Brexit: Boris Johnson tells EU to shift its stance 'substantially' with trade talks in 'serious situation' - Sky News

Boris Johnson has told EU chief Ursula von der Leyen that Brexit trade talks are now in "a serious situation" and that a no-deal outcome is "very likely" unless the EU changes its stance "substantially".

The prime minister spoke to the European Commission president by phone on Thursday evening, in which the two leaders took stock of the current state of EU-UK negotiations.

It comes ahead of the end of the Brexit transition period in two weeks' time.

During the call, Mr Johnson "underlined that the negotiations were now in a serious situation", a Downing Street spokesperson said.

Image: 'Big differences remain to be bridged', according to Ms von der Leyen

The prime minister told Ms Von der Leyen that "time was very short and it now looked very likely that agreement would not be reached unless the EU position changed substantially", Number 10 said.

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The spokesperson added: "He said that we were making every effort to accommodate reasonable EU requests on the level playing field, but even though the gap had narrowed some fundamental areas remained difficult."

So-called level playing field provisions are commitments to fair competition and a set of common rules and standards between the UK and the EU, although the prime minister is keen not to have the UK too closely bound to new Brussels regulations.

More from Brexit

Continuing differences over state aid rules remain a stumbling block to an agreement in this area, according to UK sources.

Mr Johnson was also said to have condemned the EU's position on the issue of fisheries as "simply not reasonable" and told Ms von der Leyen that, if there was to be an agreement, it "needed to shift significantly".

"The prime minister repeated that little time was left," the spokesperson said.

"He said that, if no agreement could be reached, the UK and the EU would part as friends, with the UK trading with the EU on Australian-style terms.

"The leaders agreed to remain in close contact."

Image: There are two weeks until the end of the Brexit transition period

The phrase "Australia-style terms" is Mr Johnson's favoured way of referring to the UK ending the Brexit transition period without a comprehensive free trade deal with the EU.

In her own statement after the phone call, Ms von der Leyen said: "We welcomed substantial progress on many issues.

"Yet big differences remain to be bridged, in particular on fisheries. Bridging them will be very challenging.

"Negotiations will continue tomorrow."

The pound, which has been trading at its highest levels for more than two years on Brexit deal hopes this week, slipped back slightly on the latest update.

Sterling dipped below $1.36 against the US dollar though it was still more than half a cent higher on the day.

After Mr Johnson and Ms von der Leyen's phone call, the UK's chief negotiator Lord Frost warned that "progress seems blocked and time is running out".

Discussions over the UK's future relationship with the EU had continued in Brussels on Thursday morning, with the two teams also having worked until late on Wednesday night.

The European Parliament has set a three-day deadline for a post-Brexit trade deal to be agreed, as it warned MEPs will not have time to ratify an agreement this year unless it is ready by Sunday night.

However, UK sources said they were not tying themselves to that timetable to agree a legal text for a trade deal.

Meanwhile, MPs were sent home from parliament for the Christmas holidays on Thursday, with them not due to return to Westminster until 5 January.

However, Downing Street has said it could recall parliament from its Christmas recess as early as next week, should a trade deal be reached and need to be ratified before the end of the Brexit transition period on 31 December.

Senior cabinet minister Michael Gove downplayed the prospects of a deal being struck when he appeared before a committee of MPs on Thursday afternoon.

He told the House of Commons' Brexit Committee the "most likely outcome" was that the transition period would end without a deal in place.

"I think, regrettably, the chances are more likely that we won't secure an agreement," Mr Gove said.

"So at the moment less than 50%."

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How would no Brexit trade deal affect the price of food?

He added that, although recent talks with the EU had made progress, "significant" differences still remain between the two sides.

"The process of negotiation has managed to narrow down areas of difference," the Cabinet Office minister told MPs.

"It is certainly the case that there are fewer areas of difference now than there were in October or indeed July."

Without a trade deal being in place at the end of the Brexit transition period in two weeks' time, the EU and UK are likely to have to trade on World Trade Organisation rules from 1 January with tariffs imposed in both directions.

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2020-12-17 20:43:24Z
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Brexit: Boris Johnson tells EU to shift its stance 'substantially' with trade talks in 'serious situation' - Sky News

Boris Johnson has told EU chief Ursula von der Leyen that Brexit trade talks are now in "a serious situation" and that a no-deal outcome is "very likely" unless the EU changes its stance "substantially".

