People with no coronavirus symptoms getting tests are to blame for the system reaching its limit, the health secretary has suggested.
Matt Hancock told Sky News the reason many people have reported being unable to book a test is because the proportion of those asking for them who have no symptoms has risen to 25%.
"We have seen an increase in demand including from people who are not eligible for tests, people who don't have symptoms," he said on the Kay Burley programme.
Image:Labour accused the government of 'failing to get even the basics right'
"You are eligible for a test if you have symptoms of coronavirus or if you have a very specific reason otherwise.
"We have seen an increase, and about 25% of people who are coming forward don't have symptoms and aren't eligible."
But those keen to get tested have been met for several days by an error message on the government website, telling them the "system is currently unavailable".
More from Covid-19
The head of testing at Whitehall's Test and Trace operation previously blamed laboratories processing tests, saying they have reached a "critical pinch-point".
Image:Some people trying to book a test have been told 'system is currently unavailable'
Mr Hancock admitted it could take weeks for the problem to be fixed.
He also addressed the sharp rise in cases, which rose by 2,460 on Monday and the news of a further 32 deaths, taking the total to 41,586.
"If you have a rise in the number of cases and you don't act then that inexorably leads to more people in hospital and more people dying of coronavirus," the health secretary explained.
Image:Some people have reported not being able to get tests
Labour has accused ministers of "failing to get even the basics right" and "blaming everybody but themselves".
Rachel Reeves, the shadow Cabinet Office minister, told Sky News: "This is a government who promised a world-beating system. Frankly, at the moment, we would just like one that works and we don't even have that."
Are you having problems getting tested? Get in touch with Sky News
England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty and chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance told Cabinet that infection rates were climbing particularly for 17 to 29-year-olds.
Brits face new £100 fines if they meet in groups of more than six indoors or out.
Boris Johnson will announce the clampdown today in his first No 10 press conference since July as cases continue to soar across the UK.
The rules apply from Monday to gatherings in homes, pubs and restaurants — and could still be in force at Christmas.
But that will be changed so any of the six can be from different households, in an attempt to bring rules in line with outdoor gatherings.
It comes after police demanded greater powers to fine young Covid flouters — and ahead of tens of thousands returning to university next week.
The PM said the changes would make it simpler for the public to understand.
Those who break the rule of six — inside or outside — can be fined £100, doubling for each repeat offence up to £3,200.
Weddings, funerals and organised Covid-secure team sports will be exempt but must remain limited to 30 people.
The drastic move comes after alarming figures revealed there were almost 2,500 new cases in the UK yesterday — following two straight days of 3,000 new infections.
The numbers were the highest since May and took the overall total of confirmed coronavirus cases in the UK to 350,000-plus.
The number of Covid-related deaths in the UK also hit 32 yesterday — the highest for weeks.
Matt Hancock warned MPs that the UK was on the brink of a second Covid peak
He is expected to say: “We need to act now to stop the virus spreading. So we are simplifying and strengthening the rules on social contact — making them easier to understand and for the police to enforce.
“It is absolutely critical people now abide by these rules and remember the basics — washing hands, covering your face, keeping space from others, and getting a test if you have symptoms.”
Mr Jenrick said: “As we approach the autumn and winter there is going to be even more responsibility on all of us to keep following the guidelines.
“Nobody wants to see a return to full national restrictions of the kind we had earlier this year.”
Police chiefs met the PM last week requesting the rules on social contact to be strengthened and simplified.
They wanted to make it easier to identify and disperse gatherings following a spike in raves and house parties among youngsters.
Ministers fear that the rise in UK cases is following a similar pattern to other European countries such as Spain and France.
There, an increase in social contact among youngsters gradually spread the virus to the older generation, now leading to an increase in Covid deaths.
Scientists also warned that the restrictions might need to still be in place at the end of the year — threatening families’ hopes of spending Christmas together.
The PM will announce the clampdown in his first No 10 press conference since July
John Edmunds, a member of the Government’s SAGE advisory board, warned action must be taken now.
He said: “The epidemic continues to increase and then we have Christmas.
“And that is very difficult. What is Christmas? Well it’s meeting with your family very close. Restaurants and pubs and stuff like that.
“It’s all high risk. And it’s all indoors.”
He said the R rate was above one and the UK was in a “risky period”.
