Schools will get two weeks' notice before they reopen, Gavin Williamson has said, as he appeared to suggest a delay to the planned mid-February return.
The Government is due to review the situation on February 2, and had been hoping to allow children to return to the classroom after half-term.
The Education Secretary, who is under fire for poor communication, constant U-turns and last-minute decisions, told Sky News there would be a "two-week notice period" to allow teachers, students and parents time to prepare.
"We have been wanting to give people as much notice as possible," he added.
But asked if that meant an announcement would be forthcoming next week, to be in time for the end of February half-term, he hinted at yet another shift in the plans.
"One key criteria is as to whether the pressures on the NHS have started to lift," he said, adding it was "a decision very much in the national interest". He added: "Schools were last to close and will be very much first to open."
Speaking later to BBC Breakfast he said only he was "hoping" to be able to give the fortnight's notice.
Follow the latest updates below.
12:33 PM
Boris Johnson hints restrictions could last until summer
Mr Johnson visited a flood risk area in Withington, Manchester - PAUL ELLIS/AFP
Boris Johnson has warned that the new coronavirus strain is "much more contagious" and hinted that the lockdown may not be eased until the summer.
The Prime Minister told reporters: "I think it's too early to say when we'll be able to lift some of the restrictions.
"We'll look then (February 15) at how we're doing but I think what we're seeing in the ONS data, in the React survey, we're seeing the contagiousness of the new variant that we saw arrive just before Christmas - there's no doubt it does spread very fast indeed.
"It's not more deadly but it is much more contagious and the numbers are very great."
He said it is "absolutely crucial" to obey the current restrictions "in what is unquestionably going to be a tough few weeks ahead".
11:47 AM
Israeli Pfizer figures support decision to give second dose after 12 weeks, says Hancock
Matt Hancock has said data from an Israeli study on the efficacy of the Pfizer vaccine "actually support the data that we have been basing our decision on to move to a 12-week dosing schedule".
Munira Wilson, health spokeswoman for the Liberal Democrats, highlighted a study from Israel which suggested the efficacy from the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine may be as low as 33 per cent, and asked whether the Government would now consider giving health workers their second dose sooner as it is now "as important as PPE".
The Government's chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, previously said experts would study the data carefully.
Responding to Ms Wilson in the Commons, Mr Hancock said: "I can reassure the honourable lady that having looked into the data that underpinned the article in the Guardian that I think she's referring to, the data actually support the data that we have been basing our decision on to move to a 12-week dosing schedule - so 12 weeks from the first to the second dose.
"The Government chief scientific adviser was asked about this in the media yesterday and explained clearly why we were able to make that decision because around 89% efficacy comes between days 14 and days 21 after the first dose.
"So, of course, we're looking at this data and, in fact, we're measuring the efficacy here at home from those who have been vaccinated by matching the data between those who have been vaccinated and those who test positive, and we're monitoring that and we will publish that data as soon as it is clinically valid."
11:11 AM
Have your say: When do you think schools will reopen?
Gavin Williamson this morning appeared to suggest that plans to reopen schools after the February half-term were being shelved... again.
The Education Secretary, who is fending off criticism for multiple U-turns, promised that teachers would be given two weeks' notice before students return.
However asked if that would be forthcoming next week, he pointed to the need for pressure on the NHS to reduce - which no one is predicting. Indeed, hospitals seem likely to remain near-capacity for some weeks yet.
In a subsequent interview, he said schools would "absolutely" be open before Easter. But is that likely - or is he setting himself up for another U-turn?
Have your say in the poll below.
11:05 AM
Matt Hancock: Very, very grateful for armed forces support
Jim Shannon, the DUP's MP for Strangford, asks about the involvement of the armed forces for "those who seem perplexed".
Matt Hancock says the armed forces have been "incredible" in helping throughout the pandemic, including the "UK-wide vaccination effort".
He says he is "very, very grateful" for their work.
11:02 AM
Matt Hancock rejects Israeli warning over single dose protection
Munira Wilson, the Liberal Democrat MP for Twickenham, asks about the suggestion from Israel that the Pfizer vaccine has a lower protection level than previously thought, and whether healthcare workers can be prioritised for getting a second dose.