The prime minister spoke to the European Commission president by phone on Thursday evening, in which the two leaders took stock of the current state of EU-UK negotiations.

It comes ahead of the end of the Brexit transition period in two weeks' time.

During the call, Mr Johnson "underlined that the negotiations were now in a serious situation", a Downing Street spokesperson said.

Image: 'Big differences remain to be bridged', according to Ms von der Leyen

The prime minister told Ms Von der Leyen that "time was very short and it now looked very likely that agreement would not be reached unless the EU position changed substantially", Number 10 said.

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The spokesperson added: "He said that we were making every effort to accommodate reasonable EU requests on the level playing field, but even though the gap had narrowed some fundamental areas remained difficult."

So-called level playing field provisions are commitments to fair competition and a set of common rules and standards between the UK and the EU, although the prime minister is keen not to have the UK too closely bound to new Brussels regulations.

More from Brexit

Mr Johnson was also said to have condemned the EU's position on the issue of fisheries as "simply not reasonable" and told Ms von der Leyen that, if there was to be an agreement, it "needed to shift significantly".

"The prime minister repeated that little time was left," the spokesperson said.

"He said that, if no agreement could be reached, the UK and the EU would part as friends, with the UK trading with the EU on Australian-style terms.

"The leaders agreed to remain in close contact."

Image: There are two weeks until the end of the Brexit transition period

The phrase "Australia-style terms" is Mr Johnson's favoured way of referring to the UK ending the Brexit transition period without a comprehensive free trade deal with the EU.

In her own statement after the phone call, Ms von der Leyen said: "We welcomed substantial progress on many issues.

"Yet big differences remain to be bridged, in particular on fisheries. Bridging them will be very challenging.

"Negotiations will continue tomorrow."

Discussions over the UK's future relationship with the EU had continued in Brussels on Thursday morning, with the two teams also having worked until late on Wednesday night.

The European Parliament has set a three-day deadline for a post-Brexit trade deal to be agreed, as it warned MEPs will not have time to ratify an agreement this year unless it is ready by Sunday night.

Meanwhile, MPs were sent home from parliament for the Christmas holidays on Thursday, with them not due to return to Westminster until 5 January.

However, Downing Street has said it could recall parliament from its Christmas recess as early as next week, should a trade deal be reached and need to be ratified before the end of the Brexit transition period on 31 December.

Senior cabinet minister Michael Gove downplayed the prospects of a deal being struck when he appeared before a committee of MPs on Thursday afternoon.

He told the House of Commons' Brexit Committee the "most likely outcome" was that the transition period would end without a deal in place.

"I think, regrettably, the chances are more likely that we won't secure an agreement," Mr Gove said.

"So at the moment less than 50%."

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How would no Brexit trade deal affect the price of food?

He added that, although recent talks with the EU had made progress, "significant" differences still remain between the two sides.

"The process of negotiation has managed to narrow down areas of difference," the Cabinet Office minister told MPs.

"It is certainly the case that there are fewer areas of difference now than there were in October or indeed July."

Without a trade deal being in place at the end of the Brexit transition period in two weeks' time, the EU and UK are likely to have to trade on World Trade Organisation rules from 1 January with tariffs imposed in both directions.

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2020-12-17 20:03:45Z
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Boris Johnson and Ursula von der Leyen set for Brexit call tonight - Daily Mail

Ursula says ‘substantial progress’ has been made on Brexit after phone chat with Boris – but negotiations continue with ‘big differences’ that will be ‘very challenging to bridge’ remaining

• Boris Johnson and Ursula von der Leyen are holding Brexit call at 7pm UK time
• Call billed as a 'stocktake' rather than the moment of breakthrough or collapse
• Michael Gove told MPs there is 'less than 50 per cent' chance of deal by Sunday
• European Parliament chiefs today warned a deal must be agreed by Sunday
• They said if it comes later than that they will not have enough time to examine it 
• Michel Barnier said this morning 'good progress' has been made in negotiations  
• Negotiators face race against time as transition period ends on December 31 

By James Robinson for MailOnline and Jack Maidment, Deputy Political Editor For Mailonline

Published: 18:12 GMT, 17 December 2020 | Updated: 20:01 GMT, 17 December 2020

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tonight revealed ‘substantial progress’ has been made on a Brexit deal after a crunch phone call with Boris Johnson.  

