All 16 and 17-year-olds set to be offered boosters

During his visit to a hospital in south London earlier the health secretary was asked by a reporter whether the prime minister was "in hiding".

Boris Johnson's most recent address to the nation yesterday came via a video statement uploaded to Twitter, rather than the traditional press conference format where he is asked questions by journalists.

In his recent appearances, the prime minister has faced questions over reported gatherings in Downing Street when the country was under Covid restrictions.

But Sajid Javid says Johnson "couldn't be working harder" and tht he is having meetings with the prime minister "two or three times a day".

Wales to offer Covid jab to vulnerable five to 11-year-olds

Wales' health minister says she plans to begin offering the Covid vaccine to five to 11-year-olds in the "at risk" group, after that latest recommendation from the Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). Eluned Morgan says she has accepted the JCVI's advice, adding that NHS Wales will start identifying eligible children in the new year, and people under the age of 18 will get a booster jab appointment when they become eligible. Baroness Morgan pledges that the "appropriate information" on the "potential benefits and risks" of having the jab will be shared with children, young people and their parents or guardians so they can make an informed choice. The recommendations by the scientific experts have to be officially approved by ministers in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland - but this is normally a formality.