Tier 3 lockdown areas could move back into Tier 2 before the national vaccine rollout is complete, Boris Johnson has said.
Speaking at a Downing Street press conference, Mr Johnson said while the vaccine would ultimately allow the tiered lockdown system to be abolished, there was scope for areas in the highest tier to relax restrictions sooner.
The Prime Minister encouraged the public to take part in mass testing, which he said would allow them to "drive down" the virus and release themselves from Tier 3.
Both Mr Johnson and Jonathan Van Tam, the Deputy Chief Medical Officer, said they were "emotional" when they heard the news that the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine had been approved by the UK's regulator and could begin rollout next week.
The first phase of vaccinations will not be complete until early in the new year, requiring restrictions to remain in place for the time being, they said.
Follow the latest updates below.
06:08 PM
That's all from us
Press conference - Downing Street/AFP
We're going to close off the blog now after a busy day of rare good news in Westminster.
Here's what happened:
The UK's vaccine regulator approved the Pfizer-BioNTech jab, kickstarting a national rollout programme that will begin next week.
Politicians across the spectrum welcomed the news, and Boris Johnson said it was an "emotional moment".
The logistics are difficult, though: the vaccine will not be available in care homes for some time, because of logistical complications and the requirement to keep it stored at -70 degrees celcius.
At Prime Minister's Questions, Sir Keir Starmer called for emergency legislation to deal with anti-vaxxers, while Boris Johnson criticised him for abstaining in last night's vote on the tier system.
At a press conference this evening, Jonathan Van Tam said the virus would be with humanity forever, but suggested life could return to normal early in the new year.
We asked you...
How the Government should best encourage take-up of the Covid vaccine.
453 readers voted, and here are the results:
33 per cent said we should have a vaccine passport. If you want your freedom, you must do your bit.
19 per cent said we should use celebrities to encourage people - luvvies, royals and ministers.
But 48 per cent went for an old-fashioned ad campaign, appealing to head, not heart.
We'll be back in the morning. See you then.
05:59 PM
Watch the press conference again
The press conference is over now, but you can watch it again below.
05:47 PM
Masks and hand sanitiser here to stay, says JVT
Jonathan Van Tam is asked whether coronavirus will be with us forever, and if he thinks masks and hand sanitiser will become a normal part of life.
"It's going to be with humankind forever," he says.
"We may get to the point where coronavirus becomes a seasonal problem. I don't want to draw too many parallels with flu but possibly that is the kind of way we would learn to live with it.
"Do I think there will become a big moment where we have a massive party and throw our masks and hand sanitiser and say that's it - it's behind us, like the end of the war? No I don't. I think those kind of habits that we have learned from that stop the spread of other respiratory viruses, such as flu, will perhaps persist.
"That may be a good thing if they do."
Boris Johnson replies: "Yes, that may be a good thing, but on the other hand maybe we'll want to get back to life pretty much close to normal."
05:40 PM
Phase 1 list will vaccine 99 per cent of people at risk of death
Jonathan Van Tam says that the first phase priority list "takes out" 99 per cent of people who are at risk of Covid-related mortality.
Boris Johnson adds that the reason the UK has been able to get the vaccine more quickly than other countries in Europe is because the Vaccine Taskforce has been so effective.
Ministers have previously suggested that the reason was that the UK had more flexibility after Brexit, but it looks like pushback from vaccine regulators has changed that view in Downing Street.
05:35 PM
Vaccine will drive down hospital admissions - JVT
Jonathan Van Tam - JOHN SIBLEY/AFP
Jonathan Van Tam says the vaccine is not just about reducing transmission, but stopping people who are infected having to go to into hospital.
Trial data from the AstraZeneca vaccine showed that no one with the jab went into hospital, he points out, adding: "Stay with us."
05:33 PM
Tier 3 areas could move to Tier 2 before the vaccine, says Boris Johnson
Beth Rigby of Sky asks the Prime Minister whether the latest tier restrictions will last beyond their statutory deadline of Feb 3, since January and February are the hardest months for the NHS.
"The restrictions do remain tough, especially in Tier 3 on hospitality, and I deeply, deeply regret that," Mr Johnson says.
He adds that the solution is not just the vaccine but also NHS Test and Trace and mass testing.
Areas with high levels of the virus will be able to drive down transmission and move down the Tiers even before the vaccine is widely available, he says.
05:30 PM
Journalist accused of being 'unfair' to Government on vaccine delivery
Jonathan Van Tam criticises a journalist who suggested the Government had failed to protect the vulnerable.
He describes her question as "extremely unfair" and points out the complexity of manufacturing, storing and distributing the vaccine.
"We'll get there as fast as we can, is the answer, and we are trying extremely unfair."
05:28 PM
Vaccine cannot be delivered in care homes just yet - Boris Johnson
Mr Johnson is asked why the vaccine will not be delivered in care homes.
He replies that care home residents are a priority, but there is a "difficulty" in distributing the jabs because they must remain in cases of 975 doses.
The MHRA regulator must approve distributors to split the doses up before they can be delivered in care homes in situ, he says.
Mr Johnson warns that if the vaccine is improperly handled "it simply won't work".
05:26 PM
Vaccine news is an emotional moment, says PM
Boris Johnson is asked how important today's announcement is.
He agrees with Jonathan Van Tam, and says it is an "emotional moment".
But the PM warned the country would "have to fight on" or risk the virus getting out of control before the vaccine can work.
05:23 PM
Will Year 13 students still have exams?
Dylan, a Year 13 student, asks the Prime Minister whether his exams will go ahead.
Mr Johnson confirms that there will be an announcement on exams tomorrow.
The Government wants the exams to go ahead but there will be additional measures to keep them safe, he says.
05:22 PM
Continue following the rules to avoid 'tidal wave' of infections
Jonathan Van Tam warns that the "social distancing measures must remain in place" to avoid a "tidal wave of infections" that would create a "headwind" for the vaccine to work against.
We all want the dream of freedom to come true, he says, but low uptake of the vaccine will make the restrictions last longer.
05:21 PM
Everyone must take the vaccine, says JVT
Jonathan Van Tam says some of the other vaccines may "fall by the wayside" and it is possible that not all seven of the vaccines in development will come to fruition.
He warns that people will need to take the vaccine, and it is not sufficient for people to "watch others take it and hope that it will protect you".
"We have to be patient to see the real life effects on transmission," he adds.
It won't be until the vaccine's results can be seen in real life that we will know whether the pandemic could be brought to an "early end".
05:19 PM
I was emotional when I heard the vaccine news - Van Tam
Jonathan Van Tam, the Deputy Chief Medical Officer, says he was "quite emotional" this morning when he heard the MHRA explain how they analysed the Pfizer vaccine.
He says it was a "fantastic journey" for the companies and regulators involved to "bring home the goods".
Returning to his famous train analogy, JVT says the train has now reached its destination (the vaccine is ready), the doors are open (people can receive it).
05:17 PM
Simon Stevens: No GP vaccines until January
The MHRA is expected to give guidance on how to safely split the packs of 975, which will allow more hospitals to run vaccination centres, Simon Stevens says.
Individual GP surgeries will not be operating vaccine delivery until January, he says.
While today is cause for celebration, there is more to do and it will be complicated.
05:16 PM
NHS chief lays out the distribution plan for the vaccine
Simon Stevens - Downing Street
Sir Simon Stevens says there are three questions people would like the answers to, when they hear the vaccine news.
Firstly, who.
Sir Simon says the Government will start with people who are the most clinically vulnerable, who are over 80, and who live or work in a care home.
Next, when.
Although we are the first to get the vaccine, the supplies of the vaccine are "phased", he says. The first phase is in December, but the phase after that happens in January to March. Since there are two doses, the Government must reserve some of the second phase jabs for people who had them in the first phase. People will not be immune until they have had two doses, he stresses.
Finally, how.
It is "logistically complicated" to move the vaccine around because it must be kept at -70 degrees celcius.
The packs come in batches of 975, which means they cannot be distributed to individual GPs, Sir Simon says.
Around 50 hospital hubs will start offering the vaccine next week, starting with the most vulnerable who have outpatient appointments.
Then, GPs will cluster together to run "local vaccination centres," of which there will eventually be around 1000.
The Government will "turn on" more of those clinics as and when they are needed.
05:11 PM
We will succeed and return life to normal, says Johnson
Mr Johnson says there is "sure and certain knowledge that we will succeed" and return life to normal next year.
He ends by thanking the scientists who have produced the virus.
05:10 PM
Johnson: You think it's all over. It isn't yet.