But the EU chief also warned ‘big differences’ which will be ‘very challenging to bridge’ still remain, with both sides now set to take negotiations down to the wire.

In a statement released on Twitter following a 7pm phone call with Mr Johnson, Ms von der Leyen said: 'We welcomed substantial progress on many issues.

'Yet big differences remain to be bridged, in particular on fisheries. Bridging them will be very challenging.'

Ms von der Leyen added that negotiations will continue tomorrow. 

It comes after the pair took part in a phone call at 7pm UK time tonight - a conversation billed beforehand as a 'stocktake' rather than a moment of breakthrough or collapse.

Earlier Michael Gove had warned the chances of the UK and the EU agreeing a trade accord by Sunday - the EU's self-imposed deadline for a deal to be reached - were 'less than 50 per cent'. 

The Minister for the Cabinet Office told MPs on the Brexit Select Committee that currently 'the chances are more likely that we won't secure an agreement'. 

Meanwhile, European Parliament chiefs today set a deadline of this weekend for an agreement to be in place. 

They warned that if a deal was to be finalised past that point it would not allow enough time for MEPs to properly scrutinise and then vote for it before the end of the 'standstill' transition period on December 31.

The demand for a deal to be done by the end of Sunday will pile the pressure on negotiators as they try to break the deadlock on crunch issues.  

Boris Johnson and Ursula von der Leyen will speak on the phone this evening to discuss the state of post-Brexit trade talks

Earlier Michael Gove told MPs the chances of the UK and the EU agreeing a trade deal by Sunday are 'less than 50 per cent' 

Michel Barnier today said 'good progress' has been made in post-Brexit trade talks between the UK and the EU 

But the EU's chief negotiator warned there the 'last stumbling blocks remain' as he said negotiations are in the 'final stretch'

What are the sticking points in Brexit talks? 

FISHING

The UK has insisted that it will take back control of its coastal waters from the end of the transition period.

But the EU was demanding its fleets maintain previous levels of access - with Emmanuel Macron under particular pressure from the French fishing industry.   

Initially the UK said it wanted to reclaim 80 per cent of the EU quotas from January 1.

However, Brussels suggested that only 18 per cent should be restored.

The two sides are thought to be close to a 'landing zone' that includes a transition period, perhaps of five or seven years. However, there is no settlement yet.

LEVEL PLAYING FIELD 

The EU has insisted the UK commits to 'level playing field' provisions, guaranteeing it will not undercut businesses on the continent by rolling out lower environmental standards and regulations.

State aid has emerged as a particular issue, especially as coronavirus makes swathes of the economy unviable. 

But the UK says it must regain sovereign powers to decide on rules, even though it has no plans to lower standards or warp competition by subsidising the private sector. 

It appeared this area was close to resolution before France reportedly laid down a series of extra conditions including huge punishments in the form of tariffs for breaking the rules.

Although the UK is happy with 'non-regression' - meaning current standards are accepted as a baseline - it has dismissed demands to obey rules made by the bloc in future.

Michel Barnier told EU ambassadors this week the UK is now willing to accept the need for a 'rebalancing mechanism' on rules which could resolve the row. 

GOVERNANCE

The enforcement of any deal, and who decides whether rules are broken, has been one of the flashpoints from the start.

Breaking free of the European Court of Justice was among the biggest demands of Brexiteers at the EU referendum. 

But Brussels has been pushing to keep control of the governance, as well as insisting on tough fines and punitive tariffs for breaches.  

The governance issue is heavily linked to that of the 'level playing field' with a breakthrough on the latter likely to pave the way for a breakthrough on the former. 

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Michel Barnier, the EU's chief negotiator, raised hopes of an agreement being in sight this morning as he said 'good progress' had been made as talks enter the 'final stretch'.

But he also warned the 'last stumbling blocks remain' and Brussels 'will only sign a deal protecting EU interests and principles'. 

Last night Mr Johnson told MPs they will be called back from their Christmas break to vote for a deal should one be agreed. 

There has been growing optimism in recent days that the UK and the EU are not far away from agreeing a trade deal after months of stalemate. 

But Mr Gove delivered a blow to hopes of an accord being imminent this afternoon as he told MPs: 'My new resolution adopted from a few weeks ago is to avoid giving percentages.

