uk travel return requirements

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Travelling back to England from abroad? Here are the rules

SUMMER 2022 UPDATE

There are at present no restrictions or requirements pertaining to Covid-19 in force in England or in the other UK nations.

The information below is a snapshot of how the UK government responded to the threat of Covid-19 coming into the country, with updates showing how the rules were gradually relaxed as rates of vaccination increased worldwide and the virulence of the pandemic reduced in the early months of this year.

15 March 2022 Update

From this coming Friday (18 March), all remaining international travel restrictions for travellers inbound to the UK will be ‘stood down’, a move which is intended to boost holiday travel in time for the Easter break.

Passenger Locator Forms, which must be completed by all travellers arriving to the UK, will be scrapped, while unvaccinated travellers will no longer be required to test before departure or on Day 2 of their arrival.

Heathrow Airport has also announced that, from 16 March, neither passengers nor staff will be required to wear face coverings, although they will be encouraged to do so.

British Airways and Virgin Atlantic are also partially removing their mask mandates except in cases where the destination country or airport requires face coverings to be worn.

25 January 2022 Update

The UK government has announced that all testing measures for fully vaccinated travellers arriving in the UK will be removed from 4am on Friday 11 February 2022 in time for the half-term holidays (see below).

Here’s a round-up of the current rules as they affect travel to England and the UK’s other devolved nations both before and after this date.

Prior to departure from abroad - until 11 February 2022

From 4am, Friday 7 January 2022 all fully vaccinated travellers and under 18s arriving in England will no longer need to take a pre-departure test or self-isolate on arrival.

Additionally, from 4am, Sunday 9 January, all fully vaccinated arrivals and over 5s arriving in England will be able to take a lateral flow test on Day 2 of arrival, rather than a more expensive PCR test. Tests can be booked from 7 January.

If you test positive for Covid, you must self-isolate and take a free NHS PCR test to confirm the result.

As currently required, travellers must book their tests before completing a Passenger Locator Form , in the 48 hours before arriving in England.

As PCR tests can still be used, anyone who has already purchased one can take the test rather than the lateral flow variety.

The changes come as data shows Omicron is the dominant variant in the UK and spreading widely, rendering certain Covid testing measures useless in curbing its spread.

Rules for unvaccinated arrivals will remain the same. You must:

• book and pay for Day 2 and Day 8 Covid-19 PCR tests – to be taken after arrival in England
• complete a passenger locator form – anytime in the 48 hours before your arrival in England
• take a PCR or lateral flow (LFD) pre-departure test within 48 hours of departure

After arriving in England, you should quarantine at home or in the place you are staying for 10 days and take a PCR test on or before Day 2, and on or after Day 8.

You may be able to leave quarantine early by paying for a private Covid-19 test through the Test to Release scheme .

Regarding the changes, Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said: “As we learn more about the Omicron variant it is right that we keep our testing and border measures under review to ensure they remain proportionate”.

Prior to departure from abroad - from 11 February 2022 onwards

The above rules are relaxed from 04.00am on Friday 11 February 2022 . From that date, arrivals who are not recognised as fully vaccinated will only need to take a pre-departure test and a PCR test on or before day 2 after they arrive in the UK.

This means that the requirement to self-isolate and take a day 8 test will be removed. All passengers, vaccinated or otherwise, will still need to complete a passenger locator form.

For inward travel, all under-18s regardless of their individual vaccination status will continue to regarded as fully vaccinated.

From 3 February , children aged between 12 and 15 in England who are departing from the UK will be able to prove their vaccination status or proof of prior infection via a digital NHS Covid Pass for outbound travel.

This is intended to make it easier for children and families to travel to countries which require proof of vaccination or prior infection to gain entry, avoid isolation, or access venues or services.

The government said the latest move is “intended to be one that will last”. It added that “the aim is to provide stability for travellers and the travel industry throughout 2022, ensuring the UK remains one of the best places in the world to do business”.

The government estimates that families will save about £100 on average with the removal of testing.

From 4am on 11 February, the UK will also recognise vaccine certificates from 16 additional countries and territories at the border, including China and Mexico. The additions take the total list to over 180 countries worldwide. Read the full list of eligible countries here.

6 December Update

Anyone planning to travel or return to the UK from countries and territories not on the Government’s Red list must show proof of a negative PCR or lateral flow (LFD) pre-departure test taken within the 48 hours before departure, from Tuesday 7 December. This new rule, brought in response to concerns about the spread of the Omicron variant, applies to all travellers aged 12 and above, regardless of their vaccination status.

From 4am on Wednesday 15 December, Nigeria, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Angola, South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe and Namibia will all be removed from the Government’s Red list, it has been announced. The latest move means that, from this date, no country or territory remains on the Red list (subject to future announcements).

On 4 October, the UK government replaced its previous pandemic traffic light system of ‘red’, ‘amber’ and ‘green’ countries with a single Red list of countries, while placing the rest of the world on a single footing.

For more information about the rules for travelling back to the UK’s other devolved nations see Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland .

Here’s a round-up of the travel rules for England as they now stand.

Travelling to England from 7 December

NON-RED LIST COUNTRIES

Prior to departure from abroad

Travellers who have been fully vaccinated for at least 14 days must:

• book and pay for a Day 2 Covid-19 test, to be taken after arrival in England*
• complete a passenger locator form , any time in the 48 hours before arrival in England
• take a Covid-19 test on or before Day 2 of arriving in England

*From 30 November all international arrivals will be required to take a Day 2 PCR test in the first two days of landing in England and then self-isolate until they receive a negative result.

There will be no need to take a Covid-19 test on Day 8. There’s also no need to quarantine for 10 days after arrival in England.

In-bound travellers must be able to prove that they have been fully vaccinated, either with an online or printed document produced by a national or state-level public health body.

Without the relevant paperwork, in-bound travellers will have to follow the rules as applied to non-vaccinated individuals (read more below).

Travellers who are not fully vaccinated must:

• complete a passenger locator form – any time in the 48 hours before your arrival in England
• book and pay for Day 2 and Day 8 Covid-19 tests – to be taken after arrival in England**

After arriving in England, you must:

• quarantine at home or in the place you are staying for 10 days
• take a Covid-19 test on or before Day 2, and on or after Day 8.