Matt Hancock insists the data "actually support the data we have been basing our decision on to move to a 12 week dosing schedule".
He points to Sir Patrick Vallance's comments yesterday, saying the 89 per cent level efficacy comes "between days 14 and 21 after the first dose". Israeli scientists suggested it was just 33 per cent.
But scientists are continuing to measure the efficacy, he adds.
10:59 AM
Jeremy Hunt calls for upgrade to face mask guidance
Jeremy Hunt asks about the new React study suggesting that the variant has pushed up infection rates to such a degree that it is "massively more dangerous and hard to control than many realise".
He calls for quarantine hotels, ending household mixing outside bubbles and "following Germany in mandating FFP2 masks in shops and on public transport, to give better protection to wearers".
Currently the guidance is just for people to wear face coverings. But Matt Hancock says they have looked at PPE but "the current guidelines are right and appropriate" when it comes to masks.
He says the closure of travel corridors will help "guard against new variants coming in from abroad", although they "remain vigilant".
But he says it is not just about stopping new variants coming in,but it is about "the new variants that might not be dealt with as effectively by the vaccine".
10:54 AM
Care home vaccinations at 63pc, says Health Secretary
Matt Hancock says 63 per cent of elderly care home residents have had the vaccination "a really significant increase over the last week".
The Government is on track to vaccinate elderly care home residents by the end of the month, "and I hope sooner than that".
On the question of a "vaccine redesign", the Health Secretary says the early indications are that "the new variant is dealt with just as successfully as the old variant".
But he adds they are "vigilant" about any changes.
10:51 AM
Jon Ashworth demands answers on patchy vaccine rollout
Jon Ashworth, Labour's shadow health secretary, says it was "inspirational" to see people getting vaccinated, and welcomes the news that 4.6m people have been immunised so far.
He asks for clarity on care homes data, and why London and the East of England are "behind the rest of the country".
He also asks about the disproportionate levels of infection in BAME communities and key workers, asking if they will get prioritised for the vaccine and what efforts are being made to reach all groups.
He also asks about the reinfection risk raised by the new variant and what that means for adapting the vaccine.
The Labour MP urges him to fix sick pay and "give proper support" to encourage people to stay at home.
10:45 AM
Matt Hancock: Vaccine supply too 'lumpy' for change in contracts
Matt Hancock says he usually gives a statement "at least once a week" - although Sir Lindsay Hoyle interrupts to say this has not been the case this week.
The Health Secretary says he will consider the point about where it is best for cohorts 5-9 to get their first dose, which will come at the same time as the first cohorts get their second dose, saying it is an "important issue".
On the supply information, and whether GPs can have the easier AstraZeneca vaccine instead of Pfizer, Mr Hancock says it is challenging because of the "lumpy" supply, adding: "it isn't possible to give certainty as far out as GPs and others on the ground would like".
False certainty would be worse if it meant "having to reschedule appointments unnecessary".
But he accepts that the AstraZeneca vaccine is easier to deliver in rural areas.
10:41 AM
Huw Merriman calls for GPs to have AstraZeneca vaccine only-contracts
Huw Merriman, the chairman of the transport select committee, thanks the Health Secretary and colleagues for doing "an amazing job", adding he "salutes them all".
But he says in his constituency, the vaccine rollout has been slow with just one surgery carrying out vaccinations in the 200 sq m area he represents, although that has "got better" tis week.
He calls for a new "vaccine contract" to guarantee GPs only get the AstraZeneca vaccine because the Pfizer vaccine is too "difficult to store". This would encourage more surgeries to take it up, he says.
Mr Merriman also suggests that later priority groups go to the hubs while local surgeries focus on the more vulnerable groups so they do not have to travel so far.
He calls for "more forward looking supply levels" to be given to the local teams, and for a weekly opportunity for MPs to question ministers.
10:38 AM
Matt Hancock confirms more than 5m vaccinations have been given across UK
Matt Hancock has been asked to give a statement on the vaccine rollout, which he says is "giving hope to us all".
