Covid: More talks planned over Christmas rules

Further talks on whether to revise Covid rules over Christmas in the UK will take place on Wednesday.

Cabinet minister Michael Gove discussed the issue with senior politicians in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, but no decisions were made.

A source said there was "recognition commitment has been made", but also that there was a need to be "stronger and clearer in guidance and messaging".

There were discussions on travel, the source added.

A spokeswoman for Northern Ireland's government said scientific advisers would be consulted ahead of any decision, while a Welsh government spokesman said talks on Wednesday would "confirm the position".

It comes after two leading medical journals warned current plans to relax rules from 23 to 27 December were "rash" and would "cost many lives".

Under the agreed Christmas rules, travel restrictions will be eased to allow up to three households to form a bubble and stay overnight at each other's homes.

However, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer called on ministers to hold an emergency review of the plans.

How many people can get together at Christmas?

Earlier, No 10 said the rules were "under constant review" but it still intended to allow families to meet up.

The prime minister's spokesman said the government had been clear that people needed to "remain cautious and vigilant" during the five days of relaxed rules from 23 to 27 December.

In a joint editorial criticising the UK's Christmas rules, the editors of HSJ and BMJ wrote: "We believe the government is about to blunder into another major error that will cost many lives.

"If our political leaders fail to take swift and decisive action, they can no longer claim to be 'protecting the NHS'."

They stressed that demand on the NHS was increasing, and added that a new strain of coronavirus "has introduced further potential jeopardy".

Another 18,450 cases and 506 deaths within 28 days of a positive test were reported in the UK on Tuesday, government figures showed.