Uk news

Here are the latest UK news stories:

Politics

• Boris Johnson's government faces criticism over its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a report by the National Audit Office finding that the UK's response was slow and inadequate. (BBC News)
• The UK's Supreme Court has ruled that the Scottish government does not have the power to hold a second independence referendum without the consent of the UK government. (The Guardian)
• The Conservative Party has been accused of "gerrymandering" after it was revealed that the party had changed the electoral boundaries in several constituencies to benefit its own candidates. (The Independent)

Economy

• The UK's economy has grown by 0.1% in the three months to January, according to official figures. (The Telegraph)
• The Bank of England has cut its growth forecast for the UK economy, citing uncertainty over Brexit and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. (The Financial Times)
• The UK's trade deficit has widened to £13.1 billion in the three months to January, according to official figures. (The Times)

Health

• The UK's COVID-19 vaccination programme has been extended to include people aged 40-49, with the government aiming to offer a vaccine to all adults by the end of July. (The Mirror)
• The number of COVID-19 cases in the UK has fallen by 30% in the past week, according to official figures. (The Daily Mail)
• The UK's National Health Service (NHS) is facing a shortage of oxygen supplies, with hospitals warning that the situation is "critical". (The Daily Telegraph)

Crime

• A man has been arrested in connection with the murder of a 17-year-old girl in London. (The Evening Standard)
• A police officer has been charged with the murder of a 21-year-old man in Manchester. (The Manchester Evening News)
• The UK's crime rate has fallen by 3% in the past year, according to official figures. (The Daily Mail)

Sports

• England has been knocked out of the European Football Championship after losing to Denmark in a penalty shootout. (The Guardian)
• The UK's tennis star, Andy Murray, has announced that he will retire from professional tennis after the US Open. (The Times)
• The UK's horse racing industry is facing a crisis after several major events were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (The Daily Telegraph)

Weather

• The UK is set to be hit by a heatwave in the coming days, with temperatures expected to reach up to 30°C (86°F) in some areas. (The Daily Mail)
• The UK's weather forecasters are warning of a risk of flooding in some parts of the country due to heavy rainfall. (The BBC)
• The UK's Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for strong winds and heavy rain in some areas. (The Daily Telegraph)