Global Microsoft outage disrupts UK police, NHS and services

Summarised from 2 outlets · 4 reports · Updated 15 Nov, 00:31 · Archive

A global Microsoft outage has disrupted crime reporting, NHS prescriptions and council services across the UK.

A global Microsoft outage that began late Thursday evening has disrupted email, communication and productivity tools including Outlook and Teams, affecting organisations across the UK and worldwide.

Police forces across the UK are unable to receive reports through their websites. Northumbria Police and Durham Constabulary asked the public to call 101 for non-urgent matters or 999 in emergencies, with some offering to accept reports via social media. The NHS is experiencing delays to prescription processing due to email system issues, according to the National Pharmacy Association.

Councils, schools and government offices have also been affected. North Yorkshire Council warned residents that online services were experiencing problems, while Richmond School told parents it could not access absence voicemails or receive emails. Selby MP Keir Mather's constituency office experienced email disruption. Microsoft executive vice-president Charles Lamanna said the outage was not caused by a cyber attack. The company reported 'early signs of stabilisation' but said service capacity had not returned to normal levels and 'health remains variable'. A UK Government spokesman said it was working closely with Microsoft and had 'robust contingency plans in place'.

How it is being reported

• Global Microsoft outage causes disruption to councils and schools in North YorkshireA global Microsoft outage is causing disruption across North Yorkshire, affecting council services, schools and a local MP's office.Darlington & Stockton Times · 14 Nov, 05:00
• Global Microsoft outage causes disruption to councils and schools in North YorkshireA global Microsoft outage is causing disruption across North Yorkshire, affecting council services, schools and a local MP's office.The Northern Echo · 14 Nov, 05:00
• Microsoft global outage: Affect on services such as police and councils in North EastA global Microsoft outage is affecting police, councils, universities and services across the North East.The Northern Echo · 13 Nov, 12:48
• Microsoft outage disrupts UK crime reports and NHS prescription processingGlobal Microsoft outage disrupts UK police crime reports and NHS prescriptions, with Outlook and Teams affected.The Northern Echo · 13 Nov, 11:56

In this story: Microsoft · NHS · UK · Northumbria Police · Durham Constabulary · North Yorkshire Council · Keir Mather · Charles Lamanna

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log