skynewspolitics--2020-12-14--Government orders schools in London borough to remain open - against council's wishes

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has ordered schools in a south London borough to remain open following the local council 's plans to close early for Christmas and move to online learning .
Mr Williamson on Monday night issued a `` temporary continuity direction '' to the Royal Borough of Greenwich , following a letter sent by the council to headteachers on Sunday .
Greenwich council - in similar action to Islington Council in north London and Waltham Forest Council in east London - had urged schools to shut from Monday evening and move to online learning for the rest of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 rates in the borough .
How much are schools driving London 's latest coronavirus spike ?
See the data .
But Mr Williamson has now taken action in a bid to keep pupils in classrooms in Greenwich , which - along with the rest of London - will move into Tier 3 restrictions on Wednesday .
`` It is simply not in children 's best interests for schools in Greenwich , Islington or elsewhere to close their doors , '' the education secretary said .
`` Schools and colleges up and down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incredible resilience in the face of this pandemic - and it 's down to the hard work of teachers and staff that millions of children and young people have been able to benefit from a face-to-face education and be with their friends .
`` I have always been clear that using legal powers is a last resort but continuity of education is a national priority .
`` That 's why I wo n't hesitate to do what is right for young people and have issued a direction to Greenwich Council setting out that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ headteachers on Sunday . ''
The direction , made under coronavirus powers , states it is enforceable by Mr Williamson making an application to the High Court or the county court for an injunction if the council does not comply .
Cllr Danny Thorpe , the leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich , said the council was `` in the process of seeking legal advice and will respond to the government in the morning '' .
Some schools in the borough have already organised online learning from tomorrow , while others are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We have alerted schools , and will speak to them tomorrow , '' Mr Thorpe added .
`` But given we received this notification just before 5pm , it was impossible to ask schools to change any of the arrangements they have in place for Tuesday . ''
The Department for Education had earlier written to Greenwich and Islington councils to inform them it would consider issuing legal directions to require schools to stay open if the two boroughs refused to change their position .
London mayor Sadiq Khan has called on Prime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secondary schools and colleges in the capital early and to allow them to reopen later in January because of `` outbreaks '' among 10 to 19-year-olds .
Meanwhile , Essex County Council has said nearly all secondary schools in Basildon have moved to full remote education .
Parts of Essex will be moving into Tier 3 restrictions from Wednesday - as will some of Hertfordshire , and the entirety of the capital .
While schools are supposed to remain open regardless of which tier they fall into , the heightened restrictions being introduced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increased in those areas .
And the latest data from the Office for National Statistics ( ONS ) shows that about one in 50 secondary school pupils is infected - twice the rate of adults over the age of 25 .
Asked about the schools issue at a regular briefing with journalists , the prime minister 's spokesman said : `` We 've consistently said that not being in school has a detrimental impact on children 's learning as well as their own personal development and mental health .
`` Which is why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remain open until the end of term on Thursday , as schools have remained open throughout the pandemic . ''
Under coronavirus legislation passed earlier this year , the government has the power to issue `` directions '' to headteachers around education provision during the pandemic .
Mr Williamson could apply for a High Court injunction forcing schools to remain open .
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said he was `` very reluctant '' to see schools close .
He told his LBC radio phone-in : `` I 'm worried about closing schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders are put in a difficult situation now . ''
Asked what he would say to London mayor Mr Khan , the Labour leader said : `` Talk to the health secretary about what we can do this week to keep schools open , try to keep them open this week . ''
Schools in England have been told that they can take an inset day on Friday in order to allow staff to have a `` proper break '' from identifying potential cases of coronavirus .
But school leaders have been demanding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in-person teaching earlier to reduce the risk of pupils and staff having to self-isolate over Christmas .
Kevin Courtney , joint general secretary of the National Education Union ( NEU ) , said other local authorities should `` take the same decision '' as Greenwich Council .
He said : `` The government should have been planning for this weeks ago .
`` They have now started to recognise the blindingly obvious fact that transmission is happening in schools and that this can spread to families .
Much more is needed to control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communities . ''
Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Geoff Barton , general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders ( ASCL ) , said it was `` deeply unfair '' that schools , their pupils and their families have been `` caught between the heavy-handed approach of central government and increasing alarm at local infection rates '' .
`` Although it is now incredibly late in the day , the government must remove the threat of legal action and allow schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make on behalf of their staff and children , '' he said .
`` In the future , it must allow for more nuanced responses to local infection rates and the huge disruption affecting many schools rather than insisting on a one-size-fits-all approach . ''

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has ordered schools in a south London borough to remain open following the local council's plans to close early for Christmas and move to online learning.
Mr Williamson on Monday night issued a "temporary continuity direction" to the Royal Borough of Greenwich, following a letter sent by the council to headteachers on Sunday.
Greenwich council - in similar action to Islington Council in north London and Waltham Forest Council in east London - had urged schools to shut from Monday evening and move to online learning for the rest of the current term, due to rising COVID-19 rates in the borough.
How much are schools driving London's latest coronavirus spike? See the data.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:53 London mayor on school closures
But Mr Williamson has now taken action in a bid to keep pupils in classrooms in Greenwich, which - along with the rest of London - will move into Tier 3 restrictions on Wednesday.
"It is simply not in children's best interests for schools in Greenwich, Islington or elsewhere to close their doors," the education secretary said.
"Schools and colleges up and down the country in all tiers have shown incredible resilience in the face of this pandemic - and it's down to the hard work of teachers and staff that millions of children and young people have been able to benefit from a face-to-face education and be with their friends.
"I have always been clear that using legal powers is a last resort but continuity of education is a national priority.
"That's why I won't hesitate to do what is right for young people and have issued a direction to Greenwich Council setting out that they must withdraw the letter issued to headteachers on Sunday."
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The direction, made under coronavirus powers, states it is enforceable by Mr Williamson making an application to the High Court or the county court for an injunction if the council does not comply.
Cllr Danny Thorpe, the leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, said the council was "in the process of seeking legal advice and will respond to the government in the morning".
Some schools in the borough have already organised online learning from tomorrow, while others are remaining open to all pupils.
"We have alerted schools, and will speak to them tomorrow," Mr Thorpe added.
"But given we received this notification just before 5pm, it was impossible to ask schools to change any of the arrangements they have in place for Tuesday."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 6:03 'Schools should be the last thing to close'
The Department for Education had earlier written to Greenwich and Islington councils to inform them it would consider issuing legal directions to require schools to stay open if the two boroughs refused to change their position.
London mayor Sadiq Khan has called on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to consider closing all secondary schools and colleges in the capital early and to allow them to reopen later in January because of "outbreaks" among 10 to 19-year-olds.
Meanwhile, Essex County Council has said nearly all secondary schools in Basildon have moved to full remote education.
Parts of Essex will be moving into Tier 3 restrictions from Wednesday - as will some of Hertfordshire, and the entirety of the capital.
While schools are supposed to remain open regardless of which tier they fall into, the heightened restrictions being introduced are indicative of how COVID-19 transmission has increased in those areas.
And the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that about one in 50 secondary school pupils is infected - twice the rate of adults over the age of 25.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:49 Mass testing for schools in worst-affected areas
Asked about the schools issue at a regular briefing with journalists, the prime minister's spokesman said: "We've consistently said that not being in school has a detrimental impact on children's learning as well as their own personal development and mental health.
"Which is why we expect all schools and colleges to remain open until the end of term on Thursday, as schools have remained open throughout the pandemic."
Under coronavirus legislation passed earlier this year, the government has the power to issue "directions" to headteachers around education provision during the pandemic.
Mr Williamson could apply for a High Court injunction forcing schools to remain open.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said he was "very reluctant" to see schools close.
He told his LBC radio phone-in: "I'm worried about closing schools early but equally I can see council leaders are put in a difficult situation now."
Asked what he would say to London mayor Mr Khan, the Labour leader said: "Talk to the health secretary about what we can do this week to keep schools open, try to keep them open this week."
Schools in England have been told that they can take an inset day on Friday in order to allow staff to have a "proper break" from identifying potential cases of coronavirus.
But school leaders have been demanding more flexibility to allow them to end in-person teaching earlier to reduce the risk of pupils and staff having to self-isolate over Christmas.
Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the National Education Union (NEU), said other local authorities should "take the same decision" as Greenwich Council.
He said: "The government should have been planning for this weeks ago.
"They have now started to recognise the blindingly obvious fact that transmission is happening in schools and that this can spread to families. Much more is needed to control the virus in schools and to protect communities."
Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said it was "deeply unfair" that schools, their pupils and their families have been "caught between the heavy-handed approach of central government and increasing alarm at local infection rates".
"Although it is now incredibly late in the day, the government must remove the threat of legal action and allow schools to make the decisions they need to make on behalf of their staff and children," he said.
"In the future, it must allow for more nuanced responses to local infection rates and the huge disruption affecting many schools rather than insisting on a one-size-fits-all approach."


skynewspolitics--2020-12-15--Gove to hold talks with devolved nations over relaxation of rules at Christmas

Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove will speak with the devolved nations later this afternoon about next week 's relaxation of coronavirus rules over Christmas , Sky News understands .
The call is expected to take place at around 5pm , it is believed .
Sky News understands that potential alternative options that could emerge include : • Keeping the rules as they are but toughening up the messaging • Reducing the number of days the rules are relaxed for • Reducing the number of households that are allowed to mix • Still allowing travel but restricting it to the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time .
Under plans agreed with the devolved administrations of Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland , up to three households will be able to form a `` Christmas bubble '' and meet between 23 and 27 December .
But the government is facing growing calls to to rethink its relaxation of restrictions over the festive period , amid rising infection rates in some parts of the country .
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has urged Boris Johnson to think again , a call that has been echoed by London mayor Sadiq Khan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ministers should `` follow the more cautious examples of Germany , Italy and the Netherlands '' and not relax the rules .
In a rare joint editorial , the British Medical Journal and Health Service Journal said the government should `` reverse its rash decision to allow household mixing and instead extend the tiers over the five-day Christmas period '' .