Boris Johnson says it would be naive to believe the battle against the virus is all over, and stresses that people must continue to follow the guidelines.
The national lockdown has been replaced with "tough tiers" that will cause "continued hardship".
"Until the vaccine is deployed, our plan does involve all of us making sacrifices to protect those we love," he says.
People in tier 3 areas must take part in community testing and everyone else must follow the "hands, face, space" strategy, he says.
05:08 PM
Protecting the vulnerable could take 'some months' - PM
Johnson - Downing Street
Mr Johnson says the UK was the first country in the world to pre-order the Pfizer vaccine, securing 40 million doses.
The biggest ever programme of mass vaccination will begin next week, with care home residents and their carers, he says.
The Prime Minister stresses the "immense logistical challenges" that means it will take "some months" before all of the vulnerable are protected.
05:07 PM
Boris Johnson: The searchlights of science have picked out the enemy
Boris Johnson is speaking now. He is joined by Jonathan Van Tam, the Deputy Chief Medical Officer, and Simon Stevens, the Chief Executive of NHS England.
Mr Johnson says the country has been "waiting for the day the searchlights of science would pick out our invisible enemy".
The scientists have performed a "kind of biological ju jitsu" to turn the virus on itself in a vaccine, he says.
The vaccine has now been approved, he adds.
04:55 PM
Press conference from Downing Street at 5pm
Boris Johnson will speak at 5pm - Jamie Lorriman - WPA Pool/Getty Images
Boris Johnson will begin a press conference from Downing Street in a few minutes.
We will bring you a live feed at the top of the blog.
Mr Johnson is expected to address this morning's vaccine announcement and give more detail about how it will be rolled out in the coming weeks.
04:44 PM
One in five Britons not confident the Pfizer vaccine is safe
A snap poll from YouGov released just now shows 20 per cent of Britons are not confident the Pfizer vaccine that will begin its rollout next week is safe.
27 per cent say they are very confident the vaccine is safe
43 per cent are fairly confident
11 per cent are not very confident
9 per cent are not confident at all
The poll shows the public overwhelmingly back the idea of the Health Secretary being vaccinated live on TV: 66 per cent support the idea, vs 12 per cent who oppose.
Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor, is getting a bit of a name for himself for elaborate PR photo shoots. First it was images of him staring thoughtfully at his Spending Review papers, but now he has been pictured doing some Christmas shopping.
Mr Sunak is trying to encourage the country to get back to the shops in the lead up to Christmas, after non-essential retail re-opened this morning. Here he is in Hamleys.
SUNAK - SIMON WALKER HM TREASURY SUNAK - Simon Walker HM Treasury SUNAK - SIMON WALKER HM TREASURY
04:25 PM
No reshuffle 'just now', says Downing Street
Allegra Stratton said she had not heard any plans for a post-Cummings Cabinet 'reset' - TOBY MELVILLE/REUTERS
Downing Street has denied that Boris Johnson is plotting a new year Cabinet reshuffle - suggesting he has no plans for changes "just now".
Allegra Stratton, the Prime Minister's press secretary said Mr Johnson is "happy" with his senior ministers.
She told the Westminster lobby briefing: "He is happy with his top team and as far as I know there is no reshuffle planned just now and there is plenty to be getting on with."
Her comments may leave open the door to changes in the new year amid reports Mr Johnson wants to "reset" his Government following the departure of his top adviser Dominic Cummings.
Pressed on the prospects of a reshuffle after Christmas, Ms Stratton said she is not aware of anything - although she did not rule it out.
"I am not aware that a reshuffle is even on the cards for the new year. It is just not something I have heard," she said.
04:14 PM
Covid data latest: 648 more UK deaths
The Government said a further 648 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Wednesday, bringing the UK total to 59,699. Separate figures published by the UK's statistics agencies for deaths where Covid-19 has been mentioned on the death certificate, together with additional data on deaths that have occurred in recent days, show there have now been 75,000 deaths involving Covid-19 in the UK.
The Government said that, as of 9am on Wednesday, there had been a further 16,170 lab-confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK.
It brings the total number of cases in the UK to 1,659,256.
03:46 PM
Have your say: How should the Government encourage take-up of the Covid vaccine?
This morning's news that the Pfizer-BionTech vaccine has been approved by the MHRA is sparking a rarely felt emotion in Westminster - joy.
Ministers and opposition MPs are united in praising the moment as the beginning of the end of the pandemic, and the much-hated restrictions.
There has been talk of a vaccine passport with the promise of more freedoms, while others suggest lining up high-profile celebrities to prove it's safe. Alternatively, a more indepth ad campaign could dispel untruths about vaccinations and pave the way for a longer-term drive against all anti-vaxxer conspiracy theories.
So how should the Government persuade people that it is safe to take? Have your say in the poll below:
03:43 PM
Beyond Brexit: Travel will change from January 1- here's what you need to know
The Brexit transition period comes to an end on December 31 2020 – and there will be consequences for the way we travel.
In the second of our four-part video series exploring what this new era in Britain’s history will mean for us, The Telegraph’s Deputy Head of Travel, Ben Ross, explains the “big changes” for UK travellers from 1 January 2021.
No longer part of an ‘EU travel club' where we can hop across multiple European countries easily, countries will change the way they accept UK holidaymakers to different regions.
03:41 PM
Comparing Covid vaccine to Thalidomide scandal is 'insulting', says charity consultant
Comparisons between the coronavirus vaccine and the Thalidomide scandal are "insulting", a consultant for the Thalidomide Society has said.
Following the news the UK has become the first country in the world to approve the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine, 'Thalidomide' began trending on Twitter.
However, Dr Ruth Blue, consultant for the Thalidomide Society, said it was "a bit insulting that suddenly Thalidomide gets remembered after all these years when it suits anti-vaxxers to have something to compare to".
However, she stressed that "it isn't a comparison".
Dr Blue said: "The reason Thalidomide caused impairments in children is because it wasn't tested properly. This was a long time ago.
"The outcome of Thalidomide completely changed the way drugs are tested and are passed."
She continued: "It's very unfair because these are people now mostly in their early 60s, a few in their late 50s, and they have been living with the effects of Thalidomide for all this time, without anybody paying much attention really, apart from in the early days.
"Now suddenly they are top of the pile because there is a campaign people have against having the vaccine."
03:26 PM
Lobby latest: Boris Johnson 'optimistic' about Brexit trade deal
Boris Johnson remains "optimistic" that Britain can secure a post-Brexit trade deal with the EU, Downing Street has said.
The Prime Minister's press secretary Allegra Stratton said: "The talks are right now ongoing and he has greatest confidence in David Frost and the team.
"He is optimistic but he has also always said that he is confident and comfortable that we would be okay without a deal. If a deal can be struck that is all to the good but he is also confident that we can move towards trading on what he calls Australia terms."
Ms Stratton said no consideration had been given to any possible resumption of trade talks with the EU next year if they fail to reach agreement by the end of the current Brexit transition period at the end of the year.
"We have a negotiating team working really hard right now to get a deal and until it is clear that they have or haven't that is not something anybody in this building is thinking about."
03:18 PM
Patrick O'Flynn: Vaccine breakthrough comes at perfect time for Britain and for Boris
A few weeks ago at one of his Downing Street press conferences Boris Johnson said that when a vaccine came on stream it would be like the sound of a bugle signalling the arrival of the cavalry to rescue us all.
And many of us found the metaphor trite and irritating – just another empty promise to be filed alongside the world class test and trace system that was going to facilitate a “whack-a-mole” strategy to prevent local outbreaks spreading or the pledge to turn the tide and send coronavirus packing inside 12 weeks (that one was from in mid-March).
Lobby latest: No Cabinet reshuffle planned 'just now', says Downing Street
Boris Johnson has no plans to reshuffle his Cabinet "just now", Downing Street has said.
The Prime Minister's press secretary Allegra Stratton said Mr Johnson was "happy" with his team of senior ministers although she appeared to leave the door open to changes in the new year."
"He is happy with his top team and as far as I know there is no reshuffle planned just now and there is plenty to be getting on with," she told a briefing for Westminster journalists.
Pressed on the prospects of a reshuffle after Christmas, she said: "I am not aware that a reshuffle is even on the cards for the new year. It is just not something I have heard."
Allegra Stratton: PM is happy with Cabinet - for now - Reuters
03:00 PM
Pfizer vaccine cannot be safely delivered to Wales' care homes, says minister
A Welsh minister has ruled out vaccinating care home residents with the Pfizer drug, despite them being "right at the top of the vulnerability list".