** These must be PCR tests, not lateral flow tests.

TRAVEL FROM RED LIST COUNTRIES

Note that from 4am on Wednesday 15 December , the removal of 11 African countries including South Africa and Nigeria, means that no countries or territories will appear on the Government’s Red list. The list has not, however, been scrapped. The following relates to the latest guidance for travel from Red list countries to the UK and could still apply if countries are subsequently re-instated on to the Red list.

If you have been in a country or territory on the red list in the last 10 days, you will only be allowed to enter the UK if you are a British or Irish national, or if you have residence rights in the UK.

Before you travel to England you must:

• complete a passenger locator form – any time in the 48 hours before arriving in England
• take a pre-departure Covid-19 test – to be taken in the three days before you travel to England
• book a quarantine hotel package, including two Covid-19 tests
• when you arrive in England you must quarantine in a managed hotel, including two Covid-19 tests

Travelling with children

There are different age limits for children that need to take various Covid-19 tests:

• test to enter another country – check foreign travel advice for the country concerned
• test before travel back to England – children aged 10 and under do not need to take a test
• Day 2 and Day 8 tests after arrival in England – children aged four and under do not need to take a test
• Test to Release test – children of all ages must take the test if adults in their household are taking part in the scheme

Non-UK residents are not permitted to enter the country if they have been in the listed countries in the past 10 days.

Those travellers who are permitted entry to the UK, must quarantine in a government approved facility for 10 days and take PCR tests on Day 2 and Day 8 of their return.

You can visit the government website for the rules currently in force for travellers arriving in England from these countries.

Targeted testing and contact tracing is underway as the number of confirmed cases of the Omicron variant in England reached 104 on 3 December.

Wearing a face covering in shops and on public transport has been compulsory since Tuesday, 30 November, but hospitality settings are exempt.

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United Kingdom Travel Restrictions

Traveler's COVID-19 vaccination status

Traveling from the United States to the United Kingdom

Open for vaccinated visitors

COVID-19 testing

Not required

Not required for vaccinated visitors

Restaurants

Not required in enclosed environments and public transportation.

United Kingdom entry details and exceptions

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Can I travel to the United Kingdom from the United States?

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the United Kingdom.

Can I travel to the United Kingdom if I am vaccinated?

Fully vaccinated visitors from the United States can enter the United Kingdom without restrictions.

Can I travel to the United Kingdom without being vaccinated?

Unvaccinated visitors from the United States can enter the United Kingdom without restrictions.

Do I need a COVID test to enter the United Kingdom?

Visitors from the United States are not required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test or antigen result upon entering the United Kingdom.

Can I travel to the United Kingdom without quarantine?

Travelers from the United States are not required to quarantine.

Do I need to wear a mask in the United Kingdom?

Mask usage in the United Kingdom is not required in enclosed environments and public transportation.

Are the restaurants and bars open in the United Kingdom?

Restaurants in the United Kingdom are open. Bars in the United Kingdom are .

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Introduction

Britain and Northern Ireland currently have no official COVID-19 restrictions in place, however there is still guidance on what to do should you catch coronavirus while here on holiday. For more information, please check the official government websites using the links below.

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Covid international travel rules

Testing and quarantine requirements have been progressively removed since the start of 2022.

Are there any rules for international travel to the UK?

Testing and quarantine requirements have been progressively removed since the start of 2022. Testing and quarantine requirements were removed for fully vaccinated individuals and under 18s on 11 February, and then for unvaccinated individuals on 18 March, along with passenger locator forms for all arrivals. [1] Remaining restrictions were also removed in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. [2]

International travel for leisure in England had first resumed in May 2021. Initially countries were given a red, amber, or green rating with different rules for testing and quarantining on return.

The government simplified this system in October 2021, with only the red list remaining, and the red list was cleared of all countries on 1 November. In late November and early December 2021, some countries were added again, amid concerns about the Omicron variant. These countries were removed again as it became clear that Omicron was circulating widely within the UK. [3]

Arrivals from red list countries were required to take a pre-departure test and book a 10-day stay in a managed quarantine hotel with day 2 and day 8 tests, regardless of vaccination status. For countries not on the red list, arrival requirements depended on vaccination status, with vaccinated travellers subject to fewer requirements than unvaccinated arrivals by the end of 2021.  

The government has stated that it has contingency plans in place for a new variant but these have not been set out in detail. [4]

Is this in line with what other countries are doing?

A small number of countries have also removed all travel restrictions – including Ireland, Iceland, Norway. But many still have some entry requirements, particularly when it comes to testing. Others are also still restricting access for unvaccinated individuals or, in a few cases, for most non-residents. [5]

How do Covid passports for travel work?

Although travel to the UK is no longer dependent on vaccination status, many countries still require proof of vaccination.

A Covid passport for travel is incorporated into the existing NHS app (which is different from the NHS Covid-19 contact tracing app). [6] The app is also available for Welsh residents, while Northern Ireland and Scotland have their own apps. Fully vaccinated children aged 12 to 15 can now request an NHS Covid pass letter for travel. From 3 February 2022 children aged 13 and over will be able to access a Covid pass for travel through the app, and those 12 and over will be able to request a PDF online. [7]

What are the potential challenges ahead?

Since the spread of the Delta variant in spring 2021, with questions about whether India should have been added to the red list sooner, the government has faced a tricky balance between the pressure to open up travel and the need for continued caution about Covid transmission and the spread of new variants.

All travel restrictions when entering the UK have now been removed. However, most other countries still retain some restrictions, meaning that travel from the UK is still affected.