Talks between the four nations of the UK over the relaxation of coronavirus rules for Christmas are set to continue today, amid calls for a rethink due to rising infection rates.
Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove spoke with the leaders of the devolved administrations on Tuesday evening ahead of next week's planned easing of COVID restrictions.
At present, it is planned that - across the whole UK - up to three households will be able to form a "Christmas bubble" and meet for five days between 23 and 27 December.
Travel restrictions will also be lifted during the same five-day period.
However, rising coronavirus rates in some parts of the UK have prompted calls for a rethink of the planned loosening of current restrictions over the festive period.
A Welsh government spokesman confirmed the national leaders would speak again with Mr Gove on Wednesday afternoon, adding that "nothing has been decided at this point".
A spokeswoman for Northern Ireland's First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said: "Following this evening's call with counterparts in England, Scotland and Wales, ministers will discuss the current situation with medical and scientific advisers."
"It is expected that an update will be brought to the Executive on Thursday."
Meanwhile, a source told Sky News that more talks to try and keep UK-wide rules aligned would be held on Wednesday, but that Christmas rules in England were unlikely to change.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 6:30 SAGE member calls for Christmas changes
Sky News understands that potential alternative options that could emerge from the discussions include:
Keeping the rules as they are but toughening up the messaging
Reducing the number of days the rules are relaxed for
Reducing the number of households that are allowed to mix
Still allowing travel but restricting it to the same region
Moving the window to another time.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock told MPs on Monday that the last week had seen "very sharp, exponential rises in the virus across London, Kent, parts of Essex and Hertfordshire".
In a sign that there might be resistance towards a change in approach among the devolved nations, Wales' First Minister Mark Drakeford earlier on Tuesday described the four nations' approach to Christmas as a "hard-won agreement" and said he will "not lightly put it aside".
Prior to the call, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon had said there was "a case for us looking at whether we tighten the flexibilities that were given any further".
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is among those urging Prime Minister Boris Johnson to think again, a call that has been echoed by London mayor Sadiq Khan.
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In a letter to the prime minister, Sir Keir said that while he understood that people will want to spend time with their loved ones after an "awful year", the situation has "clearly taken a turn for the worse since the decision about Christmas was taken".
In a broadcast interview, the Labour leader said the "only responsible thing" is to review the Christmas rules and "see whether they need to be toughened up".
"The risk otherwise is we don't protect the NHS and protect the economy going into January and February," he added.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:49 Govt 'not right' on Xmas rules
And Mr Khan told Sky News: "What I'd say to the government is I'm not sure you've got it right, in fact I'm sure you haven't got it right in relation to the relaxations over Christmas."
Two prominent medical journals have said ministers should "follow the more cautious examples of Germany, Italy and the Netherlands" and not relax the rules.
In a rare joint editorial, the British Medical Journal and Health Service Journal said the government should "reverse its rash decision to allow household mixing and instead extend the tiers over the five-day Christmas period".
The government is "about to blunder into another major error that will cost many lives", the journals warned.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:30 'Balance to be struck' over Christmas guidelines
A snap YouGov poll of British adults on Tuesday revealed that 57% of respondents believed the relaxation of COVID rules over Christmas should be dropped, with the current restrictions maintained instead.
By contrast, 31% said the easing of rules over the festive period should go ahead as planned.
Speaking at a regular briefing with journalists at Tuesday lunchtime, the PM's spokesman said it remained the government's "intention" to allow up to three households to mix over Christmas.
The spokesman said the data will be kept "under constant review", but ministers wanted to "give families and friends the option to meet up".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:44 Hancock defends easing restrictions over Christmas
Conservative MP and former minister Mark Harper, who chairs the COVID Recovery Group (CRG) of Tory lockdown sceptics, has suggested that MPs should get a vote if the government opts to change the Christmas restrictions.


skynewspolitics--2020-12-15--Weekly COVID testing to be made available for secondary schools and colleges

Weekly rapid coronavirus tests will be available for secondary schools and colleges in England next month , the government has announced .
As part of the initial rollout , all members of staff will be eligible for weekly rapid COVID-19 tests .
Live COVID-19 updates from the UK and around the world If students are identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive for the virus , they will be eligible for daily testing for seven days .
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said the `` huge expansion '' of testing is a `` milestone moment in our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for all '' .
`` I know it has taken a phenomenal effort from everyone to ensure approximately 99 % of schools have been open each week since the start of term , '' he continued .
`` Testing on this scale brings real benefits to education , it means more children , teachers and staff can stay in their classes in schools and colleges without the need to self-isolate . ''
The announcement comes after Greenwich Council in southeast London said it had `` no choice '' but to tell schools to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the government .
The council - in similar action to Islington Council in north London and Waltham Forest Council in east London - had urged schools to shut from Monday evening and move to online learning for the rest of the current term , due to rising coronavirus rates in the borough .
Latest government figures show that the proportion of children in state schools in England fell last week .
According to the Department for Education , pupil attendance in secondary schools fell from 81 % to 80 % on 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 9 % of state school pupils - as many as 694,000 children - were not in school because of COVID-19 related reasons on that day .
Over a quarter ( 28 % ) of schools said they had one or more pupils self-isolating who were told to do so due to potential contact with a coronavirus case inside the school , the same proportion as the week before .

Weekly rapid coronavirus tests will be available for secondary schools and colleges in England next month, the government has announced.
As part of the initial rollout, all members of staff will be eligible for weekly rapid COVID-19 tests.
Live COVID-19 updates from the UK and around the world
If students are identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive for the virus, they will be eligible for daily testing for seven days.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said the "huge expansion" of testing is a "milestone moment in our work to keep schools and colleges open for all".
Image: Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said: 'Testing on this scale brings real benefits to education'
"I know it has taken a phenomenal effort from everyone to ensure approximately 99% of schools have been open each week since the start of term," he continued.
"Testing on this scale brings real benefits to education, it means more children, teachers and staff can stay in their classes in schools and colleges without the need to self-isolate."
The announcement comes after Greenwich Council in southeast London said it had "no choice" but to tell schools to stay open following threats of legal action from the government.
The council - in similar action to Islington Council in north London and Waltham Forest Council in east London - had urged schools to shut from Monday evening and move to online learning for the rest of the current term, due to rising coronavirus rates in the borough.
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Latest government figures show that the proportion of children in state schools in England fell last week.
According to the Department for Education, pupil attendance in secondary schools fell from 81% to 80% on 10 December.
Approximately between 7% and 9% of state school pupils - as many as 694,000 children - were not in school because of COVID-19 related reasons on that day.
Over a quarter (28%) of schools said they had one or more pupils self-isolating who were told to do so due to potential contact with a coronavirus case inside the school, the same proportion as the week before.


skynewspolitics--2020-12-15--Council backs down in fight with govt over closing schools due to rising COVID rates

The leader of a London borough has said he has `` no choice '' but to tell schools to stay open following threats of legal action from the government .
Greenwich council 's Danny Thorpe insisted it was not the `` correct choice '' but that he could not `` justify the use of public funds to fight the decision in the courts '' .
Live updates on coronavirus from UK and around world It follows an order yesterday by Education Secretary Gavin Williamson that schools must stay open .
Several schools in the capital , which tomorrow is going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of coronavirus restrictions - have said they want to move to online learning for the rest of the term due to rising COVID-19 rates .
Infections are said to be increasing quickest among those aged 10-19 , with the government promising to roll out mass testing to schools in some boroughs to counter the spread in the run up to Christmas .
But that is taking time and there are fears children could pass on the virus to vulnerable family members during the five day rule relaxation where people from three households can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Three London councils - Greenwich in the south , Islington in the north and Waltham Forest in the east - had urged schools to shut early to help curb a resurgence of cases .
And mayor Sadiq Khan said Prime Minister Boris Johnson should consider letting all secondary schools and colleges in the city close early and allow them to re-open later in January .
But the government has resisted those calls , with Mr Williamson saying yesterday : `` It is simply not in children 's best interests for schools in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their doors . ''
Now Mr Thorpe has said schools in Greenwich should stay open - despite COVID-19 cases `` rising rapidly '' locally .
`` The action we took on Sunday was based solely on doing the right thing for our borough , not a protracted legal argument with the government , which absolutely nobody needs at the end of an extremely difficult term , '' he explained .
Geoff Barton , leader of the Association of School and College Leaders , said the government had won a `` hollow victory '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a gruelling and exhausting term when schools at the very least deserved some flexibility over their end-of-term arrangements '' .
Amanda Spielman , Ofsted 's chief inspector , said it was `` right '' for schools to stay open .
`` Arranging child care at short notice - we could be taking doctors , nurses off shift , out of vaccination clinics , inadvertently shooting ourselves in the foot , '' she told BBC Radio 4 's Today programme .
`` It 's a difficult balance to get right .
We need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
The latest figures show 80 % of secondary school pupils were in school last week - meaning one in five were not , with 0.8 % of schools closed altogether .
Are you changing your Christmas plans ?
Get in touch with Sky News

