The Bromsgrove MP has been in the job less than 48 hours after taking on the role following Matt Hancock's resignation on Saturday afternoon. Addressing MPs in the Commons later today Mr Javid is expected to confirm restrictions cannot be eased on July 5.

       Boris Johnson met with ministers and scientists last night to determine whether moving on to Stage 4 of the easing of lockdown could commence from next week.

       When the Prime Minister announced a four-week delay to the final stage of his roadmap to ending restrictions earlier this month, he pledged to hold a two-week review to see if the easing of measures could be moved forward.

       However, with cases, hospitalisations and deaths of Covid continuing to rise, Mr Johnson ruled out bringing forward the July 19 unlocking date.

       Mr Javid will confirm the news in Parliament at approximately 5.30pm this afternoon.

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       Ministers have promised to give one week's notice to any change of restrictions.

       However, he is also expected to give a boost to hopes of ending pandemic rules once and for all later in the month.

       The former Chancellor is known to be more cautious of lockdowns than his predecessor and is concerned about the impact such measures have on the economy and mental health.

       A source closer to the new Health Secretary said yesterday that he wanted to end restrictions "as soon as possible".

       In a statement last night, Mr Javid said he was focused on ending the pandemic as his "immediate priority".

       "I'm incredibly honoured to take up the post of Health and Social Care Secretary, particularly during such an important moment in our recovery from Covid-19," he said.

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       "This position comes with a huge responsibility and I will do everything I can to deliver for the people of this great country.

       "Thanks to the fantastic efforts of our NHS and social care staff who work tirelessly every day, and our phenomenal vaccination programme, we have made enormous progress in the battle against this dreadful disease.

       "I want our country to get out of this pandemic and that will be my most immediate priority."

       The Government has set itself four tests that must be met before England can proceed onto Stage 4 of the roadmap:

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       Mr Johnson set the target of giving second jabs to two-thirds of all adults by the July 19 date in order to ease restrictions.

       So far more than 32 million, 61.6 percent of the adult population, have received the necessary second injections.

       Over 44 million, 84.1 percent of adults, have had at least one dose of a life-saving jab.

       While cases are continuing to surge, the rise in hospitalisations is beginning to level off.

       In total 1,557 patients have been admitted to the NHS in the past seven days, a 10 percent rise on the week before.

       Ministers hope the continued rollout of the jab programme means by July 19, hospital admissions will once again be in the decline.

       Today's announcement is the first time Mr Javid will have made a statement from the front benches of the Commons since quitting as Chancellor in February last year.

       The veteran MP chose to resign after being told he must sack all his advisers if he wanted to keep his job.