Driven by ideological obsession, the Tories move still further from ordinary voters
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/dec/25/all-revolutions-devour-their-own-children-just-look-at-brexiters

The singer and partner Graziano Di Prima won a perfect score from the judges in a dazzling episode
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/dec/25/anne-marie-crowned-strictly-come-dancing-christmas-champion

In 1991, Richard Beard worked as secretary to Ian Campbell’s final wife Mathilda, a bon viveur who unlike predecessor Margaret stayed free o..
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/dec/26/good-chablis-and-halfies-life-with-the-other-duchess-of-argyll

The Queen pays tribute to Prince Philip and encourages the nation to see the joy in simple things in her yearly Christmas Day address
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/video/2021/dec/25/queen-christmas-speech-hard-losing-loved-one-video

New report says the effect will further widen the pay gap between those from rich and poorer backgrounds and damage social mobility
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/dec/26/young-people-from-poorer-homes-twice-as-likely-to-quit-job-since-pandemic

Staff working for an outsourcing firm owned by Tory donor Michael Ashcroft are planning a walkout over a denial of their employment rights
https://www.theguardian.com/law/2021/dec/25/great-ormond-street-childrens-hospital-guards-to-strike-in-dispute-over-sick-pay

Snowfalls 5-10cm deep possible on higher ground, says forecaster
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/25/scotland-could-suffer-boxing-day-blizzards-says-met-office

UK Border Force rescue group attempting to cross the Channel in the early hours of Saturday
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/dec/25/67-people-cross-english-channel-on-christmas-day

Physical distancing will be required in public places and there will be new limits on indoor gatherings from Boxing Day
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/26/wales-scotland-and-northern-ireland-reintroduce-covid-restrictions-as-england-delays

As Omicron variant rips holes in casts and productions daily, theatres are forced to cancel shows – despite £30m support fund
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/25/life-is-a-cabaret-until-covid-brings-down-the-curtain-on-the-west-end

Positive results may lead to Model 3 cars being adopted by police, paramedic and fire services
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/dec/24/uk-police-trial-tesla-model-3-electric-cars

Met Office says temperatures set to plunge to -2C in areas of the UK, with warnings for snow and strong winds
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/dec/24/white-christmas-parts-north-wales-and-northern-england-uk-weather

Food bank campaigners joined forces with Ed Sheeran and Elton John’s rival festive song, while expletive-strewn protest against Boris Johnso..
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/dec/24/ladbaby-equal-beatles-record-with-fourth-christmas-no-1

Ministers expected to assess latest data given to Sage and decide on possible return to step 2 restrictions
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/24/decision-on-stricter-covid-rules-for-england-may-come-on-monday

Despite a string of measures intended to cut numbers, more than 27,000 crossed the Channel in small boats this year
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/dec/24/tagging-migrants-likely-to-be-another-failed-plan-to-stop-channel-crossings

Archbishop of Canterbury to say in sermon pandemic has shown our capacity for compassion and generosity
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/dec/25/justin-welby-sermon-covid-makes-all-of-us-face-unpredictability

Loss of more than 40,000 staff over past six months prompts more to recruit overseas
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/dec/24/uk-immigration-rules-to-be-ease-as-shortages-of-care-workers-worsen

Merseyside police took 54-year-old into custody after £70,000 theft from Alder Hey
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/dec/24/man-held-after-100-ipads-stolen-from-childrens-hospital-in-liverpool

Daily hospitalisations in England up by more than 40% in a week at same time as more staff on sick leave
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/24/uk-hits-new-covid-record-again-more-than-120000-cases-recorded

Analysis: Inquiries into flat redecorations, donations and lockdown parties haunt the PM
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/dec/24/past-presents-future-threat-for-johnson-as-investigations-loom

Oscott Gardens will provide temporary accommodation for up to 300 families as council faces soaring demand for housing
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/dec/24/birmingham-to-convert-ex-university-halls-in-struggle-with-homelessness

A holiday note from Jonathan Freedland
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/audio/2021/dec/24/happy-christmas-politics-weekly-extra-podcast

A fan-led attempt to revive Bury FC has been boosted by a government pledge of £1m towards buying back the Gigg Lane stadium
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/dec/23/government-pledge-1m-to-help-bury-fans-to-buy-back-gigg-lane

PM urges public to take up jab in Christmas message that echoes archbishop saying vaccination is ‘how we love our neighbour’
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/dec/24/covid-booster-jab-boris-johnson-christmas-message

Analysis: smaller proportion of people hospitalised with Covid variant means little when rise in infections is so huge, warn experts
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/23/good-news-is-omicron-may-be-less-severe-bad-news-its-surging-faster

Survey also finds a third think the pandemic will never be over, as ONS records highest anxiety in 11 months
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/dec/24/hugging-covid-anxious-britons-survey-yougov-pa-ons