The leader of a London borough has said he has "no choice" but to tell schools to stay open following threats of legal action from the government.
Greenwich council's Danny Thorpe insisted it was not the "correct choice" but that he could not "justify the use of public funds to fight the decision in the courts".
Live updates on coronavirus from UK and around world
Image: Restrictions are being partially lifted for five days over Christmas
It follows an order yesterday by Education Secretary Gavin Williamson that schools must stay open.
Several schools in the capital, which tomorrow is going into Tier 3 - the highest band of coronavirus restrictions - have said they want to move to online learning for the rest of the term due to rising COVID-19 rates.
Infections are said to be increasing quickest among those aged 10-19, with the government promising to roll out mass testing to schools in some boroughs to counter the spread in the run up to Christmas.
But that is taking time and there are fears children could pass on the virus to vulnerable family members during the five day rule relaxation where people from three households can socialise at home together from 23-27 December.
Three London councils - Greenwich in the south, Islington in the north and Waltham Forest in the east - had urged schools to shut early to help curb a resurgence of cases.
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And mayor Sadiq Khan said Prime Minister Boris Johnson should consider letting all secondary schools and colleges in the city close early and allow them to re-open later in January.
Image: Closing schools at short notice could pose childcare problems for parents
But the government has resisted those calls, with Mr Williamson saying yesterday: "It is simply not in children's best interests for schools in Greenwich, Islington or elsewhere to close their doors."
Now Mr Thorpe has said schools in Greenwich should stay open - despite COVID-19 cases "rising rapidly" locally.
"The action we took on Sunday was based solely on doing the right thing for our borough, not a protracted legal argument with the government, which absolutely nobody needs at the end of an extremely difficult term," he explained.
Geoff Barton, leader of the Association of School and College Leaders, said the government had won a "hollow victory", resulting in an "unseemly end to a gruelling and exhausting term when schools at the very least deserved some flexibility over their end-of-term arrangements".
Image: A union leader called it an 'unseemly end to a gruelling and exhausting term'
Amanda Spielman, Ofsted's chief inspector, said it was "right" for schools to stay open.
"Arranging child care at short notice - we could be taking doctors, nurses off shift, out of vaccination clinics, inadvertently shooting ourselves in the foot," she told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
"It's a difficult balance to get right. We need clarity and consistency, not last-minute decisions."
The latest figures show 80% of secondary school pupils were in school last week - meaning one in five were not, with 0.8% of schools closed altogether.
Are you changing your Christmas plans? Get in touch with Sky News
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skynewspolitics--2020-12-14--London and other parts of South East to move into Tier 3 after midnight

London and parts of Essex and Hertfordshire will move into the highest level of coronavirus restrictions on Wednesday .
The move will see thousands of bars , pubs , cafes and restaurants close in the capital and surrounding areas after Tuesday night , except for takeaway , delivery and click-and-collect services .
The Tier 3 measures , announced to MPs by Health Secretary Matt Hancock , will come into force at 00.01am on Wednesday .
Along with Greater London , the south and west of Essex will soon be under the `` very high '' alert level .
The south @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 , which includes : Mr Hancock told the House of Commons that a `` new variant of coronavirus '' might be associated with the faster spread of infections in the South East .
But the health secretary stressed there was nothing yet to suggest the mutation was more likely to cause serious disease , or would fail to respond to a vaccine .
As well as the restrictions on hospitality , Tier 3 measures mean people must not meet socially indoors , in private gardens , or at most outdoors public venues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or are not in a support bubble with .
People living in Tier 3 areas should also avoid travelling outside their area and reduce the number of journeys they make wherever possible .
The heightened restrictions also mean fans will likely once again be banned from football stadiums and other sporting venues .
And theatres are also set to have to close their doors once more .
However , the `` rule of six '' will allow people from different households to continue meeting in small groups outdoors in parks , public gardens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Hancock told MPs the last week had seen `` very sharp , exponential rises in the virus across London , Kent , parts of Essex and Hertfordshire '' .
The government is due to review the allocation of coronavirus tiers across the whole of England later this week .
But Mr Hancock told MPs he was acting ahead of the formal review date for London , Essex and Hertfordshire due to the sharp rise in infections and with hospitals `` already under pressure '' in those areas .
`` We must act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when the virus is growing exponentially there is not a moment to spare , '' he said .
With the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine continuing to be rolled-out across the UK , the health secretary told MPs that `` help is on its way '' .
`` While we deploy the fruits of scientific endeavour to make the country safe , we must do what it takes to protect our loved ones and our NHS now , '' Mr Hancock said .
`` I know these steps are hard , but we must not waver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The health secretary said affected businesses would be able to rely on government help through the furlough scheme and support for the self-employed .
He added the government had already begun to `` surge '' mobile testing into London , Essex and Kent , which is already in Tier 3 .
Responding to Mr Hancock , Labour 's shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said that `` none of us are surprised at the action he is taking today '' .
He also quizzed the health secretary on the government 's plans to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ huge pressures on the NHS in January .
`` He was warned that Tier 2 would not be enough to contain the spread of the virus in many places , '' Mr Ashworth said .
`` Indeed , it looks like in some areas , such as Kent , Tier 3 is not enough to contain the spread either .
`` Elsewhere in the country , Tier 3 does appear to be forcing the virus to flatline .
`` Indeed , in the North West it is trending down .
However , overall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the decreasing areas are falling .
`` As things stand , we are heading into the Christmas easing with diminishing headroom .
The buffer zone that the tiers were supposed to provide is getting much thinner . ''
In reply , Mr Hancock told people to be `` cautious and careful '' at Christmas , while he also suggested people should avoid travel into central London to do Christmas shopping from Wednesday .
Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker London mayor Sadiq Khan said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our businesses who have suffered so much already this year '' .
`` But it 's clear that the virus is accelerating in the wrong direction once again across London and the lives of Londoners are at risk , '' he added .
`` It would be such a tragedy to lose even more people to this disease when the vaccine is now being rolled out across our city . ''
Mr Khan urged Londoners to abide by the Tier 3 rules in an effort to avoid `` yet another full lockdown '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of British Industry warned that `` thousands of jobs and livelihoods could be at risk '' due to the government moving London into Tier 3 .

London and parts of Essex and Hertfordshire will move into the highest level of coronavirus restrictions on Wednesday.
The move will see thousands of bars, pubs, cafes and restaurants close in the capital and surrounding areas after Tuesday night, except for takeaway, delivery and click-and-collect services.
The Tier 3 measures, announced to MPs by Health Secretary Matt Hancock, will come into force at 00.01am on Wednesday.
Along with Greater London, the south and west of Essex will soon be under the "very high" alert level.
This includes:
Basildon
Brentwood
Harlow
Epping Forest
Castle Point
Rochford
Maldon
Braintree
Chelmsford
Thurrock
Southend-on-Sea
The south of Hertfordshire will also move into Tier 3, which includes:
Broxbourne
Hertsmere
Watford
Three Rivers
Mr Hancock told the House of Commons that a "new variant of coronavirus" might be associated with the faster spread of infections in the South East.
But the health secretary stressed there was nothing yet to suggest the mutation was more likely to cause serious disease, or would fail to respond to a vaccine.
As well as the restrictions on hospitality, Tier 3 measures mean people must not meet socially indoors, in private gardens, or at most outdoors public venues with anyone they do not live with or are not in a support bubble with.
People living in Tier 3 areas should also avoid travelling outside their area and reduce the number of journeys they make wherever possible.
The heightened restrictions also mean fans will likely once again be banned from football stadiums and other sporting venues.
And theatres are also set to have to close their doors once more.
However, the "rule of six" will allow people from different households to continue meeting in small groups outdoors in parks, public gardens, playgrounds or outdoor sports facilities.
Image: A new variant of coronavirus might be linked to the spread of infections in the South East
Mr Hancock told MPs the last week had seen "very sharp, exponential rises in the virus across London, Kent, parts of Essex and Hertfordshire".
The government is due to review the allocation of coronavirus tiers across the whole of England later this week.
But Mr Hancock told MPs he was acting ahead of the formal review date for London, Essex and Hertfordshire due to the sharp rise in infections and with hospitals "already under pressure" in those areas.
"We must act now to shift the curve, because when the virus is growing exponentially there is not a moment to spare," he said.
With the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine continuing to be rolled-out across the UK, the health secretary told MPs that "help is on its way".
"While we deploy the fruits of scientific endeavour to make the country safe, we must do what it takes to protect our loved ones and our NHS now," Mr Hancock said.
"I know these steps are hard, but we must not waver as we enter the final stretch."
The health secretary said affected businesses would be able to rely on government help through the furlough scheme and support for the self-employed.
He added the government had already begun to "surge" mobile testing into London, Essex and Kent, which is already in Tier 3.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:11 'Vigilance' required over new COVID variant
Responding to Mr Hancock, Labour's shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said that "none of us are surprised at the action he is taking today".
He also quizzed the health secretary on the government's plans to keep people safe through Christmas and avoid huge pressures on the NHS in January.
"He was warned that Tier 2 would not be enough to contain the spread of the virus in many places," Mr Ashworth said.
"Indeed, it looks like in some areas, such as Kent, Tier 3 is not enough to contain the spread either.
"Elsewhere in the country, Tier 3 does appear to be forcing the virus to flatline.
"Indeed, in the North West it is trending down. However, overall the increasing areas are rising faster than the decreasing areas are falling.
"As things stand, we are heading into the Christmas easing with diminishing headroom. The buffer zone that the tiers were supposed to provide is getting much thinner."
In reply, Mr Hancock told people to be "cautious and careful" at Christmas, while he also suggested people should avoid travel into central London to do Christmas shopping from Wednesday.
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London mayor Sadiq Khan said the news was "incredibly disappointing for our businesses who have suffered so much already this year".
"But it's clear that the virus is accelerating in the wrong direction once again across London and the lives of Londoners are at risk," he added.
"It would be such a tragedy to lose even more people to this disease when the vaccine is now being rolled out across our city."
Mr Khan urged Londoners to abide by the Tier 3 rules in an effort to avoid "yet another full lockdown" in the New Year.
The Confederation of British Industry warned that "thousands of jobs and livelihoods could be at risk" due to the government moving London into Tier 3.