'But I think at the moment actually I think regrettably the chances are more likely that we won't secure an agreement.

'So at the moment, less than 50 per cent.'

Mr Gove had been asked what the chances are of a deal being in place by Sunday after European Parliament group leaders said that is the latest they will accept an accord to be scrutinised and voted on.

The leaders adopted a declaration this morning stating that they will not vote on the Brexit deal before the end of the year if they cannot access its text by the end of the weekend.

The declaration from the Conference of Presidents, initiated by Spanish member Iratxe Garcia Perez, states they are ready to hold an extraordinary session at the end of December if an agreement is reached by midnight on Sunday December 21.

It also calls for a provisional text of the trade agreement to be made available to European Parliament members as soon as possible.

Britain and Brussels remain split on two crunch issues: Fishing rights and the so-called 'level playing field' on rules. 

Progress has been made on the latter but the dispute over future EU access to UK waters is threatening to torpedo the talks, with no breakthrough in sight.

Mr Barnier struck a more optimistic than expected tone this morning as negotiations continue in Brussels.  

He tweeted: 'In this final stretch of talks, transparency & unity are important as ever: Debriefed [European Parliament] Conference of Presidents this morning on negotiations.

'Good progress, but last stumbling blocks remain. We will only sign a deal protecting EU interests & principles.' 

Any deal agreed by the UK and the EU will have to be voted on and approved by both the British Parliament and the European Parliament before it can be rolled out. 

MPs are due to break for Christmas from this evening but Downing Street has said they will be recalled at 48 hours' notice should a deal be agreed.  

Number 10 said: 'Parliament has long shown it can move at pace and the country would expect nothing less.'

The ratification process is expected to take a number of days, with the negotiators now under massive time pressure to get a deal over the line as soon as possible.

A failure to agree and ratify a deal by the end of December 31 will force Britain and the bloc to trade on basic World Trade Organisation terms from January 1, with tariffs imposed on goods.  

Ms von der Leyen raised hopes of a deal yesterday as she said there is a path to an accord but warned it is 'very narrow'.

Mr Johnson last night told MPs they will be recalled from their Christmas break to vote on a deal should one be agreed

She said progress had been made on the 'level playing field' on rules but outlined her fear that the fishing issue may never be resolved. 

Addressing the European Parliament, she said: 'As things stand I cannot tell you whether there will be a deal or not but I can tell you that there is a path to an agreement now.

'The path may be very narrow but it is there and it is therefore our responsibility to continue trying.

'The good news is that we have found a way forward on most issues but this is now a case of us being so close and yet being so far away from each other.

'Because two issues still remain outstanding, you know them, the level playing field and the fisheries.'   

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2020-12-17 19:52:30Z
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Boris Johnson and Ursula von der Leyen set for Brexit call tonight - Daily Mail

Boris will speak to Ursula TONIGHT: PM and EU chief will hold crunch phone call to discuss state of Brexit trade talks after Michael Gove warns chances of a deal by Sunday are 'less than 50 per cent'

• Boris Johnson and Ursula von der Leyen are holding Brexit call at 7pm UK time
• Call billed as a 'stocktake' rather than the moment of breakthrough or collapse
• Michael Gove told MPs there is 'less than 50 per cent' chance of deal by Sunday
• European Parliament chiefs today warned a deal must be agreed by Sunday
• They said if it comes later than that they will not have enough time to examine it 
• Michel Barnier said this morning 'good progress' has been made in negotiations  
• Negotiators face race against time as transition period ends on December 31 

By Jack Maidment, Deputy Political Editor For Mailonline

Published: 18:12 GMT, 17 December 2020 | Updated: 18:39 GMT, 17 December 2020

Boris Johnson and Ursula von der Leyen will discuss the state of post-Brexit trade talks in a crunch phone call this evening. 

The Prime Minister is expected to speak to the President of the European Commission at 7pm UK time.

The conversation has been billed as a 'stocktake' rather than the moment of breakthrough or collapse. 

It comes after Michael Gove warned the chances of the UK and the EU agreeing a trade accord by Sunday are 'less than 50 per cent'. 

The Minister for the Cabinet Office told MPs on the Brexit Select Committee that currently 'the chances are more likely that we won't secure an agreement'. 

