The full New Year honours list 2022 as Chris Whitty is knighted

At the forefront of the New Year honours list are the medical chiefs who have led the charge against the Covid-19 virus and ongoing pandemic.

While the honours list recognises achievements and contributions across a variety of fields, like art, sport, politics and more, nearly one in five of those named on the 2022 honours list are for Covid-related services, according to the Cabinet Office.

This is everything you need to know about the New Year honours list 2022.

Knighthood for Chris Whitty

The medical chiefs leading the UK’s battle against coronavirus have been recognised in the New Year Honours list after a year that saw a relentless rollout of the vaccination programme.

England’s chief medical officer (CMO), Professor Chris Whitty, deputy CMO, Jonathan Van-Tam, and Wales’ and Scotland’s CMOs, Frank Atherton and Dr Gregor Smith, have been given knighthoods.

There are also damehoods for UK Health Security Agency chief Dr Jenny Harries, and Dr June Raine, chief executive of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), after a year in which the threat of new variants arose and more than 130 million vaccinations were administered.

The Government’s chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, who was originally knighted in the 2019 New Year Honours list, is elevated to a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath.

The Cabinet Office said nearly one in five (19%) of the honours are for Covid-related service.

Scientists have played a central role in keeping the public informed during briefings throughout the year in response to Covid-19 and are being recognised for services to public health and science.

Sir Patrick said: “I am really pleased to see so many outstanding scientists and engineers recognised in this year’s honours, including those that have been working tirelessly as part of the response to the Covid-19 pandemic.”

And the MHRA chief, Dame June, said: “I am enormously honoured by this recognition of the substantial contribution which the MHRA has made to the nation’s response to Covid-19 over the last two years.

“This is thanks to the dedication and commitment of all our talented staff, who work so tirelessly to make sure vaccines, therapeutics and medical devices are safe and effective for people across the UK.”

Who else is being honoured?

A number of athletes are also included on the list, including Team GB’s Olympians and Paralympians who took gold in Tokyo.

Cyclists Jason and Laura Kenny are thought to be the first married couple to be recognised on the same honours list.

Teenage tennis sensation Emma Raducanu has added another title after winning the US Open in September, as she can now say she is a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).

Diver Tom Daley, who won gold in the 10m synchro, will be made an OBE, while his partner, Matty Lee, will be made an MBE.

Strictly Come Dancing star Adam Peaty will be made an OBE and there is an MBE for Tom Dean after both swimmers won Olympic gold.

Seven-time Paralympic champion Hannah Cockroft, who has been made an OBE after winning two golds in wheelchair racing, urged more disabled children to take up sports in school.

In the world of entertainment, Daniel Craig has been given a special diplomatic honour after his final outing as James Bond in No Time To Die.

The departing 007 is made a companion of the Order of St Michael and St George – which is styled CMG and was also conferred on the fictional spy in the film series and Ian Fleming’s books.

Actresses Joanna Lumley and Vanessa Redgrave are to be made dames, while James Bond franchise producer Barbara Broccoli will be made a CBE.

Lumley, who is being honoured for services to drama, entertainment and art, said: “I am astonished and thrilled and touched beyond words to receive this colossal honour.

“It comes as a complete and unexpected surprise, and is the kindest and most beautiful present imaginable.”

Diversity member Ashley Banjo and former Spice Girl Mel B are both to be made an MBE.

The full list of New Year Honours 2022

ORDER OF THE COMPANIONS OF HONOUR

Members of the Order of the Companions of Honour (CH)

Lord Frank Field Of Birkenhead DL. For Public and Political Service. (London, Greater London)

Sir Paul Maxime Nurse. For services to Science and Medicine in the UK and Abroad. (Oxford, Oxfordshire)

KNIGHTS COMMANDER OF THE ORDER OF THE BATH (KCB)

Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB)

Sir Patrick John Thompson Vallance. Government Chief Scientific Adviser, Government Office for Science. For services to Science in Government. (London, Greater London)

Professor Christopher John MacRae Whitty CB. Chief Medical Officer for England. For services to Public Health. (London, Greater London)

ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE

Dames Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE)

Dr Vivienne Cox CBE. Independent Non-Executive Director and Workforce Engagement Director, GSK and Chair, Rosalind Franklin Institute. For services to Sustainability, and to Diversity and Inclusion in Business. (Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire)

Dr Jennifer Margaret Harries OBE. Chief Executive, UK Health Security Agency. For services to Health. (Monmouth, Monmouthshire)