The major question remaining is what the government will do if a new variant emerges. It has said that contingency plans are in place to respond to any future variants but has not set out in detail what those plans would mean for travel. [8]

• Department for Transport and Department of Health and Social Care, Travel to England from another country during coronavirus (COVID-19), 22 June 2021, www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-to-england-from-another-country-during-coronavirus-covid-19 ; Department for Transport, Department of Health and Social Care, The Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP, and The Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP, All COVID-19 travel restrictions removed in the UK, 14 March 2022, www.gov.uk/government/news/all-covid-19-travel-restrictions-removed-in-the-uk
• Department for Transport and Department of Health and Social Care, Travel to England from another country during coronavirus (COVID-19), 22 June 2021, www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-to-england-from-another-country-during-coronavirus-covid-19 ; Scottish Government, Coronavirus (COVID-19): international travel, www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-international-travel-quarantine ; Welsh Government, International travel to and from Wales: coronavirus, 4 October 2021, https://gov.wales/rules-international-travel-and-wales-coronavirus ; NI Direct Government Services, Coronavirus (COVID-19): travel advice, www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-travel-advice
• Department for Transport, Department of Health and Social Care, The Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP, and The Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP, Travel Update: 47 countries and territories removed from red list, 7 October 2021, www.gov.uk/government/news/travel-update-47-countries-and-territories-removed-from-red-list ; Department for Transport and Department of Health and Social Care, Travel to England from another country during coronavirus (COVID-19), 22 June 2021, www.gov.uk/guidance/red-list-of-countries-and-territories
• BBC News, Covid travel restrictions have ended in the UK, 18 March 2022, www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-60789979
• GOV.UK, Foreign travel advice,  www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
• The app is available to individuals over 16 who are registered with a GP surgery in England. Individuals who cannot access the app can get a paper certificate by calling the NHS 119 helpline after 17 May. Certificates will be available from five days after a second vaccine dose: see Department of Health and Social Care, Using your NHS COVID Pass for travel abroad and at venues and settings in England, 7 May 2021, www.gov.uk/guidance/demonstrating-your-covid-19-vaccination-status-when-travelling-abroad
• Welsh Government, Get your NHS COVID Pass,  https://gov.wales/nhs-covid-pass-prove-your-vaccination-status#section-70614 ; NI Direct Government Services, Apply for a Travel COVID vaccination certificate,  www.nidirect.gov.uk/services/coronavirus-covid-19-covid-certificate-ni-residents ; www.nhsinform.scot/covid-19-vaccine/after-your-vaccine/get-a-record-of-your-coronavirus-covid-19-vaccination-status ; www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-covid-pass#children
• BBC News, Covid travel restrictions have ended in the UK, 18 March 2022,  www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-60789979

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United Kingdom

Travel Advisory July 26, 2023

United kingdom - level 2: exercise increased caution.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.

Exercise increased caution in the United Kingdom due to terrorism.

Country Summary:  Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in the United Kingdom. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas.

There is also a risk of isolated violence by dissident groups in Northern Ireland, focused primarily on police and military targets.

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to the United Kingdom.

If you decide to travel to the United Kingdom:

• Be aware of your surroundings when traveling to tourist locations and crowded public venues.
• Follow the instructions of local authorities.
• Monitor local media for breaking events and adjust your plans based on new information.
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  ( STEP ) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and Twitter.com/Travelgov
• Review the  Country Security Report  for the United Kingdom.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel and return to the United States.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .

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Must be valid for the duration of your stay in the United Kingdom   (If you have onward travel to countries outside the United Kingdom, you should check the passport validity requirements for each additional country on their respective information pages.)

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Embassies and Consulates

U.s. embassy london.

33 Nine Elms Lane London, SW11 7US United Kingdom Telephone: +(44)(20) 7499-9000 Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(44)(20) 7499-9000 Fax: +(44) (20) 7891-3845 Email:   [email protected]

U.S. Consulate General Edinburgh, Scotland 3 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh EH7 5BW Scotland Telephone: 013-1556-8315 / from the United States: 011 (44)(13) 1556-8315 Emergency After-Hours Telephone:  020-7499-9000 / from the United States: 011 (44)(20) 7499-9000 Fax: 0131-557-6023 /from the United States: 011 (44) 131-557-6023 Email:   [email protected]

U.S. Consulate General Belfast, Northern Ireland Danesfort House, 223 Stranmillis Road, Belfast BT9 5GR Northern Ireland, United Kingdom Telephone: 028-9038-6100 / from the United States: 011 (44)(28) 9038-6100 Emergency After-Hours Telephone: 01253-501106 / from the United States: 011 (44) 1253-501106 Fax: 028-9068-1301 / from the United States: 011 (44)(28) 9068-1301 Email: [email protected]

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Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

• To enter the United Kingdom, your passport must be valid for the entire duration of your planned stay.
• Starting June 2019, U.S. passport holders will be able to use the ePassport Gates upon arrival in the United Kingdom. U.S. citizens who had previously registered for the UK’s Registered Traveller Service (RTS) should now also use the ePassport Gates on arrival in the UK.
• If you are planning onward travel after departing the UK, note that many other countries require at least six months’ remaining validity on your passport to enter. If you are bound for Continental Europe, please see our  U.S. travelers in Europe page for additional details.
• Visas for specific categories of visitors must be obtained prior to travel. Visit the  UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website to determine if you need a visa to enter the United Kingdom. We cannot intervene on your behalf when you apply for a UK visa, nor can we advocate for your admission into the UK if you are denied entry.
• Students and prospective students should visit the  UKVI website  to determine if they need a visa.
• For some U.S. travelers, especially students, an entry stamp is required.  Please consult this website  for more information.
• Unpaid and paid workers, interns, volunteers, charity workers, and temporary workers can find information about obtaining a visa on the  UKVI website .
• Visitors traveling to the United Kingdom to get married, even if they do not plan to reside there, must obtain a visa in advance. See the  UKVI website  for visa information.
• Surcharges apply to certain categories of visas, generally those involving work, study, or residency for more than six months. More information is available on the  UKVI website  and in our Health section below.

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of the United Kingdom.

Find information on  dual nationality ,  prevention of international child abduction  and  customs regulations  on our websites.

Safety and Security

Terrorist groups continue plotting possible near-term attacks in Europe. The UK Security Service publishes specific reasons for any changes in the threat level and recommended actions for the public via its  UK threat levels website .

There is the potential for  isolated violence  related to the political situation in Northern Ireland. The Police Service of Northern Ireland assesses there is a continued threat of violence from dissident groups in Northern Ireland, focused primarily on police and military targets, and may involve the use of  firearms  and  explosives . Tensions may be heightened during the summer marching season (April to August), particularly on and around the July 12 public holiday.

Avoid areas of demonstrations  if possible, and be careful within the vicinity of demonstrations. Demonstrations occur frequently in and around city centers and areas where tourists frequent. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate to violence.