skynewspolitics--2020-12-15--Boris Johnson resisting calls to cancel Christmas

Boris Johnson is resisting demands to `` cancel Christmas '' , claiming it is too late to change plans to allow families to meet up during a five-day relaxation of COVID rules .
He will face MPs in the Commons and later address Tory backbenchers and declare his opposition to dropping plans for three households to meet up from December 23 to 27 .
But the prime minister is expected to urge people to self-isolate before joining up with other households and the government is poised to issue tougher guidance for the festive period .
Besides isolating before meeting up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include a plea to stay local where possible and think carefully before meeting elderly and clinically vulnerable people .
Mr Johnson is set to clash at PMQs with the Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer , who has demanded an urgent review of Christmas COVID rules and claims the tier system has failed to control the virus .
But speaking to the 1922 Committee of Conservative MPs later , the PM will attempt to reassure backbenchers who claim a change in the rules at this stage would be met with widespread defiance .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ message , defying pressure from medics to scrap the five-day relaxation , emerged after the Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove held talks with the leaders of Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland .
After the talks , a UK government source said : `` There are no plans to change the regulations in England .
We 're keen to maintain a UK-wide approach and will have further discussions with DAs ( devolved administrations ) tomorrow morning . ''
Later , commenting on England , a government source told The Daily Telegraph : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ People know what they are .
It would be wrong to change them this close to Christmas when they have made plans . ''
But the source added : `` However , the prime minister will want to be clear that minimising the risk to themselves and their loved ones is something they should consider . ''
In his talks , Mr Gove found little appetite for changing the Christmas plans .
Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford described the four nations approach as a `` hard-won agreement '' and said he would `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A Scottish government spokeswoman said : `` The four nations call was a good opportunity to review the position on Christmas and discuss whether the messaging or guidance requires to be reinforced . ''
But earlier , First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told the Scottish Parliament : `` I do think there is a case for us looking at whether we tighten the flexibilities that were given any further , both in terms of duration and numbers of people meeting .
`` And I will consider the views of the other nations - if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreement , I think that would be preferable .
`` If that is not possible , then of course we will consider within the Scottish government what we think is appropriate . ''
A snap GB-wide YouGov poll suggested 57 % of respondents believed the relaxation of COVID rules over Christmas should be dropped and only 31 % said the easing of rules over the festive period should go ahead .
As well as reviewing the Christmas rules , the government is also reviewing the three-tier system in England , with some areas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tier 3 , possibly moving from Tier 3 into Tier 2 .
In the Commons on Monday , the Health Secretary Matt Hancock gave a strong hint to the former Labour Cabinet minister Hilary Benn that Leeds could be about to move from Tier 3 to Tier 2 .
Mr Benn said since the recent national lockdown began the infection rate in Leeds had fallen from over 400 cases per 100,000 to less than 140 and the number of COVID patients in hospital has declined by 45 % in the past month .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ made a typically wise intervention ahead of the decision making on Wednesday as to the wider tiering decisions for the rest of the country . ''
Later , at a Downing Street news conference , Mr Hancock hinted that Manchester , Newcastle , the Tees Valley , Bristol and Nottingham may also have some hope of following Liverpool out of Tier 3 into Tier 2 in the review .
He said all had shown the same pattern of strong local resolve to cut infections , as the Liverpool city region had when it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We can do this , but we need to do it together , '' Mr Hancock said .

The government is holding further talks with the devolved nations over Christmas rules, as Boris Johnson resists demands to rethink the relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions over the festive period.
He is now facing MPs in the Commons and will later address Tory backbenchers and declare his opposition to dropping plans for three households to meet up from 23 to 27 December.
Live COVID-19 updates from the UK and around the world
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:10 PM faces pressure over Christmas COVID rules
But the prime minister is expected to urge people to self-isolate before joining up with other households and the government is poised to issue tougher guidance for the festive period.
Besides isolating before meeting up, the new guidance is expected to include a plea to stay local where possible and think carefully before meeting elderly and clinically vulnerable people.
Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick told Sky News that people should "use their own personal judgement and think carefully" about what is right for their family over Christmas.
Citing the rise in infections in the United States following the Thanksgiving holiday, Mr Jenrick acknowledged that allowing different households to meet up over the festive period "will have consequences".
"This is a virus that thrives on social interaction. So bringing more people together, even for this relatively short period of time, is not cost free," he said.
"It will have consequences in terms of increasing the rate of infection."
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Mr Jenrick added: "But these are the sorts of judgements that people need to weigh up - how much do they want to bring members of their broader family together at Christmas. Or whether they think, on this occasion, let's just keep it small and we can meet up in the spring.
"Easter can be the new Christmas for some people."
Mr Johnson clashed at PMQs with Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, who has demanded an urgent review of Christmas COVID rules and claims the tier system has failed to control the virus.
Labour's shadow communities secretary Steve Reed told Sky News: "It all looks a lot riskier today, in light of the increase in the rate of infection, than it looked when the decision was taken."
He added: "The last thing we want is to have a free-for-all over five days of Christmas, if that then results in a protracted lockdown in the new year."
But speaking to the 1922 Committee of Conservative MPs later, the prime minister will attempt to reassure backbenchers who claim a change in the rules at this stage would be met with widespread defiance.
Mr Johnson's "carry on Christmas" message, defying pressure from medics to scrap the five-day relaxation, emerged after Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove held talks with the leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
After the talks, a UK government source said: "There are no plans to change the regulations in England. We're keen to maintain a UK-wide approach and will have further discussions with DAs [devolved administrations] tomorrow morning."
Later, commenting on England, a government source told The Daily Telegraph: "We've set out the rules. People know what they are. It would be wrong to change them this close to Christmas when they have made plans."
But the source added: "However, the prime minister will want to be clear that minimising the risk to themselves and their loved ones is something they should consider."
And Mr Jenrick told Sky News: "Our position is clear I hope, the legal framework will continue."
In his talks, Mr Gove found little appetite for changing the Christmas plans.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:08 Starmer: Govt must 'look at the risk' of Xmas
Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford described the four nations approach as a "hard-won agreement" and said he would "not lightly put it aside".
A Scottish government spokeswoman said: "The four nations call was a good opportunity to review the position on Christmas and discuss whether the messaging or guidance requires to be reinforced."
But earlier, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told the Scottish parliament: "I do think there is a case for us looking at whether we tighten the flexibilities that were given any further, both in terms of duration and numbers of people meeting.
"And I will consider the views of the other nations - if we can come to a four nations agreement, I think that would be preferable.
"If that is not possible, then of course we will consider within the Scottish government what we think is appropriate."
A snap UK-wide YouGov poll suggested 57% of respondents believed the relaxation of COVID rules over Christmas should be dropped and only 31% said the easing of rules over the festive period should go ahead.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:18 'We'll see family at service station for Xmas'
As well as reviewing the Christmas rules, the government is also reviewing the three-tier system in England, with some areas outside London, which is now in Tier 3, possibly moving from Tier 3 into Tier 2.
In the Commons on Monday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock gave a strong hint to the former Labour cabinet minister Hilary Benn that Leeds could be about to move from Tier 3 to Tier 2.
Mr Benn said since the recent national lockdown began the infection rate in Leeds had fallen from over 400 cases per 100,000 to less than 140 and the number of COVID patients in hospital has declined by 45% in the past month.
Mr Hancock replied: "You have made a typically wise intervention ahead of the decision making on Wednesday as to the wider tiering decisions for the rest of the country."
Later, at a Downing Street news conference, Mr Hancock hinted that Manchester, Newcastle, the Tees Valley, Bristol and Nottingham may also have some hope of following Liverpool out of Tier 3 into Tier 2 in the review.
He said all had shown the same pattern of strong local resolve to cut infections, as the Liverpool city region had when it secured its move to the lower tier. "We can do this, but we need to do it together," Mr Hancock said.