Meanwhile, European Parliament chiefs today set a deadline of this weekend for an agreement to be in place. 

They warned that if a deal was to be finalised past that point it would not allow enough time for MEPs to properly scrutinise and then vote for it before the end of the 'standstill' transition period on December 31.

The demand for a deal to be done by the end of Sunday will pile the pressure on negotiators as they try to break the deadlock on crunch issues. 

Michel Barnier, the EU's chief negotiator, raised hopes of an agreement being in sight this morning as he said 'good progress' had been made as talks enter the 'final stretch'.

But he also warned the 'last stumbling blocks remain' and Brussels 'will only sign a deal protecting EU interests and principles'. 

Last night Mr Johnson told MPs they will be called back from their Christmas break to vote for a deal should one be agreed. 

Boris Johnson and Ursula von der Leyen will speak on the phone this evening to discuss the state of post-Brexit trade talks

Earlier Michael Gove told MPs the chances of the UK and the EU agreeing a trade deal by Sunday are 'less than 50 per cent' 

Michel Barnier today said 'good progress' has been made in post-Brexit trade talks between the UK and the EU 

But the EU's chief negotiator warned there the 'last stumbling blocks remain' as he said negotiations are in the 'final stretch'

What are the sticking points in Brexit talks? 

FISHING

The UK has insisted that it will take back control of its coastal waters from the end of the transition period.

But the EU was demanding its fleets maintain previous levels of access - with Emmanuel Macron under particular pressure from the French fishing industry.   

Initially the UK said it wanted to reclaim 80 per cent of the EU quotas from January 1.

However, Brussels suggested that only 18 per cent should be restored.

The two sides are thought to be close to a 'landing zone' that includes a transition period, perhaps of five or seven years. However, there is no settlement yet.

LEVEL PLAYING FIELD 

The EU has insisted the UK commits to 'level playing field' provisions, guaranteeing it will not undercut businesses on the continent by rolling out lower environmental standards and regulations.

State aid has emerged as a particular issue, especially as coronavirus makes swathes of the economy unviable. 

But the UK says it must regain sovereign powers to decide on rules, even though it has no plans to lower standards or warp competition by subsidising the private sector. 

It appeared this area was close to resolution before France reportedly laid down a series of extra conditions including huge punishments in the form of tariffs for breaking the rules.

Although the UK is happy with 'non-regression' - meaning current standards are accepted as a baseline - it has dismissed demands to obey rules made by the bloc in future.

Michel Barnier told EU ambassadors this week the UK is now willing to accept the need for a 'rebalancing mechanism' on rules which could resolve the row. 

GOVERNANCE

The enforcement of any deal, and who decides whether rules are broken, has been one of the flashpoints from the start.

Breaking free of the European Court of Justice was among the biggest demands of Brexiteers at the EU referendum. 

But Brussels has been pushing to keep control of the governance, as well as insisting on tough fines and punitive tariffs for breaches.  

The governance issue is heavily linked to that of the 'level playing field' with a breakthrough on the latter likely to pave the way for a breakthrough on the former. 

Advertisement

There has been growing optimism in recent days that the UK and the EU are not far away from agreeing a trade deal after months of stalemate. 

But Mr Gove delivered a blow to hopes of an accord being imminent this afternoon as he told MPs: 'My new resolution adopted from a few weeks ago is to avoid giving percentages.

'But I think at the moment actually I think regrettably the chances are more likely that we won't secure an agreement.

'So at the moment, less than 50 per cent.'

Mr Gove had been asked what the chances are of a deal being in place by Sunday after European Parliament group leaders said that is the latest they will accept an accord to be scrutinised and voted on.

The leaders adopted a declaration this morning stating that they will not vote on the Brexit deal before the end of the year if they cannot access its text by the end of the weekend.

The declaration from the Conference of Presidents, initiated by Spanish member Iratxe Garcia Perez, states they are ready to hold an extraordinary session at the end of December if an agreement is reached by midnight on Sunday December 21.

It also calls for a provisional text of the trade agreement to be made available to European Parliament members as soon as possible.

Britain and Brussels remain split on two crunch issues: Fishing rights and the so-called 'level playing field' on rules. 

Progress has been made on the latter but the dispute over future EU access to UK waters is threatening to torpedo the talks, with no breakthrough in sight.

