Matt Hancock to lead Downing Street press conference at 5pm

Matt Hancock is set to lead a Downing Street press conference this evening to provide an update on the Covid-19 lockdown and vaccination roll-out.

The Health Secretary will answer questions from the public and journalists after Boris Johnson hinted that the cabinet were looking at easing lockdown measures in a matter of weeks.

The briefing, set to take place at 5pm, is likely to address the confusion around the national lockdown after the Prime Minister said the Government was “looking at the potential of relaxing some measures” but refused to guarantee that pupils would return to classes before Easter.

Moments after his comments, a No10 source clarified: "The PM’s quote on the 15th is being misinterpreted. That remains the earliest point at which we could change any of the rules."

Mr Johnson’s comments come as a surprise as Mr Hancock suggested on Sunday any relaxation was a “long, long way” off.

Mr Hancock led a press conference on Friday where he warned there is potential evidence a mutated strain of coronavirus that was detected in South Africa could reduce the effectiveness of vaccines by 50 per cent.

The Health Secretary said “there is evidence in the public domain, although we are not sure of this data” and said the variant is being tested at the Government’s Porton Down research facility as well as in a clinical trial in South Africa to check the efficacy of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine.

It came as senior Tory MPs rounded on the Government with calls to “set out a plan” to reopen schools and prevent more harm to children’s education and mental health.

They spoke up as the Children’s Commissioner pleaded for hope and clarity to be given to families whose children are suffering from isolation and falling confidence.

Mr Halfon told Sky News: “I worry hugely about the damage to mental health, educational attainment.” He said the Government was “firefighting” with coronavirus, adding: “I want a long-term plan for education, I want a route-map out of the coronavirus in terms of getting our kids back into school.”

He accused ministers of making health and the economy the key priorities at the expense of education.

This was denied by sources close to Gavin Williamson, who pointed out that last September he fought successfully for schools to reopen ahead of pubs.

“Gavin and the Prime Minister had said repeatedly that they want schools to open first and as soon as possible,” said a source. “These decisions are not taken in isolation by DfE, they are part of a national effort to control the virus.”

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