skynewspolitics--2020-12-15--Talks between UK nations on Christmas rules to continue amid calls for rethink

Talks between the four nations of the UK over the relaxation of coronavirus rules for Christmas are set to continue today , amid calls for a rethink due to rising infection rates .
Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove spoke with the leaders of the devolved administrations on Tuesday evening ahead of next week 's planned easing of COVID restrictions .
At present , it is planned that - across the whole UK - up to three households will be able to form a `` Christmas bubble '' and meet for five days between 23 and 27 December .
Travel restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five-day period .
However , rising coronavirus rates in some parts of the UK have prompted calls for a rethink of the planned loosening of current restrictions over the festive period .
A Welsh government spokesman confirmed the national leaders would speak again with Mr Gove on Wednesday afternoon , adding that `` nothing has been decided at this point '' .
A spokeswoman for Northern Ireland 's First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said : `` Following this evening 's call with counterparts in England , Scotland and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation with medical and scientific advisers . ''
`` It is expected that an update will be brought to the Executive on Thursday . ''
Meanwhile , a source told Sky News that more talks to try and keep UK-wide rules aligned would be held on Wednesday , but that Christmas rules in England were unlikely to change .
Sky News understands that potential alternative options that could emerge from the discussions include : • Keeping the rules as they are but toughening up the messaging • Reducing the number of days the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of households that are allowed to mix • Still allowing travel but restricting it to the same region • Moving the window to another time .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock told MPs on Monday that the last week had seen `` very sharp , exponential rises in the virus across London , Kent , parts of Essex and Hertfordshire '' .
In a sign that there might be resistance towards a change in approach among the devolved nations , Wales ' First Minister Mark Drakeford earlier on Tuesday described the four nations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard-won agreement '' and said he will `` not lightly put it aside '' .
Prior to the call , Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon had said there was `` a case for us looking at whether we tighten the flexibilities that were given any further '' .
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is among those urging Prime Minister Boris Johnson to think again , a call that has been echoed by London mayor Sadiq Khan .
In a letter to the prime minister , Sir Keir said that while he understood that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their loved ones after an `` awful year '' , the situation has `` clearly taken a turn for the worse since the decision about Christmas was taken '' .
In a broadcast interview , the Labour leader said the `` only responsible thing '' is to review the Christmas rules and `` see whether they need to be toughened up '' .
`` The risk otherwise is we do n't protect the NHS and protect the economy going into January and February , '' he added .
And Mr Khan told Sky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the government is I 'm not sure you 've got it right , in fact I 'm sure you have n't got it right in relation to the relaxations over Christmas . ''
Two prominent medical journals have said ministers should `` follow the more cautious examples of Germany , Italy and the Netherlands '' and not relax the rules .
In a rare joint editorial , the British Medical Journal and Health Service Journal said the government should `` reverse its rash decision to allow household mixing and instead extend the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The government is `` about to blunder into another major error that will cost many lives '' , the journals warned .
A snap YouGov poll of British adults on Tuesday revealed that 57 % of respondents believed the relaxation of COVID rules over Christmas should be dropped , with the current restrictions maintained instead .
By contrast , 31 % said the easing of rules over the festive period should go ahead as planned .
Speaking at a regular briefing with journalists at Tuesday lunchtime , the PM 's spokesman said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' to allow up to three households to mix over Christmas .
The spokesman said the data will be kept `` under constant review '' , but ministers wanted to `` give families and friends the option to meet up '' .
Conservative MP and former minister Mark Harper , who chairs the COVID Recovery Group ( CRG ) of Tory lockdown sceptics , has suggested that MPs should get a vote if the government opts to change the Christmas restrictions .


skynewspolitics--2020-12-15--'Chaotic start' for testing scheme designed to cut travel quarantine

A new testing scheme designed to reduce the quarantine period for people arriving in England has suffered what has been described as a `` chaotic start '' .
Launched on Tuesday , the scheme offered travellers the chance to cut the 10-day self-isolation by paying to take a coronavirus test after five days , and receiving a negative result .
But it emerged that a number of the 11 testing firms on a government list published on Monday night were having trouble providing the `` test to release '' service .
One of them , SameDayDoctor , asked to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a message on its website saying : `` Unfortunately we have been so overwhelmed with requests for test and release that we can not answer any more emails nor take any more bookings . ''
Axiom Laboratory said the service was `` not yet available '' , Halo Verify said tests were out of stock and Medicspot was not accepting new orders due to a backlog .
The quarantine rule applies to people arriving from overseas locations except for those on the government 's travel corridors list .
The Department for Transport announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offering a glimmer of hope to a travel sector battered by the coronavirus crisis .
Yet the plan attracted immediate criticism from the likes of Ryanair 's boss Michael O'Leary , who complained there had been a lack of consultation with the industry .
There was further anger from the sector at the scheme 's troubled start .
Paul Charles , chief executive of travel consultancy The PC Agency , told the PA news agency : `` It 's a chaotic start for a system that was flagged as a solution to recovery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's been weeks in planning and has taken minutes to fall apart . ''
Richard Burge , chief executive of the London chamber of commerce , said the failure `` defies belief '' with the return of travel and tourism critical to the capital and the UK 's economic recovery .
He said : `` The government must urgently remove its selected providers who have fallen at the first fence and add those that can and already are providing testing services at our airports .
`` This is another example of government doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said : `` This vital service appears to be descending into chaos .
`` The Conservative government has had months to get this system right .
They urgently need to get a grip . ''
The prime minister 's official spokesman said : `` We have already secured 11 testing providers that meet our minimum standards and are working at pace to secure more . ''

A new testing scheme designed to reduce the quarantine period for people arriving in England has suffered what has been described as a "chaotic start".
Launched on Tuesday, the scheme offered travellers the chance to cut the 10-day self-isolation by paying to take a coronavirus test after five days, and receiving a negative result.
But it emerged that a number of the 11 testing firms on a government list published on Monday night were having trouble providing the "test to release" service.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:33 Ryanair boss: Shapps 'doesn't take on board our views'
One of them, SameDayDoctor, asked to be withdrawn from the programme.
It posted a message on its website saying: "Unfortunately we have been so overwhelmed with requests for test and release that we cannot answer any more emails nor take any more bookings."
Axiom Laboratory said the service was "not yet available", Halo Verify said tests were out of stock and Medicspot was not accepting new orders due to a backlog.
The quarantine rule applies to people arriving from overseas locations except for those on the government's travel corridors list.
The Department for Transport announced the new programme three weeks ago, offering a glimmer of hope to a travel sector battered by the coronavirus crisis.
Yet the plan attracted immediate criticism from the likes of Ryanair's boss Michael O'Leary, who complained there had been a lack of consultation with the industry.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 5:18 Heathrow launches airport testing
There was further anger from the sector at the scheme's troubled start.
Paul Charles, chief executive of travel consultancy The PC Agency, told the PA news agency: "It's a chaotic start for a system that was flagged as a solution to recovery in the travel sector, but it's been weeks in planning and has taken minutes to fall apart."
Richard Burge, chief executive of the London chamber of commerce, said the failure "defies belief" with the return of travel and tourism critical to the capital and the UK's economic recovery.
He said: "The government must urgently remove its selected providers who have fallen at the first fence and add those that can and already are providing testing services at our airports.
"This is another example of government doing things to business rather than with business."
Shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said: "This vital service appears to be descending into chaos.
"The Conservative government has had months to get this system right. They urgently need to get a grip."
The prime minister's official spokesman said: "We have already secured 11 testing providers that meet our minimum standards and are working at pace to secure more."


skynewspolitics--2020-12-15--PM's ex-aide Dominic Cummings received £40,000 pay rise before leaving Number 10

Boris Johnson 's former chief adviser Dominic Cummings received a pay rise of at least £40,000 before leaving 10 Downing Street , government documents have revealed .
In a newly-released annual report on government special advisers ' pay , it is stated Mr Cummings was paid between £140,000 and £144,999 a year .
This put him among the top earners in Number 10 before his departure last month , which followed a bitter power struggle among the prime minister 's top staff .
And it also showed that Mr Cummings received a pay hike in the last 12 months , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advisers ' pay having revealed he was previously on a salary of between £95,000 and £99,999 .
Mr Cummings ' pay rise came after he helped Mr Johnson secure a thumping victory at last December 's general election .
However , the former Vote Leave chief 's position in Number 10 soon became less secure after he was accused of breaching coronavirus rules by travelling from London to the North East at the height of England 's first lockdown .
Mr Cummings explained a further trip to Barnard Castle by saying he needed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to London .
The prime minister gave his full backing to Mr Cummings at the time but , in November , Mr Johnson 's chief aide left Number 10 after ructions between Downing Street 's top political appointees .
Mr Cummings ' exit followed shortly after that of his close ally Lee Cain , the prime minister 's former director of communications .
In his resignation statement , Mr Cain revealed he had been offered the role of Number 10 chief of staff - an appointment that was said to have been opposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Symonds , and his new press secretary , Allegra Stratton .
In a footnote to this year 's annual report on special advisers ' pay , it was stated Mr Cain and Mr Cummings are `` in the process of leaving their government posts '' - although neither have been seen in Number 10 since last month .
Mr Cain was also on a salary of between £140,000 and £144,999 , which is the same level as the prime minister 's acting chief of staff , Sir Edward Lister , and the man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff role from 1 January , Dan Rosenfield .
Ms Stratton , a former journalist , is paid between £125,000 and £129,999 , the annual report said .
This is the same as the UK 's chief negotiator for Brexit trade talks , Lord Frost .
Labour 's deputy leader Angela Rayner said : `` Boris Johnson defended Dominic Cummings when he broke lockdown rules - then awarded him a £50,000 pay rise .
`` Yet he 's freezing pay for key workers and refusing to give our care workers a pay rise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's bumper bonus is an insult to key workers denied the pay rise they deserve .
`` It 's another example of how under this government it is one rule for the Tory party and their friends and another for the rest of us . ''