David Nabarro, World Health Organisation’s special envoy for Covid, said a second wave was coming for the UK.
It comes after other stats showed Covid deaths fell by more than a quarter in a week last month to their lowest level since mid-March.
The virus was mentioned on 101 death certificates in England and Wales in the week to August 28.
That is down from 138 across the previous seven days and was the lowest for 24 weeks.
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Prof Whitty said: “We have, through the extraordinary efforts of the whole population, got Covid rates right down.
“They are now rising again, especially in those aged 17 to 29. If we stop social distancing, Covid comes back.”
Earlier this week, Mr Hancock blasted youngsters for flouting rules and warned them not to “kill your gran” by spreading Covid.
New national coronavirus crackdown: household gathering limit set to be cut after spike in cases
Ms Sturgeon said she would prefer to be “on the side of caution” with coronavirus testing, even if it meant more false positives. PHE however told English labs to set a threshold for the amount of viral load in a test before considering a positive result accurate. It comes after cases in the UK have started rising to levels last seen at the height of the pandemic.
The First Minister stated Scottish health authorities will treat each positive test as its own case.
Ms Sturgeon said: “When it comes to contact tracing, I guess my view as a politician is that we should still err a bit on the side of caution, rather than the opposite, so that we're catching as many people as we possibly can.”
But PHE issued new guidance to England saying positive results over a certain level of viral threshold, or the “limit of detection”, should be tested again before contact tracing begins.
The health body said: “It is necessary to strike a balance between the risk of false positive test results and an acceptable level of delay in test turnaround time.”
PHE’s new guidance followed concerns raised by scientists about the rise in coronavirus cases.
Some suggested the rise is partially due to positive tests regardless of whether the person is infectious.
The PCR test used to detect coronavirus in the UK can read “dead” viral remnants as a sign of infection.
Low levels of viral remnants could suggest the person has recovered from the virus, but also indicates pre-symptoamtic cases.
On Tuesday, coronavirus cases in the UK rose by 2,420, with Scotland seeing a rise of 176.
In total, since the start of the pandemic the UK has seen more than 353,000 cases of coronavirus, with Scotland seeing 21,543.
But Tuesday showed three more deaths nationwide from the virus, with none in Scotland.
Hospital admissions for Tuesday also showed 757 patients nationwide in hospital for the virus, and 77 in ventilator beds.
Ms Sturgeon has also been attacked recently for stepping back from her comments on another Scottish independence referendum.
Last week, the First Minister announced a new bill outlining the proposed terms and timings of a new independence referendum will be put to the Scottish Parliament ahead of the Holyrood elections next year.
But on Tuesday, she insisted handling coronavirus in Scotland was her “priority”.
She added: “Genuinely, my focus right now is in tackling COVID and that will remain the case for as long as we're in this situation."
Details of the UK government's plans for policing trade between different parts of the country from next year are set to be published on Wednesday.
The Internal Market Bill will set out how powers currently held by the EU will be shared out after the post-Brexit transition period ends.
But it has promoted a row over elements which could allow minsters to modify the UK's exit agreement.
It comes as the talks over a trade deal with the EU continue in London.
The permanent secretary to the Government Legal Department, Sir Jonathan Jones, has resigned from his role in light of the bill.
Sir Jonathan, the government's most senior lawyer, is understood to believe it went too far in breaching the government's obligations under international law.
And speaking in the Commons on Tuesday, Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis admitted the bill would break international law in a "very specific and limited way".
The Scottish Government, meanwhile, has said it will not consent to the law, arguing it undermines devolution.
The legislation will see Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland handed powers in areas such as air quality and building efficiency currently regulated at EU level.
It will also set up a new body - the Office for the Internal Market - to make sure standards adopted in different parts of the UK do not undermine cross-border trade.
The new body will be able to issue non-binding recommendations to the UK Parliament and devolved administrations when clashes emerge.
However, plans to hand UK ministers extra powers to ensure the application of customs and trade rules in Northern Ireland have prompted a row over the UK's legal obligations in its exit deal.
International law breach
Under the UK's withdrawal agreement, Northern Ireland is due to stay part of the EU's single market for goods in a bid to avoid creating a hard border with the Irish Republic.
In parallel with talks over a post-Brexit trade deal, the UK and EU are negotiating the precise nature of new customs checks that will be required.