He confirms that more than 5m doses have been given to 4.6m people around the UK - "a huge feat, and one in which we can all take pride", he says.
But it is "only the beginning", with more sites opening "all the time".
He also confirms that more data will be made public so everyone can see the progress that is being made.
More than 200 vaccinations are being given every minute, he adds.
10:27 AM
Carry On in the Commons as minister praises 'Welsh sausage'
A Carry On-style moment emerged in the Commons as an environment minister answered questions about sausages.
Conservative MP for Ynys Mons Virginia Crosbie had asked environment minister Victoria Prentis about support for Welsh farmers post-Brexit, adding: "Will she also agree with me that a Welsh-farmed sausage is the finest addition to any good breakfast?"
Ms Prentis replied saying "a Welsh sausage is hard to beat", causing the Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle and other MPs to break down laughing in the chamber.
Carry on in the Commons: Sir Lindsay broke down in laughter - AFP
10:24 AM
Government plans consultation on flooding funding for frequently affected regions
The Government is to launch a consultation on changes to the way funding is allocated for flood and coastal defences, George Eustice has told MPs.
Andrew Percy, the Conservate MP for Brigg and Goole, asked the Environment Secretary to comment on "the adequacy of the flood defence funding rules for communities such as mine which are repeatedly now facing flooding issues".
Overnight thousands of people were evacuated as a result of Storm Christoph.
Mr Eustice replied: "I can tell him that we will shortly be issuing a consultation on some changes to the flooding formula and one of the things we want to better reflect is frequently flooded communities so that greater weight is placed on that."
10:22 AM
Sherelle Jacobs: The middle class is evaporating in lockdown, and the Tories have no clue what to do
It is too early to fully comprehend what is going on, as lockdown drives small firms to bankruptcy and forces hundreds of thousands out of work. But it’s already clear that these are politically uncharted waters.
The Tories are tasked with managing an economic crisis that affects their voting base disproportionately. Thatcher could afford high unemployment because the jobless tended to be tribally Labour. Austerity-hit lower-income voters were irrelevant to Cameron’s loveless marriage between affluent metropolitan and Tory England.
Which makes it all the more ominous that the Tories seem so divided on what to do. The party should be reassuring those who have fallen on hard times that a safety net will remain in place until lockdown is lifted.
'No disruption' after Oxford/AstraZeneca facility suffers 'mild flooding'
All "necessary precautions" have been taken to prevent disruption to the manufacture of the Oxford/AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine, following "mild flooding" at a plant where it is produced.
Excess water surrounded buildings at Wockhardt's pharmaceutical manufacturing facility on Wrexham Industrial Estate, according to a spokeswoman for the firm.
"Last night at approximately 1600 hours Wockhardt UK experienced mild flooding, resulting in excess water surrounding part of the buildings across site," the spokeswoman said in a statement.
"All necessary precautions were taken, meaning no disruption to manufacturing or inlet of water into buildings.
"The site is now secure and free from any further flood damage and operating as normal."
Floods have affected much of northern England and parts of Wales - Getty
09:44 AM
Watch: 'Is Joe Biden woke'? Boris Johnson dodges question on US President
Boris Johnson has dodged a question about whether he thought US President Joe Biden is "woke" after the shadow foreign secretary Lisa Nandy had labelled him as such.
The Prime Minister said he couldn't comment on it, instead championing the 46th President's support for the trans-Atlantic partnership.
But Mr Johnson insisted there was nothing wrong in being considered "woke", before congratulating Mr Biden and vice-president Kamala Harris, calling their inauguration a "step forward for the country".
Watch the interview below.
09:37 AM
Boris Johnson to visit flood-hit parts of England after thousands forced to evacuate
Boris Johnson is visiting some of the flood-hit areas today, after thousands of people were evacuated from their homes overnight.
The Environment Agency has issued a further 137 flood warnings across England, with 227 less severe flood alerts, mainly across the Midlands and north of the country.
The Prime Minister chaired a Cobra crisis meeting yesterday, confirming that steps were being taken to ensure the transport and energy networks were prepared so that electricity outages would not be "severe" and that there were sufficient supplies of sandbags.