The phone number for  police/fire/ambulance emergency services  is  999  in the United Kingdom and  112  in Gibraltar. You should also use these numbers to report security threats or suspicious packages. Also see information for  contacting police from abroad .

• Be cautious and aware of your surroundings.
• Be vigilant, as  pickpocketing ,  mugging,  and “snatch and grab” theft of mobile phones, watches and jewelry can occur.
• Do not leave bags unattended in restaurants, pubs, hotel lobbies, and parked cars.
• Be alert to other criminal schemes, such as  impostors  posing as undercover police officers and “fining” tourists for bogus minor offenses. A legitimate Metropolitan Police Services officer will never demand an immediate cash payment.
• Use only licensed Black Cabs or pre-ordered car services (minicabs) . Unlicensed taxis or private cars posing as taxis may offer low fares, but in some instances, travelers have been  robbed  or  sexually assaulted  while using these cars. See Transport for London for additional information on cabs and car services .
• Avoid using ATMs that look temporary in structure or location  or are located in isolated areas – they may not be legitimate. Use ATMs located inside a bank branch.

Scams : Before sending any money to individuals you have never met in person, visit the  Embassy London website  for more information about  internet financial scams  and how to protect yourself.

See the  Department of State  and the  FBI  pages for information on scams.

Victims of Crime : Report crimes to the local police at 999 (United Kingdom) or 112 (Gibraltar) and contact the U.S. Embassy at +(44) (20) 7499-9000.

• Local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes.

See our webpage on  help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .

• help you find appropriate medical care
• assist you in reporting a crime to the police
• contact relatives or friends with your written consent
• explain the local criminal justice process in general terms
• provide a list of local attorneys
• provide our information on  victim compensation programs in the United States
• The Victim Support website  is maintained by an independent UK charity to help people cope with the effects of crime
• A Northern Ireland-based independent charity maintains a similar  victim support website
• In Scotland, victims of crime should contact  Victim Support Scotland
• provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support if you are destitute
• help you find accommodation and arrange flights home
• replace a stolen or lost passport

Domestic Violence:  U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the Embassy for assistance.

Tourism:  The tourism industry is generally regulated and rules are regularly enforced. Hazardous areas/activities are identified with appropriate signage and professional staff is typically on hand in support of organized activities. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is widely available throughout the country. Outside of a major metropolitan center, it may take more time for first responders and medical professionals to stabilize a patient and provide life-saving assistance. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance . 

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties:  You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. 

Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on  crimes against minors abroad  and the  Department of Justice  website.

• You will be arrested if you bring pocket knives, blades, mace or pepper spray canisters, or any part of a gun into the United Kingdom . Please refer to the UK government publication  Travelling to the UK , which details the items visitors are prohibited from bringing into the United Kingdom.
• Penalties against  alcohol-related  and other  in-flight  crimes committed aboard aircraft to and from the United Kingdom are stiff and are enforced with  prison sentences . Please also see  our information on U.S. customs regulations  covering your return to the United States.
• Controlled Substances: UK law prohibits possession and trafficking of controlled substances and narcotics, including some substances that may be legal to possess under the law of certain U.S. states. More information on controlled substances is available here . Individuals who violate UK drug laws may face penalties including fines or prison sentences.

Arrest Notification:  If you are arrested or detained in the United Kingdom, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our  webpage  for further information.

Special Circumstances:

• The legal drinking age in the United Kingdom is 18. Parents and organizers of school trips should read our  Students Abroad website  to help plan a safe and enjoyable experience.
• Scotland’s “drink drive limit” law was amended to a lower level (roughly .05 BAC) and is stricter than the rest of the United Kingdom (roughly .08 BAC). This means that  driving after even one drink  can result in a charge of driving under the influence.
• The United Kingdom has very strict gun control laws, and importing firearms is extremely complicated.  Information on applying for a firearm and/or shotgun certificate can be found on the  London Metropolitan Police Firearms licensing webpage .  Licenses from England or Wales may not be valid in Scotland; please check with the appropriate authorities.  For firearms certificates for Scotland, please check with  Police Scotland .

Faith-Based Travelers:  See our following webpages for details:

• International Religious Freedom Report  – see country reports
• Human Rights Report  – see country reports
• Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers
• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

LGBTI Travelers:  There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTI events in the United Kingdom.

See our  LGBTI Travel Information  page and section 6 of our  Human Rights report  for further details.

Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance:

• UK law requires that all public service providers (except in the transportation sector) make “reasonable adjustments” to ensure their services are available to persons with disabilities.  Nevertheless, code exemptions permit many older buildings to have steps up from the street.
• Getting around in cities may be difficult at times because sidewalks can be narrow and uneven.
• Most London Underground and UK National Rail System stations are not readily accessible for people with disabilities.  Many stations do not have elevators, and have stairways and long corridors for changing trains or exiting to the street. Many UK buses are equipped with lowering platforms for limited-mobility or sight- or hearing-disabled travelers.
• Many taxis have swivel-entry seats or retractable ramps to ease entry.
• Disabled parking permits (known as “blue badges”) are issued by local government councils throughout the country. Visit the  UK government website  for contact information. Some councils may not offer permits to temporary visitors.

The  Transport for London  and  National Rail  websites provide information for passengers with disabilities.

Students:  See our  Students Abroad  page and  FBI travel tips .

Women Travelers:  See our travel tips for  women travelers .

While medical services are widely available,  free medical care  under the National Health System (NHS) is allowed only for UK residents, certain EU nationals, and some visa holders.

An NHS surcharge is assessed on certain visa applicants at the time of application.  Tourists and short-term visitors will not be assessed the surcharge, but will be charged 150 percent of the cost of any medical treatment they receive from the NHS. Unpaid balances of £1,000 or more can result in being barred from return to the United Kingdom.

• The U.S. government does not pay medical bills, and U.S. Medicare is not valid overseas.

Medical Insurance:  Make sure your health insurance plan provides  coverage overseas . Most care providers overseas only accept  cash payments . See our webpage for more information on insurance coverage overseas.

• We strongly recommend  supplemental insurance  to cover medical evacuation.

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UK considered using Iraq to process asylum seekers in Rwanda-type deal, leaked documents show

Documents also show the UK and Iraq have a returns agreement which was made with a "request for discretion" and no publicity.