Health and social care minister Vaughan Gething told a session of the Senedd's plenary it was not possible to transport the Pfizer vaccine to more than 1,000 care homes across Wales, adding: "They will get some protection with our ability to prioritise staff who work in those environments.
"I'm still optimistic this vaccine will make a real difference but the Oxford vaccine gives us a much greater ability to take it out to people because it is a vaccine that can essentially be stored in a fridge, so there are significantly less logistical challenges to deliver."
He added: "The challenge is how we safely deliver it and get to as many people in accordance with the priorities and that's exactly what we are doing.
"The Oxford vaccine can be stored and moved in those circumstances and that will make a much bigger difference, not just to care home residents, but other housebound groups of people."
02:53 PM
Lobby latest: Boris Johnson would have public vaccination
Boris Johnson could be prepared to be vaccinated against coronavirus live on TV - but only if it did not prevent someone more in need of a jab from receiving one, his press secretary has said.
Allegra Stratton told reporters: "We all know the character of the Prime Minister, I don't think it would be something that he would rule out.
"But what we also know is that he wouldn't want to take a jab that should be for somebody who is extremely vulnerable, clinically vulnerable, and who should be getting it before him."
Health Secretary Matt Hancock and Jon Ashworth, his Labour counterpart, have already agreed to be jointly vaccinated as part of efforts to persuade the nation to take it up.
02:52 PM
Lobby latest: No comment on Matt Hancock's Brexit claims
Downing Street declined to be drawn on claims by Matt Hancock that the UK was able to approve the Pfizer vaccine more quickly because of Brexit.
The Health Secretary's claim (10am) was shot down by MHRA head Dr June Raine during her press conference this morning (10:35am).
Asked about this, the Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "The MHRA (the regulator) is globally recognised for requiring the highest standards of quality, safety and medicines regulation and the public should be sure that the vaccine is safe for use.
"It is clear that we are the first country in the world to approve this vaccine and it is incredibly positive news that we will be able to start to distribute it."
02:50 PM
Lobby latest: No punishment for 55 rebel MPs, Downing Street confirms
Boris Johnson's press secretary said there would not be any consequences for the 55 Tory rebels who opposed his tiered coronavirus restrictions for England.
Allegra Stratton told reporters: "The Prime Minister is pleased that he won the vote last night and indeed that he was able to persuade quite a number of Conservative MPs to, in the end, not rebel.
"He listened to them and he, over the course of the last few days, gave them quite considerable concessions."
She added: "There are no consequences, the Prime Minister respects them, he respects that this was and is an extremely difficult decision.
"The balance is, for nobody, an easy one."
02:48 PM
Lobby latest: 'Substantial meal' decisions down to pubgoers and landlords
Downing Street said pubgoers and landlords would need to exercise their judgment in deciding what complied with the coronavirus restrictions.
Asked whether Deliveroo orders could be sent to pubs to comply with the requirement to have a "substantial meal" in Tier 2 areas, the Prime Minister's official spokesman said customers were banned from bringing in food purchased elsewhere.
"It's for both customers and venues to act reasonably and to exercise good judgment when adhering to these regulations," the spokesman said.
"But businesses that do not ordinarily serve food may enter into a contracting arrangement with other local restaurants, for example, in order that they are able to do so and remain open.
"However, allowing customers to bring food into the premises that has been purchased elsewhere in order to consume alcohol remains prohibited."
02:37 PM
Matt Hancock praises 'York model' for reducing infections
York Central MP Rachael Maskell asks the Health Secretary to look "with precision" at the York model of reducing infections. "It works, so will the Secretary of State now follow the model?"
Matt Hancock says he will "not only follow the model - we will promote it". He pays tribute to everybody in York, saying it is an example of national and local systems working well together.
Ben Bradshaw, Labour's MP for Exeter, asks Mr Hancock to "spell out" what his region must do to drop down a Tier and asks if he believes the York model is so successful why he doesn't adopt it more broadly.
Mr Hancock says he is happy to work with councils if they want to adopt the York model, but stresses that Devon is not the region with the lowest rate in Tier 2 - which is his constituency of West Suffolk.
02:32 PM
Matt Hancock agrees to consider dropping Buckingham down a Tier
Greg Smith, the Conservative MP for Buckingham, notes that yesterday Matt Hancock and the Prime Minister agreed to consider making Tiers more granular.
He asks if his constituency will be considered as a contender to drop to Tier 1 before Christmas.
The Health Secretary says he enjoyed the conversation "on the approach to the division lobby", adding that the answer to his question is yes.
James Davies, MP for the Vale of Clwyd, asks for "equitable provision" for mass testing in Wales as well as England.
Mr Hancock says he is working with the Welsh administration to get mass testing throughout the country.
02:28 PM
Matt Hancock ignores call for Christmas modelling
Caroline Lucas asks about the modelling over Christmas, saying she was told yesterday it was not possible to estimate.
The Green MP says if he doesn't know "why would he be making such a major decision without any idea of the number of deaths that could result" from it.
Matt Hancock says he has to balance "a number of considerations, including the yearning that many people have to come together".
02:26 PM
Matt Hancock: 'Debate to be had' over priority for vaccinations in second phase, says Matt Hancock
Mark Jenkinsop, the MP for Workington, asks if life will return to something "close to normal" in the spring.
Matt Hancock says he has "good news for the people of Workington" as this had been the strategy all along.
Fleur Anderson, Labour's MP for Putney, says she will have "no hesitation" in having a vaccine when it is her turn.
She asks if "educational need" will be a factor in the later stages of the vaccine roll out.
The Health Secretary says there is "a debate to be had about the next order of priority" after the first phase, but he hopes that mass testing "will be effective in ensuring fewer teachers have to isolate".
02:22 PM
Test and release trial happening 'right now', says Matt Hancock
Greg Clark, the former business secretary, echoes others in paying "a personal tribute" to Matt Hancock for making the UK the first in the world to approve a vaccine.
But the Tunbridge Wells MP says that often people don't disclose contacts because they are afraid they will have to self-isolate for a long period.
He notes that Sir John Bell has recommended a "test and release" strategy, allowing people to leave isolation after two negative tests, and asks if that can be considered.
Mr Hancock says it is "something we are trialling right now and I hope we can make significant progress on in the weeks ahead".
02:20 PM
Matt Hancock: Mass testing being rolled out 'as we speak'
Tracy Brabin, the Labour MP for Batley and Spen, says her constituency has been under enhanced restrictions for "many, many months now".
She asks for clarity on how much local authorities get for mass testing, and what other support will be granted, and when it will be rolled out.
Matt Hancock says it is being rolled out "as we speak", and he is ensuring the local authorities "enthusiasm for mass testing is matched with resources".
He confirms they will receive £14 per test, as well as logistical support from the military.
02:16 PM
Health Secretary tells supermarkets to keep workplaces Covid secure ahead of Christmas
Tory MP Lee Anderson claims that small businesses have been losing out while big businesses have been making "record profits".
He says he has received lots of complaints about crowded retailers in the run-up to Christmas.
He asks Matt Hancock to remind supermarkets they have a duty "to protect their staff, customers, NHS and the whole of the UK".
The Health Secretary reminds supermarkets "of their responsibilities" in being Covid secure, and praises the Conservative MP for standing up for his local businesses, saying "I know it is tough in Ashfield at the moment - I get that."
02:11 PM
Jeremy Hunt praises Matt Hancock's 'massive goal' on vaccine first
Jeremy Hunt praises Matt Hancock for "scoring a massive goal for the country", noting that he was in a meeting where he was congratulated for the UK moving first "because it will encourage other countries to move faster".
But he asks about people with learning difficulties, who are at higher risk of dying from Covid, asking if the Health Secretary can "redouble his efforts to make sure they are reunited with their families" for Christmas.
Mr Hancock says the MHRA has followed all the steps that any other regulator would do "but rapidly, and sometimes in parallel with others". The WHO has backed that approach, he says, and other regulators should learn from the MHRA.
He says that those with learning difficulties will be offered a vaccine at the appropriate point in the prioritisation list, saying is the dominant, but not only, factor.
02:08 PM
Sir Bernard Jenkin: We must have increased honesty about what we still don't know
Sir Bernard Jenkin calls for "increased honesty about what we still don't know" including how long immunity will last and whether people will be able to transmit the disease after they have received the vaccine.
Until we know the answer, we need maximum effort behind Test and Trace, the Liaison Committee chair says, asking why councils like his local one are still having to wait 48-72 hours for the data.
Matt Hancock says it is quite right that at this stage they do not know how long immunity will last, and says he will write about the access to daily data in Essex.
"I agree with him in principle, so let's make it work in practice," he adds.