He told reporters: "There are some times where I have been to scenes where, alas, people have decided not to obey the advice and not evacuated. It is their right not to do so if they choose - it's always people's right to stay wherever they are.
"But it really is advisable - follow the advice. If you are told to leave your home then you should do so."
Boris Johnson leaves London this morning in a RAF Helicopter with a security detail. - Nigel Howard
09:29 AM
Shopworkers facing 'abuse, threats and violence' over face masks, claims Co-op boss
Supermarket workers are battling a surge of violence as customers vent their rage over a new crackdown on face coverings, the boss of Co-op Food has said.
Demands for staff to enforce mask-wearing and social distancing rules have created a major flashpoint for “abuse, threats and violence”, Jo Whitfield said, with thousands of incidents every week.
She added that supermarkets should not be expected to make customers cover up as this is officially the responsibility of the police.
There has been a 140pc surge in criminal activity at the Co-op over the past year, with more than 200,000 cases including those that are violent, non-violent or involve shoplifting.
A security guard stands by the entrance to a Morrisons supermarket - Getty
09:25 AM
Experts assessing impact of current lockdown on rates, says Imperial scientist
Experts working on the college's React study are looking at whether current lockdown measures are enough to tackle the more transmissible variant of Covid-19, one of the authors has said.
Steven Riley, professor of infectious disease dynamics at Imperial College London, told Times Radio, he said both people's behaviour and the transmissibility of the virus are contributing to the patterns of rising infections.
He added that he is "extremely concerned" about high infection rates in community transmissions, and that the number of people being treated in hospital is "astronomically high".
It echoes a statement put out by Matt Hancock with the study this morning.
The Health Secretary, who is having to self-isolate again, said: “Infections across England are at very high levels and this will keep having a knock-on effect on the already significant pressures faced by our NHS and hospitals. It is absolutely paramount that everyone plays their part to bring down infections.”
09:22 AM
Lockdown refuseniks must stop 'physical mixing', says infectious disease experts
Lockdown refuseniks have been told to change their behaviour, following a new report suggesting the infection rate is not coming down.
Steven Riley, professor of infectious disease dynamics at Imperial College London, said there is "overwhelming" evidence that social distancing brings infections down, but people need to pay more attention to the measures.
Asked what he would say to naysayers, he told Times Radio: "People changing their physical mixing directly affects the way that the virus transmits.
"If we look back to the first lockdown, we saw the most dramatic change in people's behaviour that I think we ever recorded.... the behaviour and the transmission it is linked to is absolutely overwhelming."
Current infection rates were "the result of the post-Christmas period behaviour", he added.
09:17 AM
Brexit divisions 'have infected Covid reporting', says Sir Christopher Meyer
Brexit allegiances and “the poison of anti-Boris sentiment” are influencing the media’s coverage of the pandemic, the former Chair of the Press Complaints Commission has warned.
Sir Christopher Meyer, who led the body for six years, told The Telegraph’s Planet Normal podcast that “the Brexit wars are still being fought and they infect everything, and they have infected, I think, Covid reporting.”
In an interview with Telegraph columnist, Liam Halligan, the former British ambassador to the US said he’d noticed a “leaning towards alarmism”, because “it makes a great headline”.
Sir Christopher acknowledged that to provide successful coverage of the coronavirus crisis, reporters needed “some basic training as a statistician”.
You can listen to the interview below.
09:15 AM
Britain refusing to give full diplomatic statues to EU ambassador
Britain is refusing to give full diplomatic status to the European Union’s ambassador in London, causing a row between the recently divorced parties, the BBC has reported.
EU ambassador Joao Vale de Almeida and his team has been refused the full status normally given to envoys of countries, on the basis that the EU is not a nation state.
That means the ambassador would not have the chance to present his credentials to the Queen like other diplomatic heads of mission.
Josep Borrell, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs, has written to the Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, to express his "serious concerns", the BBC reports.