Mr Barnier struck a more optimistic than expected tone this morning as negotiations continue in Brussels.  

He tweeted: 'In this final stretch of talks, transparency & unity are important as ever: Debriefed [European Parliament] Conference of Presidents this morning on negotiations.

'Good progress, but last stumbling blocks remain. We will only sign a deal protecting EU interests & principles.' 

Any deal agreed by the UK and the EU will have to be voted on and approved by both the British Parliament and the European Parliament before it can be rolled out. 

MPs are due to break for Christmas from this evening but Downing Street has said they will be recalled at 48 hours' notice should a deal be agreed.  

Number 10 said: 'Parliament has long shown it can move at pace and the country would expect nothing less.'

The ratification process is expected to take a number of days, with the negotiators now under massive time pressure to get a deal over the line as soon as possible.

A failure to agree and ratify a deal by the end of December 31 will force Britain and the bloc to trade on basic World Trade Organisation terms from January 1, with tariffs imposed on goods.  

Ms von der Leyen raised hopes of a deal yesterday as she said there is a path to an accord but warned it is 'very narrow'.

Mr Johnson last night told MPs they will be recalled from their Christmas break to vote on a deal should one be agreed

She said progress had been made on the 'level playing field' on rules but outlined her fear that the fishing issue may never be resolved. 

Addressing the European Parliament, she said: 'As things stand I cannot tell you whether there will be a deal or not but I can tell you that there is a path to an agreement now.

'The path may be very narrow but it is there and it is therefore our responsibility to continue trying.

'The good news is that we have found a way forward on most issues but this is now a case of us being so close and yet being so far away from each other.

'Because two issues still remain outstanding, you know them, the level playing field and the fisheries.'   

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2020-12-17 18:12:00Z
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COVID-19: UK reports 35,383 more daily coronavirus cases and further 532 deaths - Sky News

The UK has reported 35,383 more daily COVID-19 cases and an additional 532 deaths.

That's a rise of 10,222 infections on the previous day; however, Thursday's numbers also include a backlog of around 11,000 cases that hadn't been reported earlier due to a technical delay in Wales.

Maintenance work was carried out on Public Health Wales' computer systems at the end of last week, meaning the daily infection count missed official figures between 9 and 15 December.

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Matt Hancock revealed to the Commons which areas would be going into Tier 3

A total of 1,948,660 people have now tested positive for the disease in the UK.

The 532 deaths recorded in the latest 24-hour period marks a fall of 80 from the 612 deaths reported on Wednesday.

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A total of 66,052 people have died within 28 days of testing positive for COVID-19.

With just over a week to go until Christmas Day, infections have continued to rise in many parts of the UK.

More from Covid-19

Two-thirds of England's population are now under the toughest Tier 3 measures, with large swathes of the South East being moved into Tier 3 on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Wales has reduced the number of households allowed to meet at Christmas to two.

People across the UK are being urged to keep their festive gatherings to a minimum this year to avoid spreading coronavirus between loved ones.

In a joint statement on Wednesday night, the four nations warned that a "smaller Christmas is a safer Christmas, and a shorter Christmas is a safer Christmas".

Live COVID-19 updates from the UK and around the world

The latest numbers also come amid reports of several health trusts being forced to divert routine procedures elsewhere due to high numbers of COVID-19 patients.

Barts Health NHS Trust, which serves around 2.5 million people in east London, said the deferrals were being made due to "high pressure" on its winter plan, while Mid and South Essex NHS Trust said it was also postponing some non-urgent operations.

In parts of South Wales, all non-urgent surgery, outpatient clinics and specialist nurse services are on hold.

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2020-12-17 16:53:57Z
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Toughest Covid rules extended in south of England - BBC News

Millions of people in the east and south-east of England will face the toughest Covid-19 rules from Saturday, the health secretary has said.

Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Hertfordshire will be subject to tier three rules, as will parts of Surrey, East Sussex, Cambridgeshire and Hampshire.

Swathes of the nation already in tier three will remain there.

Matt Hancock told MPs: "We've come so far, we mustn't blow it now."

Bristol and North Somerset will move from tier three to tier two, and Herefordshire will move from tier two into tier one.

The changes come into effect at 00:01 on Saturday.

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It means that 68% of England's population - 38 million people - will be living in tier three from the weekend. Some 30% of the population will be in tier two, while just 2% will be in tier one.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said he was concerned the tier system was "just not strong enough to control the virus".