02:01 PM
Matt Hancock takes up Jon Ashworth on his joint vaccine offer
Matt Hancock thanks Jon Ashworth for his offer, saying if they can encourage anybody to take a vaccine "by appearing together and being vaccinated together, I would be happy to do that".
He jokes that it should be done by a professional.
The Health Secretary says today "doesn't end all uncertainty" because although there are 800,000 doses on the way to the UK, the rest are dependent on the manufacturing process, so he is unable to answer how many people will be vaccinated by January.
There are "50 hospital hubs ready to go" by next week, while the vaccination centres will be ready "very soon".
He says it is not yet possible to know about herd immunity or restrictions yet.
Matt Hancock and Jon Ashworth will get vaccinated together... by a professional pic.twitter.com/Ig1u7lq5Fr
Jon Ashworth quizzes Matt Hancock over vaccine freedoms
Jon Ashworth also asks when the mass vaccination centres will open, and whether there is a "health inequalities strategy" to ensure BAME and the poorest don't miss out.
The shadow health secretary also asks for a time-frame for herd immunity and when restrictions will be released.
He asks if someone will still have to isolate when contacted by Test and Trace after they have been vaccinated or if they will be "released" from that obligation.
Mr Ashworth asks about Boris Johnson's suggestion yesterday that people could take advantage of mass testing ahead of Christmas.
He repeats Labour's call to expand eligibility for the £500 grant, but closes saying "this is a good news day" and pledges to "work together" to ensure take-up of the vaccine.
01:52 PM
Jon Asworth offers to be vaccinated on TV alongside Matt Hancock
Jon Ashworth says it is "indeed" good news, and thanks those involved in the development of the vaccine.
"If it helps I will stand alongside the Secretary of State, socially distanced of course, on any platform or any TV studio, to show we are united, cross-party, in promoting vaccination," he says.
However constituents will have legitimate questions which should not be dismissed. The Labour frontbencher asks if Matt Hancock will consider a large scale public information campaign to encourage uptake. He adds that Labour will work with ministers to curb online harms.
The shadow health secretary then turns to the nitty gritty, asking about plans to vaccinate NHS staff, and how the Pfizer vaccine can be safely transported to care homes to ensure residents can be vaccinated.
01:47 PM
Matt Hancock: This is a day to remember in a year to forget
Matt Hancock then turns to the prioritisation list, which begins with care home residents.
The need to keep the vaccine at -70*C makes it "particularly challenging" to deliver, with the bulk of vaccinations taking place in the new year.
They will be delivered in hospital hubs first, then through local community services including GPs and pharmacies, and through large venues such as conference centres.
He stresses that people must not stop following the rules, adding: "We must all keep playing our part."
He also announces another piece of news - that visits to care homes can restart for those who have tested negative.
"Coronavirus has denied so many people the simple pleasure of seeing a loved one, which is so precious to so many," he says.
We can see a way out of this, and this is "a day to remember in a year to forget", he adds.
01:43 PM
Matt Hancock admits 'challenges and complications' around Pfizer vaccine roll out
Matt Hancock opens his statement to the Commons highlighting the breadth of work the vaccine taskforce has done, with the UK having "backed" seven different types.
The Health Secretary describes the authorisation of the Pfizer-BionTech vaccine as a "monumental step forward" and a "triumph for humanity". He thanks everyone involved in the drug's development, including the volunteers.
"Now our task is to make use of the fruits of their endeavour to save lives," he tells MPs.
Each batch will be tested for safety and has been completed this morning for 800,000 doses.
He chaired a meeting of the Devolved Administrations this morning to coordinate efforts, he says, noting there will be "challenges and complications".
01:40 PM
First batch of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine could reach UK tomorrow
The first batch of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine could reach the UK tomorrow.
Sean Marett, chief commercial officer at BioNTech, told BBC Radio 4's World At One programme: "We're packing them now as we speak and getting ready for shipping.
"What we can definitely say is it will arrive, the first consignment, in the next few days and that could be as early as tomorrow or it could be a few days later, but the UK will be the first country in the world to be receiving vaccine for administration to its population.
"We will probably be shipping several consignments to the UK over the next few weeks and it might be that the numbers vary on size of packaging that we put together in a lorry and then ship, so the UK has a good number of vaccines coming to it in December."
01:34 PM
Boris Johnson flanked by Jonathan Van-Tam and Simon Stevens at press conference
Boris Johnson will be joined by NHS England chief executive Simon Stevens and England's deputy chief medical officer Jonathan Van-Tam at the Downing Street press conference this afternoon.
The Prime Minister's appearance at the press conference comes on the day England's new tier restrictions come into force and after regulators approved a coronavirus vaccine for the UK.
It will start at 5pm.
01:28 PM
Arcadia workers should not pay the price of Sir Philip Green's greed, says Ed Miliband
Arcadia employees' should not lose out because of Sir Philip Green's "greed", Ed Miliband has said.
The shadow business secretary told the Commons the tycoon "owes the workers at Arcadia a moral duty", as his retail empire enters administration.
"His family took a dividend worth £1.2 billion from the company, the largest in UK history, more than three times the size of the pensions deficit," Mr Miliband said.
"The workers at Arcadia should not pay the price of Philip Green's greed. So will the minister now publicly call for him to make good any shortfall in the pensions scheme and will he ensure that the pensions regulator takes all possible steps to make sure this happens?"
Business minister Paul Scully said: "The independent pensions regulator has a range of powers to protect pensions schemes and it does work closely with those involved.
"The schemes where the employer goes insolvent the pensions protection fund is there to protect the members. Anybody already in receipt of their pensions will continue to be paid and other members will receive at least pensions protection fund compensation levels."
01:24 PM
Care homes unlikely to be ready for Pfizer vaccine next week, warns Care England
It is unlikely the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will be available in care homes next week, a leading care provider group has warned.
Care England said it had received no clear communications from the Government.
Professor Martin Green, Care England chief executive, said: "I think it will be difficult for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to be used in care homes because of the difficulty of storage and the low temperatures required.
"In light of this, we need the Oxford vaccine to be approved as soon as possible and a vaccination programme put in place so that care home residents can be protected from Covid-19."
But Sean Marett, who is chief commercial officer at BioNTech and responsible for distribution, said studies suggested the vaccine could be transported for up to six hours at 2C-8C, enabling people to "take them to the care homes where they can be administered directly to the patients".
The vaccine can be stored in a fridge for up to five days, he added.
01:00 PM
Scotland to start Pfizer vaccines from Tuesday, says Nicola Sturgeon
Vaccinations will start in Scotland from next Tuesday, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said.
Speaking at the coronavirus briefing in Edinburgh on Wednesday, Ms Sturgeon said that it will be likely to take into the new year for the two required jabs to be given out.
Those giving out vaccines will be the first to be inoculated, followed by health and social care staff, people over 80 and residents in care homes.
The Pfizer BioNTech vaccine which was approved on Wednesday presents some logistical challenges, the First Minister said, including transporting them to individual homes.
She added: "Overall, however, the high probability that vaccines will start is welcome and I think it is much-needed positive news for all of us."
The First Minister went on to say that the end of the pandemic in Scotland was "in sight".
12:59 PM
Vaccine breakthrough 'cannot cancel out the grief', says Nicola Sturgeon
Scots should not become complacent as a coronavirus briefing draws closer, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said.
Accepting that there will be "dips in the road" before the vaccine is fully rolled out to the rest of the country, Ms Sturgeon has urged Scots to use the news as "motivation".
"Now, we really need to motivate ourselves to keep doing the things to get us through this period safely," she said.
Speaking at the coronavirus briefing in Edinburgh, the First Minister said news of the approval of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine on Wednesday "cannot in any way cancel out the grief, the suffering and the pain this virus has caused".
She added: "But all of this allows us to start to look forward with some greater hope than any of us have been able to do for some time.
"Today is a day that we should allow ourselves that little bit of hope and optimism for the future."
12:48 PM
Welsh Government 'exploring' how to get Pfizer vaccine into care homes
The Welsh Government is "currently exploring ways" to get the Pfizer vaccine to care home residents, Wales' chief medical officer has said.
Dr Frank Atherton told a press conference that there are "particular challenges" around the vaccine as it requires storage below -70C.
He said there was a clear list of priorities within the JCVI guidance and all four nations "are intending to follow that priority list and work down it".
"However, that has to take into account operational concerns. I think it would be scandalous to waste the vaccine and not to use it wisely," Dr Atherton said.
"We are currently exploring ways in which we could try to get vaccines to those residents of care homes - certainly the healthcare staff and social care staff will be a very high priority - and we're looking for ways to work around that, but it is technically quite difficult to achieve that given that we have numerous care homes around the country and the model for delivering this particular vaccine, the Pfizer vaccine, requires a small number of vaccination sites."