09:12 AM
Winston Churchill bust 'not on display' in Joe Biden's Oval Office
Joe Biden has risked a transatlantic spat with Britain after it appeared he had decided not to display a bust of Sir Winston Churchill in the Oval Office.
Donald Trump had given a prominent spot to a Jacob Epstein bust of the British war leader. But as Mr Biden entered the Oval Office for the first time in his presidency the bust did not appear to be there.
The Washington Post, which was given an advance tour of Mr Biden's office, reported that "Biden does not have the [Churchill] bust on display".
The Epstein sculpture of Churchill was given to President George W Bush by Tony Blair and displayed in the Oval Office.
Barack Obama had it replaced with a bust of Martin Luther King Jr in 2009. Then-London mayor Boris Johnson said it was a "snub to Britain".
Tony Blair gave the bust to George W Bush in 2001 - AFP
09:04 AM
Lockdown should be working by now, says expert
An expert has warned that research suggests the current national lockdown in England is not working.
Steven Riley, professor of infectious disease dynamics at Imperial College London, said the interim findings of the college's React study show that the prevalence of infection increased between January 6 and 15.
Speaking to Times Radio, he said: "It's long enough that, were the lockdown working effectively, we would certainly have hoped to have seen a decline."
He said data from previous lockdowns did show a decline, adding that current research "certainly doesn't support the conclusion that lockdown is working".
08:54 AM
Child poverty could soar to one in three as a result of pandemic, warns Children's Commissioner
A third of youngsters could be living in poverty by the middle of the decade, partly as a result of the pandemic, the Children's Commissioner has warned.
Anne Longfield told Sky News: "All the figures show that during the pandemic that has increased, so we're now in a situation where it could be a third of children living in poverty by the middle of this decade.
"That means a third of our population growing up and entering adulthood with serious hardships day to day but also limitations on their life chances."
Ms Longfield stressed it could "be overcome", but if it was not it would affect children throughout their life.
"Children are particularly hit by this and, if they fall behind, which, of course, poor children are likely to do, as they grow up they are least likely to catch up as they go through life.
"So there's a double whammy here where the education divide is increasing but also the poverty divide is increasing."
08:31 AM
Reverse Trump's damaging tariffs through 'reset' in US relationship, says Sir Keir Starmer
Sir Keir Starmer has called on the UK Government to negotiate with Joe Biden's administration to remove US tariffs on Scotch whisky.
Tariffs of £5.6 billion were imposed by former president Donald Trump's administration in retaliation for state support given to Airbus, with products including Scotch whisky badly affected by the measures.
Writing in The Herald, the Labour leader said: "With Joe Biden now in the White House, the United Kingdom has the opportunity to reset our relationship with the United States. It is a chance for both nations to work together to reverse some of the economic damage done by Trump and his administration.
"This will take time and it will not be easy. One particularly harmful legacy Trump leaves behind is the punitive tariffs imposed on Scotch whisky and other vital Scottish exports.
"When businesses are working flat out to weather the storm of the coronavirus, the 25 per cent imposed on Scotch whisky and other UK goods was an act of economic and diplomatic vandalism."
08:26 AM
Gavin Williamson defends himself amid criticism of exams replacement
Gavin Williamson has insisted that this year's GCSEs and A-levels will be "based on teacher judgement" as he pushes back against claims they will be exams by another name.
During an interview with the Today programme the Education Secretary was played a recording of a student complaining about the proposals, and challenged over the many changes and the fact the proposals could hinder those who have had patchy home learning.
He said: "Exams are marked by the exam board, these will be based on teacher judgement... they will be one element in terms of those teachers making that judgement as to what that pupil deserves to get".
Asked about criticism of his ability, he replied: "Our focus is making sure that we get the very best remote education to children across the country, making sure they can return to school at the earliest possible moment and building back better as we come out of this pandemic".
Asked what grade he would get for "leadership of our school system", he repeated that his "focus is getting out there and doing the job".
08:19 AM
Mass testing will continue while daily testing is paused, says Education Secretary
Mass testing of school children will continue, despite daily testing being paused, the Education Secretary has confirmed.
The daily tests were intended to be used for those who had come into contact with a positive case, rather than having to self-isolate, over concerns about their accuracy.
