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.
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
- AstraZeneca HQ | 'People's Vaccine' protesters clash with police
- Scottish lockdown | People in Scotland able to hug from Monday
- India crisis | Ambulance staff accused of dumping dead in the Ganges
- Travel news | Spain could waive Covid tests for Britons from May 20
- Green list holiday | Guide to holidays in Falklands: what to do
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.
- Fred West | Police to dig up cafe where victim 'may be buried'
- PCSO killing | Detectives reconstruct Julia James's final moments
- School shooting | Nine killed as gunman opens fire in Russia
- Think twice | Over-50s missing out on tax boost by using Isas
- Bamboo bats | MCC rejects kit because it's 'grass' not wood
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'
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
Comment and analysis
- Charles Moore | End of an era: Farewell to the village's last butcher
- Ambrose Evans-Pritchard | Fed QE really will cause inflation now
- Ross Clark | Obesity is out of control but stop faffing with sin taxes
- Celia Walden | Health staff who refuse jabs cannot be called 'carers'
- Jim White | Hate gob: Why managers who spit should be punished
Editor's choice: Features and arts
- The death of debauchery | Why the rock 'n' roll madman has had his day
- How I got caught up in a pet scam | 'People come to my house to buy kittens I don't have'
- 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.
- Consumer champion | 'My £900 Dolce & Gabbana top is too small'
- Pensions doctor | 'Can I spend my pension but still claim tax relief?'
- On top of markets | Live stocks and shares updates 24 hours a day
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.
- F1 driver ratings | Who has begun the 2021 season in fine form?
- Scott Parker | Why Fulham manager is not yet ready for Tottenham
- English rugby | The future is here - and his name is Marcus Smith
Three things for tonight
- Watch | Hospital, BBC Two, 9pm and more of tonight's TV listings
- Garden | The best bulbs to plant now for a burst of summer colour
- Beauty | The best new face SPFs on the market, from £6
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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