Political correspondent @serenabarksing

Monday 6 May 2024 05:17, UK

The government at one point considered using Iraq to process asylum seekers in a Rwanda-style scheme, according to documents seen by Sky News.

This could have seen people sent from the UK to a country the government advises against all travel to.

The two countries already have a returns agreement - but only for people who are from Iraq .

Politics live: Follow the latest updates here

According to leaked correspondence between high-ranking officials, the Iraqi returns commitments were made with a "request for discretion" and no publicity.

The country was willing to move forward but did not want a formal or public agreement.

The current travel advice to Iraq on the Foreign Office website simply advises against "all travel to parts of Iraq". However, according to the document, negotiations were fairly advanced and described in one table as "good recent progress with Iraq".

More on Home Office

Sex offender allowed to stay in UK - as more than half of appeals against asylum decisions successful

Hull: The city where hundreds of failed asylum seekers go 'under the radar'

Home Office granted 275 care worker sponsorship visas after 'forged' application

Related Topics:

• Home Office

Other government aims included enhancing cooperation with the Iranian Embassy in order to enhance returns arrangements for migrants and potential asylum seekers.

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Returns agreements are also in the works for Eritrea and Ethiopia, according to documents about work undertaken by the Home Office and Foreign Office that relates to countries with the highest number of nationals arriving to the UK by small boats.

In a tranche of internal government documents seen by Sky News, even from the earliest stage of the Rwanda policy, Downing Street advisers knew there were serious problems with their proposals.

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There are even private admissions that many people arriving here on small boats did so without the assistance of criminal gangs - despite their communications strategy.

Comparisons were also made to Australia's response - to what Downing Street officials understood to be a comparable "smaller problem" than in the UK and admitted it had cost billions of Australian dollars in order for their returns processes to be fully operational.

Read more: Man, 38, arrested in connection with small boat crossings Sunak says migrants going to Ireland shows Rwanda scheme is working

In one document submitted to the Home Office, some of the highest-ranking officials at the time wrote that their guidance was to be "prepared to pay over the odds" to get the policy up and running. And that the initial offer from Rwanda was a "modest sum".

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Whitehall's official spending watchdog has priced the cost of sending asylum seekers to Rwanda at £1.8m per person for the first 300 people the government deports to Kigali.

It also disclosed that since April 2022 the Home Office has paid £220m into Rwanda's economic transformation and integration fund, which is designed to support economic growth in Rwanda, and will continue to make payments to cover asylum processing and operational costs for individuals relocated to Rwanda.

It will also pay further amounts of £50m over the next year and an additional £50m the following year.

👉 Listen above then tap here to follow the Sky News Daily wherever you get your podcasts 👈

A government source said: "The Home Office is spending millions every day accommodating migrants in hotels - that's not right or fair. We're taking action to put an end to this costly and dangerous cycle. Doing nothing is not a free option - we must act if we want to stop the boats and save lives.

"The UK is continuing to work with a range of international partners to tackle global illegal migration challenges. Our Rwanda partnership is a pioneering response to the global challenge of illegal migration, and we will get flights off the ground to Rwanda in the next nine to eleven weeks."

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UK politics: Tory defector Natalie Elphicke apologises for comments about women who were sexually assaulted by her ex-husband – as it happened

Comments made after Charlie Elphicke jailed for two years criticised by new colleagues in Labour party

• 1d ago Afternoon summary
• 1d ago Dominic Cummings says return of Farage to frontline politics could enable new party to replace Tories
• 1d ago Government says employers may be required to pay travel and visa costs for people getting seasonal worker visas
• 1d ago What No 10 says happened at summit with universities to discuss antisemitism on campus
• 1d ago Cameron claims security 'definitely on ballot paper' at general election
• 1d ago David Cameron says UK will not follow US in withholding arms sales to Israel
• 1d ago Natalie Elphicke apologises for dismissing claims made by women who were sexually assaulted by her ex-husband
• 1d ago Swinney rejects Green party claim Forbes' appointment takes Scotland back to 'repressive 1950s' at inaugural FMQs
• 1d ago David Cameron claims Labour accepting Natalie Elphicke shows it does not have any core beliefs
• 1d ago Sunak urges universities to ensure 'every student feels safe' as pro-Palestinian protests continue
• 1d ago John Swinney scraps post of minister for independence to focus on economy
• 2d ago Government thinks British arms exported to Israel not at risk of being used in serious breach of humanitarian law, MPs told
• 2d ago NHS England hospital waiting list no longer falling and stuck at 7.54m, latest figures show
• 2d ago Ben Houchen says Tory party in state of chaos and 'ultimately' Sunak has to take blame
• 2d ago UK universities must ‘show leadership’ over Gaza protests, says Gillian Keegan
• 2d ago Nadhim Zahawi to stand down as MP at next general election
• 2d ago ‘People can change their minds’: Labour chair rejects claims Elphicke’s conversion to party is bogus

Natalie Elphicke apologises for dismissing claims made by women who were sexually assaulted by her ex-husband

Natalie Elphicke, who defected to Labour from the Conservatives yesterday, has apologised for comments she made supporting her ex-husband after he was convicted of sexual assault.

The comments, made after Charlie Elphicke, her predecessor as MP for Dover, was sentenced to two years in jail for three counts of sexual assault against two women, have been cited by Labour MPs as a particularly powerful reason why she should not be welcome in the party.

In an interview with the Sun in 2020, after her husband’s conviction, Elphicke dismissed the claims of his accusers and said that he was being punished for being “charming, wealthy, charismatic and successful – attractive, and attracted to, women”. Last night the Labour MP Jess Phillips told ITV’s Peston programme that what Elphicke said at the time was “very painful” to the victims, and that she needed to apologise.

In a statement today Elphicke said:

My decision to join the Labour party is not one I have taken lightly but one I made because I am convinced that this country needs a new government led by Keir Starmer to fix the problems we see from housing to small boats. I always knew that this decision would put a spotlight on the prosecution of my ex-husband and I want to address some of the commentary around this head on. The period of 2017 - 2020 was an incredibly stressful and difficult one for me as I learned more about the person I thought I knew. I know it was far harder for the women who had to relive their experiences and give evidence against him. I have previously, and do, condemn his behaviour towards other women and towards me. It was right that he was prosecuted and I’m sorry for the comments that I made about his victims. It is vital that women can have confidence in the criminal justice system and our rates of prosecution and conviction are far too low as a country. Keir Starmer’s mission to halve male violence against women and girls is critical and I wanted to take the opportunity to express my explicit support for Labour colleagues working to realise it.

