it.

“If they fail to do so, they can expect to face robust enforcement, including substantial fines.”

They added that the position is “closely monitored and reportable under the Poisons Act, meaning retailers must alert authorities if they suspect it is being bought to cause harm”.

“We will continue to keep dangerous substances under review to ensure the right safeguards are in place,” they said.

Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK.

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