On Tuesday, Mr Lewis, the Northern Ireland secretary, told MPs it would allow ministers to override EU law in "tightly defined circumstances" if border negotiations broke down.
He conceded this would break international law in a "very specific and limited way" - but insisted it was a "safety net" in case the talks to iron out arrangements fail.
The government says it remains fully committed to the withdrawal agreement, and the bill is a necessary step to avoid a legal void if these talks fail.
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However Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer condemned the bill and accused Downing Street of "reopening old arguments that had been settled".
Former Conservative PM Theresa May warned the legislation could damage "trust" in the UK over future trade deals with other states.
Irish Foreign Affairs Minister, Simon Coveney, called Mr Lewis's comments "gravely concerning".
The bill has also prompted a fresh row with the Scottish Government, which has accused the UK government of a power grab.
'Shabby blueprint'
Scottish Constitution Secretary Michael Russell said ministers would find it "impossible" to recommend the Scottish Parliament gives its consent to the bill.
He added the bill "undermines devolution and the Scottish Parliament, and which, by the UK government's own admission, is going to break international law."
He added the "shabby blueprint" for policing cross-border UK trade would "open the door to a race to the bottom" on food and environmental standards.
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said the new legislation was about "respecting and strengthening devolution" by providing certainty to business.
"Without this legislation there would be a serious risk to our jobs and businesses," he added.
The bill has also been attacked by the Welsh Brexit minister, Labour's Jeremy Miles, who accused the government of "stealing powers from devolved administrations".
"This bill is an attack on democracy and an affront to the people of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland," he added.
Details of the UK government's plans for policing trade between different parts of the country from next year are set to be published on Wednesday.
The Internal Market Bill will set out how powers currently held by the EU will be shared out after the post-Brexit transition period ends.
But it has promoted a row over elements which could allow minsters to modify the UK's exit agreement.
It comes as the talks over a trade deal with the EU continue in London.
The permanent secretary to the Government Legal Department, Sir Jonathan Jones, has resigned from his role in light of the bill.
Sir Jonathan, the government's most senior lawyer, is understood to believe it went too far in breaching the government's obligations under international law.
And speaking in the Commons on Tuesday, Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis admitted the bill would break international law in a "very specific and limited way".
The Scottish Government, meanwhile, has said it will not consent to the law, arguing it undermines devolution.
The legislation will see Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland handed powers in areas such as air quality and building efficiency currently regulated at EU level.
It will also set up a new body - the Office for the Internal Market - to make sure standards adopted in different parts of the UK do not undermine cross-border trade.
The new body will be able to issue non-binding recommendations to the UK Parliament and devolved administrations when clashes emerge.
However, plans to hand UK ministers extra powers to ensure the application of customs and trade rules in Northern Ireland have prompted a row over the UK's legal obligations in its exit deal.
International law breach
Under the UK's withdrawal agreement, Northern Ireland is due to stay part of the EU's single market for goods in a bid to avoid creating a hard border with the Irish Republic.
In parallel with talks over a post-Brexit trade deal, the UK and EU are negotiating the precise nature of new customs checks that will be required.
On Tuesday, Mr Lewis, the Northern Ireland secretary, told MPs it would allow ministers to override EU law in "tightly defined circumstances" if border negotiations broke down.
He conceded this would break international law in a "very specific and limited way" - but insisted it was a "safety net" in case the talks to iron out arrangements fail.
The government says it remains fully committed to the withdrawal agreement, and the bill is a necessary step to avoid a legal void if these talks fail.
Media playback is unsupported on your device
However Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer condemned the bill and accused Downing Street of "reopening old arguments that had been settled".
Former Conservative PM Theresa May warned the legislation could damage "trust" in the UK over future trade deals with other states.
Irish Foreign Affairs Minister, Simon Coveney, called Mr Lewis's comments "gravely concerning".
The bill has also prompted a fresh row with the Scottish Government, which has accused the UK government of a power grab.
'Shabby blueprint'
Scottish Constitution Secretary Michael Russell said ministers would find it "impossible" to recommend the Scottish Parliament gives its consent to the bill.
He added the bill "undermines devolution and the Scottish Parliament, and which, by the UK government's own admission, is going to break international law."
He added the "shabby blueprint" for policing cross-border UK trade would "open the door to a race to the bottom" on food and environmental standards.