Afternoon summary

Labour’s newest MP, Natalie Elphicke, has apologised for defending her ex-husband and casting doubt on his victims’ testimonies after he was convicted of sexually assaulting two women.

Anneliese Dodds, the Labour party chair, has struggled in an interview to explain why Elphicke is allowed to be a Labour MP while Diane Abbott remains suspended. (See 9.47am .)

The Bank of England has signalled it could start cutting interest rates as early as June after inflation was found to be “moving in the right direction”, as it kept borrowing costs on hold at 5.25% for the sixth time in a row.

John Swinney has axed the post of minister for independence, in a clear signal to Scottish voters that his government is focused on their immediate cost of living concerns before the general election.

Senior civil servants are to have their pay linked to their performance in a move criticised as divisive by a leading union.

University vice-chancellors need to “show leadership” in response to student protests over Israel’s military action in Gaza, Gillian Keegan, the education secretary, has said.

Dominic Cummings says return of Farage to frontline politics could enable new party to replace Tories

Dominic Cummings , Boris Johnson’s former chief adviser, has said that if Nigel Farage were to return to frontline politics, that would create the circumstances in which a new party might be able to replace the Conservatives.

The former Vote Leave campaign director has been writing for some time on his Substack blog about the possibility of a new “Startup party” replacing the Tories, and in an interview with the i published today he explained how it might succeed.

Asked to predict what would happen to the Conservative party, Cumming said:

Depends on what [Nigel] Farage does. If Farage un-retires, the Tories could easily be driven down to double digit seats and then discussions of a Startup party and replacing them will go from a very fringe idea to being a very mainstream idea.

Explaining the rationale for his Startup party idea, Cummings said:

The only point of doing it is to do something which is completely different from the other parties. The Tories now obviously represent nothing except a continuation of the shitshow; higher taxes, worse violent crime, more debt, anti-entrepreneurs, public services failing, immigration out of control. But Labour I think will not alter the ultimate trajectory very much, they’ll be continuity Treasury, continuity David Cameron, George Osborne, Sunak, so everything will keep failing and everyone will be even more miserable by 2026 than they are now. So, to change that you have to have two fundamental things: you have to have an entity which is ruthlessly focused on the voters not on Westminster and the old media. And you have to have something which is friendly towards all the amazing talent in the country, people who build things in private and public sector. If you can bring those two things together then you have something very powerful and very attractive that most people in the country would get behind.

Cummings thinks a new Startup party should focus on controlling immigration, closing tax loopholes that benefit the richest 1%, investing in public services and reforming Whitehall.

In the interview Cummings did not say whether he had any funding to get his idea off the ground, or whether it is anything more than just talk at this stage. He also claimed a new party could break through without proportional representation. He explained:

It’s seemingly hard but history shows it’s doable but it happens in response to huge system changes. Historically, wars and pandemics are things that reshape states and financial clashes. So now we’ve got all of those things.

Government says employers may be required to pay travel and visa costs for people getting seasonal worker visas

Ministers have some encouraging news for seasonal workers spending thousands of pounds to fly across the globe and pick Britain’s fruit.

A Department for Environment and Rural Affairs paper published last night said the department is exploring introducing changes to the seasonal worker visa to ensure that employers pay for workers’ travel and visa costs.

Known as the “employer pays principle”, it would be a major concession since it would mean that anyone coming to work on British farms would not have to fork out the cost of flights and visas. Advocates for the policy say it better protects workers from being charged illegal fees, though there is industry concern that this cost is borne by supermarkets rather than already stretched farms.

The Guardian has previously revealed that Indonesian labourers picking berries on farms supplying major supermarkets were left up to £5,000 in debt to unlicensed foreign brokers for a single season of work in Britain.

The Defra paper, which also announces that the seasonal worker visa will be extended for another five years, says it has committed “to investigating the use of the employer pays principle for the seasonal worker visa route. Doing so would represent a significant step towards alleviating some of the financial burdens that workers can incur in paying for their visas and travel to the UK.”

It adds that it will now be seeking “evidence of the potential impacts across the supply chain, as well as on consumers and workers”.

The announcement follows the decision by the Supplier Ethical Data Exchange (Sedex) to require farming businesses to pay for the recruitment and transportation fees of the seasonal workers they employ. Sedex is a widely backed standard used by major UK supermarkets, who typically demand growers sign up to the scheme before their products are listed.

An open letter from organisations including the union the Landworkers’ Alliance has welcomed Sedex’s announcement but called for the cost to be borne by supermarkets rather than farmers “already struggling with financial pressures”. It argues that retailers “benefit from a greater proportion of the profits while shouldering less of the risk of production”.

What No 10 says happened at summit with universities to discuss antisemitism on campus

Downing Street has issued a readout of what happened at the roundtable at No 10 this morning with universities to discuss antisemitism. Given that it is not available online, and given that this topic is attracting a lot of interest, here is in full. No 10 says:

The PM [ Rishi Sunak ] began by welcoming attendees to discuss the “growing rise of antisemitism on our campuses”. He called on universities to “remain bastions of tolerance, where debate takes place with respect for others and where every student feels safe”. He said that he was looking to university leaders to take “personal responsibility for protecting Jewish students” and adopt a “zero tolerance” approach to incidents of antisemitism, as well as any other form of hatred, prejudice, or discrimination. The PM also said it was “right” that the Office for Students will be introducing a new condition of registration to deal with harassment, including antisemitism, “because universities should be held to account for their commitment to protect Jewish students”. Representatives from the Union of Jewish Students described a “year like no other” for Jewish students, with a six-fold increase in the number of antisemitic incidents since 7 October. University vice-chancellors recognised this challenge and discussed the importance of properly enforcing disciplinary procedures against students found to be inciting hatred or violence, while respecting the legitimate right to protest. They said that effective dialogue with students was essential and that this included the need to clearly communicate expectations around respect for other members of the university community. Vice-chancellors also raised support for interfaith networks, cooperation with the police and use of eviction orders, where students are in clear breach of university rules. Concerns were raised around non-student “agitators” infiltrating on-campus protests in order to stir division. The security minister [ Tom Tugendhat ] condemned any “tolerance of hatred” and assured attendees that he was “personally committed” to supporting universities. He said that actions have consequences and freedom of speech didn’t extend to the right to abuse or intimidate. The communities secretary [ Michael Gove ] said that tackling antisemitism was a shared responsibility and he noted the government’s BDS [boycott, divestment, sanctions] bill, currently progressing through parliament, which will prevent public bodies fuelling division by imposing boycotts on foreign countries. The cabinet secretary [ Simon Case ] said that universities were not alone in dealing with the rise in antisemitism and that it was a growing problem across the public realm. He said that he was committed to working with public bodies to standardise processes and practices in relation to dealing with antisemitism. The education secretary [ Gillian Keegan ] concluded by thanking attendees for their commitment to protect Jewish students and foster a positive environment on campus. She said that government would continue to engage closely with sector ahead of the publication of new guidance

The meeting was attended by leaders from 17 leading universities of colleges, as well as representatives from Community Security Trust, the Union of Jewish Students, the University Jewish Chaplaincy and Universities UK.

Cameron claims security 'definitely on ballot paper' at general election

During the Q&A with journalists after his speech this morning David Cameron also claimed that defence policy, and security, would be dividing line issues at the general election.

The foreign secretary and former prime minister told reporters:

To me, security is definitely on the ballot paper. If you ask me ‘what’s the most important thing we can do right now as a country’, it is to enhance our security – that is to spend more on defence, to build up our alliances, to work with our partners, to seek out allies, to harden defences at home, to protect ourselves against cyber [attacks], to invest in our intelligence services. All of these things are about recognising the world’s changed fundamentally compared with a decade ago and the biggest need, in my view, is security. I would broaden that because, fundamentally, security to me, is the most conservative value of all.

Cameron also said that, while Rishi Sunak has committed to increasing defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2030, Labour has not matched that promise.

Labour have not matched the 2.5%, so there’s going to be a very clear choice at the election: if you are worried about the dangerous world, if you want Britain to have strong defences, if you want a government that’s absolutely committed to it and has set out a timetable: here are the guys with a plan. And if you want a bunch of people who’ve got no plan, who have got no idea, then it’s a very different case from the Labour party.

David Cameron says UK will not follow US in withholding arms sales to Israel

David Cameron , the foreign secretary, has said the UK will not be following the US in withholding arms sales to Israel, saying the positions are not comparable since the UK is not a large state-to-state arms supplier to Israel. Patrick Wintour has the story here.

Cameron was speaking during a Q&A after his foreign policy speech at the National Cyber Security Centre. The full text of his speech is here , and here is Patrick’s preview story about the main message.

Swinney rejects Green party claim Forbes' appointment takes Scotland back to 'repressive 1950s' at inaugural FMQs

John Swinney endured a difficult inaugural outing at first minister’s questions with Patrick Harvie , his former colleague in government, accusing him of returning Scotland to the “repressive values of the 1950s” by appointing Kate Forbes as his deputy.

In an early taste of the opposition attack lines Swinney faces as first minister, Harvie followed up challenges from the Conservatives and Labour on protecting teachers’ numbers by accusing Forbes, a member of the conservative Free Church of Scotland, of being a social reactionary.

Harvie, the former housing minister who is now a backbench opposition leader, said human rights and equality were at stake. He said:

The Scottish Greens have been clear that we acknowledge the SNP’s right to form a minority government. But we’ve been equally clear that the first minister must quickly give a signal of the direction his government will take. Yesterday that signal came pretty clearly: progressive ministers sacked and the second most powerful job in government given to someone who has opposed LGBT people’s legal equality, who’s expressed judgmental attitudes against abortion, and who’s even expressed the view that people who have families without being married are doing something wrong. Is this the Scottish government’s vision for the future of Scotland, taking us back to the repressive values of the 1950s?

Swinney rejected that attack, first insisting his government “will be led from the moderate left of centre position that I have always occupied and which is the policy position of my party, and which is supported by all of our members”.

Harvie alleged Forbes, a former finance secretary, was opposed too to progressive taxation – a charge Swinney rejected. He said it was “a matter of historic record” Forbes had pushed through higher income taxes for the better off and seen the Scottish child payment introduced. He went on:

I take very seriously the challenge that Mr. Harvey puts to me because I want people to be reassured in this country by my leadership. And when I say that I want to be the first minister for everyone in Scotland, I deeply mean that. I want to lead a modern, dynamic and diverse Scotland, a place for everybody. Where everybody feels at home, at peace, that they have a place and that their place in our society is protected by my leadership of this country.

The Liberal Democrats claim that Nadhim Zahawi might be standing down as MP for Stratford-on-Avon at the next election because he fears he will lose his seat. A Lib Dem source said:

Conservative MPs across the Blue Wall are standing down because they’re worried about the threat posed by the Liberal Democrats. We have taken control of the council in Zahawi’s seat so it doesn’t come as a surprise that he is giving up the ghost. It is clear Liberal Democrats are best placed to beat the Conservatives in Stratford-on-Avon.

At the last election Zahawi had a majority of 19,972 over the Liberal Democrats. But a YouGov MRP poll published last month suggests that the Lib Dems are on course to win the seat, beating the Tories by 38% to 31%. At the last election the Tories were on 61% in Stratford-on-Avon, and the Lib Dems 24%.

David Cameron claims Labour accepting Natalie Elphicke shows it does not have any core beliefs

David Cameron , the foreign secretary and former prime minister, has claimed that Keir Starmer’s decision to Natalie Elphicke join his party shows Labour doesn’t have any core beliefs.

Taking questions after his foreign policy speech this morning, Cameron said:

What does this tell us about the party she’s joining? In life, if you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything. I thought that’s sort of what yesterday showed, that there isn’t a policy about anything, it’s just been about clearing the decks to try and focus attention on the governing party.

Cameron said that, as the general election got closer, people would stop being asked to take part in “a referendum on the governing party” and instead have to choose between two parties. He went on:

And I thought yesterday, you wake up and hear about the defection, you think ‘oh no, not another one, how are we going to handle this?’ By the end of the day it was like ‘that says so much more about Keir Starmer and the Labour party having a complete lack of a plan than it does about a prime minister who is a good man doing a great job at a difficult time’.