Gavin Williamson reiterated that schools would be given "a clear two-week notice period so they can be ready to welcome children back" and that "if we are in the situation where we are not able to welcome back so schools can continue to make the provision that is required".
08:16 AM
Schools will 'certainly' reopen before Easter, says Gavin Williamson
Gavin Williamson has said he hopes schools would reopen "certainly before Easter", as he stressed the priority of getting students back into classrooms.
But the Education Secretary could not guarantee that this would be the case - nor that they would not shut again.
He told BBC Radio 4: "I want to see them reopen, as soon as scientific and health advice allows for it, at the earliest possible opportunity."
He added teachers would be given "absolutely proper notice", ensuring "a clear two-week opportunity to get ready to welcome those children back".
08:13 AM
Gavin Williamson hopeful of starting 'paused' daily testing programme
Gavin Williamson said the daily testing of pupils and staff in secondary schools for coronavirus will be able to resume.
The programme was "paused" yesterday, after Public Health England raised concerns about the new variant of the virus.
Mr Williamson told BBC Breakfast: "We have trialled this system extensively in schools before Christmas. It has worked really well.
"[But] we have been asked to pause that... with the emergence of the new variant, we have been asked by PHE, who wanted to look at more details of how that works with the new variant.
"We very much hope we will be able to restart that programme," he added.
08:09 AM
Education Secretary pushes back against study questioning impact of lockdown
Gavin Williamson has pushed back against a study suggesting the third lockdown is working.
Imperial College's React study found that rate of new infections was not dropping 10 days into lockdown.
Study author Professor Steven Rile said there was "no good evidence that infections are falling in England", suggesting it could be as a result of the new variant.
But while he noted that Imperial was a "respected institution", the Education Secretary appeared to disagree with the findings.
"The evidence is that the lockdown has been having an impact in terms of alleviating pressures on the NHS, but of course the Government always looks at all the evidence," he told Sky News.
08:05 AM
Gavin Williamson shrugs off calls to resign
The Education Secretary has shrugged off calls for him to resign following a series of policy U-turns.
Earlier this week Labour's shadow education secretary Kate Green said it was “time for Gavin Williamson to go”, because of his "shambolic" track record.
She told fellow MPs: "He has bounced from one crisis to another without learning from his mistakes or listening to the parents, pupils and hard-working education staff who have been left to deal with the fallout."
But this morning Mr Williamson insisted this was just something that was "really interesting for politicians and journalists".
"My real focus is making sure that children get back into school at the earliest possible opportunity," he told Sky News.
Gavin Williamson is under fire over his repeated U-turns - Paul Grover for the Telegraph
07:56 AM
Boris Johnson warns of worse rain to come as thousands evacuated
Thousands of people in Manchester have been evacuated from their homes because of flooding which Boris Johnson warned could get worse next week.
Families already enduring lockdown have been warned that power cuts are likely, while others have been told they must be ready to leave their homes.
Some 2,000 properties in Greater Manchester were evacuated overnight due to flooding caused by Storm Christoph, the city council said.
Police and firefighters were working with Manchester City Council to evacuate homes in East Didsbury, West Didsbury and Northenden on Wednesday evening.
Atlanta Falcons first-round draft pick Michael Penix Jr. said quarterback Kirk Cousins called him after he was picked No. 8 overall in one of the 2024 NFL Draft's more puzzling selections.
The NFL will allow players to wear protective Guardian Caps during games beginning with the 2024 season. The caps were previously mandated for practices.
Ryan Garcia showed up for Saturday night’s fight against Devin Haney in New York as a 6-1 underdog. He also showed up several pounds heavy, towing behind him what seemed to be some heavy psychological baggage. And then he won.
Dan Wetzel, Ross Dellenger & SI’s Pat Forde react to the huge performance this weekend by Texas QB Arch Manning, Michigan and Notre Dame's spring games, Jaden Rashada entering the transfer portal, and more
Trump is entitled to an additional 36 million shares if the company's share price trades above $17.50 "for twenty out of any thirty trading days" over the next three years.