Boris Johnson's former chief adviser Dominic Cummings received a pay rise of at least £40,000 before leaving 10 Downing Street, government documents have revealed.
In a newly-released annual report on government special advisers' pay, it is stated Mr Cummings was paid between £140,000 and £144,999 a year.
This put him among the top earners in Number 10 before his departure last month, which followed a bitter power struggle among the prime minister's top staff.
Image: Mr Cummings and Lee Cain both left Number 10 last month after a bitter power struggle
And it also showed that Mr Cummings received a pay hike in the last 12 months, with last year's report on special advisers' pay having revealed he was previously on a salary of between £95,000 and £99,999.
Mr Cummings' pay rise came after he helped Mr Johnson secure a thumping victory at last December's general election.
However, the former Vote Leave chief's position in Number 10 soon became less secure after he was accused of breaching coronavirus rules by travelling from London to the North East at the height of England's first lockdown.
Mr Cummings explained a further trip to Barnard Castle by saying he needed to test his eyesight before driving back to London.
The prime minister gave his full backing to Mr Cummings at the time but, in November, Mr Johnson's chief aide left Number 10 after ructions between Downing Street's top political appointees.
Mr Cummings' exit followed shortly after that of his close ally Lee Cain, the prime minister's former director of communications.
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In his resignation statement, Mr Cain revealed he had been offered the role of Number 10 chief of staff - an appointment that was said to have been opposed by Mr Johnson's fiancee, Carrie Symonds, and his new press secretary, Allegra Stratton.
Image: The PM's new press secretary Allegra Stratton
In a footnote to this year's annual report on special advisers' pay, it was stated Mr Cain and Mr Cummings are "in the process of leaving their government posts" - although neither have been seen in Number 10 since last month.
Mr Cain was also on a salary of between £140,000 and £144,999, which is the same level as the prime minister's acting chief of staff, Sir Edward Lister, and the man who will take on the chief of staff role from 1 January, Dan Rosenfield.
Ms Stratton, a former journalist, is paid between £125,000 and £129,999, the annual report said.
This is the same as the UK's chief negotiator for Brexit trade talks, Lord Frost.
Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner said: "Boris Johnson defended Dominic Cummings when he broke lockdown rules - then awarded him a £50,000 pay rise.
"Yet he's freezing pay for key workers and refusing to give our care workers a pay rise to the living wage.
"Cummings's bumper bonus is an insult to key workers denied the pay rise they deserve.
"It's another example of how under this government it is one rule for the Tory party and their friends and another for the rest of us."


skynewspolitics--2020-12-16--'Path to an agreement': EU chief hints at progress on Brexit deal

There is a `` path '' to a Brexit trade deal being agreed before the end of the month , the president of the European Commission has said .
`` As things stand , I can not tell you whether there will be a deal or not , '' Ursula von der Leyen told the European Parliament in Brussels .
`` But I can tell you that there is a path to an agreement now .
The path may be very narrow but it is there . ''
Britain left the EU at the end of January and entered into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rules and regulations whilst trying to negotiate a free trade deal by the end of this year .
The two teams have been attempting to thrash out an agreement ahead of that deadline , although negotiations have continued to remain stuck on a number of issues .
Ms von der Leyen indicated that fishing rights remains a key sticking point , but suggested progress had been made on the so-called `` level playing field '' .
This is a reference to measures to prevent what is seen as unfair competition through the lowering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subsidies .
`` We have found a way forward on most issues but two issues still remain outstanding : the level playing field and fisheries , '' she continued .
`` I am glad to report that issues linked to governance now have largely been resolved .
The next days are going to be decisive . ''
On fisheries , Ms von der Leyen told the parliament `` the discussion is still very difficult '' and it sometimes felt as if `` we will not be able to resolve these questions '' , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We must continue to try to find a solution and it is the only responsible and right course of action , '' Ms von der Leyen said .
Her remarks were reflected on financial markets as the pound gained half a cent against the US dollar .
Sterling hit $ 1.35 - continuing its recovery from lows of $ 1.31 last week when the talks looked to be heading towards a no-deal outcome .
Shares were also higher with the FTSE 100 and domestic-focused FTSE 250 up by more than 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talks with Boris Johnson on Sunday , with the pair agreeing to `` go the extra mile '' and continue discussions .
A UK government source said on Monday that the talks `` remain difficult '' and `` have not made significant progress in recent days '' .
Despite the two sides agreeing to continue discussions , the prime minister has described no-deal as the `` most likely '' scenario .
Mr Johnson has insisted that Britain can thrive in this scenario .
But opponents say having to trade on World Trade Organisation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for business and push up prices for consumers .
Speaking during Prime Minister 's Questions in the Commons , Mr Johnson said there is `` every opportunity '' that the EU will `` see sense and do a deal '' .
He added : `` Whatever happens in the next few days , I know that this country will prosper mightily on the terms that we agree with our European friends whatever they may be . ''
As it stands , MPs are due to finish the parliamentary term at Westminster on 21 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said parliament could sit in the days leading up to Christmas if necessary for a deal .
`` You can really , really truncate the parliamentary process if necessary and if there is a will to do it , '' Mr Rees-Mogg told his ConservativeHome podcast .

There is a "path" to a Brexit trade deal being agreed before the end of the month, the president of the European Commission has said.
"As things stand, I cannot tell you whether there will be a deal or not," Ursula von der Leyen told the European Parliament in Brussels.
"But I can tell you that there is a path to an agreement now. The path may be very narrow but it is there."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:34 Brexit: Trade talks 'remain difficult'
Britain left the EU at the end of January and entered into an 11-month transition period, following EU rules and regulations whilst trying to negotiate a free trade deal by the end of this year.
The two teams have been attempting to thrash out an agreement ahead of that deadline, although negotiations have continued to remain stuck on a number of issues.
Ms von der Leyen indicated that fishing rights remains a key sticking point, but suggested progress had been made on the so-called "level playing field".
This is a reference to measures to prevent what is seen as unfair competition through the lowering of standards or the use of state subsidies.
"We have found a way forward on most issues but two issues still remain outstanding: the level playing field and fisheries," she continued.
"I am glad to report that issues linked to governance now have largely been resolved. The next days are going to be decisive."
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:43 Business 'frustrated' by lack of Brexit clarity
On fisheries, Ms von der Leyen told the parliament "the discussion is still very difficult" and it sometimes felt as if "we will not be able to resolve these questions", but she vowed to continue to negotiate.
"We must continue to try to find a solution and it is the only responsible and right course of action," Ms von der Leyen said.
Her remarks were reflected on financial markets as the pound gained half a cent against the US dollar.
Sterling hit $1.35 - continuing its recovery from lows of $1.31 last week when the talks looked to be heading towards a no-deal outcome.
Shares were also higher with the FTSE 100 and domestic-focused FTSE 250 up by more than 1%.
The European Commission president held talks with Boris Johnson on Sunday, with the pair agreeing to "go the extra mile" and continue discussions.
Despite the two sides agreeing to continue discussions, the prime minister has described no-deal as the "most likely" scenario.
This was repeated by Downing Street on Wednesday, although Number 10 noted that "we have made some progress in some areas".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:17 How would a no-deal Brexit affect the price of food?
The PM's spokesman added that "some significant gaps remain".
Mr Johnson has insisted that Britain can thrive in a no-deal scenario.
But opponents say having to trade on World Trade Organisation terms from 1 January would cause problems for business and push up prices for consumers.
Speaking during Prime Minister's Questions in the Commons, Mr Johnson said there is "every opportunity" that the EU will "see sense and do a deal".
He added: "Whatever happens in the next few days, I know that this country will prosper mightily on the terms that we agree with our European friends whatever they may be."
As it stands, MPs are due to finish the parliamentary term at Westminster on 21 December.
But Commons leader Jacob Rees-Mogg said parliament could sit in the days leading up to Christmas if necessary for a deal.
"You can really, really truncate the parliamentary process if necessary and if there is a will to do it," Mr Rees-Mogg told his ConservativeHome podcast.


skynewspolitics--2020-12-16--COVID-19 tier review unlikely to spread much festive cheer