12:45 PM
PMQs: Boris Johnson has led the way on net zero
Conservative MP Scott Mann says levelling up should not just be seen as a north/south issue, noting there are pockets of deprivation in Cornwall.
He asks for an assurance that the shared prosperity fund will not be the same as the levelling up fund, which the Prime Minister agrees.
Philip Dunne, the Conservative MP for Ludlow, asks the PM "not to curb your enthusiasm for the environment" and if he will "show international leadership" on emissions ahead of Cop 26 next year.
Boris Johnson says he is "proud the UK led the way" on the net zero target for 2050, and "we are looking at our nationally determined contribution, which will be extremely ambitious".
It will be published on December 12, he adds.
12:41 PM
PMQs: South Shields MP skewers Boris Johnson
Emma Lowell-Buck has congratulated Boris Johnson for nearly reaching his one year anniversary in post.
But in that time, she notes, the UK has notched up "71,00 Covid deaths - the highest rate in Europe - £2 trillion in debt - the worst performing economy in the G7, failing Brexit negotiations and at least £1.5bn spent on Tory friends and donors while at the same time whipping Tory MPs to vote against free meals for hungry children".
She asks him "which of these achievements" he was most proud of.
The PM starts by saying he would take her more seriously if the party could be bothered to vote - but is shouted down as the South Shields did actually break the whip to vote against the Tiers yesterday.
12:37 PM
PMQs: Liam Fox calls on PM to consider 'a small business test'
Liam Fox, the former international trade secretary, asks if Boris Johnson will consider "a new discipline in the form of a small business test, so that every tax, regulation and every bit of legislation is measured against whether it will provide support" for the sector.
The PM says "every measure" the Government produces already considers the impact of all measures on business.
He repeats his exhortation for people to shop local.
12:34 PM
PMQs: Treasury considering responses to business rates consultation, says PM
Labour MP Sir Mark Hendrick asks when the PM will deliver on his promises, instead of behaving like a second-hand car salesman.
Boris Johnson says, he thinks the question is about keeping the UK in the EU, in which case the Labour MP "is going to be sorely disappointed".
Matt Vickers, Conservative MP for Stockton South, asks about a review of business rates and if the PM can encourage people to "shop local" ahead of Christmas.
The PM says "everybody should be shopping local" this weekend, ahead of Small Business Saturday.
He adds that the Treasury is considering responses to the call for evidence on business rates ahead of conclusion in the spring.
12:27 PM
PMQs: Boris Johnson accused of 'funnelling transport money away from Wales'
Plaid Cymru's Westminster Liz Savile Roberts claims "Welsh taxpayers are paying for English transport and HS2 - but we don't get a fair return".
She asks how much money is being "funnelled away from Wales", noting that HS2 is labelled as being an England and Wales scheme "when not a line of track goes through Wales".
Boris Johnson says he does not recognise this situation, arguing the Welsh Labour government spent £144m on plans for a bypass "which they then junked".
12:25 PM
PMQs: Ian Blackford challenges Boris Johnson over 'excluded' suicides
Ian Blackford says the news of the vaccine is "news we have all been waiting for" but warns that for some it is still too distant a hope.
The SNP Westminster leader tells the Prime Minister that he recently met with representatives of the three million excluded from financial support, claiming that eight people have taken their lives in the last 10 days. "These people need help," he adds.
Boris Johnson says he "sympathise very much with those who have taken their lives, and their family", saying the Government has invested in mental health support as well as a "huge package of support".
Mr Blackford says it "simply isn't good enough".
12:21 PM
PMQs: Captain Hindsight is turning into General Indecision, says Boris Johnson
Sir Keir Starmer returns to his questions about 200,000 retail job losses, saying if there had been that many in any other sector "there would have been much greater action already".
He tells Boris Johnson not to "deflect" and bring forward a comprehensive plan to support the sector, reminding him they are "real people facing real problems".
The Prime Minister says the Government is supporting every life it can but would "take him more seriously if he could be bothered to vote".
He concludes: "Captain Hindsight is rising rapidly up the ranks and has become General Indecision".
12:18 PM
PMQs: Boris Johnson and Sir Keir Starmer clash over Labour abstention
Sir Keir Starmer then turns to the recent collapses of Arcadia and Debenhams, asking what the Government will do to protect jobs and pensions affected.
Boris Johnson says the Government is looking at what can be done to protect "all the jobs being lost across the country", noting that Business Secretary Alok Sharma has written to the Insolvency Service "to look at the conduct of the Arcadia directors".
He says it is "a bit much" that the Labour leader is attacking the "economic consequences of the fight against coronavirus when last night neither he nor his troops could be bothered to vote for measures" that replace the national lockdown.
Sir Keir says "When I abstain I come to the Commons to explain - when the Prime Minister abstains he runs away to Afghanistan, and gives the taxpayer a £20,000 bill".
12:14 PM
PMQs: Keir Starmer calls for anti-vaxxer emergency legislation
Sir Keir Starmer then turns to vaccine disinformation, asking for emergency legislation "to clamp down on this, with financial penalties for companies that fail to act".
Boris Johnson says the Government is working to tackle "all kinds of disinformation" across the internet. He says anti-vaxxers are "totally wrong in their approach", and a paper will be published on "online harms, designed to tackle the very disinformation he speaks of".
The Labour leader asks for him to share a communications plan with the Commons "so we can all say the same thing to the country" to encourage vaccine take-up.
12:12 PM
PMQs: Sir Keir Starmer quizzes PM over getting vaccine into care homes
Sir Keir Starmer asks specifically what will be done to get the vaccine into care homes, considering the -70*C it must be stored at.
He notes that Wales has already said they will not be able to do this currently.
Boris Johnson says there are "logistical challenges to be overcome", and work is ongoing.
The NHS will be able to distribute it "as fast and sensible as possible" to particular groups, he says.
But this is why it is also important the AstraZeneca vaccine comes on stream.
He asks the Labour leader to thank the vaccine taskforce, which Sir Keir does - without much enthusiasm.
12:10 PM
PMQs: Sir Keir Starmer presses for details of when care residents will be vaccinated
Sir Keir Starmer asks when the two top groups can expect to be vaccinated, noting the anxiety care home residents will have.
Boris Johnson says it is important people do not get their hopes up too soon.
It will begin next week, and several million doses are expected before the end of the year. It will be rolled out as fast as it can "but that is why I put so much emphasis on the importance of the Tiering system... we will need to keep that tough tiering and testing regime in place".
12:08 PM
PMQs: Boris Johnson: Vaccine is not the end of our struggle
Sir Keir Starmer echoes the Prime Minister's praise for those who worked on the vaccine, and says everyone in the Commons has a part to play in reassuring the public about its safety.
He says it is "good news" that 800,000 doses are coming to the UK initially and asks who will get the vaccine in the first week.
Boris Johnson says the priority list is care residents, older adults and frontline NHS and social care workers, as was set out by the JCVI earlier this morning.
The list "represents common sense", he tells the Commons, saying it is "unquestionably good news, but by no means the end of our struggle" which is why people must follow the Tiered restrictions.
12:05 PM
PMQs: Boris Johnson hails vaccine breakthrough
Boris Johnson has started PMQs by saying he is "proudly" wearing purple ahead of International Day for People With Disabilities tomorrow.
He also praises the people who made the vaccine breakthrough possible, saying it will enable us to "reclaim our lives and get our economy started again".
Chris Green asks if it will be voluntary, and the Prime Minister says "absolutely... it is no part of our culture or ambition in this country to make vaccines mandatory. That is not how we do things."
11:59 AM
Iceland supermarket 'stands ready' to support Pfizer vaccine roll out, says MD
The managing director of supermarket chain Iceland has said the business "stands ready" to help with the roll out of the Pfizer vaccine, which needs to be kept at -70*C.
Richard Walker tweeted this morning that he had told Boris Johnson last month that the frozen food specialist could "support with our cold chain logistics".
Fantastic news that the Pfizer/BioNtech vaccine is now approved in the UK. As I told the Prime Minister last month, if helpful Iceland stands ready to support with our cold chain logistics.
Vaccine tzar: Step by step we will defeat the virus
Nadhim Zahawi, the new vaccine tzar, has met with Jonathan Van-Tam to discuss the roll out of the Pfizer vaccine, which will begin being given out from early next week.
"Once quality checks have taken place, the vaccine will be delivered right across the UK," the minister said.
"We will begin vaccine deployment next week, make sure we work carefully, and deploy steadily.
