Tuesday evening UK news briefing: Pledge on social care reform set out in Queen's Speech

The Government has pledged to bring forward proposals for social care reform this year, setting a deadline in the Queen's Speech today to see off Tory critics complaining of delays.

An overhaul of Britain's creaking system of looking after the elderly, disabled and those in need was promised in the Conservatives' 2019 manifesto, and the pandemic has since highlighted the need for an urgent revamp of the current model with care home residents among some of the worst affected by Covid-19 and the lockdowns.

However, reform is set to be complex and costly. Gabriella Swerling looks at the litany of failures from successive governments who have promised to sort social care in the UK.

The Queen at the State Opening of Parliament
The Queen at the State Opening of Parliament Credit: Eddie Mulholland

Boris Johnson used the Queen's Speech today to press ahead with scrapping fixed five-year terms between elections, freeing him up to call an earlier poll.

It is one of around 25 Bills that were pledged for introduction in Parliament.

Read on for a guide to the key policy pledges.

With the traditional pomp and ceremony scaled back, the Queen sat alone in the main Lords chamber in her first major ceremonial duty since the Duke of Edinburgh's death.

Read on for the significance behind the Queen's outfit and view a gallery of pictures from the event.

Cameron sent 68 messages about Greensill Capital

David Cameron bombarded ministers and officials with 68 messages about the collapsed lender Greensill, it has emerged, as the scale of his intense lobbying campaign has been laid bare. The communications fired off by the former Conservative prime minister on behalf of the controversial finance firm were published this afternoon by a committee of MPs. They included a message to Michael Gove asking for a "moment for a word" declaring he was "v free". It comes as Lex Greensill, the eponymous founder of Greensill Capital, insisted to MPs that he and Mr Cameron were lobbying to help "deliver low-cost, real-time liquidity to small businesses", rather than to save the defunct company. Read how he also clashed with a Labour MP over whether the firm acted "improperly".

More diverse and no masks: Your guide to the Brits

The Brit Awards take place in front of an audience of 4,000 people at the O2 Arena in London tonight, with no social distancing or face masks. It is part of the Government's Events Research Programme, looking at how indoor shows can take place without typical Covid restrictions. Hosted by comedian Jack Whitehall for the fourth straight year, the ceremony has one of its most diverse lists of nominees. Read a guide to the awards and performances and read Neil McCormick's review after the show.

At a glance: Coronavirus evening briefing

Also in the news: Today's other headlines

Ballymurphy killings | Ten people killed in west Belfast 50 years ago in disputed shootings involving British soldiers were "entirely innocent", a coroner has ruled. Presiding Coroner Mrs Justice Keegan ruled that the use of force by soldiers had been "disproportionate" in the nine deaths the Army was found as responsible for. Afterwards, family and friends of the victims gave heartbreaking testimonies about their fight for justice.

Around the world: Two Israelis killed by Gaza rockets

Rockets fired from Gaza killed two women in the southern Israeli city of Asheklon today, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to increase the intensity and frequency of its attacks on the territory. The news came as Israel unleashed fresh airstrikes on Gaza this morning, killing at least 26 Palestinians and hitting the high-rise home of a Hamas field commander and two border tunnels dug by militants. James Rothwell analyses how the next few days will be crucial in deciding where the violence in Gaza and Jerusalem will lead.

Tuesday interview

'I was on Gogglebox living my best life - but was calling Samaritans'

 

Scarlett Moffatt, left, talks on Bryony Gordon's Mad World podcast
Scarlett Moffatt, left, talks on Bryony Gordon's Mad World podcast

TV star Scarlett Moffatt, left, tells Bryony Gordon's Mad World podcast she struggled with her mental health but felt she had to put on a brave face for her family

Read the full interview

Comment and analysis

Editor's choice: Features and arts

  1. The death of debauchery | Why the rock 'n' roll madman has had his day
  2. How I got caught up in a pet scam | 'People come to my house to buy kittens I don't have'
  3. Borders, documents and expiring tests | My 14-hour dash across Europe to get wed

Business and money briefing

Damage control | Tesla shares slumped as fresh signs of trouble emerged for its operations in China, while Elon Musk polled Twitter followers on whether the carmaker should accept Dogecoin.

Sport briefing

Fury v Joshua location confirmed | Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury will take their "fight of the century" to Saudi Arabia in August, promoter Eddie Hearn has confirmed. Here is everything known about the bout.

Three things for tonight

And finally... for this evening's downtime

Dedicate to 'replikate' | Instagram made the chance to own royal fashion instantaneous. Janelle Nash reveals she has been dressing like the Duchess of Cambridge for 11 years and stills buy almost everything she wears. See how she has imitated Kate's style.

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