Analysis: PM will be hoping hospital and other data will be enough to avoid a new year circuit breaker
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/dec/23/omicron-news-is-boost-for-boris-johnson-but-tory-pressure-is-still-on

Our 20 favourite pieces of the year
https://www.theguardian.com/news/2021/dec/24/the-best-of-the-long-read-in-2021

With experts warning there is still a risk the health service could be overwhelmed by the Omicron variant, the government has as yet no plan..
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/picture/2021/dec/23/steve-bell-on-a-lack-of-help-to-ease-covid-pressures-on-the-nhs-cartoon

‘Encouraging’ findings from government study consistent with earlier Imperial College analysis
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/23/hospital-admission-risk-up-to-70-less-with-omicron-than-delta-ukhsa-finds

DNA analysis of bodies in Hazleton North long cairn finds five generations of an extended family
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/dec/22/worlds-oldest-family-tree-costwolds-tomb-hazleton-north-long-cairn-dna

Campaigners argue the plans, which include an Andy Murray Museum, will ruin woodland around Dunblane
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/dec/22/40m-dunblane-tennis-complex-greenlit-against-local-objections

The playwright’s annual diary excerpt criticises the prime minister and Donald Trump and recalls an encounter with Philip Roth
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/dec/22/alan-bennett-dedicates-kipling-poem-a-dead-statesman-to-boris-johnson

I suddenly saw that life wasn’t all that long and you should spend it with people you love. I made a private pact with myself, to stop lying..
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/dec/23/my-sister-was-getting-married-my-father-was-in-hospital-and-i-realised-my-relationship-was-over

Julie Morris, who was head of safeguarding at primary school, admitted 18 child sexual abuse offences
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/dec/22/teacher-and-partner-jailed-after-they-filmed-themselves-abusing-girl

To policymakers, poet Giovanni Rose would be just a statistic, says Guardian columnist Aditya Chakrabortty
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/dec/23/teenager-poem-modern-britain-poet-giovanni-rose

From gynaecological conditions to healthy ageing, these are expected to be the priorities of the final plan
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/dec/23/womens-health-strategy-england-six-priorities

Analysis: acknowledging the shocking female health gap is only a first step – ministers must put money into reversing it
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/dec/23/finally-the-uk-has-noticed-its-rampant-sexism-in-healthcare-what-now

IOPC was asked to investigate after reports of gathering during lockdown in December last year
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/22/police-watchdog-dismisses-complaint-against-no-10-officers-over-alleged-party

Activity and food clubs funded by government and councils in England used by 600,000 children, according to official figures
https://www.theguardian.com/education/2021/dec/22/deprived-children-summer-scheme-dfe-free-school-meals

Analysis: ‘incontrovertible evidence’ is a tall order and in the meantime the NHS risks being overwhelmed
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/21/uk-governments-wait-for-omicron-evidence-is-a-high-stakes-gamble

How failure of government to bring in new restrictions in England has created festive dilemmas for families
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/21/wholly-irresponsible-readers-views-on-uk-omicron-response

Activists lament that a safe, legal way into Britain has closed with Brexit, when stranded children need it as much as ever
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/dec/22/last-young-refugees-arrive-in-uk-as-family-reunion-route-closes

No new Covid restrictions will be introduced before Christmas in England, but the rapid spread of the Omicron variant could mean new rules a..
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/video/2021/dec/21/no-new-covid-restrictions-before-christmas-boris-johnson-confirms

Nicola Sturgeon cancels Hogmanay street party as Wales brings in £60 fines for failing to work from home
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/dec/21/scotland-cancels-hogmanay-events-in-move-to-slow-spread-of-omicron

Analysis: Boris Johnson’s authority is weakened and ministers are positioning for future leadership contest
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/dec/21/pms-covid-decision-making-conditioned-by-new-political-reality

Diver questions awarding of football World Cup to Qatar and F1 grand prix to Saudi Arabia in C4 festive broadcast
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2021/dec/21/tom-daley-speaks-out-on-sport-and-gay-rights-in-tv-christmas-message

Exclusive: official figures show 66 acute respiratory infection incidents in hospitals in week to 16 December
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/dec/22/suspected-covid-outbreaks-in-uk-hospitals-double-in-a-week

Cheddar or brie, was it really a work meeting, and what was the role of baby Wilfred and Dilyn the dog?
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/dec/21/eight-burning-questions-raised-by-that-downing-street-garden-photo

Night-time industry ‘gobsmacked’ at lack of help in Rishi Sunak’s bailout with £6,000 grants branded ‘almost offensive’
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/dec/21/nightclubs-warn-uk-venues-will-go-bust-in-lockdown-by-stealth