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said the new legislation was about "respecting and strengthening devolution" by providing certainty to business.
"Without this legislation there would be a serious risk to our jobs and businesses," he added.
The bill has also been attacked by the Welsh Brexit minister, Labour's Jeremy Miles, who accused the government of "stealing powers from devolved administrations".
"This bill is an attack on democracy and an affront to the people of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland," he added.
Social gatherings of more than six people will be illegal in England from Monday - with some exemptions - amid a steep rise in coronavirus cases.
A new legal limit will ban larger groups meeting anywhere socially indoors or outdoors, No 10 said.
But it will not apply to schools, workplaces or Covid-secure weddings, funerals and organised team sports.
It will be enforced through a £100 fine if people fail to comply with police, doubling up to a maximum of £3,200.
Several exemptions apply to the new rules - which come into force on 14 September - with households and support bubbles bigger than six people unaffected.
A full list of exemptions will be published by the government later.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to deliver further details at a Downing Street news conference on Wednesday.
In a preview of his address, the PM said: "We need to act now to stop the virus spreading. So we are simplifying and strengthening the rules on social contact - making them easier to understand and for the police to enforce.
"It is absolutely critical that people now abide by these rules and remember the basics - washing your hands, covering your face, keeping space from others, and getting a test if you have symptoms."
No 10 said any group of seven or more people gathering anywhere "risks being dispersed by police or fined for non-compliance".
At-a-glance: What are the new rules?
Social gatherings of more than six people in England will not be allowed in law from Monday 14 September
The new rule applies to private homes, indoors and outdoors, and places such as bars and cafes
The rule does not apply to schools and workplaces, or weddings, funerals and organised team sports
A full list of exemptions is due to be published before the law changes
People who ignore police could be fined £100 - doubling with each offence to a maximum of £3,200
The change applies to people in England of all ages, and to gatherings indoors and outdoors, in private homes, public outdoor spaces, and venues such as pubs and restaurants.
BBC political correspondent Nick Eardley pointed out that pubs and restaurants would be allowed to have more than six customers inside, but that the groups of six would have to be socially distant from each other.
The "rationale" behind allowing this, but not allowing larger groups of people inside other people's homes, is that businesses can only be open if they follow safety and hygiene measures set out by the government, he added.
The devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are able to set their own coronavirus restrictions and, while largely implementing similar rules, have moved at their own pace during the pandemic.
Downing Street said Mr Johnson held a virtual roundtable with police forces which heard officers wanted clearer rules and enforcement on social contact.
Previously, guidance in England allowed gatherings of up to six people from different households outdoors - or two households or any size, indoors or outdoors.
Overall, there have been 8,396 new cases reported since Sunday - with 2,460 reported on Tuesday alone.
There were also 32 deaths reported, but these will not have been related to the most recent rise in cases.
Large gatherings 'greatest risk'
The rise in cases seen in recent days has caused alarm among ministers and their health advisers.
They believe the UK is at a critical point ahead of the onset of autumn and winter when respiratory viruses tend to thrive.
Close contact within homes remains the most common risk of transmission identified by contact tracers.
Clearly people living with an infected person are most at risk.
But, after that, the most common contact infected individuals have is with visitors to their household, according to data gathered by England's NHS Test and Trace service.
It is ahead of leisure venues, shops, workplaces and health and care settings.
Clearly large gatherings in homes - especially indoors which is more likely to happen when the weather turns - present the greatest risk.
Ministers will also make it clear on Wednesday further restrictions will follow if the rise in infections is not curbed.
The UK government's chief medical adviser, Prof Chris Whitty, who No 10 said backed urgent action in England, has said Covid-19 rates were now rising, especially among people between the ages of 17 and 29.
He warned that if people stopped social distancing then "Covid comes back".
'Relaxed too much'
England's deputy chief medical officer Prof Jonathan Van Tam added: "People have relaxed too much. Now is the time for us to re-engage, and to realise that this is a continuing threat to us."
Among the restrictions imposed on the town was a requirement for hospitality venues to only offer takeaway service and close to customers completely between 22:00 BST and 05:00.
It also became illegal for people in Bolton to socialise with those outside their own household in any setting, even outdoors.
Schools in Bolton will continue to teach pupils as usual, Bolton Council said, as its leader described how Covid-19 was "moving round the borough uncontrolled".