Penny Mordaunt , the leader of the Commons, and Lucy Powell , her Labour shadow, both joked about Natalie Elphicke’s unlikely defection from the Tories to Labour during questions in the Commons on next week’s business in the chamber.

Mordaunt said she would not be following Elphicke.

I am not about to defect to the opposition benches. They wouldn’t be interested in me, I’m too leftwing.

And Powell said the defection showed “our reach into previously undiscovered support is really much broader and deeper than I ever imagined”.

Sunak urges universities to ensure 'every student feels safe' as pro-Palestinian protests continue

Rishi Sunak urged university vice-chancellors to take a zero-tolerance approach to antisemitic incidents and to take responsibility for protecting Jewish students at this morning’s summit at No 10, Downing Street said.

At the morning lobby briefing the PM’s spokesperson also told journalists that Sunak said universities should “remain bastions of tolerance where debate takes place with respect for others and where every student feels safe”.

The meeting was called to discuss how universities should respond to the pro-Palestinian protests at British universities. More than a dozen campuses have encampments where students are showing their support for Gaza.

After the meeting Guy Dabby-Joory, head of campaigns at the Union of Jewish Students , told PA Media:

It was a very productive meeting, we were very grateful to the government for arranging it. Every vice-chancellor understood there is a huge issue of antisemitism on campus, that Jewish students have been struggling for the last seven months. We hope the universities will take their duties far more seriously, we hope they will show zero tolerance to antisemitism of any form.

And Edward Isaacs, president of the Union of Jewish Students, said: “The burden is now on vice-chancellors to ensure we don’t see scenes in the US replicated in the UK.”

As they left the meeting Prof Irene Tracey, vice-chancellor of Oxford University , said the meeting had been “really positive, while Prof Nic Beech, vice-chancellor of the University of Salford , also it had been “very good’ and “really constructive”.

John Swinney scraps post of minister for independence to focus on economy

John Swinney has axed the post of minister for independence, in a clear signal to Scottish voters that his government is focused on their immediate cost of living concerns before the general election, Libby Brooks reports.

The NHS waiting list for treatment remains “stubbornly high”, with millions of people left in pain or unable to work, a leading health expert has said.

Commenting on today’s NHS England waiting list figures (see 10.41am ), Siva Anandaciva, chief analyst at the King’s Fund, a health thinktank, said:

As the NHS comes out of a tough winter, it is encouraging to see some green shoots in today’s statistics which show that improvements have been made in several key measures of cancer care. In March, 77% of people had their cancer diagnosed or ruled out within 28 days of referral, surpassing the national target of 75%. But the road ahead to make further progress in recovering performance in other areas of the NHS, including reducing lengthy waiting times for planned care and A&E, will be long. The hospital waiting list remains stubbornly high at 7.5 million in March, representing 6.3 million people waiting, often in pain or unable to work, for treatment. A&E departments also continue to be under extreme strain as we head towards summer, with over 2.2 million attendances in April, and only 74% of people being seen within four hours.

Diane Abbott has joined those arguing that Keir Starmer’s decision to admit Natalie Elphicke as a Labour MP makes it harder for the party to justify her ongoing suspension. (See 9.47am .)

She has retweeted John Crace’s Guardian column from the yesterday – while pointing out that our headline might not be 100% accurate.

Not sure I can confirm this headline. Natalie Elphicke's queasy welcome shows Labour will turn no one away https://t.co/TkGFaayLk3 — Diane Abbott MP (@HackneyAbbott) May 9, 2024

Not sure I can confirm this headline. Natalie Elphicke’s queasy welcome shows Labour will turn no one away

And she has retweeted an article from the Evening Standard, quoting from what it says.

London MP Kate Osamor gets back Labour whip after probe on Gaza war comments The move piles pressure on Sir Keir Starmer to do the same for veteran MP Diane Abbott https://t.co/SbmKooyQTe — Diane Abbott MP (@HackneyAbbott) May 9, 2024

London MP Kate Osamor gets back Labour whip after probe on Gaza war comments The move piles pressure on Sir Keir Starmer to do the same for veteran MP Diane Abbott

There is a lot more about Diane Abbott, and the purge of leftwingers under Keir Starmer, in Andy Beckett ’s new book about the Labour left, The Searchers , an insightful, sympathetic, brilliantly researched and extremely readable 50-year history of the Labour left told through the biographies of five of its leading players: Tony Benn, Ken Livingstone, Jeremy Corbyn, John McDonnell and Abbott. Beckett argues that under Starmer the party is imposing “a level of ideological control not even achieved by New Labour at its most intolerant”.

Sunder Katwala , head of the British Future thinktank and a former head of the Fabian Society, the Labour thinktank, has launched a debate on X about whether the party has ever had a more rightwing MP than Natalie Elphicke. Here are his opening suggestions.

Has Labour had a more right-wing MP than Natalie Elphicke? (All periods of the party's history are in bounds). — Sunder Katwala (@sundersays) May 8, 2024

Oswald Mosley a clear contender for the alltime crown. Here he is in 1922. He was not nearly as right-wing then as he became after leaving Labour and founding the British Union of Fascists pic.twitter.com/azPhgcnDzH — Sunder Katwala (@sundersays) May 8, 2024

It was Tony Benn who nicknamed Sir Hartley Shawcross as "Sir Shortly Floorcross". The Nuremberg prosecutor after being a Labour MP became a crossbench peer pic.twitter.com/JVsY98c8A7 — Sunder Katwala (@sundersays) May 8, 2024

Woodrow Wyatt began with the Keep Left group under Attlee. He was a Labour MP until 1970. He became a vocal supporter of Margaret Thatcher once she became Tory leader in 1975 pic.twitter.com/vNHjXj2eoR — Sunder Katwala (@sundersays) May 8, 2024

Robert Kilroy Silk moved from the right of the party to Veritas and Ukip pic.twitter.com/v8jpRJxeFc — Sunder Katwala (@sundersays) May 8, 2024

For more suggestions, the replies are worth reading in full.

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• Keir Starmer
• Rishi Sunak

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