On Monday the UK reported 10,633 cases and five deaths. Today's number of infections is the highest figure on record since mid-February and comes as fears of the Delta variant of Covid rise. The variant first detected in India has become the dominant strain in the UK. The rise in infections and fatalities comes ahead of next week's review of travel rules.

       Ministers are expected to take a cautious approach but the green list could be expanded to include a handful of European countries, according to analysts.

       The UK's vaccine programme continues to make strong progress, with a further 21,080 people receiving their first dose yesterday.

       More than 43 million people across the country have now received one dose of the Covid vaccine, which equates to 81.9 percent of the overall population.

       And those who are fully inoculated, having reveived both jabs, have reached over 31.4 million.

       This means 59.8 percent of the UK population is fully protected against the coronavirus.

       Nicola Sturgeon is expected to confirm a delay in the lifting of restrictions in Scotland, bringing the nation in line with Boris Johnson's plan to roll back measures on July 19.

       Yesterday had originally been earmarked as "Freedom Day" in England, but the Prime Minister chose to push the date back by four weeks due to rising cases of the Delta variant.

       Scotland's First Minister last week signalled he move to level zero - the lowest in the five-tier system - was likely to be pushed back by three weeks.

       She has also pledged to publish a much-anticipated review of social distancing rules.

       More to follow...