Meanwhile, a new public information campaign will be launched across the UK reminding people of the "basics" - washing their hands, covering their face and giving others space.
If you are reading this page and can't see the form you will need to visit the mobile version of the BBC website to submit your question or comment or you can email us at HaveYourSay@bbc.co.uk. Please include your name, age and location with any submission.
Social gatherings of more than six people will be illegal in England from Monday - with some exemptions - amid a steep rise in coronavirus cases.
A new legal limit will ban larger groups meeting anywhere socially indoors or outdoors, No 10 said.
But it will not apply to schools, workplaces or Covid-secure weddings, funerals and organised team sports.
It will be enforced through a £100 fine if people fail to comply with police, doubling up to a maximum of £3,200.
Several exemptions apply to the new rules - which come into force on 14 September - with households and support bubbles bigger than six people unaffected.
A full list of exemptions will be published by the government later.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to deliver further details at a Downing Street news conference on Wednesday.
In a preview of his address, the PM said: "We need to act now to stop the virus spreading. So we are simplifying and strengthening the rules on social contact - making them easier to understand and for the police to enforce.
"It is absolutely critical that people now abide by these rules and remember the basics - washing your hands, covering your face, keeping space from others, and getting a test if you have symptoms."
No 10 said any group of seven or more people gathering anywhere "risks being dispersed by police or fined for non-compliance".
At-a-glance: What are the new rules?
Social gatherings of more than six people in England will not be allowed in law from Monday 14 September
The new rule applies to private homes, indoors and outdoors, and places such as bars and cafes
The rule does not apply to schools and workplaces, or weddings, funerals and organised team sports
A full list of exemptions is due to be published before the law changes
People who ignore police could be fined £100 - doubling with each offence to a maximum of £3,200
The change applies to England only, to people of all ages, and to gatherings indoors and outdoors, in private homes, public outdoor spaces, and venues such as pubs and restaurants.
The devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are able to set their own coronavirus restrictions and, while largely implementing similar rules, have moved at their own pace during the pandemic.
Downing Street said Mr Johnson held a virtual roundtable with police forces which heard officers wanted clearer rules and enforcement on social contact.
Previously, guidance in England allowed gatherings of up to six people from different households - or up to 30 people from two households.
Overall, there have been 8,396 new cases reported since Sunday - with 2,460 reported on Tuesday alone.
There were also 32 deaths reported, but these will not have been related to the most recent rise in cases.
Large gatherings 'greatest risk'
The rise in cases seen in recent days has caused alarm among ministers and their health advisers.
They believe the UK is at a critical point ahead of the onset of autumn and winter when respiratory viruses tend to thrive.
Close contact within homes remains the most common risk of transmission identified by contact tracers.
Clearly people living with an infected person are most at risk.
But, after that, the most common contact infected individuals have is with visitors to their household, according to data gathered by England's NHS Test and Trace service.
It is ahead of leisure venues, shops, workplaces and health and care settings.
Clearly large gatherings in homes - especially indoors which is more likely to happen when the weather turns - present the greatest risk.
Ministers will also make it clear on Wednesday further restrictions will follow if the rise in infections is not curbed.
The UK government's chief medical adviser, Prof Chris Whitty, who No 10 said backed urgent action in England, has said Covid-19 rates were now rising, especially among people between the ages of 17 and 29.
He warned that if people stopped social distancing then "Covid comes back".
'Relaxed too much'
England's deputy chief medical officer Prof Jonathan Van Tam added: "People have relaxed too much. Now is the time for us to re-engage, and to realise that this is a continuing threat to us."
Among the restrictions imposed on the town was a requirement for hospitality venues to only offer takeaway service and close to customers completely between 22:00 BST and 05:00.
It also became illegal for people in Bolton to socialise with those outside their own household in any setting, even outdoors.
Schools in Bolton will continue to teach pupils as usual, Bolton Council said, as its leader described how Covid-19 was "moving round the borough uncontrolled".
Meanwhile, a new public information campaign will be launched reminding people of the "basics" - washing their hands, covering their face and giving others space.
If you are reading this page and can't see the form you will need to visit the mobile version of the BBC website to submit your question or comment or you can email us at HaveYourSay@bbc.co.uk. Please include your name, age and location with any submission.
