According to figures from the Department of Health, Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced 14 million ‘low risk’ people aged between 40 and 74 could now see their 5-year check-ups happen online.

The tests, at present carried out at a GP surgery by a doctor, nurse or healthcare assistant, check for conditions such as kidney disease, heart disease, diabetes and stroke.

Low-risk patients may have to take blood pressure readings, answer online health questionnaires and talk to a doctor via an app.

Steve Fouch from the Christian Medical Fellowship told Premier:

“They’re looking at this really only for what they would call low risk people. So people who haven’t actually got obvious health problems, it’s a way of trying to reduce the number of people necessarily physically presenting for an appointment.

“Not a lot of people actually access their GP for health screening. That is one of the big problems is that many people do not go to these appointments anyway. So making them online might not actually make any big difference.

“These things will require you still to go in to a GP surgery to have a blood test and obviously you can weigh yourself at home, but you’re not necessarily going to have the equipment to check your own blood pressure properly.

“All of those sorts of other things you actually do need a health professional to be there with you. There’s…

The episode will include the wedding of Jamie Wallace and Ian McDowall at the Rutherglen United Reformed Church in Glasgow.

The pair are the first same-sex couple to marry at the church after the local congregation gave its backing.

The couple tied the knot at their church surrounded by friends, family and BBC cameras.

Speaking on Songs of Praise Wallace explained: “Jesus preaches about love, inclusion, kindness, compassion.

“A good lady who comes to this church told us in one of our discussions, people will change, and don’t underestimate older people, either. They just need to think about it, and they’ll get there one day.”

He told Glasgow’s Sunday Post: “As a committed Christian, being able to marry the man I love with all my heart and soul, before God, in the church I love, with my family, friends and the congregation around us, is something I’ve dreamed of.

“Now it’s actually happened, I’m proud my church is welcoming and open to same-sex couples.”

David Pickering, the moderator of the United Reformed Church of Scotland, said: “The United Reformed Church of Scotland is open and welcome to all, regardless of their sexuality, gender or race.

“There have been some who oppose same-sex marriage, and they give traditional biblical values as their reason.

“But, for me, grace, love, justice and inclusivity is what traditional biblical…

The Pilgrimage Centre at Carfin Grotto, North Lanarkshire opened in 1922 and attracts thousands of visitors each year.

But the Diocese of Motherwell said it was no longer “economically viable” to run the site, shop and café.

A petition to try and stop the closure received 5,000 signatures, however the decision to close the site is still going ahead.

Rt Rev Bishop Joseph Toal said: “The ultimate difficulty for the Centre is that not enough people visit the Grotto.

He said the centre has been “operating at a loss” for a number of years and is a business that “is not making money.”

“We have been left with no option, but to make a difficult choice in regard to the Pilgrimage Centre.

“For the staff especially this is a sad moment and I thank them for their commitment and hard work over many years. I thank also those who have served as directors, especially at this difficult time.”

“As a Diocese with more limited financial resources than in the past, we must cut our coat according to our cloth.”

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The popstar was attending Kayne West’s ‘Sunday Service’, where Pastor Rich Wilkerson was speaking and Bieber put up two video posts of him preaching, one asking his 117 million Instagram followers, “what would happen if you put your trust in Jesus?” and a second video of the service with the caption, “put your trust in Jesus”.

During his preach, Wilkerson, who pastors VOUS Church in Miami, can be heard declaring that, “whether you believe in God or not, He still believes in you” — a soundbite that was met with rapturous applause and shouts of “Amen!”

“It’s not an accident or a coincidence that you showed up here,” the preacher challenged. “He brought you here. That is our prayer today. That you would hear from Him today, that you would hear His voice.”

The posts on Bieber’s page have received tens of thousands of comments, including one Instagram user who said: “Love this bro! Proud of you for taking a stand for Jesus.”

 

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All Saints, Middleton Cheney, Northamptonshire, described as the ‘Holy of Holies’ of William Morris stained glass, St Petrock, Timberscombe, Somerset, a church with a 1500s fan vaulted rood screen, and churches on two remote Scottish islands, Howmore church on the Isle of South Uist and Tiree parish church on the Isle of Tiree, are amongst the churches to receive the money.

Nine of the churches being helped are on the Historic England ‘Heritage at Risk’ register. 

Broadcaster and journalist Huw Edwards, Vice President of The National Churches Trust, said: “The UK’s historic churches and chapels are a vital part of our national heritage. But to survive, many need to carry out urgent repairs and install modern facilities. The cost of this work is far beyond what most congregations can pay for themselves.”

“So I’m delighted that the Trust is providing grants of £290,000 to keep more churches and chapels in good repair so that they can remain open and benefit local communities.”

Money spent will include £10,000 to help fund the installation of an accessible toilet and a servery at the Grade I listed St Petrock’s church, Timberscombe in Somerset.

Howmore Church, on the Outer Hebrides will use £20,000 of the grant to help fund repairs to the external stonework and the installation of toilets at the which was built in 1858 by local…