"Step by step we will defeat this virus."
With Jonathan Van-Tam. We will begin vaccine deployment next week, make sure we work carefully, and deploy steadily. Step by step we will defeat this virus. pic.twitter.com/Z1lbfL29aR
Vaccine passport concept 'not new', says Jonathan Van-Tam
Professor Jonathan Van-Tam has urged people to have confidence in the Pfizer vaccine, which was approved today after "literally a lorry load of paperwork" had been assessed.
The deputy chief medical officer said the process for approval had been taking place "week on week, month on month as we've been going through 2020", rather than waiting for the trials to complete.
He told ITV: "There isn't this backlog of paperwork and studies to examine at the very end. And that's another way in which we've saved time without cutting corners. The products that you can get through a regulator and get through the MHR right now will have been assessed for safety, for effectiveness and quality."
On the prospect of vaccine passports, Prof Van-Tam said: "You'll [already] be required to have certain vaccinations as a prerequisite of going to certain places. Those concepts are not new, but I think that it's far too early to talk about those in relation to coronavirus vaccines.
"The real job of work now is to get our vulnerable people protected."
11:37 AM
Two-thirds of British public planning to take Covid vaccine, poll finds
Two-thirds of the British public are likely to take a Covid vaccine, with just under a quarter saying they were not, a study published today has found.
A Savanta ComRes-ITV poll of more than 2,000 people found that 67 per cent were planning to get immunised, while 23 per cent said they were not likely to take the vaccine. A further 10 per cent said they didn't know.
The majority of concerns centred around safety, with 44 per cent saying they were scared of potential side effects, while 31 per cent said they do not trust pharmaceutical companies. Some 30 per cent said they do not trust the Government while 22 per cent said they did not trust regulatory bodies.
Concerningly 12 per cent said they believe vaccinations contain microchips or other devices while 10 per cent said Covid was a hoax.
Women were significantly more likely than men to have safety concerns, while men were more likely to believe the pandemic was a hoax.
11:29 AM
'Dangerous' criminals deported to Jamaica but more than 30 remain after legal challenges
Thirteen “dangerous” Jamaican criminals were deported on a flight on Tuesday night but more than 35 other offenders escaped removal from the UK after last minute legal appeals by their lawyers.
The 13 had been convicted of offences earning more than 100 years in jail and included three murderers, a paedophile convicted of grooming a child, and four drug dealers.
However, immigration minister Chris Philp said he was disappointed by the last minute tactics used by lawyers to block the deportation of some 35 more offenders.
Campaigners appealed for any pro bono lawyers who could challenge the deportation - PA
11:24 AM
Matthew Lynn: High-value workers and regions should get the vaccine first
Frontline healthcare workers come first, obviously. High-risk individuals and care home staff will be next in line. But after that? It gets harder.
With the news that the MHRA has approved the Pfizer vaccine, we are facing urgent decisions on how to distribute the medicine. It would be great if we had 65 million doses and the capacity to deliver them on day one, but that isn’t going to happen.
It will take several months to ramp up production of one or a range of vaccines. In the meantime, we will have to decide who gets it first.
In truth, that can start out as a healthcare plan, but very quickly it should turn into an economic one, argues Matthew Lynn. If we are to ever have any chance of getting our economy back into shape, and minimising the long-term damage from the Covid-19 crisis, then we need to reboot business and industry as fast as possible.
11:17 AM
Boris Johnson to be quizzed by Tier rebels during today's PMQS
Although it might feel like it, today is not all about vaccines. After all, yesterday Boris Johnson was dealt a series of bruises in the form of the biggest rebellion of his premiership so far.
Some of those rebels are on the call list to quiz him during today's PMQS, which promises to be a lively one, with many MPs likely to be pressing for a firm commitment on his vague agreement to consider making Tiers more "granular".
Covid vaccine 'a voluntary thing', says senior scientist
There are no plans to make the new Covid-19 vaccine mandatory for health and social care workers, a senior scientist has said.
Prof Wei Shen Lim, of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), said: "At the moment there is no suggestion that the offer of vaccination should be compulsorily taken up.
"It is always an offer of vaccination and whether somebody wants to have a vaccine or not, whether they are in the NHS or not, at the moment it is a voluntary thing."
So should the Government press ahead with vaccine passports, line up celebrities or consider a major ad campaign that could dispel anti-vaxxer myths more generally?
Have your say in the poll below.
11:10 AM
Wales cannot deliver Pfizer vaccine to care homes 'at this stage', says minister
Wales will not be able to deliver the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to care homes currently, the Government has said.
The vaccine, which received MHRA approval this morning, has to be stored at -70*C.
Health Minister Vaughan Gething said: "Wales is ready to deploy the vaccine in phases, starting with hospital sites and then community settings."
But they while exploring "suitable options for initial deployment of this vaccine" he noted that "in practical terms at this stage that we cannot deliver this vaccine to care homes," he said.
Those receiving the vaccine will be given a credit card-sized NHS Wales immunisation card which will have the vaccine name, date of immunisation and batch number of each of the doses given written on them.
These will act as a reminder for the second dose and for the type of vaccine, as well as giving information on how to report side effects.
Dr Frank Atherton, chief medical officer for Wales, said: "A full announcement around the timetable for roll-out in Wales will follow in the next few days."
10:54 AM
Vaccine approval a 'historic moment', says medicines expert
Professor Sir Munir Pirmohamed, of the Commission on Human Medicines advisory panel, has said approval of the vaccine was a "historic moment".
He told a Government press conference: "We are in the midst of a once-in-a-century pandemic and I think this is a historic moment.
"The UK is now one step closer to providing a safe and effective vaccine to help in the fight against Covid-19, a virus that has affected each and every one of us in some way.
"This will help to save lives."
10:50 AM
Shops, pubs and gyms reopen under tier system as shops prepare for 'Wild Wednesday'
Shops, gyms and pubs have reopened as England's new tier system came into effect, with retailers preparing for what has been called 'Wild Wednesday'.
As the national lockdown came to an end, shoppers were seen queuing outside stores in Oxford Street and Birmingham from as early as 5am in a bid to do some Christmas shopping.
Fitness fans also headed for the gym at midnight while others had haircuts at 1am as England got its first taste of freedom since early November, in what has become known online as 'Wild Wednesday'.
Debenhams started a fire sale of its stock as administrators began to liquidate the department store after 242 years of trading. Read the full story here.
Debenhams started a fire sale of its stock as administrators began to liquidate the department store after 242 years of trading - AP
10:46 AM
Priority list required because vaccine supply will be limited, says JCVI boss
A priority list is required because supply of the Covid vaccine "will be limited", at least initially, the head of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has said.
The UK has already ordered 40 million doses of the free jab - enough to vaccinate 20 million people. The first 800,000 will be available early next week.
Professor Wei Shen Lim told Downing Street: "The whole reason why a priority listing is required is because we expect, during a pandemic, that vaccine supply will be limited in the first instance."
The UK and the wider world will need "as many vaccines as we can get" in order to reach all those at risk.
"This is the start of a programme and not the end of a programme," he said.
10:35 AM
MHRA boss shoots down Matt Hancock's Brexit claim
Dr June Raine has appeared to shoot down Matt Hancock's claim that the speed of the MHRA's approval was in part because of Brexit.
The head of the regulator told a Downing Street press conference: "We have been able to authorise the supply of this vaccine using provisions under European law which exist until January 1.
"Our speed or our progress has been totally dependent on the availability of data in our rolling review and the independent advice we have received."
She added: "I hope that clarifies the point about the European relationship."
10:30 AM
Prioritisation order 'not dependent on Tiers', says JCVI boss
The prioritisation order is "not dependent on which Tier somebody is in", the chairman of the Joint Committee on Vaccination has confirmed.
Professor Wei Shen Lim told The Telegraph that it was "the intention of prioritisation order that the most vulnerable people are offered the vaccination first."
Asked if those in Tier 3 would get it first, he said: "Our prioritisation order is not depended on which Tier somebody is in, it is a national prioritisation order."
Dr June Raine, head of the MHRA, stressed that "colleagues in the Department of Health and Social Care are working tirelessly to ensure the first vaccine is delivered as soon as all the checks are completed."
She added there would be "not a minute wasted".
10:18 AM
First phase of vaccination programme to reach '90-99pc of those at risk of dying' from Covid
The first phase of the vaccination programme will reach " 90-99 per cent of people at risk of dying" from Covid, the chairman of the Joint Committee on Vaccination has said.
