Covid chaos in Boris Johnson’s government led to 23,000 deaths, damning inquiry finds

Friday, November 21, 2025

Good morning and welcome to your daily news briefing from The Independent.

A damning report by the Covid inquiry has found that chaos at the heart of Boris Johnson's government led to 23,000 deaths, serial sex offender and former police officer David Carrick has been handed his 37th life sentence, and migrants could only be eligible for benefits once they become British citizens under new plans announced by the home secretary.

Top stories

1 | Covid chaos in Boris Johnson's government led to 23,000 deaths, damning inquiry finds

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2 | 'Dangerous' sexual predator David Carrick jailed for life for further abuse offences

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3 | Mahmood to ban migrants without citizenship from claiming benefits

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4 | Trump threatens political opponents with death penalty as questions linger over Epstein files release

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5 | Drones shut Russian airports ahead of Zelensky-Trump talks

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Editors' picks

'I never looked back': Why readers chose a life abroad after Brexit

We all got fed up with subsidising the entitled. The UK represents less than 1 per cent of the worlds population, so I figured that if I wasn't happy with the status quo, I'd better check out some of the other 99 per cent. That was four countries ago!

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Giveaway

The Independent is offering 10 pairs of tickets to a special screening of Death Sentence: The real cost of Trump's aid cuts on HIV at the Institute of Contemporary Arts – and one reader will also receive a free £60 membership.

The documentary, by chief international correspondent Bel Trew, shows the stark reality of life in Uganda and Zimbabwe, where people are dying because they cannot access medication and pregnant women fear infecting their babies. 

The World AIDS Day screening will be held on 30 November, followed by a panel with Bel, Christine Stegling of UNAIDS, Dr Charles Ssonko of Médecins Sans Frontières, Patrick Kinemo of MSI Tanzania and Lord Smith, Chancellor of the University of Cambridge.

To enter, simply email competitions@independent.co.uk with the answer to this question:

When is World AIDS Day?
A) 1 November
B) 1 December
C) 1 January
D) 1 February

Terms and conditions: The draw closes at 23:59 on Sunday 23 November. 18+ UK residents only. One entry per person. No cash alternative. Usual terms apply: independent.co.uk/rules

WATCH 

Elon Musk makes bold prediction about future of AI

STAT OF THE DAY

£78,000

A top Premier League surgeon who fixed Harry Kane's hamstring is suing an iconic Mayfair "gentleman car dealer" for £78,000 after the theft of his Bentley.

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"At The Independent, we've always believed journalism should do more than describe the world – it should try to improve it.

This Christmas, we're asking for your help again as we launch our new campaign with the charity Missing People – the SafeCall appeal.

Every year, more than 70,000 children in the UK are reported missing. The misery that follows – for the child, for the family, for the community – is often hidden. Too many of these young people have nowhere to turn when they need help most. SafeCall will change that. Our goal is to raise £165,000 to help Missing People launch this new, free service – designed with the input of young people themselves – offering round-the-clock support, advice and a route to safety."

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"This is a misogynist's charter, plain and simple, and the government must reject it."

The Equality and Human Rights Commission's transgender guidance has been dubbed a "misogynist's charter" after reports that trans people could be banned from single-sex spaces based on what they look like.

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There's over 40% off The Singleton whisky at Amazon  – cheers!

Wrap up a deal: Asket's recycled wool cardigan is on sale.

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