The health secretary will today outline which , if any , regions in England will change tiers before the relaxation of COVID rules over the festive period .
Matt Hancock will also explain plans to extend mass community testing to Tier 2 areas with high rates of coronavirus .
Currently , only Tier 3 areas are eligible for the localised testing scheme and the additional rollout signifies a desire to help local councils prevent their area from moving up the scale .
Some locations could see community testing up and running before Christmas .
Today 's tier review was promised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the beginning of the month , but its significance was undermined by the announcement on Monday that London and parts of Essex and Hertfordshire would be moving into the top tier because of rising case numbers .
Parts of the country such as Greater Manchester and Leeds , whose MPs and local politicians had been lobbying the prime minister for a move from Tier 3 to Tier 2 in order to help the struggling retail and hospitality sectors , are likely to be disappointed .
Boris Johnson 's warnings on Wednesday that `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a safer Christmas '' and festive bubbles of up to three households are `` maximums '' and not `` targets to aim for '' , were a clear indication of the government 's reluctance to relax any restrictions .
Mr Hancock is expected to reinforce the message that people should exercise extreme caution over Christmas and think carefully about meeting elderly or vulnerable relatives .
He has consistently been one of the strongest advocates in government for more measures to prevent people mixing and curb the spread of coronavirus .
Those at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 have also made clear their opposition to easing restrictions prematurely .
In a statement on Wednesday Chris Hopson , chief executive of NHS Providers - which represents hospital trusts in England , said there was `` real concern in many trusts in the northern half of the country about leaving Tier 3 prematurely '' .
He added that `` most hospitals in the north of the country still have very high levels of COVID-19 patients , just as we go into winter , the NHS ' busiest period .
`` Given this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of beds lost to ensure appropriate infection control , even a small increase in the number of COVID-19 patients will also put those hospitals under significant pressure . ''
And the British Medical Association ( BMA ) called on people to keep social mixing indoors to an `` absolute minimum '' over Christmas .
BMA council chair Dr Chaand Nagpaul said : `` Relaxing the rules will , without doubt , cost lives and the impact on the NHS in the new year will be grave .
`` For those reasons , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we urge people to think long and hard about how many people they share their Christmas with . ''
Mr Hancock 's Commons statement will be one of the last acts in Westminster before MPs head home for their own Christmas holidays .
With three-fifths of England 's population now living under the strictest measures , they , like everyone else , will be hoping the relaxation of rules over the festive period does not lead to an even tighter regime in the new year .

The health secretary will today outline which, if any, regions in England will change tiers before the relaxation of COVID rules over the festive period.
Speaking to Sky News ahead of Matt Hancock's statement to MPs, which is expected around 11.30am, Priti Patel said the message from the government was for people to "have a smaller, more local and safer" Christmas if they can.
"Don't travel if you don't need to, don't stay overnight somewhere else where you don't need to, stay at home effectively, with your small support bubble," the home secretary said.
She added: "We want everyone to have a wonderful Christmas, we really do. But in a smaller, safer way, a localised way. I think the public understand that."
Pressed on whether people should travel to different parts of the UK over Christmas, the home secretary said the government would "urge people to exercise their judgement", adding: "We would not advise people to travel - certainly from low tier to high tier or high tier into low tier. That would clearly put coronavirus at risk in terms of spreading the virus."
The health secretary is expected to only make "minor changes" to England's COVID-19 tier allocations when he faces MPs, according to the Press Association.
In his statement, Mr Hancock will also explain plans to extend mass community testing to Tier 2 areas with high rates of coronavirus.
Currently, only Tier 3 areas are eligible for the localised testing scheme and the additional rollout signifies a desire to help local councils prevent their area from moving up the scale.
Some locations could see community testing up and running before Christmas.
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Today's tier review was promised when the system was brought in at the beginning of the month, but its significance was undermined by the announcement on Monday that London and parts of Essex and Hertfordshire would be moving into the top tier because of rising case numbers.
Parts of the country such as Greater Manchester and Leeds, whose MPs and local politicians had been lobbying the prime minister for a move from Tier 3 to Tier 2 in order to help the struggling retail and hospitality sectors, are likely to be disappointed.
Boris Johnson's warnings on Wednesday that "a smaller Christmas is going to be a safer Christmas" and festive bubbles of up to three households are "maximums" and not "targets to aim for", were a clear indication of the government's reluctance to relax any restrictions.
Mr Hancock is expected to reinforce the message that people should exercise extreme caution over Christmas and think carefully about meeting elderly or vulnerable relatives.
He has consistently been one of the strongest advocates in government for more measures to prevent people mixing and curb the spread of coronavirus.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 5:43 'Shorter and smaller Christmas is safer Christmas'
Those at the sharp end in the fight against COVID-19 have also made clear their opposition to easing restrictions prematurely.
In a statement on Wednesday Chris Hopson, chief executive of NHS Providers - which represents hospital trusts in England - said there was "real concern in many trusts in the northern half of the country about leaving Tier 3 prematurely".
He added that "most hospitals in the north of the country still have very high levels of COVID-19 patients, just as we go into winter", the NHS' busiest period.
"Given this level of COVID-19 demand and the number of beds lost to ensure appropriate infection control, even a small increase in the number of COVID-19 patients will also put those hospitals under significant pressure."
And the British Medical Association (BMA) called on people to keep social mixing indoors to an "absolute minimum" over Christmas.
BMA council chair Dr Chaand Nagpaul said: "Relaxing the rules will, without doubt, cost lives and the impact on the NHS in the new year will be grave.
"For those reasons, as the voice of thousands of doctors, we urge people to think long and hard about how many people they share their Christmas with."
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Meanwhile, new figures suggest that more than half of a small sample of schools surveyed in England had at least one coronavirus infection last month.
According to the Official for National Statistics, of the 105 schools surveyed, 1.24% of pupils and 1.29% of staff tested positive for the virus between 3 and 19 November.
It was also found that 27.6% of the schools had one current infection, 27.6% had between two and five current infections, and 44.8% had no current infections.
Mr Hancock's Commons statement will be one of the last acts in Westminster before MPs head home for their own Christmas holidays.
With three-fifths of England's population now living under the strictest measures, they, like everyone else, will be hoping the relaxation of rules over the festive period does not lead to an even tighter regime in the new year.


skynewspolitics--2020-12-16--Public warned to 'keep it short, keep it local' as Christmas COVID rules change between UK nations

Boris Johnson has warned `` a smaller Christmas is going to be a safer Christmas '' as he urged the public to see festive bubbles of up to three households as `` maximums '' and not `` targets to aim for '' .
The prime minister told a Downing Street news conference that , following discussions over the last two days , the four nations of the UK had `` collectively '' agreed to keep the relaxation of COVID restrictions over Christmas .
But , urging restraint , Mr Johnson said all four nations were now offering the same message @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to be a safer Christmas , and a shorter Christmas is a safer Christmas . ''
However , the prime minister 's suggestion of unity among the UK 's leaders on keeping the original Christmas rules the same in law was soon undone .
The Welsh government later announced that it would be putting its new guidance on limiting Christmas gatherings to just two households into legislation .
`` Ministers decided this afternoon that we will be amending the regulations in Wales , '' a spokesman said .
`` For 23 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meeting will be part of Welsh law .
`` It makes it easier , so we do n't have the position where the law says one thing and the guidance says something else . ''
Scotland 's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon had also earlier recommended that those people forming a Christmas bubble should only meet up on one day and not stay overnight `` unless it is unavoidable '' .
In Northern Ireland , First Minister Arlene Foster said the public must take `` all and every precaution '' at Christmas and proposals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Thursday .
For five days between 23 and 27 December , people across the UK had initially been told they could mix in private homes with those in their `` Christmas bubble '' of up to three households , while travel restrictions would also be lifted .
These rules remain the same for people in England .
At the Number 10 news conference , Mr Johnson admitted that the `` overall situation '' is now `` worse and more challenging '' than when the loosening of restrictions over the festive period was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it would not be right to `` criminalise '' people who have already made plans and `` simply want to spend time with their loved ones '' .
But he said he was asking people to `` think hard and in detail about the days ahead and whether you can do more to protect yourself and others '' , as he urged the public to act well within the rules .
Mr Johnson also advised the public to : • reduce the number of people you are in contact with to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Christmas loosening of restrictions begins on 23 December • avoid travel from a high prevalence to a low prevalence area , if possible • avoid overnight stays away from home if you can • think about waiting to see elderly relatives until after they have been vaccinated • do n't gather in large groups to celebrate the New Year The prime minister said there had been `` worrying rises '' in COVID infections in some parts of the country , with London and parts of Essex and Hertfordshire having been put into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` So have yourselves a merry little Christmas and , I 'm afraid , this year I do mean little , '' Mr Johnson said .
`` But with the vaccine , and all the other measures that we are taking , we do know things will be better in this country by Easter .
`` And I 'm sure that next year Christmas will be as normal for every family in the country . ''
The prime minister stressed that he did not want to `` cancel Christmas '' or `` ban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three-household rules remain `` a highly prescriptive approach '' .
`` I do n't think there 's been anything like it ... probably not since Cromwell 's time - heaven knows when we have had something like this before , '' he said .
England 's chief medical officer , Professor Chris Whitty , told the public to `` keep it small , keep it short , keep it local , and think of the most vulnerable people '' when gathering over Christmas .
Referring to the rollout of COVID vaccines , Prof @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close to the stage where anybody who gets into trouble as the result of actions this Christmas would have been protected in the very near future .
`` So , it is very important that people think about that when they make decisions over the next few weeks . ''