Professor Wei Shen Lim confirmed that care home residents and workers were the "highest priority" followed by people aged above 80 years old; then 75 and above and then individuals aged 70 and up, alongside those who are clinically extremely vulnerable.
After that it will drop to those who are 65 and up, followed by "individuals who are aged 16 to 64 years with underlying conditions that put them at risk but not clinically extremely vulnerable."
The list "then continues down the age groups until all those aged 50 and above," Prof Lim added.
Local teams are urged to work to avoid "health inequalities" that might occur because of access to healthcare, deprivation or ethnicity, he said.
There will have to be “some flexibility” in view of the operational constraints, he adds, noting that care homes might be constrained because of the storage demands.
10:08 AM
'No corners have been cut' in Pfizer approval, says MHRA boss
Despite the speed of approval for the Pfizer vaccine, "no corners have been cut - none at all", the head of the MHRA has said.
Giving a Downing Street press conference this morning Dr June Raine said the vaccine had been proved for use "with some conditions".
"The safety of the public will always come first, and this recommendation has only been given by the MHRA following the most rigorous assessment of every piece of data," she added.
Unlike the usual sequential pattern of trials, they overlapped in this instance "to progress development in the shortest time possible", she explained.
Dr Raine said experts had worked "round the clock, carefully, methodically poring over tables and analyses and graphs on every single piece of data".
10:01 AM
Pfizer vaccine approval means 'by spring we will be through this', says Matt Hancock
The approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine means "by spring we will be through this", Matt Hancock has said.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) this morning approved the Covid vaccine for use in the UK, with the Health Secretary confirming that roll out would begin "early next week".
A beaming Mr Hancock told BBC Breakfast: "I am just so pleased. 2020 has been just awful and 2021 is going to be better
"Help is on its way - we can now say that with certainty rather than with all the caveats I normally put around it, that from spring, from Easter onwards, things are going to be better and summer next year will be one that everyone can enjoy."
He urged people to abide by the new restrictions passed in the Commons last night.
"The vaccine is the hope, help is on its way, but we have still got to get from here to there," he told Sky News. "Let's stick with it because help is on its way. By the spring we are going to be through this, but let's not let up and lose our resolve now."
10:00 AM
Brexit helped speed vaccine approval, claims Matt Hancock
Brexit has helped the UK become the first country in the world to have a clinically authorised vaccine, Matt Hancock has claimed.
The regulator approved the Pfizer-BionTech vaccine this morning, with rollout to begin early next week.
The Health Secretary told Times Radio the reasons were "twofold".
"Firstly, because the MRHA has done a great job of working with the company to look at that data as it's come through and do things in parallel, rather than one after the other as they normally would, that's the first reason," he said.
"The second reason is because, whilst until earlier this year we were in the European Medicines Agency (EMA), because of Brexit we've been able to make a decision to do this based on the UK regulator, a world-class regulator, and not go at the pace of the Europeans, who are moving a little bit more slowly.
"We do all the same safety checks and the same processes, but we have been able to speed up how they're done because of Brexit."
Matt Hancock arrives at Number 10 this morning - Getty
09:56 AM
Sadiq Khan: I will certainly get vaccinated
Sadiq Khan has said he will "certainly" get a vaccine when he is able to, as he welcomes the news that the Pfizer-BionTech jab has secured approval to be rolled out in the UK.
The London Mayor tweeted: "On behalf of all Londoners, I want to thank all the scientists, volunteers & all involved in the development of this vaccine. It is a huge achievement to have produced a vaccine that has met the strict standards of safety, quality & effectiveness to be approved for use in the UK.
"After many dark months, there is light at the end of the tunnel. But until the vaccine is fully rolled out to everyone who needs it, we must all continue to play our part to keep others safe.
"I will certainly get vaccinated when the time comes and urge everybody to do the same."
On behalf of all Londoners, I want to thank the scientists, volunteers & all involved in the development of this vaccine - which has met strict standards of safety, quality & effectiveness to be approved.
Iain Duncan Smith: No 10's Christmas stitch-up is the real reason for months of draconian rules
The Government's decision to return the UK to a tier system far tougher than the one which preceded the nation-wide lockdown has baffled many.
Parliament may have been given the chance to have its say on the issue of whether the new tier plan is fair, reasonable and necessary, but we have failed to have an honest debate about the real reasons behind the Government's adoption of such a tough position.
This has little to do with the R rate or even with the risk of hospitals being overwhelmed, a scenario for which the Government has produced no evidence, argues Iain Duncan Smith in today's Telegraph.
Family of MP who was hospitalised for four months were told there was 'imminent risk to life'
The family of a 28-year old MP who was hospitalised for four months after a brain haemorrhage were told there was an "imminent risk to life", she has revealed in her first interview since being discharged.
Amy Callaghan, the SNP MP for East Dunbartonshire, collapsed in June but was able to call an ambulance, before being found on the floor by her partner. She had to undergo emergency neurosurgery and spent four months recovering in a rehab unit.
"I couldn't sit up straight, you need to learn to stand.... There are some things that are a real struggle still," she added. "I can't do the dishes for one thing but I am not too devastated by that."
'I’ve realised now these scars are what saved me. They are my marks of courage, my marks of strength and I’m not going to hide them any more.'
Matt Hancock offers to be vaccinated on live TV to prove it's safe
Matt Hancock has offered to get vaccinated live on television to help convince people it is safe.
ITV's Good Morning Britain presenter Piers Morgan made the suggestion before the Health Secretary said: "Yeah, I'll take it with you, Piers".
Mr Hancock said: "We'd have to get that approved because, of course, there is a prioritisation according to clinical need and, thankfully, as a healthy, middle-aged man, you're not at the top of the prioritisation.
"But if we can get that approved and if people think that's reasonable then I'm up for doing that because once the MHRA has approved a vaccine, they only do that if it is safe.
"And so, if that can help anybody else, persuade anybody else that they should take the vaccine then I think it's worth it."
09:13 AM
Have your say: How should the Government encourage take-up of the Covid vaccine?
This morning's news that the Pfizer-BionTech vaccine has been approved by the MHRA is sparking a rarely felt emotion in Westminster - joy.
Ministers and opposition MPs are united in praising the moment as the beginning of the end of the pandemic, and the much-hated restrictions.
There has been talk of a vaccine passport with the promise of more freedoms, while others suggest lining up high-profile celebrities to prove it's safe. Alternatively, a more indepth ad campaign could dispel untruths about vaccinations and pave the way for a longer-term drive against all anti-vaxxer conspiracy theories.
So how should the Government persuade people that it is safe to take? Have your say in the poll below:
09:03 AM
Don't believe the scare stories about Covid vaccines, says Andy Burnham
Andy Burnham has urged the public not to "believe the scare stories" about Covid vaccines, following the MHRA's approval of the Pfizer-BionTech jab this morning.
The Greater Manchester Mayor tweeted: "The UK has one of the strongest medicines and vaccines regulatory systems in the world. I can say that with confidence as a former Health Secretary.
"So, please, don't believe the scare stories. If the @MHRAgovuk says it is safe, it IS safe."
08:58 AM
Government must 'step up' support for businesses alongside vaccine roll out, says Ed Miliband
The Government must "step up more" to help businesses survive until the vaccine has enabled a return to normality, Ed Miliband has said.
The former Labour leader said that while the Commons debate last night saw a range of views aired on the health measures "there was general consent that when it comes to the hospitality sector, aerospace, small businesses excluded from support" not enough was being done.
"Particularly as we are hopefully only few months from the vaccine being rolled out, we really do need the Government to step up more to help businesses through this crisis, so they are there at the other side," the shadow business secretary said.
But asked to weigh in on the Scotch egg debate, he told Sky News: "When it comes to pork products... well, I like a Scotch egg but I won't be eating one publicly."
Ed Miliband: No more public eating of pork products
08:48 AM
Pfizer vaccine approval will 'allow us to reclaim our lives', says Boris Johnson
Boris Johnson has praised the "fantastic" news that the Pfizer-BionTech vaccine has been approved by the regulator this morning.
The Prime Minister tweeted: "It’s the protection of vaccines that will ultimately allow us to reclaim our lives and get the economy moving again."
It’s fantastic that @MHRAgovuk has formally authorised the @Pfizer/@BioNTech_Group vaccine for Covid-19. The vaccine will begin to be made available across the UK from next week. (1/2)
Tiers to remain in place for 'forthcoming few months', says Matt Hancock
The new system of tiered restrictions in England will have to remain in place for the "forthcoming few months", Matt Hancock has said.
A review of the measures, passed last night, is due in mid-December but MPs will not vote again until just before the sunset on February 2.