"We've been seeing the numbers going in the wrong direction across the country in the last seven days in particular," he added.

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham said he was "not surprised but very disappointed" that the region was staying in tier three, having called for some parts to be downgraded.

Greater Manchester was first placed in tier three on 23 October and has had restrictions on groups meeting indoors since July.

He told BBC Radio 4's World at One that Greater Manchester has lower infection rates than Liverpool and London had "when they were originally put into" tier two.

"It feels like if... London and the South East has rising cases, everyone stays under restrictions," he said.

Announcing the outcome of the first formal review of the new tiering system in England, Mr Hancock said "no-one wants tougher restrictions any longer than necessary".

However, he said "these are always the most difficult months for people's health" and we "must keep suppressing this virus".

Cases have risen by 46% in the past week in the south-east of England, he told MPs, and were up by two-thirds in the east of England.

Meanwhile, the government has announced the return to school in January will be staggered for secondary pupils in England, with some starting term online rather than in class.

It will allow schools to set up a Covid testing scheme - but exam-year pupils will start term as usual.

There will also be a staggered return for schools in Wales after the Christmas break.

Which areas are changing tiers?

The health secretary said from 00:01 Saturday 19 December:

• Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Peterborough, the whole of Hertfordshire, Surrey (except Waverley), Hastings and Rother, Portsmouth, Gosport and Havant will move into tier three.
• Bristol and North Somerset will be moved down to tier two.
• Herefordshire will move from tier two to tier one.

With the majority of the country in the highest tier, many will be wondering how long it will be before the rules are relaxed.

Tier three now contains a variety of different patterns.

Large parts of the North have seen cases fall and now have lower than average infection rates, although there are signs those decreases have stalled.

Other areas, such as some of the home counties, have low rates that are rising.

But there are places - east London and the surrounding areas - that have high rates that are rising.

The fact that they are all in tier three is a sign of caution from ministers.

That, of course, is because of the Christmas relaxation - and fear it could lead to a spike in cases.

If that happens, tier three could become the norm for months - maybe accompanied by a third lockdown.

That would leave the government and public pinning everything on the vaccine programme.

Earlier this week, ministers said a good start had been made with more than 137,000 people vaccinated.

But there are more than 25 million in the priority groups - 12 million of them over the age of 65.

In theory, two million could be vaccinated every week, but that depends on multiple things going right.

The fear is this could become the status quo for many until the spring.

Around 34 million people have already been living under tier three rules.

London, most of Essex and parts of Hertfordshire were placed under the strictest curbs on social contacts on Wednesday.

They joined much of the Midlands, north-west England and north-east England.

The news Greater Manchester would remain in tier three provoked anger from some of the area's MPs, including Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the influential 1922 Committee of Conservative backbenchers.

"The statement will be greeted with dismay in Greater Manchester where we have had severe restrictions for nine months, where in nine of the 10 boroughs rates are below the national average," he said.

And the West Midlands' Conservative mayor Andy Street called for more government funding to support businesses in tier three areas.

Leaders in areas moving from tier two to tier three also expressed their concerns.

Stephen McPartland, Conservative MP for Stevenage in Hertfordshire, tweeted that it was "ridiculous" the town is "being dragged into" tier three.

He said tiers "should be imposed on a district basis instead of this unbalanced county-wide approach".

Gerald Vernon-Jackson, the Liberal Democrat leader of Portsmouth City Council, said the decision to introduce the toughest measures there was "bizarre".

He said he was "slightly surprised" because he had been told that "the problem" was with the city's Queen Alexandra Hospital.

However, the hospital also serves nearby local authorities, such as Fareham and Winchester City, which were not being moved up.

"The government has made a number of bizarre decisions, so it's no surprise they have made another one," he said.

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Elsewhere in the UK, BBC News understands that health officials in Northern Ireland have proposed a six-week lockdown in an attempt to curb the spread of the virus.

In Wales, non-essential shops will close from the end of trading on Christmas Eve, with an alert level four lockdown starting four days later.

And in Scotland, the deputy first minister warned that tougher restrictions - including a potential lockdown - after the festive period cannot be ruled out.

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What are your plans for Christmas? How will you be affected by the rule changes? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.

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2020-12-17 16:08:00Z
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