Boris Johnson has warned "a smaller Christmas is going to be a safer Christmas" as he urged the public to see festive bubbles of up to three households as "maximums" and not "targets to aim for".
The prime minister told a Downing Street news conference that, following discussions over the last two days, the four nations of the UK had "collectively" agreed to keep the relaxation of COVID restrictions over Christmas.
But, urging restraint, Mr Johnson said all four nations were now offering the same message that: "A smaller Christmas is going to be a safer Christmas, and a shorter Christmas is a safer Christmas."
Image: The PM urged people to 'think hard' before meeting up over Christmas
However, the prime minister's suggestion of unity among the UK's leaders on keeping the original Christmas rules the same in law was soon undone.
The Welsh government later announced that it would be putting its new guidance on limiting Christmas gatherings to just two households into legislation.
"Ministers decided this afternoon that we will be amending the regulations in Wales," a spokesman said.
"For 23 to 27 December the restriction on two households meeting will be part of Welsh law.
"It makes it easier, so we don't have the position where the law says one thing and the guidance says something else."
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon had also earlier recommended that those people forming a Christmas bubble should only meet up on one day and not stay overnight "unless it is unavoidable".
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In Northern Ireland, First Minister Arlene Foster said the public must take "all and every precaution" at Christmas and proposals for further restrictions would be brought forward on Thursday.
For five days between 23 and 27 December, people across the UK had initially been told they could mix in private homes with those in their "Christmas bubble" of up to three households, while travel restrictions would also be lifted.
These rules remain the same for people in England.
At the Number 10 news conference, Mr Johnson admitted that the "overall situation" is now "worse and more challenging" than when the loosening of restrictions over the festive period was first announced last month.
Mr Johnson said it would not be right to "criminalise" people who have already made plans and "simply want to spend time with their loved ones".
But he said he was asking people to "think hard and in detail about the days ahead and whether you can do more to protect yourself and others", as he urged the public to act well within the rules.
Mr Johnson also advised the public to:
reduce the number of people you are in contact with to the lowest possible during the five days before the Christmas loosening of restrictions begins on 23 December
avoid travel from a high prevalence to a low prevalence area, if possible
avoid overnight stays away from home if you can
think about waiting to see elderly relatives until after they have been vaccinated
avoid crowds in the Boxing Day sales
don't gather in large groups to celebrate the New Year
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:09 'This is not a moment to relax'
The prime minister said there had been "worrying rises" in COVID infections in some parts of the country, with London and parts of Essex and Hertfordshire having been put into Tier 3 measures earlier this week.
"So have yourselves a merry little Christmas and, I'm afraid, this year I do mean little," Mr Johnson said.
"But with the vaccine, and all the other measures that we are taking, we do know things will be better in this country by Easter.
"And I'm sure that next year Christmas will be as normal for every family in the country."
The prime minister stressed that he did not want to "cancel Christmas" or "ban it" and that the five-day and three-household rules remain "a highly prescriptive approach".
"I don't think there's been anything like it... probably not since Cromwell's time - heaven knows when we have had something like this before," he said.
England's chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, told the public to "keep it small, keep it short, keep it local, and think of the most vulnerable people" when gathering over Christmas.
Referring to the rollout of COVID vaccines, Prof Whitty added: "We are tantalisingly close to the stage where anybody who gets into trouble as the result of actions this Christmas would have been protected in the very near future.
"So, it is very important that people think about that when they make decisions over the next few weeks."


skynewspolitics--2020-12-16--'Unanimous agreement' Christmas plan will go ahead for all nations, PM says

Boris Johnson has said all UK nations have reached a `` unanimous agreement '' to go ahead with planned Christmas bubble rules .
The prime minister added , however , that people should `` exercise a high degree of personal responsibility '' if they do spend time with family .
LATEST : PM says laws will stay the same - but public warned to 'keep it short , keep it local' Live COVID-19 updates from the UK and around the world It comes after a phone call between Westminster and the devolved nations , which took place amid growing pressure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amid fears it could lead to a spike in infections and deaths .
At prime minister 's questions , Mr Johnson said : `` Although some things are unquestionably going well… we must remember that transmission takes place asymptomatically in so many cases .
`` We should exercise extreme caution in the way we celebrate Christmas - we can celebrate it sensibly , but we have to be extremely cautious in the way we behave .
`` We do n't want to criminalise people 's long-made plans but we do think it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very , very tricky time exercise a high degree of personal responsibility , especially when they come into contact with elderly people , and avoid contact with elderly people wherever possible . ''
Under the rules , up to three households will be able to form `` Christmas bubbles '' from 23-27 December .
While the prime minister said there had been a four-nation agreement on the advice , both Wales and Scotland appeared to be less enthusiastic .
Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford advised that only two households should form a Christmas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ breaking rank , Mr Drakeford said the result of the four nations meeting had not yet been published and that he could not offer more advice until later .
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told a briefing that she `` hoped '' there would be a UK-wide agreement .
However , she recommended people in Christmas bubbles in Scotland should only meet on one day rather than five , and not stay overnight `` unless it is unavoidable '' .
She also urged people yet to make festive plans to remain at home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Global health expert at University of Oxford , Dr Peter Drobac , told Sky News : `` I think the government put itself in a difficult position by making this announcement weeks ago and it was a mistake at the time it was made because we did n't know exactly what the situation would look like .
`` And now to reverse that and to admit an error just before Christmas would cause a lot of frustration . ''
He added : `` It seems to me they 're really muddling the message @ @ @ @ @ @ @ period in the coming weeks . ''
Sky 's political correspondent , Tom Rayner , said it was `` intriguing '' that Mr Johnson did speak about Christmas at the beginning of PMQs , and instead waited until he was questioned by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer .
`` This allowed Boris Johnson to do two things : Accuse Keir Starmer of wanting to 'cancel Christmas ' , and point out that the Welsh government , which is of course a Labour government , had agreed to the position , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expressed concern over the current Christmas plans , which it argued could lead to a third wave of infections in the new year .
Those comments were echoed by medical and scientific figures across the UK , along with Sir Keir .

Boris Johnson has said all UK nations have reached a "unanimous agreement" to go ahead with planned Christmas bubble rules.
The prime minister added, however, that people should "exercise a high degree of personal responsibility" if they do spend time with family.
LATEST: PM says laws will stay the same - but public warned to 'keep it short, keep it local'
Live COVID-19 updates from the UK and around the world
Image: Christmas plans will be allowed to go ahead, amid rising coronavirus cases
It comes after a phone call between Westminster and the devolved nations, which took place amid growing pressure to scrap the easing of COVID-19 rules amid fears it could lead to a spike in infections and deaths.
At prime minister's questions, Mr Johnson said: "Although some things are unquestionably going well… we must remember that transmission takes place asymptomatically in so many cases.
"We should exercise extreme caution in the way we celebrate Christmas - we can celebrate it sensibly, but we have to be extremely cautious in the way we behave.
"We don't want to criminalise people's long-made plans but we do think it's absolutely vital that people should at this very, very tricky time exercise a high degree of personal responsibility, especially when they come into contact with elderly people, and avoid contact with elderly people wherever possible."
Under the rules, up to three households will be able to form "Christmas bubbles" from 23-27 December.
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While the prime minister said there had been a four-nation agreement on the advice, both Wales and Scotland appeared to be less enthusiastic.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:34 'Only two households should come together at Xmas'
Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford advised that only two households should form a Christmas bubble.
When asked if he was breaking rank, Mr Drakeford said the result of the four nations meeting had not yet been published and that he could not offer more advice until later.
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told a briefing that she "hoped" there would be a UK-wide agreement.
However, she recommended people in Christmas bubbles in Scotland should only meet on one day rather than five, and not stay overnight "unless it is unavoidable".
She also urged people yet to make festive plans to remain at home as a single household where possible.
Global health expert at University of Oxford, Dr Peter Drobac, told Sky News: "I think the government put itself in a difficult position by making this announcement weeks ago and it was a mistake at the time it was made because we didn't know exactly what the situation would look like.
"And now to reverse that and to admit an error just before Christmas would cause a lot of frustration."
He added: "It seems to me they're really muddling the message and we're headed for a risky period in the coming weeks."
Boris Johnson, alongside Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty, will host a Downing Street news conference shortly.
Sky's political correspondent, Tom Rayner, said it was "intriguing" that Mr Johnson did speak about Christmas at the beginning of PMQs, and instead waited until he was questioned by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.
"This allowed Boris Johnson to do two things: Accuse Keir Starmer of wanting to 'cancel Christmas', and point out that the Welsh government, which is of course a Labour government, had agreed to the position," he said.
Over the weekend, NHS Providers expressed concern over the current Christmas plans, which it argued could lead to a third wave of infections in the new year.
Those comments were echoed by medical and scientific figures across the UK, along with Sir Keir.