Despite the news of the Pfizer approval today the Health Secretary said it was important to adhere to the rules until it becomes generally available in the new year.
"The regulations that we passed last night with a substantial majority in the House of Commons, they will be in place for the forthcoming few months," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. "But you can see now, with confidence, that from the spring onwards things are getting better."
Challenged on the number of Tory rebels and Labour's abstention on the vote, he added: "I'll take a majority of 213 in the House of Commons any day of the week."
08:43 AM
Mid-month review could see break up of regional Tiers, says Matt Hancock
Matt Hancock has said the mid-December review could see a more localised approach to the Tiers, following widespread calls for the Government to do so yesterday.
MPs from Kent and other parts of the country placed into Tier 3 were among those to vote against the new set of restrictions, arguing that their constituencies were being unfairly roped into more draconian measures because of an outbreak many miles away.
The Health Secretary told the Today Programme: "Of course we will look at the country - this is England - where the Tiers apply according to the epidemiology, the human geographies, of where people live and work."
He insisted that the carving out of Slough from the rest of Berkshire was an example of this already happening, adding: "Where that is appropriate that is what we will do."
Asked if that would happen on December 16, he replied: "Yes."
08:34 AM
Matt Hancock plays down scale of Tory rebellion over Tiers
Matt Hancock has tried to play down suggestions that the numbers of Tory rebels voting against the Government last night is proof of growing unease about the management of the pandemic.
Some 55 Conservatives voted against the introduction of the Tiers, the biggest rebellion so far, despite Boris Johnson urging MPs to back him as they lined up to vote.
Mr Hancock said he was "glad" the tier restrictions had passed through the House of Commons, saying the Prime Minister's presence was not unusual.
"These are really big decisions, I respect the decisions that people made, but actually it was an overwhelming majority," he added.
"I'm really glad that the House of Commons has passed it so overwhelmingly and that shows the country that we need to all abide by these measures and we need to stick with it."
08:30 AM
Matt Hancock: Losing my step-grandfather has made me more determined to fight Covid
Matt Hancock said that losing his step-grandfather to Covid-19 has "made me more determined" to fight the disease, as he urges people to stick with the rules until spring.
Yesterday the Health Secretary revealed that Derek had died three weeks ago.
This morning he told Sky News: "I have a big and complicated and loving family, and losing a member of your family is obviously a big thing for anybody. It's just made me more determined.
"This is a horrible disease and I've hated seeing so many people suffer from it. It just really brings it home when it's a member of your own family.
"The work that we're all doing together - abiding by these rules - I know that the rules are frustrating and I know that you can have debates about some of the boundaries. The thing about rules is they're there not to push the boundaries, they're there to tell us what are the limits of behaviour that is keeping people safe."
08:27 AM
Vaccine passports 'not part of our plan', says Matt Hancock
With the news of the Pfizer vaccine approval this morning, questions are still being asked about suggestions that a vaccine passport could be in the wings.
Although this was floated by vaccine tzar Nadhim Zahawi earlier this week, today Health Secretary Matt Hancock said a vaccine passport "isn't part of our plan".
"While we know that this vaccine protects you from getting ill with Covid - we don't yet know how much it stops you transmitting Covid until we roll it out broadly," he told Sky News. "We will, of course, be monitoring that very carefully.
"Therefore, we will vaccinate according to protecting the people who need the protection most, according to those who are vulnerable from Covid.
"So, that is part of the plan. The plan is to get this rolled out, according to the clinical prioritisation that the advisers will set out."
08:24 AM
How many Pfizer vaccines does the UK have access to?
As many as 800,000 doses of the vaccine will be available next week, with "several millions" more coming throughout December, Matt Hancock has said.
The UK has already ordered 40m doses - enough to vaccinate 20m people.
The Health Secretary told BBC Breakfast: "Next week, there'll be 800,000, so it's the first start. We'll then deploy at the speed that it's manufactured, and the manufacturing is, of course, being done by Pfizer in Belgium, so that will determine the speed at which we can roll it out."
Mr Hancock said the bulk of the rollout will come in the new year, adding: "We haven't put a finger on the numbers before Christmas.
"But what we do know is that we can get started next week with that first load and then several millions will be coming throughout December.
"People will be contacted by the NHS when it's their turn and I urge you very strongly to come forward because obviously being vaccinated is good for you, it's approved as clinically safe by the regulator and it's good for your community as well to help get this virus under control once and for all."
08:23 AM
Who will get the Pfizer vaccine first?
The prioritisation list - which will be based on clinical need - will be published by mid-morning, the Health Secretary said today.
Matt Hancock told Sky News: "The Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisation is the clinical committee that advises the Government on the priority and who gets the vaccine in what order.
"They will be setting out details of that prioritisation later this morning, along with the MHRA, who will set out the clinical details behind this vaccine and why they've taken the decision to authorise it. That will happen mid-morning so that people can see all of the details.
"And also that prioritisation, which is set out according to clinical need."
He later told BBC Breakfast vaccinations will start with the most elderly, people in care homes and their carers, before coming down the age range, with NHS staff and the clinically extremely vulnerable also high on the priority list.
08:21 AM
How will the Pfizer vaccine be rolled out through the UK?
The Pfizer vaccine will be rolled out through "three modes of delivery", Matt Hancock has explained.
However he noted that because of the -70C storage conditions required by the vaccine it would not be without challenges.
"The first is hospitals themselves, which of course we've got facilities like this," the Health Secretary said this morning. "50 hospitals across the country are already set up and waiting to receive the vaccine as soon as it's approved, so that can now happen.
"Also vaccination centres, which will be big centres where people can go to get vaccinated. They are being set up now.
"There will also be a community rollout, including GPs and pharmacists."
The latter would more likely to help roll out the AstraZeneca vaccine if that is approved "because that doesn't have these cold storage requirements and so is operationally easier to roll out," he said.
08:19 AM
Pfizer vaccine rollout to begin 'early next week'
The Pfizer vaccine will begin being rolled out "early next week", Matt Hancock has said, as he stressed the drug's safety and effectiveness.
He told Sky News: "As we know from earlier announcements, this vaccine is effective. The MHRA have approved it as clinically safe. And we have a vaccine, so it's very good news."
On the challenge posed by the need for the vaccine to be stored at an ultra-low temperature, he added: "This is a challenging rollout and the NHS in all parts of the UK stands ready to make that happen.
"They are used to handling vaccines and medicines like this, with these sorts of conditions.
"It's not easy but we've got those plans in place, so this morning I spoke to my counterparts in the devolved nations to make sure that we are all ready to roll out this vaccine ... from early next week."
He was asked if that meant Monday - but did not respond.
08:17 AM
Labour frontbenchers praise 'fantastic news' of Pfizer vaccine approval
Opposition MPs have also hailed the approval of the Pfizer-BionTech vaccine this morning.
Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner tweeted: "This is fantastic news and will give us all hope as we head towards Christmas and the New Year.
"The government needs to put in place a plan to roll out the vaccine rapidly. They failed on PPE, failed on testing and failed on track and trace. We cannot afford another failure."
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tweeted: "Thank you to all those involved in this wonderful news - from the brilliant scientists to the trial volunteers.
We must now ensure vaccines are rolled out safely but swiftly across the country."
08:14 AM
Scots Tories leader welcomes 'the news we have all been waiting for'
Scottish Tories' leader Douglas Ross is among those celebrating the news about the Pfizer vaccine approval this morning.
"Today we awake to the news we’ve all been waiting for," the Moray MP said.
📰 Today we awake to the news we’ve all been waiting for 💉 UK is the first country in the world to have approved Covid vaccine 🇬🇧 10 million doses before end of year with British army helping to deliver in Scotland 🏴
PM suffers major Tory rebellion over coronavirus tiers
Boris Johnson suffered the biggest Tory rebellion of his premiership on Tuesday night despite personally pleading with MPs to back his new tiers system as they cast their votes.
The Prime Minister formed a “gauntlet” with Health Secretary Matt Hancock and Chief Whip Mark Spencer in the Parliamentary voting lobby to beg backbenchers not to rebel, but 55 still voted against the Government, with another 16 abstaining.
With Labour and other major parties abstaining from the vote, the tier system, which is expected to stay in place until April, was approved by 291 votes to 78, meaning the strict new measures will come into force today with the approval of only a minority of the 650 MPs.
The Prime Minister failed to avert the revolt despite last-minute concessions on more money for pubs and the possibility of moving rural areas into lower tiers before Christmas.
A plea to “show unity” during a Zoom call with his MPs an hour before the vote was also ignored by many, and his personal intervention in the voting lobby is understood to have persuaded only two backbenchers to fall in line.
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